Girls soccer: Eagles eye winning season

Steve Virgen

COSTA MESA - Regardless of league standings or even its record, the

Estancia High girls soccer team is focused on a winning season. How so?

Let the Eagles first-year coach Tom Williams explain.

“(Assistant coach Mike Mastrangelo and I) would like to have these

girls improve and feel proud that they have developed,” Williams said.

“If we win one game or if we don’t win any, we want the girls to enjoy

(soccer). If they do well and improve, we have to call it a winning

season.”

Wins came few last year when there was hardly unity on the team. This

season, Williams said the Eagles “get along with each other.”

“They are great people,” Williams said. “They work hard and show

strong effort.”

As they prepare for the Golden West League next year, the Eagles are

seeking stability. They have had four different coaches in the past four

years, but the situation now appears promising. Williams and Mastrangelo

willingly took on the job with intent to improve the program. Their

backgrounds indicate success.

Mastrangelo is a former pro who played in Argentina.

Williams said he initiated AYSO in northern Nevada and Lake Tahoe in

1977, and the program is now huge. He has also coached adult club teams,

mostly men. He said he is semi-retired and the coaching opportunity at

Estancia was too good to pass up. His laid-back schedule, which includes

a bit of business consulting and substitute teaching, allows plenty of

time to concentrate on coaching the Eagles. Plus, he has Mastrangelo to

help him.

What’s more, senior team captain Arlis Reynolds is a stable leader who

takes control if the team gets off balance. Reynolds, a first-team

All-Pacific Coast League performer last year, is sidelined by an ankle

injury. But she said she will be ready to go when league play starts,

Jan. 8 at Northwood.

Junior Ruth Chavero also returns with honors. She earned second-team

all-league laurels last year, when the Eagles struggled in the PCL

without a win.

The Eagles, who are 2-5, have also been displaying improvement because

of the efforts from Karleen Curran, a versatile junior midfielder. Curran

can also play goalkeeper, which she did against Calvary Chapel Tuesday

and recorded 13 saves.

With just five seniors, Estancia features a young team that includes

freshman Elise Carroll, a forward with quick feet and above-average

ball-handling skills.

ESTANCIA HIGH GIRLS SOCCER

Amanda Abbott Jr.

Jessica Butler Jr.

Elise Carroll Fr.

Melissa Castellano Sr.

Ruth Chavero Jr.

Karleen Curran Jr.

Olga Estrada Sr.

Heather Fraiser Fr.

Randi Golden So.

Elicet Gonzalez Sr.

Asia Ingram So.

Arwyn Knott So.

Dustinne Lau Sr.

Erika Plietez So.

America Rangel Jr.

Arlis Reynolds Sr.

Maria Sanchez Jr.

Alaina Sweeney Jr.

Aymed Toledo So.

Stephanie Veliz So.

Melissa Willey So.

Coach: Tom Williams