The City College of San Francisco women's soccer team is 1-1-1 to open the season after a pair of contests at the Ventura College New Balance Showcase this past weekend. There is still a long road ahead for the Rams but head coach Jeff Wilson and his squad will look to improve on an impressive 2021 season that saw CCSF win a Coast Conference South Division championship and qualify for the postseason for the 11th straight time.
The Rams return 12 players from that roster, including four of their top scorers and seven All-Coast Conference selections, that helped lead them to a 16-4 overall record and their ninth conference title. Experience will definitely be on their side.
"I cannot wait to get the season started and see what our group is capable of," said Wilson prior to the season-opener on August 30 at Santa Rosa Junior College. "Especially because we combine a talented incoming class with a sophomore class full of experience, talent and leadership. Although optimistic, we all know that there is plenty of hard work ahead and we aren't going to look past anyone. starting with Santa Rosa on Tuesday."
The Rams went on to defeat Santa Rosa 1-0 in their 2022 season debut. Sophomore Alexandra Arouxet Jara, a returning second-team All-Coast Conference South Division selection, scored the loan goal for CCSF while freshman goalkeeper Paolina Molina posted a shutout with two saves.
Wilson will also look to returners Leslie Murillo, Maleah Evans, and Grace Plessinger to lead the Rams this season while freshmen Naré Avetian and Talia McCoy are expected to have breakout years.
Murillo is back after being named the Coast Conference South Division Offensive Player of the Year while Evans was selected the Coast South Freshman of the Year last season. Murillo led her division in scoring, totaling 16 goals and 18 assists for 50 points on the season. Evans wasn't far behind, as she totaled 34 points with 14 goals and 6 assists.
Plessinger was a first-team all-conference pick at defender for the Rams. Other returning all-conference selections include Leilani Jara (second-team), Iliana Sanchez (second-team), and Evalani Dedum (honorable mention).
The Rams will host their home opener on Tuesday (Sep. 6) when they face off against Diablo Valley College at 4 p.m. That is followed by another contest at home against perennial Southern California power Cypress College on Friday (Sep. 9) at 1:30 pm.