AOW: Trent piling up goals for Eagles

At the first girls soccer practice last season, Maranatha coach J.D. Tena noticed something familiar the moment he saw Sarah Trent.

Then a freshman, Trent had such a desire to score goals from her forward position that it reminded Tena of his brother, Joaquin, who also displayed the same mindset on the field.

“I grew up in a soccer family and my brother has a scorer’s mentality,’’ Tena said. “After that first practice I called my brother and told him about Sarah.

“He told me to be her motivator, to make it all challenging and try to reinvent the game for her. Just let her go.’’

Tena’s first impression of Trent, now a 5-foot-7 1/2 sophomore forward, was correct.

She led the Eagles in scoring as a freshman with 27 goals and six assists.

This year she has been even better. She is leading the team once again in scoring. In fact, Trent has already scored more goals than last year. She has found the back of the net 28 times, entering this week.

“Soccer gives me a feeling when I score a goal that no other sport can,’’ Trent said. “A goal makes me feel like all the hard work has paid off. This is what I’m supposed to do on the field.’’

It’s what Trent has done since her parents first signed her and two of her three brothers up to play indoor at North County Soccer Park.

She has paid the price all forwards offer up for the chance to score goals.

Life in the crease is a mix of glory and bruises.

“I get pushed around a lot, knocked to the ground,’’ Trent said. “Every time I hit the ground it makes me stronger for the next time I get near the goal.

“What’s really frustrating is when the referees don’t call the obvious fouls.

“I’ve never been hit in the face or nose. One time I ran into a goalie and hurt my knee. The goalie never even hit the ground. I was out for a month with a hyperextended knee.’’

She spent two weeks on crutches.

“I had to rest a lot because my arms got so tired,’’ Trent added. “At least we won the tournament.’’

Her time away from the field proved to be enlightening for Trent.

“The break was good for me because it made me realize what I had,’’ said Trent, who plays travel ball for San Diego Soccer Club. “I was taking soccer for granted. I found out what a blessing I had.

“Some kids never get to exercise and will never know the feeling I get on the field.’’

Trent’s presence that whole time, though, was missed by the Eagles.

“She’s gotten so much stronger from last year and her game has gotten even better too,’’ Tena said. “She has more of a presence on the field. The other girls know we’re a better team with her out there.

“Even when two defenders are on her, she finds a way to get through them to score. She can pull a new trick out of her hat. She can adapt her game to what defenders are doing.

“Shut her off one way and she’ll find another way to get it done.’’

Trent’s goal, and that of her teammates, includes winning the Ocean League championship and surpassing last year’s playoff effort.

Maranatha was eliminated by San Diego Jewish Academy in its opening playoff game.

Presently, the Eagles sit in second place, trailing only Foothills Christian in the standings.

“One of our goals is to win a playoff game,’’ Trent said. “We want to win league and we’re having a good year, although the season has gone really fast.’’

Monahan is a freelance writer.