GRANTS, N.M. - The Lady Pirates soccer team has been busy rebuilding this summer in anticipation of a tough upcoming season. Second year Lady Pirates head coach Shawn Sanchez said, “Summer is great opportunity to show what we are and what we want for the season– we need the summer to push ourselves harder.”
Sanchez is preparing his team by having workouts twice a day, conditions at 7am and technical skills at 4pm 4 days a week.
Sanchez has his work cut out for him after losing a total of 5 starters from last year to graduation and some moving out of the district.
“We have a lot of new girls out this season,” said Sanchez. “The core group is working hard and teaching the new players the ropes.”
The team has its work cut out for it as the new alignment for the district made the district more competitive. The Pirates now have to compete with Valencia, Belen, Albuquerque Academy and now Hope Christian, who replaced St. Pius in the district realignment.
Albuquerque Academy and Hope Christian in the last 5 years have been consistently ranked 1-2 in the state in girls soccer.
“It’s a challenge for us– but that’s how we get better,” said Sanchez.
The Lady Pirates will continue their work outs for the summer to “meet the challenge.”