“Our school has always been known to be the underdog, but this year that’s going to change,” said senior Claudia Saucedo. This seems to be the common sentiment of this year’s Pinellas Park High School Lady Patriots varsity soccer team.  
    Head coaches for the boy’s and girl’s soccer teams are Chip Bruce and Larry Ferrol, with first year assistant coach Patrick Doheny. With his fifth season as a coach at PPHS, Coach Chip is in his second year of head coaching the Lady Patriots soccer team. Standing strong at his fourteenth year of coaching the PPHS boy’s and girl’s soccer teams, Ferrol is the head coach of the boy’s soccer team.

    The captains of the Lady Patriot soccer team include junior Alyssa Doheny and sophomore Katie Simpson.  Seniors on this year’s Lady Patriots are Anamarilys Cabrera and Jennifer Peck.

Simpson has been playing soccer for eleven years and is in her second season of playing for the Lady Patriot’s soccer team. As a starting forward for the team, Simpson states expectations are high, with all players having talent; the team is looking to be successful in most games this season.

Practice makes perfect. And with hard work and determination comes success. “We have been training hard these past weeks. Conditioning has gone well; we can handle this year’s season,” Simpson stated during conditioning before the soccer season began.

    As this year’s season is soon to come to an end, Simpson states she will continue to play for the Lady Patriots throughout her high school years. “We have such a close team and my favorite memory is all the fun times I’ve had with new friends I made.” With shin guards in place, Simpson plans to extend her soccer career into college or possibly farther.

    “Just in the last two years, the ladies’ soccer team has made tremendous improvements in several key areas. If we continue to work together and improve with every game, this should be one of the more successful years the ladies’ squad has had. We have a lot of talent on the team and it’s starting to come together,” stated Coach Chip.

    Also in her eleventh year of playing soccer, Captain Alyssa Doheny is in her third season of playing for the Lady Patriots. Growing up on the field, Doheny has played different positions including midfield but currently defends the goal playing goalkeeper. As goalkeeper, Doheny often has the entire view of the field and helps assist her team in organization and inspiration.

Teams need positive reinforcement, and players on the Lady Patriots team continue to stay motivated when they hear Doheny behind them in the goal. “What inspires our team during a game? Sheer heart. No matter the outcome of the game, we all hold our heads high after the final whistle blows,” Doheny stated.

    With goalie gloves strapped tight, and spirits on high, Doheny plans to continue playing for the Lady Patriots her senior year and into college. Her years on the field and time in the goal box will stay with her throughout her life as fond memories of a great time.            

    Another key player for the Lady Patriots is senior Anamarilys Cabrera. Playing soccer for seven years, Cabrera is in her fourth year of playing for PPHS as starting midfield. “We have been conditioning a lot and the team is well prepared for this year’s season,” Cabrera stated.

    When preparing for games, the Lady Patriots assemble in a group to say a prayer, talk strategies, and establish goals they can accomplish during the game. Gathering before a game helps to motivate sports players. “My motivation is the urge to want to help the team in hard situations,” said Cabrera.

    As senior night approaches, Cabrera states she is going to miss playing with the varsity team. “Some of the varsity girls I have played with for all my years at PPHS,” said Cabrera. As Cabrera stated, all games and practices are good memories, but her best memory is almost scoring a goal with a bicycle kick after Saucedo played a corner kick. But do not think she is going to hang up her cleats just yet, Cabrera plans on playing soccer throughout her college years either at St. Petersburg College (SPC) or the University of South Florida (USF).

    “I really do enjoy coaching the ladies’ soccer team,” said Coach Chip. “They bring so much diversity to the field, from different ethnic/culture backgrounds to playing competitive club soccer or recreation soccer. And to see them improve as much as they have, it makes a coach feel as if they are making a difference.”