Soccer Returns

The effects that COVID-19 have had on high school sports have been substantial, but as Newsom lifted the stay at home orders in late January and new state guidelines were released, some sports have returned to regular practices and competitions. Sports such as cross country, tennis, and football are among the few that have been able to resume thus far.

This past week soccer tryouts were held here at Dana for both the girls and boys teams. With a new coaching staff for the girls team, the players are especially excited to see where this season takes them regardless of the lack of training due over the past year. Athletes state that it was more competitive to make the teams this year, and roughly twenty girls made each team (frosh/soph, junior varsity, and varsity). Coach Wendy Espejel is the new coach for the girls and will guide them every week throughout the season.

Soccer season has officially begun, with two games per week along with three practices. Spectators are allowed, however only two per student, and they must live in the same household. These rules currently apply to all competitive sports events held at Dana due to the Coronavirus.

The schedule for soccer’s competitive season consists of about three to four non-league games, both home and away, over the course of about two weeks, the first games occurring last Thursday, Mar. 11. There are about nine league games scheduled, beginning Thursday, Mar. 30 right here at Dana against Mission Viejo.