LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. — Officially entering the holiday season, Los Alamitos High School begins to transition into the winter sports season. Among these many impressive sports teams are boys and girls varsity soccer. Both teams have been working with diligence and determination to prepare for their upcoming seasons.
Girl’s varsity soccer is a Sunset League, Division 1 program and has made it to the California Interscholastic Federation’s playoffs every year. Patrick Rossi, the team’s head coach states the team’s goals are: have a strong pre-season, win league for the ninth consecutive year, make it far into CIF and qualify for State playoffs.
Rossi has applauded his team’s dynamics between the underclassmen and the 15 seniors who have displayed great leadership and positivity. The senior team captains are four-year varsity players, Abby Nuez and Baylee Fernley, both have played major roles in guiding and motivating the team so far this year.
Center forward and senior, Vanessa Pirrello is extremely excited to play her fourth and final year with her team while celebrating all their memories and hard work throughout the years.
“We support and challenge each other through everything which helps boost our chemistry,” Pirrello said.
Playing in the Sunset League, boy’s varsity soccer is looking for their first CIF title for Los Alamitos. Head coach, Donovan Martinez, is working with an entirely new team this year, as only a few varsity starters remain from last year. Among these returning starters is Sunset League 1st team member, senior Ethan Phung, who is a talented striker and crucial to the team’s attack. Altogether, the team is a fresh mix of old and young talent that are equally eager to work hard.
Senior, Jacob Manning, another returning starter is playing defensive midfield and is looking forward to playing in his last season with his team. Manning is most excited for the away matches against Loyola and Edison High School because of the energy and rivalry the teams bring to the field.
“Our coach has prepared us by starting practices early and holding numerous conditioning sessions. As well as holding normal practices as long as 3 hours,” Manning states when asked about the team’s pre-season training.
Playing in the Sunset League gives Boy’s Soccer one of the toughest schedules of High School soccer. The boys play a variety of teams, public and private, no matter what division; every game they play is at a high competitive level.
“We have high standards for our team/players and strive to be professional and positive no matter what challenges we face during the year,” Martinez says.
Come out and watch Boy’s Varsity Soccer at their first home game on Dec. 10 against Newport Harbor and Girl’s first home game on Jan. 6 against Newport Harbor.
