The Roberto Escartin era has begun at Cabrillo. The new head coach is from South Gate but said he wanted to challenge himself in the CIF Southern Section. He’ll have his work cut out for him in Long Beach as the Jaguars try to break into the top half of the league with a young team.
“I wanted the challenge,” Escartin said. “I want to win games, but I also I want to establish a solid program. This year is the start of that. I would consider this a successful season for us if our team is better at the end of the year than it was at the start. So far, we’re doing well, and I want to keep that momentum going.”
Junior goalkeeper Sandra Zepeda is also a team captain who will lead by example from the back with returning senior defenders Aiyanna Torres and Yarely Marquez. Junior forward Nylah Tardy and sophomore midfielders Evelin Zaragoza and Melanie Nava are also returning after breakout seasons as underclassman.
Escartin said that seniors Samantha Peralta and Daena Lopez will also be key to bringing the younger players along quickly, and some of those players already have ties to Cabrillo. Freshman Adaly Morales and Kaylynn Zavala both have older sisters who played for the Jaguars, and freshman Danna Temores has an older bother currently on the Cabrillo boys’ soccer team.
“We can’t look passed our pre-season matchups,” Escartin said. “Those games will help us work out all the bugs and fix what needs to be fixed.”
Escartin has also brought experienced assistant coaches Armando Guzman and Aaron Rodriguez with him. Guzman works with Hacienda United Soccer Club and Rodriguez is the head coach for the WPSL’s LA Salsa Women’s SC.
Come back tomorrow for the Cabrillo boys’ soccer preview!
