A new era with new faces: Cochise Women's Soccer 2024 Season Preview

DOUGLAS, Ariz. --- When Santos Rangel stepped on the soccer field for the first time as the new head coach, he did so with the intention of bringing in a new type of energy and excitement for the Cochise Women's Soccer program. Rangel's first item on his to-do list was to bring in a coaching staff and surround himself with a wealth of knowledge and experience to help oversee a roster full of returing and incoming athletes from all around the world. The 2023 team finished 7-5-2 overall falling short of the postseason and losing several players from the roster, many of which are now playing at the four-year level.  Coach Rangel and his new staff, which includes Carlos Quezada, former Apache Crystal Munoz, Justin Summers, and Pedro Partida prepare to kick off a new era with numerous fresh faces, in a conference that has added three new programs. The new-look Apaches are laying the ground work for what could be a season filled with optimism, energy, and enthusiasm.

Key Returners 

The Cochise Women's Soccer team brings back seven returners from 2023 along with four sophomore transfers who hope to make an immediate impact in their one-and-only season in Douglas. Sabrina Amezcua returns after a stellar freshman season which included 21 goals in 11 games. Amezcua, who was awarded First Team All-ACCAC in 2023, and named one of the team captains last week, returns after using her offseason to tune-up her skills playing with the Dakota "Fusion" soccer club. Cochise brings back their starting goalkeeper Alicia Garwood which will help secure and lead their defense. Coach Rangel mentions that last season Garwood flew under the radar and will be sure to make her mark on the conference this season. "[Alicia] has matured alot over the past year, and is ready to push us to the next level." Diana Montoya returns as one Cochise's top defenders. Montoya also spent her offseason working on her craft as a member of the Dakota "Fusion" soccer club. Rangel emphasized her preparedness for this season and anticipates her becoming the leader of the backfield once again. 

Key Newcomers

As with the start of every new season, Cochise welcomed 19 new members to the team, many of which are international adapting to the college lifestyle. The Apaches welcomed new athletes from England, Colombia, Mexico, France, and Venezuela. New freshmen from Cooper City Florida, Sahuarita and Sierra Vista, Arizona were also brought in to round out the roster. Katherine Lobaton, from Baraquisineto, Venezuela is a center defender and brings in a wealth of experience playing at the club level internationally. Coach Rangel expects Lobaton to be one of the top defenders in the ACCAC by the end of the season. Darienne Thopmson, of Seaham, England joined the Cochise Women's Soccer team in the Spring but will be new to regular season conference-play. Rangel emphasized the energy that Thompson brings to the team, while her leadership earned her the second captain role for the Apaches. Celiane Pereira, from Paris, France transfers to Cochise from Eastern Arizona as a sophomore. Pereira is a playmaker that, according to Coach Rangel, can create 'something out of nothing'. Her experience in the ACCAC will be vital for leadership of the team on and off of the field.

See full roster here. 

A New-Look Conference

With all of the changes in college sports taking place over the past summer, the ACCAC conference was no exception. The 2024 ACCAC DI conference officially added College of Southern Nevada (Henderson, NV) and Community Christian College (Redlands, CA) to all sports, and Mohave Community College (Bullhead City, AZ) to its soccer schedules. Along with the new additions, Cochise will face familiar foes such as Arizona Western, Yavapai, and Eastern Arizona twice to round out their regular season schedule. Coach Rangel mentioned his excitement for the new-look conference noting that every game will be important while there is little room for error. Road matches and travel could play a critical role as the Apaches will travel as far as 550 miles to Redlands, CA for a regular season game next month. Cochise Women's Soccer opens their home schedule on Saturday, August 31st for a non-conference match with Trinidad State College. 

See full schedule here. 

Rounding Out the Staff

Last month, head coach Santos Rangel hired his new assistant coach Carlos Quezada of Florida to join the staff. Quezada brings in over a decade of coaching and playing experience having recently served as the assistant coach at Edward Waters University in Florida. Rangel is most excited about the energy and experience Coach Quezada brings to the team. "He will help out and make sure we get the team going and 'ready to ball," Rangel stated. Quezada is an experienced goalkeeper coach having played that position collegiately and professionally. Rangel also welcomes three new volunteer coaches, including former Cochise Apache and Douglas local, Crystal Munoz. "[Crystal] brings the experience of what it means to play at Cochise College," Rangel stated. "The team really respects her insight." Munoz is a former ACCAC champion as a player and once volunteered at Cochise back in 2020. Justin Summers and Pedro Partida round out the coaching staff as both will be heavily involved in scouting and recruiting for Rangel in the Tucson and Phoenix areas. 

2024 Season Opener

The 2024 Cochise Women's Soccer team opens up their regular season on Friday, August 23rd in Wyoming as they face North Idaho College on Friday afternoon. The Apaches will have four matches in four days in Casper, WY and will return to host Trinidad State College on August 31st at 3:00pm on the Douglas campus.