Girls soccer clinches league title; has high hopes for playoffs
Senior Cailie Chayrez dribbles past Sierra’s defense.
April 17, 2014
With the Bulldogs looking to finish their sixth consecutive undefeated league season, Tracy’s girls’ soccer team has high hopes for the playoffs. Tracy has clinched first place in the San Joaquin Athletic Association (SJAA) with a record of 9-0-1.
“I think we have the team to go compete for a section title,” coach Nate Perry said. “If we play to our full potential, I think that will be the end result.”
Even with the first place clinching of the SJAA, the Bulldogs had one hiccup in a tie game, 2-2, against Franklin High in Stockton.
“It had been a long week and we were pretty beat up after beating St. Mary’s and Bear Creek earlier in the week,” Perry said. “Franklin is a good team and beating any team three times in one season is always hard.”
In a game played on an almost dirt field (at Franklin) filled with controversial calls, many outside factors played a role in the tie; however, Tracy still puts the blame on themselves for not pulling out a win.
“The referees gave Franklin a controversial penalty kick which allowed them to tie up the game,” senior Kelly Brooks said. “We also did not play at a high intensity until they tied the game.”
Despite still being undefeated in league, the seniors who have only tied once previous in their three years on varsity said that the tie felt like a loss.
“It was terrible,” senior Dallyce Marglon said. “With all the success we have had tying feels like a loss.”
With the expectation of going undefeated and winning league every year, the Bulldogs have felt the pressure.
“To keep the legacy going is a lot of pressure,” senior Jill Finney said, “but to be in such a successful program is awesome.”
With struggles of communication and teamwork early in the season, Tracy has fixed that in part of a team bonding night in which all the players spent the night at junior Jenna Weseley’s house.
“It really helped bring us together as a family,” Marglon said. “There are no cliques on our team and being so close off the field has really helped us on the field.”
The players have the same confidence heading into playoffs as Perry. Last season, the Bulldogs lost to Ponderosa High in the semifinals. This season they believe they have all the tools to make it past the semifinals.
“I think the skill level is about the same as last year,” Marglon said, “however this year, we have worked better as a team and finished games better.”
Tracy’s next game is at home against Lincoln on April 17. Tracy will then play Chavez and Bear Creek before playoffs.
