Talented Skyline soccer team faces tough pre-season

Some strong opposition is just what Skyline soccer coach Yamil Castillo had in mind as a pre-season warm-up for his team this year, and the Eagles faced it well, garnering a 4-2 record as they headed into the regular season schedule Aug. 30 against Westlake. The Titans won the match 5-1.

“We did well, considering we lost some very good players [to graduation],” Castillo said. “We are young on defense, with only one senior in the back line, but we have a lot of talent. We had 65 players come out to tryouts, and we cut some very good players. We have some amazing talent coming in as freshmen. It’s very encouraging.”

One of the team’s highlights of the pre-season was the 2-1 win over Davis at Skyline Aug. 25.

“That was a big one, the best of the season,” Castillo said. “We played against one of the best teams in 5A.”

Senior Rachel Wright scored the first goal for the Eagles, tying the score in the first half, with junior captain Ashley Amberton scoring in the second half to secure the win.

“Both goals were beautiful,” Castillo said. “Ashley had a beautiful shot 30 yards out that went in the upper right corner of the net to put us over the edge. She is one of the fastest players on the team.”

The large number of players Castillo kept on his team this year—42—has pros and cons.

“We have a very talented team, and the depth on the bench really helps that,” he said. “But it comes with a lot of pressure in dealing with substitutions. It’s an adventure for a coach to juggle that many players. But we just know that we have to work extra hard.”

Castillo attributes this year’s heightened interest in soccer in part to the team’s performance last year. The team went undefeated in region play, and was only one goal away from a seat at the state championship game, when it lost 1-0 in overtime to Viewmont in the 5A state semifinals.

“We struggled a little in the pre-season to put the puzzle pieces together,” he said. “But we’ve got a terrific group of girls. They are learning to play together.”