By Omar Hassoun
Staff Writer
Though the CSUDH women’s soccer team is last in the California College Athletic Association with a 1-7-2 conference record (2-10-3 overall), head coach Marine Cano said that the team has built up familiarity and understanding that will benefit them heading into next season.
“[Right now] we are competing but not winning,” said Cano, who returned this season to the program that he led to a national championship in 1991.
Cano said that this season has seen its share of missed opportunities, but also said that can be viewed as a positive. For instance, the team has taken 163 shots this season, or 10.9 per game, showing that the Toros have been active in front of the goal, but the lack of a finisher to drive the ball into the net has been a hindrance. The Toros have scored only seven goals all season and have failed to score a goal in 10 matches.
A 1-0 Oct. 4 loss to Cal State Monterey Bay is one example of what has been the Toros’ main challenge this season, according to Cano: offensive inconsistency. The Toro’s outshot the Otters 14-9, but none found the back of the net.
“We only have a few games left, so what we’re trying to do is get better every game, so we can get some offense going,” says Cano. “We need to get tougher in the midfield, win balls, and get the first goal in.”
In the Toro’s two wins this season against Humboldt State and Fresno Pacific, they were able to get on the scoreboard and hold off the opposing team for the rest of the match.
In his first year back coaching at Dominguez Hills, Cano believes that there is a lot of potentials that will carry over to next season.
The defense is being led by captains Sofia Litendahl, a sophomore forward, and goalie Ruth-Maria Soto.
“Ruth-Maria Soto has been a standout player for the team this season,” Cano said. Soto has 82 saves on the season with a save percentage of .845.
“She comes up with the key save at the key times,” Cano said.
“Ruth-Maria Soto has been a standout player for the team this season,” Cano said. Soto has 82 saves on the season with a save percentage of .845.
