The Cochise College Lady Apaches soccer team and their new coach Andrea Daniels kick off the 2010 season this week with a pair of games in California.

Bruce Whetten/Douglas Dispatch Cochise College freshman Kayla Davis puts her head on the ball while teammates Jessika Sweet and Shaunice Huffman react in the Lady Apaches scrimmage Sunday with a group of Douglas players at Armando DeLucas Stadium. Cochise kicks off its season this week with two games in California. The home opener will be Aug. 31 when Cochise hosts Paradise Valley in a 3:30 p.m. match.

Daniels, a former player for Kenny Dale in 2001-2002 and an assistant coach last year to Chris Bermingham, was named head coach of the Lady Apaches several weeks ago.

“I’m very excited and very honored,” Daniels said when asked how she felt about being named the head coach at Cochise College. “I know what Cochise College is all about and what the soccer program can give the young ladies.”

Daniels had two successful years under Dale and says she understands what kind of success is possible if you put in the time and effort.

“Kenny expected a lot out of us and therefore we gave a lot back,” she said. “I have the same expectations for these girls. I expect them to do their best and go hard every time they step on the field; in the classroom and even in the community.”

Working under Chris last year Daniels said she learned to provide a good balance for the girls.

“You need to expect a lot but you also need to give lot of encouragement to build up their self esteem and confidence,” she said. “I’m going to do my best to continue that.”

Daniels was fortunate in that since she was the assistant last year she hand a hand in recruiting many of the players currently on the Cochise College roster.

“Once I was named the head coach I was also able to bring in some more players,” she said.

Daniels has been practicing her team for two weeks prior to Sunday’s scrimmage against some Douglas players on the Astroturf field at Armando DeLucas Stadium.

“I was pleased by what I saw today,” she said. “How you approach the game is so important. I felt our sophomore class has grown and matured and are good role models for our incoming players. I thought that showed today.”

The coach said the turf helps the ball move a lot quicker compared to the grass which was another good thing for her team to play on a different type of surface.

“Then you had the even field which meant you didn’t have those weird bounces you get when you play on grass,” she said. “It felt really nice; really comfortable.”

Looking at her team Daniels has added two new goalies; freshmen Justin Padilla from California and Douglas’ own Liz Clark.

“They both were injured during preseason and are just now coming back,” she said. “I’m looking forward to seeing what they can bring; what they can do for our soccer program.”

Kayla Davis, another freshman from California is quick and speedy; works hard and is very easy to coach, Daniels said.

“She does whatever you ask of her,” the coach said. “She plays the forward position for us so I see her attacking and getting in behind the defense.”

Silvia Dominquez, a sophomore transfer from El Paso, Tex. will play the center midfield.

“She’s really quick and crafty with the ball and has a great first touch,” the coach said.

Lea Rohan, a sophomore from Las Vegas, Nev. played at Jackson State in Mississippi last year and transferred in to Cochise.

“She’s a great communicator,” the coach said. “She sees the field well; helps the girls out and serves a great long ball. She hustles; goes hard every hard. If I could pick a most improved right now from my freshmen class to now sophomores, she’d be it.”

Yadira Garcia plays center back for Cochise is extremely quick and serves a good long ball; her coach said and has also shown good communication skills on the field.”

After making the post season playoffs nine straight years the Lady Apaches have been left out the last two years and finished 6-11-2 last year.

“I definitely know this team has the ability to make the playoffs,” the new coach said. “The girls’ goal for the season is to make the finals. That’s where I see us.”

Cochise kicks off its season this week with two games in California.

The home opener will be Aug. 31 when Cochise hosts Paradise Valley. That match will be followed by another home game Sept. 1 when Cochise hosts Scottsdale.

Both matches will start at 3:30 p.m.

Former Douglas High School soccer player Lina Campbell left the team last week after receiving an academic scholarship offer from the University of Arizona.

Coach Daniels said Sunday Giovanna Posada, another DHS graduate, joined the team on Friday filling in Campbell’s slot.