Girls soccer preview: Estancia is starting over

Steve Virgen

Ray Smyth, Estancia High’s first-year girls soccer coach, wants to

keep a low profile about his Eagles this season. Estancia might even

reform to a format similar to youth soccer because winning or losing

won’t matter much, Smyth said of the Eagles’ squad which has just one

senior, Corina Garcia.

“Our goal is basically to enjoy ourselves,” he said. “I’m not

interested in results.”

Smyth, who is from Ireland, also coaches for the Orange Coast United

soccer club. He’s didn’t take the Estancia job temporarily. He realizes

that it will take more than one year to build the Eagles. The process

excites him and his assistant Damien O’Brien.

“That’s what it’s all about,” Smyth said of coaching. “Why else would

I take the job?”

The Estancia players have bought into Smyth and O’Brien’s excitement

for the future. They will still focus on being competitive, Smith said,

mainly because of juniors Arlis Reynolds and Olga Estrada.

“By the end of the season, I want teams to know that Estancia is

taking (improvement) serious,” Smyth said. “It’s a rebuilding stage at

this point, but we’re going to work hard.”

With back-to-back 1-0 wins over Tustin and Los Amigos, the Eagles are

moving in the right direction. Reynolds scored the goal in both games and

she should provide more excitement in these two years.

Her play and the hiring of Smyth and O’Brien has sparked an increased

amount of interest in the girls soccer team this season. Smyth said the

team has grown from day to day and he remains totally positive of the

future.

“There’s team spirit here,” Smyth said. “There’s great spirit and a

great self-belief among the players.”

ESTANCIA GIRLS SOCCER

Arlis Reynolds Jr.

Karleen Curran So.

Dustinne Lau So.

Alaina Sweeney So.

Maria Sanchez So.

Maria Sanchez So.

Ruth Chavero So.

Asia Ingram Fr.

Grica Pleitez Fr.

Aymed Toledo Fr.

Jessica Butler So.

Amanda Abbot So.

Elicel Gonzalez So.

Monica Becera So.

Emily Lopez Jr.

Amy Ippolito Jr.

Kelly Sears Fr.

Bianey Gonzalez So.

Randi Golden Fr.

Olga Estrada Jr.

Corina Garcia So.

Kathleen Sheafer Jr.

Lauren Mahan Fr.

Katie McClane So.

Coach: Ray Smyth