Varsity girls soccer is on a roll. Following a 2–1 win against Leland on Dec. 13, the team holds a four-game win streak and 4–1 overall record this preseason. Despite losing five key seniors last year, and taking on a roster of half underclassmen, this season is one to watch for the Eagles. 

Last season, the team finished with a 6–10–2 overall record and 5–6–1 in the SCVAL-De Anza league, leaving them fifth and only one goal away from making the CCS playoffs — which was determined by a 0–1 loss against Palo Alto.

“Last year, almost every single one of our games during the league we lost by only one goal,” Valadez said. “So we’re really proud that these first couple games, we only let in a single goal. Plus, we’re finally scoring more goals.”

So far this season, the team has already beaten Menlo, Leigh and Carlmont, in 2–0, 1–0 and 2–1 victories respectively. 

Wins aside, even their losses so far show progress since last season. In their first game of the season, the Eagles fell 0–1 to St. Ignatius, a team they lost 0–4 to last year. Valadez said the teams played at a near-equal level this winter, showing the team’s potential to reverse their record from last year as they continue to improve throughout the season.

“Following that game, I was most happy with how the girls improved,” Valadez said. “We worked a lot throughout the week, and we saw them trying and being successful with that feedback.”

In the Eagles SVC preseason tournament, the team saw success on the field, with victories against Menlo, Leigh, Carlmont and Leland. 

One of the Eagles’ top scorers was senior captain Parisa Abedi, who returns to the team after taking last winter off. Parisa scored two goals to secure victory against Menlo and a penalty kick in the tournament final against Leland. 

“The team overall has been playing really well,” Parisa said. “We’re still trying to figure out how everyone plays, but our camaraderie as a team is already strong and it shows.”

Freshman Ruby Gibson has also attacked the start of the season, scoring the game-winning goal against Leigh and another against Carlmont. 

“Scoring two goals back-to-back is so cool,” Ruby said. “Usually I play defense and don’t get a lot of scoring opportunities, but now, being up front, I think both goals were definitely a team effort.” 

Senior captains and freshmen alike as the team’s top contributors, that’s Valadez’s idea of “balance.” As the season progresses, Valadez said he hopes the younger players continue to improve and realize that they can compete with veterans. For the players, that aspect of teamwork is no problem.

“The upperclassmen have been taking the younger girls under our wings to help them get used to the change from club to high school soccer,” Parisa said. “As a captain, I’m focused on making sure that everyone’s comfortable and uplifting everyone on the team.”

However, the pressure to perform against older opponents is still something that takes time getting used to. 

“I still question whether I can hang with the older girls, and I know I have to work extra hard to earn my spot,” Ruby said. “I definitely feel pressure to not make mistakes, but the team has been really supportive, and it’s made me feel a lot more comfortable on the team.”

Moving forward toward tougher opponents, the team faces Saint Francis in their last preseason game, and starts league play in January against Los Gatos — Valadez said the Wildcats’ team will feature a Stanford soccer commit and a strong junior class. But the Eagles’ preseason wins give the team confidence that they can compete with the best. 

“These preseason wins have given us a benchmark on where we were last year and where we are now, which is really helpful for the girls,” Valadez said. “The girls are focused on that development and learning while also being really competitive and trying to get those wins.”

And their goals for this season are big, setting their sights on a top-two finish in the De Anza League and a CCS win if they make it into Division II. 

“It would be super impressive for us to qualify for CCS because we made it my freshman year,” Parisa said. “As a senior, winning CCS would be amazing, and I think if we work really hard we’d be able to do it.”

The team will take on Saint Francis next on Dec. 19 to end their preseason run.