After falling short of CCS last year by a narrow point margin, the girls on the varsity team hope to make a statement in the preseason matchups.

Led by coach Ben Maxwell, the team will be competing in the upper De Anza League, facing key opponents such as Palo Alto, Mountain View and rival Los Gatos.

One star returning player, senior goalkeeper Isa Berardo, is in her final year playing for the team and is hoping to make CCS for the third time in her school soccer career.

“Regardless [if we make CCS or not], I just want to go out there and have fun playing the sport I love,” Berardo said. “I love playing with these girls and above all else, I really want us to have a fun year together.”

Berardo hopes to bring the team together, both on and off the field. With senior star players Kimberly Chen and Lauren Plesse returning to the pitch, the girls look forward to a strong season.

For Plesse, who took a year off from school soccer her junior year to play club soccer and finalize her college plans, this winter season will help her maintain fitness and improve her technical and attacking skills. Plesse committed to play soccer at the University of California, San Diego earlier this year.

“I love the social aspect of [school soccer] because you get to hang out with everyone on your team for five days a week and at least two hours a day,” Plesse said.

But for seniors like Plesse and Berardo, their last school season will be a bittersweet one.

“I’m going to miss having a lot of fun at practices and games [with the girls],” Berardo said. “Above all, I’m super excited to get back out on the field.”