10 Blueprint
SPORTS
March 11, 2016
Girls varsity soccer kicks off season with returning talent By Tessa Brown, Co-News Editor Last year the girls’ varsity soccer team lost their first sectional game against Lyons Township high school. With eight out of eleven returning starters, the team and coaching staff are aiming for redemption and lots of success in their 2016 season. The season officially began on Monday, February 29th, making it a long season as they train for games, tournaments and possibly the IHSA State Finals on June 3rd and 4th. According to head coach Christopher Hernandez, their goal is to be there. This year the team consists of six senior players already committed to play in college, two other players that have already verbally committed, and the possibility of adding to those numbers before the season ends. According to Hernandez, having lots of players already committed to play in college will be a strength for this years season. Hernandez also shared how the girls’ drive to succeed will be another influence on the outcome of their season. “The players now understand what
it takes to succeed. Last year was a transition phase with a new coach and expectations. During the year the team identified and understood the levels of commitment and discipline needed to reach their goals of not only retaining the conference championship, but advancing in the IHSA State Series,” Hernandez said. “With a talented sophomore group making the collective transition to the varsity level, the addition of a few new players to the program and eight of our eleven starters returning from last year, the coaching staff is looking forward to what can be a truly great season.” Lots of preparation will go into improving and reaching their goals this season. Practices will run differently every day based on the opponent for each week’s games. The team will be doing lots of possession drills and scrimmaging full-field games at the end of practices. “The girls do an incredible job of preparing themselves mentally and physically for the challenges of the season. Preparation has a lot more to do with any success we encounter. Part of the pursuit of excellence in-
San Andres goes smash record By Clarissa Moreno, Photo Editor As the DGS tennis team prepares for the upcoming season, senior Christian San Andres talks about his journey preparing for this upcoming season, and the hopes he has for it. From being ranked number one for his age group in the Philippines to almost breaking the school record for most wins in four years. As of right now, the record of wins in four years stands at 163 and Christian is at 131 wins thus far. He hopes to break this record and leave his name behind as he continues on with his athletic and academic career at the University of Illinois at CAPTIONNNNNNNNNN Chicago. San Andres hopes to make the starting lineup at UIC next year Photo by Clarissa Moreno with an athletic and academic full ride scholarship. He hopes to major in “He’s probably playing 15 hours a chemistry following a pharmaceutical week plus off court conditioning at get path. fast so he’s working extremely hard. “This upcoming season I am really Christian is the most dedicated player hoping for the team to do well. I really through the three years we’ve ever want to go deep in state and make a had here. We’re really looking forward good run, that’s what I’ve been workto his senior year,” Freischlag said. ing for the whole year,” San Andres Senior Andrew Garcia talks about said. “Next year I’m going to UIC how he has high hopes for San Andres hopefully make the starting lineup and the rest of his team this upcoming and the college team is making their season. The team hopes to continue way up. I’m hoping to at least contribthe streak of winning conference, ute to [winning] a conference champimaking this upcoming season’s win onship and then to the NCAA.” their 11th in a row. San Andres has been playing to the “Christian San Andres is a heck of best of his ability on the team all four a player. He’s been getting so much years at DGS. Working 15 hours a better over the past four years. On the week plus off court conditioning court he’s always moving around -“To prepare for it, [the season] honhe’s always looking for the tennis ball estly a lot I play twice a day and I also and he’s just a really amazing player,” go to the gym every day. I work every Garcia said. day after school with my coach and a The first tennis match is at Napercouple of my teammates after that,” ville Central on Mar. 19 San Andres said. Contact Clarissa at Coach Peter Freischlag has encourcmor1952@csd99.org aging things to say about San Andres.
volves eliminating as many surprises as possible because life is full of the unexpected,” Hernandez said. Tournaments and other games are what will help the girls prepare for playoffs. Junior Sarah Seniors Megan Riordan, Natalia Pinto, Alexa Dimovski, Autumn Casey Rasmussen and Sydney Clements (left to right) sport their colleges shared they will play soccer for next year. Photo by Marcela Calderon some of her you inspire others to do, Hernandez thoughts said. “We have an incredible group of and expectations for this year. student-athletes and to see them de“I would like for our team to win velop as leaders by placing the needs our Regional game and do well in of others ahead of their own has been playoffs. A team goal we have is to win our Pack the Place, Senior Night, great to witness.” Senior Natalia Pinto decribed her and Cross Town games,” Casey said. feelings about beginning her final But for Coach Hernandez this year season as a DGS girls varsity soccer isn’t just about wins and losses, it player. will be about watching his players “As a senior I am both excited and grow, and shaping them into the best sad to play my last year at DGS with players and people they can be. my best friends. Soccer season is my “It will be the team-building and moments of growth within the season favorite time of the year, and I’m that provide the greatest memories as excited to finally start again,” Pinto said. a coach. We as a staff are big believers that success isn’t just about what Contact at Tessa you accomplish in life, it’s about what tbro0122@csd99.org