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Sports

Girls Soccer Preview: Alhambra Looks to Keep Momentum in 2010

The Lady Bulldogs surprised in '09 NCS playoffs.

Head Coach: John Badger (3rd-Season)

2009-10 Record: Overall 9-10-5, DFAL 3-6-3 and NCS 3-1 (2nd-Place in D II)

Top Returnees: Serena DeChristofaro (Sr.), Anne Whipple (Jr.), Brittani Pygeorge (Jr.), Natalie Smith (Jr.), Jewelz Andrews (Sr.) and Katherine Tottle (So.)

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Key Newcomers: Maggie Aires (Fr.), Dara Stroup (Fr.), Julia Wilkins (Fr.) and Gabby Vinco (Fr.)

Defensive Stopper: Anne Whipple

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Injury Note: Senior Rachel DeChristofaro is out with an injury.

Team Strengths: Defensive pressure in the neutral and opponent's offensive zone

Mark the Calendar: The Lady Bulldogs play four games in the span of three days (December 20-22) in the prestigious, but rugged Tri-Valley Soccer Classic. Alhambra is paired in pool play against powers Deer Valley, Santa Cruz, Antioch and Bishop Alemany (Mission Hills).

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If there ever was an example of capturing "lightning-in-a-bottle" it was personified by last season's  girls soccer team. The Lady Bulldogs finished the regular season with a 6-9-5 overall record, including just 3-6-3 in DFAL play. However, what occurred next was nothing short of remarkable.
In the course of just over one week, Alhambra stunned the NCS soccer world with three brilliant road victories, against higher seeds, in the Division II tournament bracket.

In the course of the run, Alhambra allowed just a single goal and netted five themselves, both outstanding accomplishments. With their three wins, the Lady Bulldogs earned a spot in the championship game against high-powered Bishop O'Dowd. With play getting rugged and physical at times, it looked
as if the Lady Bulldogs would be able to pull-off one of their patented upsets against the heavy favorite.  But the Lady Dragons struck for one goal, got defensive and made it stand-up for the NCS crown.

This is a new season, but head coach John Badger is optimistic. He hopes the
momentum and confidence gained in that successful late run will carry-over to thisyear's squad.Badger is the architect of this resurgent program which has risen from earlier setbacks and letdowns. But how can it be so easy? Well, it's not.

Just as the team was ready to take the field and continue its success, they suddenly faced the reality of losing three key members they were counting on. These three players were all seniors. Suddenly, Badger's team became young overnight. Now, the team boasts just two seniors and has five freshmen on the squad. Senior Rachel DeChristofaro is out for the season with a torn ACL. Last season, the talented player tore the ACL in her other knee and saw very limited action. Along with the injury to DeChristofaro, Goalkeeper Kelsey Viviano transferred, and Sammi Parker chose not to play this season.

"We were really counting on those three to lead us on the field," Badger said. "We had real high expectations. Rachel (DeChristofaro) was one of our strongest scoring threats."

The Lady Bulldogs now carry five freshmen on the roster and they will see action. They include: Maggie Aires, Dara Stroup, Julia Wilkins and Gabby Vinco. With the transfer of Viviano, Vinco gets the job in goal.

"Obviously we are very young, but we have the goal of just making the NCS playoffs," Badger said. "What seemed like a sure thing is now going to be a big fight for us."

Badger has had to make adjustments and shift players around the field in order to make the line-up as effective as possible. DeChristofaro and Parker were his two best attackers and played with an aggressive style.

"Creating goals is going to be a challenge," badger says. "Our offense will come
from Serena (DeChristofaro), Natalie Smith and Katherine Tottle. We will definitely be on the scrappy side. But we will battle, that's for sure."

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