Through four games this season, Orestimba High’s girls soccer team remains winless following a three-game slate this past week.
The Warriors suffered losses to Delhi High, Calaveras High and a draw against Los Banos High. While it’s the result that the team didn’t want, head coach Alex Avila attributes the team’s slow start to changes to their roster. Orestimba lost nine players from last season, including leading scorer Maya Barajas.
“We want to win every game, but learning how to play with each other is a key part,” Avila said. “It’s a totally new squad, but these girls are working hard.”
After losing 5-0 against Delhi, the Warriors had a better outing in a 3-2 loss against Calaveras.
Throughout the first half, Calaveras was playing on both sides of the ball. From having possession for most of the game to deflecting the ball whenever Orestimba went past midfield, it seemed that the Red Hawks were going to hold the Warriors scoreless.
Midfielder Natalee Wright scored the first goal of the match to give Calaveras an early 1-0 lead. She dribbled past two Orestimba defenders and kicked the ball towards the left side of the goal.
Moments later, she scored another goal after going past midfield and kicked the ball to the center of the goal to lead 2-0. Calaveras concluded the first half with another goal after midfielder Soraya Cerna-Ramirez kicked the ball to the right corner of the goal to lead 3-0.
Within the first three minutes of the second half, Orestimba continued to struggle as the team couldn’t find any scoring opportunities. That changed, however, when Maria Martinez scored Orestimba’s first goal of the season to cut the deficit to two.
Near the end of the game, Giselle Esquivez dribbled past two Red Hawks’ defenders to score a goal with less than a minute remaining, 3-2. Calaveras went on to win the match
The Warriors concluded their slate with a 0-0 draw against Los Banos.
Orestimba will host its home opener against Livingston High on Monday in Newman. Livingston comes in at 3-2-2 overall.
With less than two weeks until league play, Avila said the players building their self-esteem will be the biggest focus moving forward as the team is mostly composed of new players.
“When you’re losing games, they just are doubting themselves for every little mistake. Everyone makes mistakes. It’s how you overcome those mistakes that will help the team out in the long run,” he said.
