SACRAMENTO, Calif. – It's been a whirlwind preseason for Head Coach Cesar Plasencia and the CRC women's soccer team.  Coming into camp, the Hawks looked poised to return to the CCCAA final four, which Cosumnes River will be hosting in December of this year.  However, injuries have taken their toll on the team, as two of the team's most powerful offensive weapons will be unable to compete this season.

However, coach Plasencia remains optimistic the Hawks will have a good season.  "I'm still a little stunned," remarked Plasencia, a ten year veteran coach at CRC.  "That said, I still anticipate we'll have a good year."

The Hawks head into the tomorrow's opener against Solano relatively healthy, and the coaching staff anticipates the Hawks will put forth a quality performance.  Historically, CRC has performed well against the Falcons, having eliminated them in postseason contention in years past.  With that being said, the Falcons are still a perennial playoff team, consistently ranked in the region's top ten.

Cosumnes River will need to try to fight through the adversity sustained during the preseason, and will need several key figures to step up.  Coach Plasencia looks for things to start to settle down, which will allow him to reevaluate where the team is.  "We're still determining who we are and what we (have)." "We need to reset our compass."

A couple key players the Hawks will count on to shoulder the offensive load this season will be Vilma Gonzalez and Kaylyn Toyama.  Gonzalez, a sophomore transfer from American River College, spent time at forward for the Beavers in 2011 following a standout career at Rio Americano High School.  Toyama, one of five returners from last year's team, finished tied for second in goals on the team as a true freshman in 2012.  Kylee Daly, a transfer from Long Beach City College, is currently out with an injury but will be a factor offensively this year as well.

Player to watch:

Anna Brown – the coaching staff has high expectations for the freshman goalkeeper.  A local product out of Elk Grove High School, Brown is touted for her great size and advanced skill set.

Quote:

"I was really excited about hosting but after I got the news (we lost two key returners), I lost some of that excitement." – Head Coach Cesar Plasencia on hosting the 2013 CCCAA State Championship