Bison return three all-conference players from a year ago.
By Mike Miazga
Correspondent
Both experience and talent are on the side of the Fenton girls soccer team this spring.
Veteran coach Victor Ruiz has a number of key performers back from a Bison team that won six games and tied two others last year.
That list of returners includes senior defender Lizbeth Reyes, junior midfielder Maria Lara, junior forward Mia Clavelli, junior forward Giselle Vargas and sophomore midfielder Natalie Diaz.
Reyes, a team captain, was an all-Metro Suburban Conference West Division selection in 2016, while also earning Fenton team MVP honors and the Lions Banquet top athlete accolade.
Lara, also a team captain, scored eight goals and had 12 assists on her way to an all-MSC West selection.
Clavelli, a team captain as well, registered 10 goals and had five assists and was rewarded with an all-MSC West pick as a sophomore.
Both Vargas and Diaz had four goals as a sophomore and freshman on the varsity respectively in 2016.
Newcomers to the team include Jazline Barriga (midfield), Yuliza Ibarez (defender), Cindy Mendoza (defender), Andrea Garcia (forward), McKayla Garcia (forward), Patty Acosta (goalie), Katherine Cervantez (goalie) and Sofia Gonzalez (midfield). Mendoza is a sophomore, while Barriga and Ibarez both are freshmen.
Ruiz said the middle of the field will be a key calling card for the Bison this season. “The midfield will be our strength along with three returning defenders,” he said.
The coach added increasing the goals scored output this season is a key goal. “We will be looking to cap more goals in the net and finish. Last year we didn’t capitalize on opportunities.”
Ruiz said the Bison have some goals in the MSC Blue and beyond. “We are looking to compete in conference and finish in the top three,” he said. “The girls are working hard to make sure we move on and get past the first round of the playoffs.”
