Gators have title goal in sight

2260122

Green Valley’s seniors are hoping the third time really is the charm.

The Gators welcome back seven senior starters from a team that last season advanced to the Southern Nevada girls soccer championship match for the second straight year.

For the second straight year, the Gators fell to Palo Verde.

One more chance, though, may be all Green Valley needs.

“This is our last year, our last chance to win it all,” said Liz Billington, a senior midfielder/forward. “It’s definitely in our minds.”

The Gators lost just three starters from a team that finished 16-2-3 overall. Green Valley outscored its opponents 71-8 last year.

“That’s what is motivating everybody to hopefully do better than we did last year,” fourth-year coach William Naftaly said.

On paper, this is Green Valley’s best chance. The bulk of the returning senior starters are playing their fourth varsity season.

“We’ve all played together for a long time and that helps tremendously,” said Hailey Garrison, a senior midfielder/defender. “We all know each other and where each other is going to be.”

Ali Schaefer, who is headed to Stanford next season, returns to lead the offense after scoring 22 goals last season.

“She has been fantastic, both as a scoring threat and a passing threat,” Naftaly said. “This year, we’re going to be very dangerous. We don’t just have to rely on her to score. We have a lot of depth.”

Billington had a team-best 11 assists last year. Garrison and senior Krista Brizeno are also big-time scoring threats.

Roz Flores, a senior, returns in goal, with classmates Jessie Cahill and Anna Guida helping to lead the defense.

“We’re really strong in the back,” Naftaly said.

Senior Kylie Kochevar and junior Megan Schiess also return after starting last season.

The Gators have 13 seniors and one junior on a 20-player roster that also includes two freshmen — Hailey Beekman and Kayla Varner — who have plenty of potential.

“Every single one of us brings something different to the team,” Billington said. “It makes us all around a better team.”

Before the Gators can seriously consider a championship run, however, they’ll work their way through a schedule that includes three nondivision matchups and a tournament in San Francisco.

“We’re really trying to stress one game at a time,” Naftaly said. “We definitely understand we’re going to have to play our best game every single game.”

Silverado and Coronado both return strong teams in the Southeast Division and should challenge the Gators for the top spot.

“We know we’re a very competitive team and if we play to our capabilities, we’re going to be tough to beat,” Naftaly said. “There’s plenty of talent out here, though. That’s why you play the game. You never know.”