Lady Bulldog kickers honored at banquet

The Douglas Lady Bulldog soccer team was honored at its year end awards banquet Feb. 26 at the Douglas Visitors Center.

The varsity and junior varsity players received their certificates and letters of participation for the past year.

Douglas’ junior varsity coach Carlos Chavez talked about his teams 4-3-3 season.

“We started off with a tie … then lost two straight … then we won three straight,” he said. “From where we started to where we finished was amazing.”

The coach said he sees good things for this team and hopes they will continue to “stick with it” while working to improve their skills.

First year varsity coach Mario Romero said this was only the second time in the last eight years the Lady Bulldogs did not qualify for the state playoffs.

Douglas was 5-7 on the season but when the coach introduced the players it was obvious this year’s team was most freshmen, sophomores, several juniors and just three seniors.

“With all these girls coming back next year we should be loaded,” he said.

The coach said he also had some injuries which at times affected the teams performance. One tournament game during the holidays Douglas was playing nine on 11 due to injuries.

“Somehow we got through it,” he said. “There were some matches this year we felt we should have won but these girls fought hard to the bitter end. They never gave up. … Our program is headed in the right direction. We have to build on what we did this year.”

Coach Romero presented freshman Jenessa Salazar with the rookie of the year award; Maria Placios was named the most improved; Elyzabeth Duarte received the Bulldog award and Kianna Ross was named the outstanding senior,

The coach reminded the girls there is open field every Saturday at Airport Park and if they want to get better they need to work hard during the off season.