April Update: Spring training has already kicked off for our Women’s Soccer Program. Our players have been training hard in preparation for the upcoming season and there’s good news for both sides
With captains Katie Olsen and Ashley Okazaki away on study abroad this semester, 5 SUA women have been getting back to the basics by simply focusing their training sessions on condition, speed, and ball handling skills. These sessions will further strengthen their core foundational skills which is the backbone to good soccer.
There’s some exciting news for the upcoming Fall season. 4 top recruits already committed to Soka and are coming to join the SUA family! These recruits are: Kaleigh Moser from Upland, CA. She is a winger and an all out, attacking goal getter. In addition, she will also join the Track & Field Team with Coach Freeman. Alice Kimball, from Raleigh, NC. Coming in as a Midfielder for the squad. Ali Houghton, a goal keeper from Saratoga Springs, UT. And Leanne Henney, a forward from Las Vegas, NV. With the addition of these 4 new recruits, there is a good possibility that we’ll have 16 players on the roster with every player having previous organized soccer experience except for 2.
“Our patience and perseverance are paying off. Now the girls won’t be forced to play while injured and now they can play soccer the way it’s supposed to. I’m happy to compete against the others now with a legitimate team. We actually have a winning chance now…” – Head Coach Cano.
October Update: The SUA women’s soccer team also traveled to Phoenix on October 7th to play Arizona Christian. The women played an outstanding game, exhibiting a high skill level in securing a 3-0 victory. Central defenders Ashley Okazaki and Cassie Calhoun were outstanding in this match, playing together beautifully in shutting out their opponent. Sophomore Jennifer Hayashi also stood out, marking Arizona Christian’s top scorer the entire game. Goalie Katie Olsen earned her first clean sheet, a well-deserved honor for the SUA junior.
Senior Simone Barclay and sophomore Skyler McClanahan provided a strong presence in the midfield, defending well and also helping to create scoring chances. Ariana Vasquez scored the first SUA goal of the match. Coach Cano on Vasquez: “She has been very good at being at the right place at the right time for the Lions. She has great speed but the way she reads the game is what really makes her a standout”. Senior Sachiko Orui scored the second SUA goal off a rebound from a shot by Vazquez. Orui has been the most improved player on the squad this season. Freshman Claudia Ahumada closed out the scoring with a powerful header on a perfectly placed corner kick from Okazaki.“Everyone on the team is making a big contribution towards building a solid program” – Coach Cano.
September Update: Our Women’s Soccer team opened up their season in Northern California on September 4 against Mills College in Oakland. They proved that they were a fit and healthy team even though they had no subs. With only 11 players, they finished an astonishing 9-1 against Mills! Great performances came from our 3 new freshmen recruits: Ariana Vasquez from Fontana, CA who had 2 goals and 2 assists, and solid play from Aubree West from Hacienda Heights, and Cassie Calhoun from Alta Loma. Also Sophomore forward, Skyler McClanahan came through with an impressive hat trick!
On September 9 they nailed their opening match at the inaugural Soka Peace Cup over Arizona Christian with a 3-1 victory. Solid defense was played by midfielder Junior Ashley Okazaki, goalkeeper Junior Katie Olsen. Great goals were scored once again by Sophomore forward Skyler McClanahan, Freshmen Aubree West and Ariana Vasquez. “Our game plan was a success because of their great fitness. It showed by overcoming a 0-1 deficit to score 2 amazing goals,” Head Coach Cano.
Their second match in the Soka Peace Cup ended up to be a very physical one against Marymount College. It was a rough start with the women giving up an early goal. They had to chase the game throughout and even missed a couple of good chances to score. Despite this, our lady Lions put together a very tough attitude and put up a good fight.
They finished the Soka Peace Cup against Mills College. Even though this was their third consecutive game, the team came out with both guns blazing with a 9-0 victory. Once again their fitness carried them through as they cashed in on every opportunity. Freshmen Ariana Vasquez was unstoppable along with Senior midfielder Simone Barclay, Sophomore forward Skyler McClanahan, and Junior Midfielder Yuka Kumasaka Crickmar. After tallying up all their goals during the Peace Cup, our women’s team took the trophy with 12 goals! Congratulations and job well done!