Saturday, November 15, 2008

Five Lady Eagle soccer players are picked for 6-4A all-star teams

Seniors Ortega, Cordova make 1st squad

Jason W. Brooks News-Bulletin Staff Writer; jbrooks@news-bulletin.com

Belen When a 22-year-old with no coaching experience took over the Belen High School soccer program in June on the heels of a 5-16 season, it was easy to see why there were some who weren't sure how much success the Lady Eagles would have.

After a 13-9 season that produced five all-district players and the team's first state playoff berth in three years, Melissa Jaramillo's team has proven plenty of success is possible, with even more wins possible in 2009.

"It was an amazing year, and I'm sad it's over," said Jaramillo. "I saw so much improvement from day one to the end of the season. It wasn't just that I had to get to know the team, they had a new coach, and they had to work with that."

Junior sweeper Brittany Ortega and senior forward Marysa Cordova were selected to the District 6-4A first team by the four coaches in the league. Three Eagle seniors, midfielder Kassia Cano, defender Vanessa Sisneros and forward Belle Berry made the 6-4A second team.

For Ortega, it was her third straight all-district selection, though it was her first time being picked for the first team. The sweeper made mincemeat of many opposing forwards attempting to run up the middle at the Belen goal.

"Brittany's our strongest defender, even though she's such a tiny girl," said Jaramillo. "Even though she's so little, she has a strong foot, and she never stops hustling. She's hungry enough that she put the ball in the net right away when I moved her up to forward."

Cordova was moved from the midfield to forward for her senior season, and she adapted right away, scoring 12 goals and assisting on six others. "She was scoring from her midfield spot anyway, so I moved her up," said Jaramillo.

Cano helped the offense from her midfield spot, and at about 5-feet, 8-inches, she's one of the taller Eagles. She combined with Sisneros and Ortega on defense for an Eagle team that had six shutouts — five of those on the road.

"Kassia was strong all over the field, and she has a strong leg too," said Jaramillo. "She can clear the ball with headers, and she and Brittany worked really well together."

Sisneros brought hustle to every match, said the coach.

"Vanessa never gives up on the ball," she said.

Berry is a player Jaramillo credits as much for what she did away from the ball as when she possessed it. She had six goals and three assists.

"Belle has so much commitment to helping her teammates," said the coach. "She moved the field a lot, and gave her teammates options."

Jaramillo, who scored 123 goals in her BHS career when she was still Melissa Gurule, had a low tolerance for not hustling. She became known for shouting, "Why are you watching?" when players weren't active enough.

Three Eagle scorers, Kayla D'Arcangeli, Kelli Williams and Nicolle Sanchez, combined for 26 goals but didn't make the all-district teams. Jaramillo said coaches of the Eagles' three 6-4A opponents didn't get to see the Eagle offense in action much, as Volcano Vista and St. Pius kept the ball in the Belen end of the field in their games against BHS.

Volcano Vista and St. Pius had strong offenses, and each team reached the Class 4A state semifinals. The Eagles finished third in 6-4A with a 2-4 record, beating Grants twice.

Jaramillo also praised Eagle goalkeeper Desirae Saiz, a junior that had some strong matches. She made a number of spectacular saves in the state tournament.

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