Carson High’s Gracie Walt looks upfield during a game against Spanish Springs last fall. Walt will be one of three senior captains for the Senators this season.
Photo by Jeff Mulvihill, Jr. | InstaImage.
Carson High girls’ soccer had a chance to make the postseason last year, but ultimately couldn’t find it in the cards.
This season, head coach Kyle Walt, is expecting to be right back in the mix.
“This could be one of our better years,” said Walt. “I think eight of the girls this year on the starting 11 play club in Reno or Carson. We have more club players than we had before on the starting 11.”
After graduating eight players’ from last year’s 4-9-3 squad, the Senators return to feature eight more seniors on this year’s team.
Carson has played an intra-squad scrimmage to this point in the preseason, but will kick off the year Tuesday at Spanish Springs.
(Alyssa Tomita strikes a ball against McQueen during the 2021 Carson High girls soccer season. Tomita will be a staple for the Senators this season and will be one of the team’s three captains / Jeff Mulvihill, Jr. | InstaImage)
Formation
From back to front, Carson will have Luz Sandoval in net, guarding the back line.
The center backs will be Elayna Quintero and Dani Estrada while Andrea Manriquez will hold down one of the outside defensive spots.
“She was a dynamic center back last year as a freshman. She’s gotten faster, better and more confident with the ball,” said Walt.
That last defensive position is still up in the air for the Senators.
Up in the midfield, Angelyna Alverado returns to the lineup after missing all of last season with a knee injury.
Alverado played varsity as a sophomore, but will be back in the midfield for the Senators.
Addison Morgan and Gracie Walt will be the attacking midfielders for Carson as Walt comes off an all-region nod from a season ago.
Both players feature impressive ball-handling skills and are lightning fast.
Monserrat Iza returns to her role as striker and Walt said she continues to show her ‘soccer smarts.’
Junior Paris Robbins and senior Alyssa Tomita will counter Iza on the right side and left sides of the attack, respectively.
Walt, Tomita and Alverado will be the Senators’ three captains this season.
“Vocal on the field, great leadership and showing the girls what we need physically and movement-wise,” said Walt. “They’ve been playing at the varsity level for four years.”
Looking around the North
Walt thinks Reed may be the team to beat in the North this season as the Raiders bring back several returners from last season, including their entire midfield.
Douglas and Galena will of course be near the top of the table as well.
“I expect us higher than we were last year,” said Walt, “and to make a playoff run.”
Walt also said he hopes that the Senators can earn a state academic award this year.
“Past that we want to make playoffs and win our first game in playoffs,” added Walt.
Varsity roster
Elayna Quintero, So.; Gracie Walt, Sr.; Addison Morgan, So.; Stella Johnson, Sr.; Alyssa Tomita, Sr.; Jailey Tijerina, So.; Eliana Gutierrez, Sr.; Sidney King, Sr.; Dani Estrada, Sr.; Monserrat Iza, Jr.; Vanessa Quezado, Jr.; Alondra Carillo, So.; Angelyna Alverado, Sr.; Andrea Manriquez, Jr.; Makayla Rabideau, Fr.; Luz Sandoval, Sr.; Paris Robbins, Jr.; Kaylee Luna, Jr.
