Talented Locals Bring Potential to 2023 Women’s Soccer Team
It's not large in numbers, but College of the Siskiyous' 2023 women's soccer team has great potential.
"It's one of the better groups we've had here in years," said head coach Ed Kephart, who has been the women's and men's head coach at COS since the program began in 2016.
Twelve of the 14 players on the roster this fall come from Siskiyou County high schools, including sophomore Asia Hendrix, a Mount Shasta High School graduate who earned First Team All-Golden Valley Conference honors as a defender last year.
The other four sophomores on the roster are defender Sofia Iampolskaia, who started 7 and played in all 12 games last year; midfielder Natalia Paredes of Yreka, who started 8 games last year; midfielder Sydney Hilleary from Mount Shasta High, who returns to the team after last playing in 2019; and midfielder Zaria Rocchild of Carmichael, a transfer from Feather River.
Freshmen on the roster include goalkeeper Haley Chapman and defender Litzy Ochoa-Garcia of Yreka.
The four freshmen from Mount Shasta High School are midfielder Sophia Coleman, defender Elyssa Harrison, forward Alexa Luquin, and forward Aleena Nova, who is returning to soccer after earning a nursing degree.
Joining the team from Weed High School are sisters Isabella and Abigail Escobedo and midfielder Marlena Magana. Isabella is a forward and Abigail is a midfielder.
The Eagles are scheduled to open their season against Rogue Community College in Medford, OR, this Saturday, August 19. They have one pre-conference home game on their schedule, September 5 against Woodland at 4 p.m.
Kephart, who is again being assisted by Jake Leiffer of Weed, said he's excited about this year's group and expects them to be competitive in a conference that is topped by much larger programs at Tahoe and Butte.
After opening the GVC season on the road against Shasta in Redding September 22, the Eagles will host Redwoods September 26, then play three conference games on the road before finishing with four of their last five at home October 17, 24 and 27 and November 3.
By Steve Gerace