The Cosumnes River College women’s soccer team is preparing for their upcoming season, expecting to make it back to playoffs this year, making it their 13th playoff run in a row.

With a strong team this season, Head Coach Cesar Plasencia said he believes his girls can make the playoffs and said his main focus is on defense.“I believe we’ll be a good defensive team; I think our players are hardworking and they understand some of the concepts we’ve been trying to teach them on the defensive side of the ball,” Plasencia said. “I think that’s gonna carry us, especially early in the season, carry us to some wins.”

The team has played seven games so far and is first in shot percentage and SOG [Shots on Goal] percentage for conference. The team had also tied their recent game on Sept. 12 against The Vikings at Diablo Valley.

The Hawks played their first game this season on Aug. 29 against Solano Community College’s team, The Falcons, resulting in a 6-2 win for the The Hawks. The team started off strong and stayed that way throughout the game.

Last year, the team’s season ended when playing against Folsom Lake. The team suffered a 2-0 loss during a NorCal playoff game, finishing up with 10-9-5 record overall last season.

Team captains Analissa Lopez, sophomore, and Alex Torres, freshman, both believe their team has what it takes to make playoffs again. The two have been leading the team and believe their strongest suit would be the chemistry they have as a team.

“We play individually well, but together as a team, we’re strong,” Lopez said.

Torres, as a freshman player this season, said that it was easy to integrate herself into the team. She said that this component will benefit the team this season.

“For me, as a freshman, just coming and actually having chemistry within literally the first hour of practice was really good and I think that’s one thing that will push us to make playoffs and to go far,” Torres said.

Lopez and Torres also said they would like to see some wins.

“I want to see us play together as a team, build up defense, midfield, forward, and maybe get that goal.” says Lopez.

Overall, Plasencia wants his team to grow and mature over the season. He said that he would like to see his players grow individually as well in order to get a better grip and understanding of the playing concepts he’s trying to teach them.

“In order to really have some aspirations towards the end of the season we’re gonna have to get better,” said Plasencia.