San Marcos has two varsity girls soccer teams on the field right now.
“We’ve got 24 girls on the squad, so basically we’re playing with two teams,” said coach Lloyd Biggs. “We’re giving every girl an opportunity to show what they can bring to the table, and that’s making it hard to find consistency on the field.”
That may have had something to do with the Royals’ 4-0 loss to Agoura at Valley Stadium on Thursday. The Chargers scored all four goals in the first half, with two coming off of long throw-ins.
San Marcos graduated 10 seniors from last year’s squad, including nine starters, leaving junior captains Ali Raack and Jenny-Ann Martinez with a crop of support that is still ripening. Both expressed optimism that the team will improve quickly once team chemistry begins to build.
The Royals’ defense was solid in the second half, as Agoura only managed to get one decent shot on frame. Goalie Kaitlyn Mendoza made an impressive play by diving to her right for the save.
“It’s a season where we’re going to try and work with the girls and really look two years down the line,” said Biggs. “But our style of play is going to be entertaining, and we’re going to play the game the way it’s supposed to be played.”
He then pointed to the bald patch of dirt that covers the middle of the pitch and said “unfortunately with this field it’s going to be a bit of a challenge.”
The school is currently trying to secure funds to install turf at the stadium, but in the meantime it will be a combination of a young team and an old field.
The Royals host Oak Park on Tuesday at 3:15 p.m.
