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With the soccer season kicking off Aug. 17, the Hollister Tremors’ Hurricanes girls soccer team looks to duplicate the results from last year—win multiple tournaments and go undefeated in the regular season.
“It’s pretty special to go undefeated in any division let alone doing it in Gold,” coach Armando Gonzalez said, adding they competed against teams from Monterey and Santa Clara counties.
In 2023, the U14 girls won some prestigious tournaments such as the 2023 Surf Cup Best of Best (upper division), 2023 Thriller Halloween Tournament (upper division) and the 2023 Central Valley Premier Cup (upper bracket). Additionally, the team lost in the championship games in other tournaments.
But this year it’ll be more challenging as they are now competing in NorCal’s Premier Division, the highest level in which the club can compete. For girls who eat, drink and sleep soccer, they are looking forward to the challenge.
“Win premier and have fun while doing it,” “win tournaments,” were among the answers the players gave when asked what the goals for this season were.
The players, as a team and individually, have been honing their skills leading up to this season. Several players went through the Olympic Development Program and Player Development Program as well as going through other clinics in Palo Alto.
“We work hard,” Isabella Guzman, 13, said. “We all support each other.”
The coaches said that about 80% of the team also work with a private trainer once a week and the majority participate in crossfit classes during the offseason.
“They play so well that people are literally like, ‘we want to help you,’” Gonzalez said. Coach Tim Chiala added that Gavilan College Women’s soccer coach Javier Alejo ran a two-week training camp earlier this year.
In addition to the skill development, the players say a key factor of their success is their family-like bond.
“I think we all have a really good connection with each other which makes us play better on the field,” Elize Gonzalez, 12, said.
The team’s first goal could be achieved this weekend, as it’s heading out to the Puma Cup in Stockton for the first tournament of the season.
The majority of the team has been together for six years, since it was first put together by Gonzalez and Chiala. Having two strong teams at the recreational level, they combined into one competitive team.
Not only was it a first for the girls to be on a competitive team, it was for the coaches as well.
We kind of learned as we went,” Chiala said, chuckling. “So a lot of YouTube videos. Luckily there’s so many resources online.”
He added they also relied on other coaches for tips on how to run practices. Coach William Ceja joined the team in January and began running practices, bringing more experience to the staffing.
“The girls are pretty committed,” Chiala said. “That’s what fuels us.”
The team also relies on fundraising to pay for tournament fee costs. The team held a fundraiser Aug. 10. Looking ahead, Gonzalez said the team is seeking sponsors or donations to compete in the Mayors Cup in Las Vegas in February 2025.
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