Coming off a bittersweet season, the Los Medanos College Women’s Soccer Team looking to carry their dominant play into the upcoming season

The Mustangs were sent home from the playoffs in their opening round vs Reedley College 1-0. The Mustangs won the Bay Valley Championship, finished with an overall record of 9-6-5 and dominated their conference with a record of 8-0-3. .

The practice started with a warmup of stretching, kicking up your legs one at a time and touching your toes while going forward, and doing some light sprints. After the warmup, practice drills of attacking wings and crossings were at the top of the list. There were also some drills for the goalie and possession attacking. 

“Keep your head up” and “look for the ball” was something the players kept saying to one another throughout the practice.

The LMC Women’s soccer team led by Head Coach Zach Sullivan and Assistant Coach Sal Acevedo, held one of the team’s last practices before their first preseason match at 1:30pm on Thursday, held at LMC’s newly redone stadium field.

 The Women’s Soccer Team’s practice was held at LMC’s new state of art field, before their first home game vs West Valley from Saratoga, California on Tuesday.

On a day where you could pour water on the ground, and it would evaporate instantly, there were twenty women who showed up to practice. The weather was 95 degrees outside, you could see the sweat dripping from the players’ eyes and some even drenched in sweat from the hard work they had just put in.

 Lucio Malpica, a nursing student said “I am excited for the upcoming Women’s Soccer Team, because he played soccer growing up and even though there is no men’s soccer team it’s good to come out and support” soccer.

Jose Maldonado, an LMC student who was watching practice, was excited to watch experienced players like Forward, Bella Burton and Outside Back Oliva Kamm who he believes will be excellent mentors for the newcomers. 

 “One major highlight is the fantastic staff leading the LMC Women’s Soccer Team, this group of young student athletes holds so much promise for the season ahead,” Maldonado said. 

At practice it was obvious that the players and coaches really loved the game, and that excitement was contagious. The comradery and togetherness were impeccable. The hard work and dedication both on and off the field is going to pay off in how well they play. 

“I’m excited mostly about the games to finally be here”, said Bella Burton, a player for LMC Soccer Team.

Defender Lilliana Garcia said, “I’m excited for the challenging preseason games because we play a lot of good competition.”