Jordan is starting a new era under first-year coach Sergio Villasenor, who has local AYSO and middle school coaching experience. He took the job in August, and has been hustling to get his team up to speed.
“I’m nervous and excited,” Villasenor said. “It was tough trying to convince the girls that I’m here to rebuild this program, make them scholars before athletes, and try to build a winning tradition. Little by little, they’re starting to see what I’ve got to offer is coming through.”
Senior Azari Jimenez, who is coming off of a major knee injury, will be the most important returning starter in the midfield. However, Villasenor has put the rest of his top players on the back line to help support his style of being defense-first and building from the back. Junior Xiomara Madrid will be the sweeper behind seniors Jacqueline Yepez and Diana Godoy. Junior Tatiana Perez will be in goal.
Jordan came back to tie Firebaugh 3-3 last week in the season opener, and Villasenor said that result has gone a long way for the Panthers.
“It’s going to be a process but they’re starting to believe,” Villasenor said. “I think people have turned their backs on them long enough, and I’m not going to do that. I’m a Panther now.”
