After a not so successful fall sports season local Bulldog and Lady Bulldog supporters are anxiously awaiting the start of the winter season which begins next Monday when the Douglas Bulldog and Lady Bulldog soccer teams kick off their respective seasons at home against Palo Verde in the first round of the Brandon Bean Invitational.
 Bruce Whetten / Douglas Dispatch Alexis Romero is one of three seniors on the Lady Bulldogs who have been playing at the varsity level all four years. |
Last year the Lady Bulldogs picked up the final 16th seed and had the un-daunting task of playing No. 1 Flagstaff in the first round. Flagstaff won the match ending Douglas’ season with a 9-7-1 record.
Angelica Chavez is back for her fourth year as coach of the Lady Bulldogs. The coach said she has nine returning starters back from last years team including three seniors – Cory Vega at left defender; Hilda Galvez at sweeper and Alexis Romero at striker. All three seniors have been at the varsity level all four years giving them some valuable leadership plus experience which will help lead this team this year.
The coach said she initially had 46 girls come out for soccer and ended up keeping 37 who will be split up amongst the junior varsity and varsity squads.
Chavez is trying to instill in her players this year to not be satisfied with just getting to state but to follow the Bulldogs example and aim to win state.
“So far I’ve been real pleased with our attitude in practice,” the coach said. “These girls have been practicing with a lot of intensity. … We are definitely ready to start our season.”
This year’s squad is blessed with some big time talent and despite losing two key seniors last year in Jessica Hernandez at goalie and Leslie Vertrees the coach feels she has picked up some players to help fill in those holes and maybe her team can improve on last year’s third place Gila Region finish.
“I think we’ve grown as a team,” Chavez said. “I think we’ve grown with our skills. I’m anxious to see what these girls are going to do once they step onto the field … I see so many good things in a lot of these girls.”
The coach sees good chemistry with this team and feels real close to most of the players who she has coached either through high school or club ball since they were young.
“This team has the ability to do so much this year,” she said. “I really hope we can put it all together and make this a very successful season.”
Elizabeth Clark, who last year played basketball, came out for soccer this year and has stepped in at goalie looking to fill the void left by Hernandez.
“It’s been like riding a bicycle for her,” Coach Chavez said. “She jumped right back into the goalies box. … She’s just a natural goalie. She’s going to help us out immensely.”
Freshman Victoria Mariscal is taking over at Vertrees’ spot and she has really looked good in practice.
Palo Verde and Douglas have played some very intense and entertaining soccer matches over the years. The Lady Bulldogs host Palo Verde on Monday at 4:30 at DHS. The same two teams meet up again Dec. 11 in league play in Douglas. There could be a third meeting at the Palo Verde Invitational Dec. 26-30 and possibly a fourth in the regional playoffs which take place in late January.
“Palo Verde gives us really good competition which is what we need if we want to get better,” she said. “We’re going to get tested. … I hope we test them also.”
The Lady Bulldogs then head to Buena Tuesday for round two of the Brandon Bean Invitational then head to Tucson Wednesday to play Salpointe before closing out pool play Friday against Pusch Ridge. Depending on how the teams do in their respective pools will determine whether or not they play on Saturday.
Palo Verde won the region last year followed by Sahuarita then Douglas.
Coach Chavez sees these three teams battling it out once again but feels there is no reason her girls can’t take the regional title this year and host a first round state playoff game like it did three years ago.
“I’m not underestimating any of those teams by any means,” she said. “I’m sure they’re going to be playing as hard as we are.”
Based on the recent grade checks Chavez sees this team is committed to having a good season and hopes that commitment stays there till the end. Injuries are something that causes Chavez to lose some sleep.
“The attitude seems to be there,” the coach said. “These girls really want it. … I see a lot of commitment. I see great chemistry. I’m seeing intense practices. … I’m always nervous. I’m anxious I want to get this started and have us get over that first game hump and then we’ll see what happens.”
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