As the famous quote from Wayne Gretzky goes, "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take."
This year the soccer team at McFarland High School is taking plenty and sure enough the goals have followed. In just their last 7 games the Cougars have scored 39 times but third year coach Jaime Bravo still calls it, "a work in progress."
While he might be satisfied, that hunger has helped create a culture of winning. "Our biggest opponent is ourselves," said senior goalie Giovan Iniguez.
McFarland has won two straight valley titles and are alive chasing a third thanks to a goal and an assist from junior Irvin Gonzalez in this week's quarterfinal win. "I come back this year with more confidence and believing in my team and myself that we can get another title for our school," he said.
While he has the finishing touch up front, this year he's had to take on more of a creating role in the midfield. "He's just the team player and he comes through when the team needs him," Bravo said.
Of course the team would love to make history winning another valley title, their goals are helping create bigger dreams. "We've gotten further the last two years to state playoffs and the team is hungry for more," Gonzalez said.
The pressure to get back is taken away thanks in part to Gonzalez's team first mentality and the Cougars ability to play as one. "There's no problems with the team," Iniguez said. "We're all so interconnected. We're a family."
McFarland is set to travel play #2 Sierra Friday night.
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