GALT, CA (MPG) - The Liberty Ranch Lady Hawks are poised for an exciting and competitive season this winter, with a well-rounded squad and some key returning players, according to longtime Head Coach Rob Huarte. 

“The leadership from our senior captains — Libby Portillo, Eliana Enriquez and Hailey Katen — will undoubtedly provide strong guidance, especially in the middle of the pitch where the game is often won or lost,” said Huarte. “The experience of Yoselin Del Toro and Serena Tarifa will add depth to that area, and they’ll be instrumental in controlling the flow of play throughout the season.”

“Kennedy Arechiga and Juliana Romero are critical assets on the wings, offering both speed and creativity. Their ability to stretch the field and create chances in transition will make them key players in both attack and defense.”

According to Huarte, the addition of Bailey Alcoriza, Gia Sandoval and Favi Vasquez as new starters will give the team some fresh energy and flexibility, especially if they can gel with the returning players quickly. 

“Having a dynamic freshman like Giovanna Guerrero on the team adds excitement, as she could bring something special to the squad and offer a new dimension to our attacking options,” said Huarte.

The goalkeeping duo of junior Zia Ruppert and sophomore Kennie Thomas is certainly one to watch. Huarte says it’s rare to have two strong goalkeepers who can push each other for the starting spot and provide reliable support throughout the season. Their performances will be crucial in tight games, and having such depth at that position will give the team confidence heading into tough matchups.

Huarte, in his 15th season as head varsity coach, is a cornerstone of the program’s success. His overall record of 192-65-30 and league record of 111-21-17 speaks for itself. Being just eight wins away from the 200-win milestone is a testament to his dedication, leadership and consistent success over the years. 

That kind of experience, both on and off the field, will be a huge asset for the Lady Hawks this season as they look to build on their legacy and keep pushing for that league championship.

While Huarte can get a little frustrated with some of the calls, his coaching style is calm and positive, and never yelling or screaming at his players during a game. He will confidently move girls around and make slight corrections, but most often you can hear him say, “Good idea” when a player tries a play or move.  He holds the record for being the longest-standing coach since Liberty Ranch opened.

Huarte also likes to schedule a challenging preseason. This year the Hawks faced some strong preseason opponents in Colfax and Franklin and Cosumnes Oaks of Elk Grove. 

“While those games didn’t end in the win column, it’s encouraging that the team competed hard for 40 minutes in each match,” said Huarte. “Preseason results are often more about learning and improving, and the Lady Hawks are building the belief that we can hang with the best and be competitive in the SVC this year.”

With the added challenge of two new teams, Amador and Argonaut, joining the league, the Lady Hawks will need to stay focused and continue to improve as the season progresses. They already beat Union Mine in their first league game of the season. 

The combination of seasoned leadership, new talent and tough preseason experience should help the team hit the ground running and make a strong push for the League Championship.