Women's Soccer 2009 Season Review

     The Lady Brahmas had another great season at Pierce with a 17-3-2 record.  Not only did the Pierce ladies continue  their winning tradition by winning 10+ games for the 9^th straight year, they have won an amazing 160 games in nine years.  Their overall record is an incredible 160-26-28. 

            The Lady Brahmas were ranked 6^th in the South Region and made it to the Southern California State Playoffs for the 9^th straight year where they faced Mt. San Antonio in the first Round.  After taking care of Mt. San Antonio in penalty kicks with a win of 4-2, the Brahmas then faced an undefeated #3 San Bernardino team in the second round   The dream for a State Championship ended with a score of 1-0 in favor of San Bernardino. 

            Pierce was led by 2009 Western State Conference Player of the Year and Captain, Stephanie Cubias, who after being the leading scorer her freshman year,  scored 2 goals and 8 assists putti ng the team’s welfare first.  Cubias’ speed with and without the ball helped make the Brahmas’ transition from defense to offense seem effortless and exciting. Due to her aggressive style of play Cubias has attracted several Division 1 & 2 programs. 

The Pierce ladies were #10 statewide with only 15 goals against, this was due to the aggressive defense of freshman Captain Ani Eishoei.  She sacrificed playing midfield and moved back to defender in the middle of the season, but still managed to score 4 goals and 4 assists. Eishoei battled injuries throughout the season, but never missed a game.  For her effort she received Western State All-Conference 1^st team and is an All American Candidate, as well as being named one of the team’s MVP.  Also receiving Western State All-Conference 1^st team were sophomore Michelle Oakes, freshman Jennifer Alvarez, freshman Megan Quinn and freshman Erica Vangsness. Jenny Alvarez was the team’s 3^rd best scorer with 7 goals & 8 assists.  Erica Vangsness, aka “EV” was the leading scorer for the Brahmas this year with 12 goals and 5 assists, despite missing some important games due to injuries.  Nevertheless “EV” also earned the team’s Best Offensive Player.  Megan Quinn not only scored 7 goals and had 7 assists, but made “the most amazing goals in Pierce team’s history” according to Coach Perez. Megan “Upper V” Quinn earned the other team MVP award and is an All American Candidate.

Sophomore goalie and Captain Betty Ramirez did not disappoint this year, with an amazing 13 shut outs and goal against average of 0.0636. Ramirez earned Western State All-Conference 2^nd team.  Also receiving Western Sate All-Conference 2^nd team were sophomore Rachel Kove, freshman Nicole Jovel and Samantha Tan.  Kove was the team’s second best leading scorer for the Brahmas with 9 goals and 5 assists.  After making a difficult transition from forward to defender, Jovel earned the team’s Best Defender award and had 2 goals and 1 assist.  Sam Tan earned one of the team’s Coach’s Awards for her dedication and hard work through the season. Playing alongside her was the other Coach’s Award recipient sophomore Chris Ramos, who started every game in the defensive line and received Western State Honorable Mention this season.   Also receiving Western State Honorable Mention was freshman Evelyn Cortez, who had 2 goals and 2 assists.  Evelyn’s speed helped the Brahmas on the attack as well as the defense position.  Cortez also earned team Most Improved for the season.  Sophomore Gina Piazza also improved her play when it was needed most and earned team Most Improved.  Piazza had 2 goals and 3 assists playing forward and midfield. Erica Ceja also battled injuries this season, but you wouldn’t know it with her aggressive style of play and coverage of the center midfield.  She left it all on the field every minute she played.  Together everyone achieved more and without the exceptional contribution of Marissa Graska, Daisy Gonzalez, Brenda Ceja and Emma Campos the season would not have been possible. 

Last, but by no means least, after suffering a season ending injury, the 2009 Season was dedicated to Gabby Gavotto for her hard work on and off the field.  Gavotto was the first one on and the last one off the field. If there was anyone you could count on for anything and everything it was Gabby aka “No Water” Gavotto. As a sophomore and Captain, Gavotto’s discipline, dedication and hard work earned her the first ever in Pierce Woman Soccer history “Pierce Women’s Soccer Brahma of the Year Award”.  Gabby Gavotto lead by example and some of her teammates regarded her as “The Perfect Captain”.