Community college women’s soccer: Almost is never enough for OCC

Steve Virgen

COSTA MESA - Almost also counts on the Orange Coast College women’s

soccer team.

Last year, the Pirates finished 14-8-1 and came one-hundredth of a

point from making the playoffs. OCC Coach Barbara Bond will be using what

almost came about as a positive. She said the Pirates now know they must

play with intensity every minute of the game.

“The returners remember what happened last year,” Bond said of her

seven sophomores, which includes Renee Gomez, Christina Guerin, Kristen

Hamman, Lilly Lopez, Jessica Pearson, Newport Harbor High product Andrea

Corkhill and Laurie Perkins. “(Missing the playoffs) will help with our

intensity. Hopefully it will motivate us to play harder. That was part of

our problem last year. We played hard when we wanted to.”

Taking a negative and turning it into a positive has been one of the

many philosophies of Bond throughout her 20-year coaching career with the

soccer program. She has guided the Orange Coast College women’s soccer

team to seven conference titles and has compiled a 231-99-42 record. The

Pirates have also been state playoff qualifiers in three of the past four

seasons.

With the returning sophomores, Bond says the Pirates are “loaded” and

ready to make their way back to the postseason.

Corkhill will provide Coast with speed, the strength of the 2001

Pirates. Bond said Corkhill is very quick and possesses a good shot for

the offense.

Perkins will be OCC’s starting goalkeeper. Pearson will be dependent

on as the team’s sweeper. After playing the position last year, Bond said

she expects Pearson to be much improved because of the experience.

Lopez is out with a sprained medial colateral ligament and will be

missing for two weeks. Bonds said Lopez adds a lot of spark to the team.

Hamman, a returner who played badminton in the spring, will be the

team’s all-around player.

“She probably has the best ball skills on the team,” Bond said of

Hamman. “We’re going to play her all over. She can play (goalie), if we

need that.”

The defense will get added support from Geurin, who has the ability to

finish counterattacks with precise crosses.

Also, Gomez will be among the midfielders and Bond said Coast is lucky

to have her back.

With the blend of the seven returners and the added speed from the

freshman, the Pirates will be improved on the offense.

Jaycee Mahler, a Corona del Mar High product, is considered one of the

key newcomers for Bond.

“For the first time in many years, our offense is stronger than our

defense,” Bond said. “We have a lot of speed and one girl in particular

who is providing the speed is Jaycee Mahler. I don’t think anybody (in

the Orange Empire Conference) is going to be able to stay with her.”

The Pirates also have some more local flavor as Estancia High product

Lauren Cassity joins the squad as does Costa Mesa graduates Fernanda

Velasco and Michelle Barnett.

Last year, Cassity played for the volleyball team, but she decided to

go back to her first love with soccer, Bond said.

“She’s strong and aggressive and she doesn’t mind going toe-to-toe

with anyone,” Bond said of Cassity. “I like her intensity. (Mahler and

Cassity) are great assets for us this year. Velasco should be a huge

bonus for us this year. I’m looking forward to watching her play. I’m

really glad she’s here and Barnett is going to contribute as she

continues to improve. She really has a good attitude.”

Three freshman from Huntington Beach High will contribute depth to the

team, Bond said. Amber Blake, Nikki Saenz and Alicia Santiago bring

familiarity as they played on the same team last year.

Bond will have a new assistant in Kevin Smith, who also coaches the

men’s soccer team. Former assistant Brandee Craig switched over to

Saddleback and will coach the Gauchos this season.

“I’m feeling good about this year,” Bond said. “I thought we were

pretty good last year, (but) we lacked some intensity. This year, I’m

going to try to foster that intensity and have them play for each half,

rather than look at the whole season.”

ORANGE COAST COLLEGE WOMEN’S SOCCER

1 Andrea Corkhill, midfielder So.

2 Marissa McGregor, midfielder Fr.

3 Jaycee Mahler, offense Fr.

4 Alicia Santiago, midfielder Fr.

5 Cristina Geurin, offense/midfielder So.

6 Michelle Barnett, offense Fr.

7 Lili Lopez, midfielder So.

8 Fernanda Velasco, offense/midfielder Fr.

9 Lindsey Smoot, defender Fr.

10 Renee Gomez, midfielder So.

12 Kristen Hamman, offense/defender/goalkeeper So.

13 Lauren Cassity, forward Fr.

14 Summer Chaldu, defender Fr.

15 Nikki Saenz, offense Fr.

16 Amber Blake, offense Fr.

18 Jessica Pearson, sweeper So.

G Laurie Perkins, goalkeeper So.

Coach: Barbara Bond (20th season)

Assistant coach: Kevin Smith (first year)