Team bonding brings success on the field

Rebecca AsoulinStaff writerOn Sundays the members of Samo’s girls’ soccer team can be found noshing and talking over bagels at Bagel Nosh after a strenuous workout on the stairs.“Everyone bonds over food and working out, basically the two things we love: food and soccer,” Kaishma Narayan, junior and varsity defender, said.Even though the team is only in its pre-season, their bonding has already created an obvious fluidity amongst the players.This year they are partically dedicated to making the season the best it can be.“This year’s team has about 12 seniors and in their last year of Samo soccer they want nothing more than to do well. Such energy and focus can be seen in every player on the team,” captain Kristen Vasquez said.Their record currently stands at a 1-0 win against North Torrence, a a 1-1 tie against Notre Dame, and two losses, the last a close 2-1 game against Marymount.Despite their losses they are positive about their chances for CIF this year and are slowly but surely putting all their amazing individual talents together.“This year there’s a lot more connection off the field, and so it’s easier to play on the field,” Narayan said.A major part of the unity of this year’s varsity team can rightly be attributed to head coach and Spanish teacher Jimmy Chapman.“Chapman is a great coach; you feel like he cares, like we are his team. He puts so much effort into our team, more than most coaches do,” junior and defender Claire Saiza said.Chapman goes above and beyond the duties of a coach. He diligently and painstakingly watches the tapes of all their games, and texts his players about what they can improve on, what pitfalls to avoid and what they did well.His reach extends even beyond varsity. According to junior varsity player Eden Carriedo and several other players, both Chapman and his assistant coach Angel Vasquez help junior varsity players and both of the new freshman and junior varsity coaches. Chapman texts not just varsity but all of the girls in the soccer program about upcoming games and events. The unity created by both of these coaches is truly incredible and it is a thrill to watch all of this years’ soccer teams play.As the Lady Vikings got together in a huddle at halftime of their last game, they played around and laughed, their intensity and joy infectious.The freshman soccer team and their friends and families broke into cheers as the players ran to their positions. Throughout the game one could not help but cheer excitedly, groan sympathetically or unabashedly tell the referee exactly what they thought about that last call. This year’s team has an incredible amount of energy and ability and their potential is simply incredible.

Profiling Samo's offense

Kristen Vasquez

Freshman on Samo’s varsity soccer team 07-08, current senior, forward and captain.Teammates say:“[Vasquez] tells people to relax, and take it easy. She helps people ease through, and play together in unison."“Kristen has so much experience, she always says the right things to uplift our team. She is just the positive kind of girl and player that everyone can get along with and work with."

Cheyenne De Los Reyes

Only freshman on varsity for the 2010-11 season.Teammates say:“[De Los Reyes] has been handling being on the team really well. At first she was shy, but once we started team bonding she really opened up and is just a fantastic player. She is really tall and quick, and she's always able to get balls near the goal and slide them in."Memorable Play: “She was just going with the ball and she bulldozes through three players. I mean, she just plows through everyone.”

Liz Lyons

Current senior and midfielder.Committed to Fresno State on a full soccer scholarship.Lyons is an intense player who refuses to stop for anything, even injury. At Friday’s game against Merrimont, Lyons collided with another player and fell down on the field in apparent pain. Despite this, after the half she came back in as strong as ever. Teammates say:“She does not stop fighting. If we are losing some people put their heads down, but if you look at Liz, her head is never down. She will keep fighting; even if she is injured, she still comes back in the game. She runs everywhere doing not only her job, but filling in the empty spaces on the field."rasoulin@thesamohi.com