New start for Eagles

Bryce Alderton

First-year Estancia High girls soccer coach Nadine Rajabi liked

what she saw when she coached sixth period girls soccer this fall.

“There were a lot of girls out there and I said to myself, ‘We’re

going to have a good team,’” said Rajabi, the Eagles’ fifth coach in

five seasons. “I think we have a shot at (the Golden West League

title) this year though I haven’t seen other teams.”

Estancia didn’t win a Pacific Coast League game the last two

seasons but moves into the Golden West League with city rival Costa

Mesa this season.

The Eagles (with a record of 1 win, 2 losses and 3 ties as of Dec.

17) haven’t had problems putting shots on the opposing team’s

goalkeeper with 33 and 31 outbursts already this season, but getting

the ball to the back of the net has been more of a dilemma, Rajabi

said.

“No one is there to finish the crosses,” said Rajabi, who played

for Cal Lutheran’s soccer team for four years before coaching soccer

at La Reina High for four seasons upon her graduation from college in

2000.

Rajabi played at Mater Dei and writes trailers for movies while

composing headlines and taglines for radio for Sony Pictures. She

also performs stand-up comedy routines at improv clubs.

The Anaheim Hills resident jumped at the chance to get back into

soccer since being removed for about two years.

“I had been around soccer for so long that I kind of got burned

out on (soccer),” Rajabi said. “But when it ended it was almost

depressing because I thought, ‘What am I going to do with my time

now?’ I’m coaching because I love (soccer).”

Rajabi inherits a team of eight seniors including Ruth Chavero, a

center halfback and sweeper who played on the U.S. National team,

along with fellow sweeper Karleen Curran, forwards Maria Sanchez and

America Rangel alongside defenders Amanda Abbot (three year varsity

player), Jessica Butler, Alaina Sweeney and Dustinne Lau, who

sprained her ankle in a game last week.

Rajabi considers Lau one of the Eagles’ best defenders.

“(Chavero) kicks corners right on target,” Rajabi said. “On the

end of (the corners) are Sanchez and (Randee) Gambill.”

Curran played singles on Estancia’s tennis team that made it to

the first round of the CIF Southern Section Division V Playoffs this

fall.

Gambill, a junior, is joined on the front lines by junior Asia

Ingram, sophomore Elizabeth Greyshock, a transfer from Mater Dei, and

freshmen Lauren Cushing and Marina Abdul.

Estancia will be anchored at midfield by juniors Melissa Willey

with sophomores Sandra Lopez, Rachel McMasters and Elise Carroll.

Juniors Erika Plietez with goalkeepers Arwyn Knott and Stephanie

Veliz, alongside sophomore keeper Paula Arona and freshman Lauren

Donner make up the rest of the Eagle defense.

The Eagles lost to Bolsa Grande, 1-0, Dec. 6. Estancia then tied

Century, who defeated Bolsa Grande, 7-0.

“That goes to show we’re a strong team,” Rappa said.