SOH soccer continues its winning tradition.

Lady Raiders bring home the banner
by Stephanie Mesa

The SOH Lady Raiders varsity soccer team finished a great league season by bringing home the league banner. These ladies were led by captains Lizette Jimenez, Rosalinda Contreras, and Alexis Moreno. Although these ladies never expected they were going to get this far in the league, they successfully made it to the final game against Mar Vista. "We know Mar Vista is good, but we weren't scared of them; they're all rivals and we wanted to beat them" says captain Lizette Jimenez. Unfourtunately, hours before the game the goalie they had been counting with the whole season, Jessica Hernandez, couldn't play because of her health, and the girls had to face Mar Vista with another goalie, "that was one of the hardest moments of the season," says Jimenez. One of the starting players, Gaby Paez also said "I was super nervous before our game, but I was confident that this team could win the banner."

The first half of the game began, and the ladies were warmed up and ready to play the game that would determine who would be league champs, Southwest or Mar Vista. At the beginning, the girls tried their hardest to score, and approximately 27 minutes into the game captain, Lizette Jimenez, scored the first and winning goal, according to Jimenez: "scoring that goal was the most amazing feeling ever, I can't believe that MY goal got us the banner." When the second half ended, the score was 1-0 in favor of Southwest. It was official, the league champs banner now belonged to Southwest. The girls were full of happiness, joy and most of all pride "I felt so excited, I just couldn't believe that we actually won the banner."

These ladies never imagined that they would make it that far, but they did. "I never imagined we would make it this far, but we deserve the banner with every drop of sweat, every kick, and every hard practice" All that is left to say now, is that this team makes raiders proud to be part of Southwest, and most importantly it makes these ladies feel proud of each other. "I can't begin to explain how proud I am of this team and how far it was come."

Congratulations SOH Lady Raiders varsity soccer on winning the league banner, you guys deserve it! As captain, Lizette Jimenez stated:
"This year's team has been by far the best one. All of you you ladies played with heart and soul and I couldn't be more proud of each and every one of you. There wasn't a day that you girls didnt put a smile on my face."