“Lets play with our brains,” says varsity girls’ soccer coach Chuck Barr, addressing his team during half time in their game against Christian Brothers on March second. And judging by their performance thus far this pre-season, intelligent soccer, and smart ball play, seems to be just the kind of game the girls are running this season.

With a 22 girl team, nine of them Seniors, the girls have just the right amount of returning knowledge, and young ambition to not only go after the big prize of a division title this season, but for several seasons to come.

Their first exhibition game was a forfeit from Yuba City back on February 18th. Their next two games came from the challenging St. Mary’s Tournament in Stockton, where the girls were knocked out after facing two out of division teams: Loretto and Johansen.

They did prove they could hold their own against some of the best in the area, with a hard fought loss against division leader Loretto 0-1, and a strong defensive hold against Johansen giving up no goals in a 0-0 tie.

The girls were then left with a 1-1-1 record, and still no win from actual play, the girls had to re-group for more crucial exhibition play. Christian Brothers handed the girls their second loss on their pre-season play, after jumping out to an early 1-0 lead, and holding up a strong defense during the March 2nd game.

The rest of the pre-season was not the greatest for the girls with a 1-1 Tie against Oakridge, a 2-4 Lost against St. Francis, and ended their exhibition play on a high note with strong win against El Dorado 6-0.

This years team is under the knowledgeable and experienced direction of Head Coach Chuck Barr, whose tactic of play centered around a strong defense, “We have got to kill the ball at mid-field,” and, “if they can’t serve the ball they can’t play it long.”

The atmosphere surrounding the team is one of straight talking play, with excitement and an enjoyable atmosphere intertwined with Coach Barr telling his team that, “If your not doing what I want you to do, I’m not going to sit here and lie to you about it, if you want that then your on the wrong team.”

Sounds tough, but the girls actually remain positive and united together, with Senior and 3rd year returning varsity player, Morgan Buzdon commenting on why she likes the team saying, “I really like the other girls, we have a lot of fun, like my teammates and I have a lot of inside jokes.”

This is Morgan’s 3rd year contributing to the success of the RHS varsity girls soccer team, and her 12th year playing soccer, not to mention she also referees for Rocklin Youth Soccer.

Assistant coach Sue Fleischer has played for 21 years. This being her second year as the varsity assistant coach, says she loves coaching because, “as a former player it gives her a different aspect on the game,” and she went on to say that, “it makes you a more well rounded player.”

The girls have just begun their SFL play having a strong showing against Natomas with a shut-out against Natomas 3-0. The girls went on to lose their next game at Roseville in a close 1-2 defeat.

Now while the team is still no where close to having to concern themselves about a playoff berth, for now it’s there knowledgeable and aggressive play that will continue to contribute to the teams current and future success.