Is the Yuba College women’s soccer team coached by Elliot Ness? No, but with scores like 11-0, 8-0, and 5-1, it sure seems like they are untouchable right now.
With a new coach and a new defense-first oriented system, Yuba’s women’s soccer team has paved their way through the first half of the season, and they are doing it on both sides of the field.
Yuba at one point had not allowed a goal for 664 consecutive minutes, a new team record. On the other end, they had outscored their opponents 56-1 as of September 21, a 11-0 humiliation of Los Medanos College.
The offense comes from everyone, and if a key member is out, someone else comes in and takes up the slack. With the state’s leading scorer, Yuba’s Donna Burnette, out for a game, Liz Jacobsen came in and really stepped up , netting three of the 49er’s five goals for a win over West Hills.
Though seemingly unstoppable, there remains challenges ahead, and there is a danger of getting to cocky. With cool heads and hot play, this team could go all the way to the championship.
Men’s SoccerAfter posting a sub-par record of 2-22 last season, Yuba’s men could only look to improve this year.
Mix in a new coach, and a new philosophy on defense, and you have got a team with a new resolve and determination. Did I mention a better record?
It only took the squad three games into this new season to match last year’s total for wins.
Team defense is the key to the 49er’s success, but having guys who can take games over offensively doesn’t hurt the cause either.
During a 4-0 win against Napa earlier this month, Indy Johal netted all four of the team’s goals, a new Yuba record for goals scored by an individual in a single game.
Another key to the success of this team is the contribution of returning goalkeeper Kealii Kuehu from Hawaii. Every game they have played has been close – either a shutout, or a one-goal loss.
Halfway through this season, they are playing .500 soccer, much more than could have ever been expected from a team that seemed to struggle in every game last year.
Coach Spain expects more. In fact, before the season started, he vowed playoff berths for both of Yuba’s Soccer teams, and it looks like both are well on their way.
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