Editor’s note: Due to a production glitch in last week’s Douglas Dispatch the following article is being ran again this time in its entirity.

The Cochise College women’s soccer season starts this week, with a home opener versus Scottsdale Community College scheduled at the Douglas Campus on Wednesday, Sept. 9.

This year, the program welcomes former Cochise College player Andrea Daniels as assistant to Head Coach Chris Bermingham, who is in his fifth year leading the team. After graduating from Cochise several years ago, Daniels earned a degree in early childhood development at Grambling State University and was an assistant coach at Florida International University, where she earned a master’s degree in sports management.

Former Douglas High School players Jessica Hernandez and Lesley Vertrees bring experience to the team; both played for Cochise last year. The team includes two other sophomores and welcomes 13 freshmen from Japan and Brazil, as well as Nevada, Utah, California and Arizona.

Cochise College fosters athletic, academic and personal growth, and the soccer program has enjoyed much success since its inception in 1998. The team has qualified for the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference (ACCAC) playoffs nine of the last 10 years. Players have been named as National Junior College Athletic Association All-Americans, all-region players, and ACCAC first and second teams. Four former Apaches, including Daniels, have played in the Women’s Professional Soccer League, and Cochise players are on the rosters of NCAA and National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics schools.

The 2009 season begins with a road trip to San Diego and several other Arizona road games, with the home opener at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9. Admission is free. For more information, call (520) 417-4095.