February, 2024
By Atziri Martinez
Over the years, the KAC girls soccer team has had tremendous and consistent success. They have made it to the state championship semi-finals with their amazing soccer and communication skills. They’ve also played in several tournaments, like last season’s UT Invitational where they played four games and showed off their talent and won three games. And, earlier this season, they won the Midway Tournament. Since coach Jonathan Avila has been working here, the record for the girls has been 36-4-17. To gain insight into how the team has maintained such a high level of success, I talked to Avila and junior Samantha Vallejo about things the soccer girls do while training, playing, and preparing for the season.
The soccer girls seem to have enjoyed their time together as a team and help each other as well the impact the sport brings to them. Avila said, “I enjoy several things from being a coach. I truly enjoy how soccer can unite a team and at times a whole community. I have witnessed great friendships and teams come together thanks to the sport. I also really enjoy how competitive the sport is, we get to travel all around the state and get to compete in all types of teams and school and as well as I really enjoy being outside.”
“The most fun thing about coaching girls is seeing them work with discipline and consistency,” he continued. “Girl athletes in general are extremely coachable and hungry to get better. When you have hungry, determined players, it is much fun to coach.”
Although soccer does bring some competitiveness, it can also be challenging. Avila added, “The most challenging thing about being a coach is being able to support their psychological needs as well as their skill of physical needs. Mental focus is key to success and mentally preparing our team is key to our success.”
We may see the girls win but not really know how they prepare for these games and after school practices. Vallejo explained that a lot of work goes into the final product that appears on the field. “For after school practices we usually stay about 2-3 hours and we start by warming up and then doing small drills. This can look like 4v4 or finishing drills then we end it through a scrimmage and we break out at the end,” she said.
Vallejo continued, “When I prepare for games I try to get my mentality straight and focus just on the games and my role. This helps me be concentrated throughout so I can play my best and I also keep everything positive to help my confidence.”
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