Senior Captain Dajey Valdez (12) scores goal with header from corner kick against West Campus. Photo by Rick Sloan

 

RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - The 2023-24 Cordova girls soccer season is well underway. Fresh off lifting their 4th league pennant in as many years in the gym, the Lady Lancers have had a strong start this year. Opening the season at home against cross-town rival Rosemont, the Lancers were down 1-0 at the half. Overcoming the deficit in the second half, the Lancers defeated the Rosemont Wolverines 4 to 2. Rounding out the preseason, the Lancers have played against Kennedy and El Camino, which are two higher-division teams. Both contests ended in a 1-1 tie.

 

With 1 win and 2 ties in the preseason, the Lancers started league competition on Wednesday, December 13, against Johnson. They defeated Johnson 4-0. On Friday, December 15, they had their second league match against archrival West Campus. Down 3 goals to none in the second half, the Lady Lancers rallied with four consecutive goals to pull ahead 4-3. Unfortunately, West Campus found the back of the net with less than 2 minutes left, ending the match in a 4-4 tie.

Coach Ramey, in his sixth year as head coach at Cordova High School, is excited with how the team is shaping up. Returning this year is a handful of starters. Team captain and 4-year all league starter, senior Dajey Valdez will be leading the defense alongside fellow captain and three-year starter, junior Madison Harder. In addition, third year starter and fellow team captain, junior Savannah Fennel, will round out the strength in the middle field. Coach Ramey is confident the experience the team has in the middle of the field will give the Lady Lancers an advantage.

Coach Ramey is also very excited about the new crop of freshman players that has joined the team this year. “We have some freshmen that came from our feeder schools that are really going to make an immediate impact in the program,” said Coach Ramey.

 

The Lady Lancers have always relied on its homegrown players. Joining the varsity program this year are four incoming freshmen that are expected to make an immediate impact: Amelia Nunn, Harlie Wilson, Paytyn Garner and Makayla Pena. 

Leading the attack will be second-year sophomore starter Karen Gonzalez. Gonzalez will be teaming with newly-minted freshman forward Pena. Coach Ramey is excited to see the partnership between Gonzalez and Pena forming from two young yet clearly experienced players. Also returning between the posts is senior goalie Sydney Murphy. Last year Sydney only allowed one ball in league play to hit the back of the net. The coaching staff has high hopes for their senior and all-league goalkeeper.

Adding to Cordova’s strength, junior Maddie Ford, in her third season, along with freshman Garner, will be leading the defense.  Rounding out the back line are two returning varsity players, junior Sienna Aguilar and junior Jennifer “Jenny” Ceja.  Coach Ramey stated, “These two young ladies may be the fastest ladies I have ever coached. In our limited games thus far, they have chased down players I did not think was possible.”

This year’s team really plays with a great deal of passion and enthusiasm. The bond between Head Coach Ramey and his players has always been one of respect, optimism and confidence. I believe this is the formula that has resulted in the success of the program. 

I know the girls would really appreciate it if you came out and cheered them on in person. The next two home matches will be on Wednesday, January 3rd, against Valley, and Wednesday, January 10th, versus Foothill. If you decide to come out, I highly recommend you grab a warm coat, as the weather has been a bit chilly lately at Lancer Stadium. There’s no charge to get in, and the varsity matches start at 6:30 p.m.  The junior varsity teams play at 4:30 p.m.

GO BIG RED!