Just two years ago, Poway High limped home with just five victories in the regular season.
Last season was completely different for the Titans.
After a 5-16-1 season in 2014, Poway rebounded with a 17-10-1 overall record and a 6-4 record in Palomar League, behind only Torrey Pines (24-3, 10-0) and Canyon Crest (19-4, 8-2) under first-year coaches Brittany Parrish and Morgan Re.
The Titans ended that ’14 season with four straight losses.
“Last year was a huge step up for the girls,’’ Parrish said. “Their focus on the field and their conditioning was vastly improved.’’
Poway, however, graduated nine seniors off last year’s squad.
Del Norte
Coach: Jason Askegreen
2015 record: 14-14
Division: I
Key players: MF Amanda Collins, CMF Julianna Hayashi, D Carli Lugo, F Ishwinder Batto, D Rosie Regina-Torres, MF Lexi Fernandez, MF Makenna Lincoln.
Outlook: The Nighthawks graduated 13 players from last year’s team, most of whom have been on varsity for three seasons, that lost the San Diego Section Division I finals to Valley Center, but they return a handful of core players in Collins, Hayashi, Lugo and Batto to help rebuild. “We lost the finals in 14.6 seconds,’’ Askegreen said. “It left a bad taste in their mouths for the girls who are back.’’ Help has arrived from a number of newcomers led by Regina-Torres, Fernandez and Lincoln, who all made the jump from the junior varsity.
Poway
Coach: Morgan Re, Brittany Parrish
2015 record: 17-10-1
Division: I
Key players: MF Isabelle Flud, D Lauren Whitney, D Ari Hooper, F Lauren Leland, F Emily Plummer.
Outlook: The new-look Titans return a pair of scorers from last year in Flud, who had 11 goals and three assists, and Leland, who had 10 goals and 10 assists. Whitney, Flud and Hooper were chosen as team captains. “The girls have brought a different mental outlook to the season,’’ Parrish said. “That may be a result of last year. They now know they can compete with anyone.’’
Rancho Bernardo
Coach: Katy Sirota
2015 record: 4-15
Division: II
Key players: CMF Nina Balen, F Katy Graham, D Breanna Gunderson, MF Julia Stevens, F Laura Doumoux.
Outlook: The Broncos must rebuild their defense that was stripped by graduation. That remains the biggest question mark for Sirota, a former player at Serra. Gunderson was a midfielder, but moved back to defense to help fill that void. Balen and Graham have demonstrated strong skills this fall, especially since injuries have already popped up. Stevens handles game pressure well enough to be counted on. Doumoux made the jump from the JV by showing off a new confidence she did display last season. “Besides the defense, I’m really concerned about conditioning,’’ Sirota said. “They all have to be ready to go. The girls cannot get tired. That’s not allowed. A couple of them got tired at the scrimmage and that’s not a good sign.’’ Rancho Bernardo started the season at home Wednesday against Bonita Vista with just one substitute.
