Five dozen try out for girls soccer

Ramona High School’s girls soccer team posted a 7-8-4 overall record and a 5-4-3 Valley League mark for the 2007-08 season, the first season of high school coaching for George Garcia.

The 2008-09 season won’t begin until a Dec. 1 match at Poway, but the first day of tryouts on Nov. 17 saw approximately five dozen girls seek positions on the varsity, junior varsity and freshman squads.

“You get a turnout like that and you know you’ve got players,” Garcia said.

A total of 36 girls tried out for the varsity team, which is expected to have a 20-player roster.

“Pretty good, actually,” Garcia said.

Some of those players will spend the season on the junior varsity squad. Approximately 20 girls sought berths on the JV team, including several freshmen who will likely be assigned to the freshman team, and approximately half a dozen ninth-grade girls desired to begin their Ramona High School careers with the freshman team.

“It looks pretty good,” Garcia said.

Although Garcia had expected 11 returning players from the 2007-08 team, some of those opted not to play a winter sport as seniors and only five of last year’s varsity players will return to the Bulldogs.

“Most of my returning players are defensive players,” Garcia said.

Garcia will need the player talent.

“I think this season is going to be a little harder than last year,” he said.

Ramona’s pre-league games are primarily against Division I teams.

The realignment of the Valley League removes Escondido, Mission Hills and San Pasqual while adding Mount Carmel, Oceanside and Westview.

“Westview and Mount Carmel and Oceanside are about as strong as anyone,” Garcia said. “Hopefully the girls can get better and have a good season.”