Aztecs 'excited' for rematch against Apple Valley
BARSTOW - The Barstow High School girls soccer team can breathe a little easier now.
The Aztecs expected to play a No. 1 seeded school in the first round of the CIF-Southern Section playoffs, but drew local rival and No. 3 seed Apple Valley instead. The teams will face off at 3 p.m. today at Newton T. Bass stadium in Apple Valley.
The meeting is actually a wild card game to see who will face No. 1 seed La Serna, in the first round of the CIF-SS playoffs, Friday afternoon. Although the Aztecs will still face a No. 1 seed Barstow coach Jackie Cooper says the draw will ease them into that game.
"I feel very good about who we drew to play," Cooper said. "We lucked out. I'd rather face them than Serrano. I'm very excited."
Barstow dropped their last match with Apple Valley 2-1 early in January. The Aztecs kept that game close and were tied with the Sun Devils going into the final minutes of the second half. A last minute, outside shot from Apple Valley's Ashley Wolf gave them the game.
Cooper said she believes the Aztecs have grown as a team since that game, especially on the defensive end of the field. Barstow's keeper Nicole O'Neal has developed a more aggressive style throughout the season, coming out of the box to make more saves. Another key to the Aztec defense is sweeper Victoria Gallegos. Gallegos covers the back of the field, picking up missed balls and breakaway attackers.
"We could have done better vs. them the first time," Cooper said. "We're a better team now. O'Neal is coming out after the ball more and Gallegos controls the backfield. She's a little girl but she does anything to stop the ball."
Injuries have taken a toll on the Aztecs during the last few games, but the wounds have finally healed. Barstow will have Clarissa Barber, Angelia Peralta and Reanna Hernandez back in time for today's game. Peralta and Hernandez were both injured in their last game against Victor Valley.
Cooper was forced to call up reserves from JV before their last game due to injuries. Aztec JV players Alysia Hernandez and Gabriel Maldonado got a shot at varsity in that game. However, with the injured girls back on the field, Cooper now plans to keep the JV girls on to add depth to the roster.
She said she plans on pushing players forward to attack the goal at the end of the game, a strategy that helped the Aztecs get more shots on goal against Victor Valley.
"Everyone's back from injuries now," Cooper said. "We're stronger than before now that we've added the two JV girls. They give us more options on the field. I also plan on switching to a four-two-four (formation) at the end of the game to work the ball to the front."
