While some teams may try and stay close to home and schedule an easy opponent to open up their season the Mustangs women's soccer team did the opposite of that as they for the second season in a row opened the season with a trip down to Southern California and played an opponent that was in the Final Four the previous season. 

 

"I'm really excited about the team and this season," said head coach Adrienne Sorenson as her team prepares to play their home opener this afternoon against Butte College.

 

"We started eight freshmen on Friday against Chaffey, and we are still learning how to be a team. I think we came a long way over the weekend in becoming a team. We have a ton of freshmen and key returners coming back that we expect to step up and I'm excited to see the way they lead this group."

 

One of those key returners is goalkeeper Elle Hillar who was in the top 20 last season in the state in goals against average as she is expected to see even more time in net this season for the Mustangs. Sophomore Jackie Bellamy was third on the team last season with seven goals while Hailey Stubbles also returns after six goals and seven assists during her freshmen season. 

"I'm excited to be starting NorCal play while also adding a dynamic piece to the mix with Jasmine Staples and just being able to get out and rise," said Sorenson the day before the home opener. "As a program we are relentless and it doesn't matter what happens we will come back harder every single time, we will get up every single time and rise."

 

Over the last five seasons, the Mustangs have averaged over 19 wins and have made three Final Fours in their pursuit of the program's first-ever state championship. 

 

"I think it will be a really exciting season to see and find out who we are as a program. We are going to have our ups and downs and take our hits but every time we are going to get back up. I think we have really proven and have showed that we are a team that is going to be there fighting at the end."

 

In action twice this weekend they will play their home opener this afternoon at 4pm against Butte College before hosting Cerritos on Sunday morning at 11am.