Among the seven returning players from last year’s squad are leading scorer Azucena Pizano, most improved player Jacque Nunez and rookie of the year Mariana Otero.
“Otero and Pizano come back for us at midfielder and forward,” head coach Chandler Gray said. “Pizano is amazingly fast and puts a lot of pressure on the opponent. This is her third year as a starter so she has great experience.
“Otero will be starting for her second year at midfield. She makes everything look effortless. She moves and distributes the ball well. She is a very selfless, team-oriented player. She led the team in assists last year and plays shut down defense.”
However, some key players have also moved on from last season’s team.
“We lost six players that moved on to high school, so there are some big places to fill at goal keeper and defender especially,” Gray said.
Gray noted that Makenzy Youngblood played goalie some last year for the Lady Bulldogs and has some experience.
“Toward the end of the season last year she really began to figure out what she was doing,” Gray said. “She came in to practice this year working hard and has done very well. I am looking forward to seeing what she can do in a game situation.”
Gray also said that Lisabeth Segura, who played as a sixth grader but did not play last year, has rejoined the team.
“She came out this year and has played very aggressively at the sweeper position,” Gray said.
Members of the Lady Bulldogs soccer team this season are eighth graders Azucena Pizano, Veronica Cordero and Lisabeth Segura; seventh graders Estephany Cornejo, Vannessa Flores, Jacqueline Nunez, Marianna Otero, Ivone Pineda, Yovanka Pineda, Ansley Wheeler, Makenzy Youngblood and Sara Bahena; and sixth graders Maria Luna and Jessy Ortiz.
The Lady Bulldogs will scrimmage Cartersville on Friday, March 1. The first home game will be on Monday, March 4.
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