The lady Puma soccer team is already undefeated with a 2-0 record, but has tough opponents ahead. Four of their next ten games are against teams who made the playoffs this past season, and three of those games are back to back to back.

Hamilton is their next opponent, who went to the state championship game, then one game later they play Gilbert. They then play Hamilton again who knocked Gilbert out of the playoffs, next is the defending state champions Highland who beat Hamilton in the state championship game.

“Not a lot of easy games,” coach Garald DeGrow states, “but we are blessed with a team where our bench is just as good as our starters.” DeGrow believes that having equally talented players is better than superstar starters.

It also gives his team a boost, being one of the only sports programs this year to beat Basha. Many of the pumas called this a revenge game, even DeGrow did.

“It avenged last year’s loss…showed the soccer world that we have talent.” They play Basha again January 17th, which could be a crucial rivalry game for both teams.

One soccer player is more excited about playing Highland than Basha. Sam Demarco says, “I’m looking forward to Highland because they beat us 7-0 last year, but we held them 1-0 at half so I feel like we can compete with them.” The Pumas already lost to Highland this year in the Tempe Diablo Tournament 4-0.

Demarco states, “We have a really good chance of winning it all this year because our team is more of a unity, we have good players, and we gained a lot of experience from last year.” In order to get to the playoffs they will have to go through their tough stretch of schedule.

“On any day when the girls play like they can, I feel they can beat anyone,” DeGrow says. This is the best soccer team the Pumas have ever had, and they are hoping their hard work will result in a trip to the state playoffs.