Posted by by Marisa McNally
Feature Editor
Senior Shea Thompson shoots the ball in an attempt to make a goal in the game against Trabuco at Trabuco on Jan.21.
The team embraces a new coach, Kendal Billingsley, as the 2010 season kicks off.
Billingsley played at UCLA for four years, receiving the Defensive MVP award her senior year.
Once she finished playing in college, Billingsley assisted coaching the UCLA team and then went on to play professionally.
“She is very knowledgeable about the game,” senior Megan Daniels said. “It helps a lot that she was a defender because she gives us useful tips for that position.”
Now varsity coach for the girls’ soccer team, Billingsley has helped the team earn a 10-3-1 record Jan. 14.
The team came up just short last year in the CIF playoffs when the girls lost to San Clemente in the semi- finals. They plan to win league and CIF this year with an older, more experienced team of 15 seniors.
“We had a great preseason even though we started off slow,” Daniels said. “We are very confident and motivated as a team and have a tight bond on and off the field.”
However, proven in the first league game against Woodbridge, 2-1, and second league game against Northwood 3-1, the girls have eased up in the second half allowing the opposite team to score.
“We are our biggest opponent, but the girls have the work ethic and desire to improve every day,” Billingsley said.
