The players and coaches of the women’s soccer team are looking forward to the upcoming season, expecting to win games at both ends of the field.

After finishing in fifth place in the South Coast Conference, the team expects to improve on its 6-11-3 record in 2000.

Head coach Debbie Jensen said that this year’s edition “looks like the best team in seven years.

“Everybody is excited. We have a really balanced team this year on offense and defense.

“We’re going to have a better attacking team this year. Which will lead to scoring more goals.

“On the other end, we have a stronger, more solid defense, which I think is going to be able to shut down the other teams, and decrease the number of goals scored against us.

“This is where our balance is coming in.”

The team will depend on returning players Lupe Chavez and Jessica Escorcia.

Escorsia said that this year’s team is a “lot better overall” and is “more skilled.”

Claudia Lozano and Mirna Funes are among the new players expected to play big roles this season, along with goalkeeper Carmen Cortes.

Funes, a freshman, said that the team is working as a unit. “We hope to treat everyone equally and as a family.”

She added that everyone is “getting along, and that’s what’s most important, to bond with each other.”

Georgina Molina, who played for Cerritos two seasons ago, said that this team has a “good defense” and “looks way better” than the 1999 team.

Jensen said that the whole team has a good work ethic and great attitude.

“They don’t complain about the heat. They just get the job done at practice.

“We’ve seen some players improve over the summer, and we know that the improvement will