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The MiraCosta College women’s soccer team has nothing to prove … and it’s out to prove it.
The Spartans head into the state community college playoffs Wednesday afternoon with a 16-4-1 record. A win and a tie over No. 5 nationally ranked Southwestern College led MiraCosta to a second straight Pacific Coast Athletic Conference title with a 15-0-1 record.
But the Spartans are ranked only 17th in the state and drew a first-round game in the playoffs — against Bakersfield College at 2 p.m. on the MiraCosta campus — while PCAC runner-up Southwestern drew a first-round bye.
“We’re playing the underdog card 100%,” said sophomore midfielder Jazmyne Arispe. “We’re very proud of what we’ve accomplished and looking to do more.”
“We talked about this at practice today,” said center defender Raigan Jager. “We’re ready to play.”
Even Spartans coach Robert Freise is a little surprised by the Spartans’ lack of recognition on the state level. “We’re a very good team,” he said.
He has the statistics to back it up.
MiraCosta has scored 82 goals this season. The Spartans have given up eight goals with 16 shutouts in 21 games. They are 15-1-1 over the last 17 games.
Like many successful teams, MiraCosta takes pride in its defense.
“The overall strength of our play begins with the defensive effort and work ethic,” said Freise. “We focus on not being scored on. Our players back each other up on defense. It’s a team thing.”
The team is anchored by Jager, who is both the PCAC Player of the Year and the PCAC Defensive Player of the Year. A 5-foot-9 sophomore out of La Costa Canyon High School, Jager is from an athletic family. Her sister Kailyn was the Most Valuable Player of the California Community College Women’s Volleyball Tournament last year, leading Mesa College to the championship. She is now at UC Riverside.
Jager is one of 17 players from North County high schools on the Spartans’ roster. And many of those who didn’t play together in high school played together in the North County’s rich junior club program where Freise coached until coming to MiraCosta as an assistant last year. He was named head coach this season.
“Many of our girls have known each other for years while playing at the highest level,” said Freise, who played at San Diego State from 2010-2014. “That’s a big plus because in the community college world, at least half the team is changing every year.
“You want to have chemistry. As a team, we work with the new players and quickly form an understanding of how their teammates play. I’ve been fortunate to have a mixture of good players who are eager to learn as well as help newer players to the team.”
And this year, there were more new players than usual. MiraCosta added four players from the University of Saint Katherine when the San Marcos school abruptly closed last spring.
“That had to be traumatic for the students,” said Freise. “Our players were great in welcoming the Saint Katherine players into our team and family. The assimilation was quick.”
Three of those Saint Katherine transfers are among the six Spartans named to the all-PCAC team. Sophomore forward Joey Freas, freshman defender-midfielder Heidi Alarcon and freshman forward-winger Shelby Maldonado earned all-PCAC honors along with Jager, sophomore striker Lena Bachman (Valley Center High School) and sophomore midfielder Arispe (Vista High School).
Bachman is MiraCosta’s leading scorer with 19 goals and nine assists. Sophomore Arely Sarabia (Vista High School) has started every game in goal.
“We have great communication on defense,” said Jager of MiraCosta’s 4-3-3 alignment. “Individually, we’re very strong. But there’s a culture here of support. We get along. If something goes wrong, we pick each other up. I’ve seen that go the other way on some teams.
“Alarcon and I are the center backs. We’ve got awareness between us and Sarabia as well as the wings. That runs through the team. Most of us have the same backgrounds … North County club programs. Most of us still live at home.”
Jager said there was a brief adjustment period when the Saint Katherine players joined the team.
“They were coming into a family from the outside,” she said. “They found a place. They came to a good team. And knowing what they had gone through, we wanted them to find a home here.”
“They were dealing with so much,” Arispe said of the Saint Katherine transfers. “When I came here out of high school, the role models already here made it easy. There was a good attitude even during practices. We work together as a team.”
A Type 1 Diabetic, Arispe is working toward a master’s in social work to assist other diabetics.
A business major, Raigan would like to continue her soccer career with an eye toward playing for NCAA Division II power Point Loma Nazarene. “The school, the campus, the program all seem to fit me,” she said.
Both stressed the value of a community college.
“Some people don’t understand how valuable the two-year college can be coming out of high school,” said Raigan. “It’s totally underrated.”
“I followed a number of relatives to MiraCosta,” said Arispe. “It’s a great next step.”
As for the next step for the MiraCosta women’s soccer team?
“Keep winning,” said Arispe. “I’m surprised to see us only 17th in the state rankings. I know we’re way better than that. So, let’s prove it.”
Every week, U-T contributor Bill Center highlights one San Diego college team that’s making strides on and off the field. To nominate a team, email wcenter27@gmail.com.
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