Cuesta Women's Soccer is scheduled to open its season this Tuesday (4 PM) at Reedley College. The Cougars are also scheduled to bring the beautiful game back to campus this Friday (4 PM) when they host West Hills-Lemoore.
The Cougars will be sporting a new look on the sideline this season as Kaleb Lique Naitove takes over for Coach Bob Wilson. Wilson became the Cuesta Kickers' first coach in 1995 but after 27 years prowling the sidelines, he hung up his whistle. Wilson had the Cougars rolling before the pandemic, with back-to-back playoff berths, but, after a season off the pitch, Cuesta missed the playoffs and ended last season 4-12-2 overall. Coach Lique Naitove initially joined Cuesta as their designated Sprint and Speed Coach for Track & Field, but his specialty is Soccer. He played at Keene State in New Hampshire for four years and later saw one season of action in the pros.
Lique Naitove is dealing mostly with a new team, but he does have four versatile veterans to lean on. Sophomores Mya Gonzalez (pict), Taylor Kirk and, Cait Flanagan are all listed Midfielders, while Hannah Flanagan is more comfortable in the frontcourt. The Cougars' midfield play was one of the 2021 team's strengths. Gonzalez was named to the 2021 All-WSC Second Team after her freshman season and is a fierce defender with a strong leg. She earned the Cougars' Best Defender Award last season and will be used to mark the opponents' top scorer. On offense, her lone assist of the year sealed the Cougars' November 2nd win over local rival Allan Hancock. Kirk was accorded all-WSC Honorable Mention and tied for second on the team with a pair of goals. Both Flanagans were part-time starters in 2021 and should expect their roles to increase dramatically this season.
Up front, the Cougars shall rely on newcomers Ava Woolsey, Mia Sidaris and Talia Arroyo, but are also able to pull from the Midfield to bolster their attack. Returner Hannah Flanagan provides the Cougars' attack with a veteran presence.
The Cougars' 2022 recruiting class will bolster an already strong Cuesta Midfield. 2021 Paso Robles HS MVP Alexa Garcia and 2022 Paso Robles HS MVP Braelyn Borene shall join Morro Bay's All-Ocean Leaguer Shaylee Sargent to provide the Cougars with an experienced, talented and deep mid-field. The young talent, along with Kirk and Cait Flanagan, will lead the strongest unit on the team and also provide Coach Lique Naitove with lots of versatility, despite his small roster.
On defense, Freshman Kylie Beeby joins Gonzalez to mark opponents and protect the Cougars' net and Freshmen Roni Hinson and Marlem Cambron will share the goalkeeping duties.
