As the days get colder, the Mt. Eden soccer season is heating up. Coached by Alvin Khalik, Mt. Eden shows up with a fierce girl’s soccer team, equipped with a united roster.

“Everyone’s passionate for the sport,” said Mt. Eden junior and JV soccer player Guadalupe Zapata. “I admire the closeness we have like a family, and the passion to make everyone better.”

According to Mt. Eden junior and JV player Susana Garcia, sportsmanship is crucial for the team.

“Everyone is so understanding of each other, I feel a lot of comfort within the team,” said Garcia. 

Garcia and Zapata are going into their third year on the team, feeling that cooperation and focus are their strongest assets and main drivers to success as a team. With their season ranging from late November to mid-February and final exams in between, the commitment these girls have is unmatched.

Confidence toward their upcoming season is in full swing, with high spirits all around.

“I think we’re going to do amazing, as long as we all do our part in communicating,” said Garcia. Practicing multiple times a week, both the JV and Varsity teams are gearing up to face their opponents, such as the Hayward High and San Leandro High teams, their biggest rivals

“Watch out for those San Leandro players,” said Zapata. 

If you are a girl looking to play for the team next year, here are some words of encouragement from current players. 

“See yourself playing with the team,” said Zapata. “The outcome is only going to be you becoming a better person, finding true friendships, and in a way, finding yourself and the passion you might have for a sport.”

“Just try it out, you never know,” said Garcia. “Joining the team was a way I obtained strong friendships and that’s how I met my best friend.”

The Mt. Eden girl’s soccer team is one to keep an eye on this season. San Leandro High, watch out, the team is fired up and coming in hot.