Coach Aziminejad and team assuring a "season to remember"
By Justin ShepardSports Editor, The VOICE
At the midway point of the season, the GCC women's soccer team is catching fire.
4 wins in 6 games has inched the ladies closer to accomplishing their main goal of this season; making the playoffs.
The team had a dismal start to the year, winning only one game of the first six.
However, Coach Aziminejad and team refused to hit the panic button and managed to keep their heads up.
The first third of the season, the Lady Gaucho's struggled to win the close games, often losing by only one goal.
A frustrating 7-2 loss to Chandler-Gilbert on Sept. 16 appeared to be the turning point for the club. S ince that loss, the team has gone an impressive 4-2.
In that stretch were three straight road victories.
They also won back-toback games for the first time in seven years.
Strength on the defensive end has also emerged as of late. Only 5 goals have been allowed by GCC in the last 6 games.
Glendale is now finding a way to come out on top of those close matches.
The coaching staff has shifted the positions of a few players, which has been the main contributor to the turnaround.
The only returning player from last season, Cori Newbrough, was moved from the forward line back to defense.
Without this change, Aziminejad believes that the team's improvement would not be possible.
Sophomore Jaclyn Pagen was moved from midfield to defense as well.
Coach Aziminejad admits that the move has taken away from the team's offense, but the change was necessary to improve the defense.
The team is now working to create a soccer team that is stout on both the defensive and offensive ends.
"Now we have to be a more balanced team. We went from scoring two or three goals and losing, to scoring only one or two goals and winning. We just have to find a balance and create more scoring chances", Aziminejad states.
Another element that has led GCC to its turnaround, is the apparent positive attitude of the athletes.
Holding themselves and each other to high standards is important to the team.
The coaching staff and team have also made a statement that being a losing program is no longer acceptable.
Aziminejad says that Corine Newbrough has simply been amazing, as well as a key figure in the team's recent success.
Team captain Autumn McCullough, is described by Aziminejad as a leader that her teammates follow.
Her ability to calm the team during tough times is noticeable also.
McCullough believes coach Aziminejad brings just as much to the organization.
"He believes in us completely and let's us know it. He's set the pace for future seasons", she states.
Shondra Meek continues to be a powerful scorer. Aziminejad believes that her ability to change the game at any moment is valuable.
Freshman Kelsie McCanna was named the ACCAC Keeper of the Week for the week ending Oct. 3.
Glendale is now the buzz of the conference, according to Aziminejad
"I got a phone call from the Paradise Valley head coach. She said 'you [Glendale] are going to make the playoffs, but I wouldn't want to play you.'"
The top six teams in the conference will advance to the post-season.
As The Voice went to print, GCC was in position to make the playoffs.
Please send comments to jshepard@gccvoice.com
