The Cordova Lancers were eager to begin Metro League play this week. Courtesy photo of Head Coach Luis Aguilar

RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - Entering this week, the Cordova Lancers were set to begin Metro League play after wrapping up their preseason schedule prior to Christmas break. 

Under new head coach Luis Aguilar, the Lancers amassed a 2-6-1 overall record during the preseason, but now with the most critical games in front of them, the team is energized. 

“I think now that the preseason is over, it’s starting to click,” Aguilar said. “We have really good moments. The boys are anxious and they’re ready to start playing league. I would say we’re ready.”

With back-to-back victories against Christian Brothers and Cosumnes Oaks in the middle of December, the team showed they have the talent to compete. According to Aguilar the team has excelled at ball movement and maintaining possession and is working on capitalizing on the chances they create for themselves to score offensively. As they entered this week, that was the main area of focus. 

“Just finishing,” Aguilar said when asked about where the team can improve. “Taking advantage of the chances, we do create. Out of the losses we have, we created chances in the beginning of the game. If we score those, the outcome of the games would’ve been totally different. Just taking advantage of the chances we do create will make a really big difference for us going forward.”

Perhaps the biggest bright spot on the team thus far has been the play of junior striker Shazad Hazem, whose seven goals at press time were good for the second-most in Sac Joaquin Section Division III. Aguilar has been pleased with what he’s seen from the underclassman early on this year. 

“He’s our creator,” Aguilar said. “He gets himself into really good positions, we find him, and he puts the ball in the back of the net. He's a really pivotal part in our attack for sure.”

The Lancers began Metro League play this week with a home game against McClatchy on Tuesday, Jan. 6, as well as a road matchup at Kennedy on Thursday, Jan. 8. Final results from those contests were not available at press time, but the Lancers knew coming into this week the challenges they have in store. 

“It’s a very difficult league if I’m being honest,” Aguilar said. “Last year we were a really young team, and now I think we’re leveling the playing field a little bit. A lot of other teams graduated a bunch of seniors. We see that and take that into consideration when preparing for the games. I think we match up really well, the boys are anxious to play, and they want to get after it for sure.”

The Lancers return home on Tuesday, Jan. 13 when they host Grant at 6:30 p.m.