BURBANK — Most of the area’s girls’ soccer teams will have strong resemblances to last year’s squads.
That’s because three of four programs — Burroughs, Burbank and Bellarmine-Jefferson — have a number of players who competed last season.
Only Providence has a large amount of new players.
Of the four programs, only two — the Bulldogs and Guards — qualified for postseason play a year ago. Unfortunately, neither was able to make it past their opening CIF Southern Section contests.
Here is a look at how this year’s teams are shaping up:
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BURBANK
The name of the game for the Bulldogs (11-9-2) right now is injuries. Some of the team’s top players are trying to get healthy.
“You’re talking about players who were all-league and All-Area for us,” said Burbank Coach Loi Phan, whose team was fourth in the Pacific League last season. “Injuries have been killing us.
“We are going to be a pretty good team if we can just get over the injuries. I’m hoping that we’ve got them out of the way and we won’t get hit later in the season.”
Although the Bulldogs have a solid crop of returning players, one of their biggest losses to graduation was goalkeeper Jenna Todd. Last season, Todd had 197 saves, allowed 30 goals and recorded 11 shutouts, setting a school record.
Taking over in goal is sophomore Danielle Reid, who Phan said has been playing well.
Although she is hobbled with an injury, senior forward Kristina Amela, who was injured much of the 2007-08 season, should give the team a boost. As a sophomore, Amela tallied a school-record — and area best — 33 goals. The All-Area Player of the Year also helped the Bulldogs (13-2-5) make the postseason for the first time in program history.
Also returning are key players Natalie Burns (six goals, four assists) and Ashley Ortiz, who are junior midfielders, and junior defender Alyssa Meredith.
New to the team is sophomore forward Anabel Gonzalez (15 goals), a transfer from Burroughs.
In the battle for the Pacific League championship, Phan said he believes Crescenta Valley should have a strong team.
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BURROUGHS
The Indians (7-11-1) came within one win of making it to the playoffs last season, finishing fifth in the Pacific League.
“I would be disappointed if we don’t at least get to where we were last season,” Burroughs Coach Elias Garcia said. “We were very close last season, and we just missed making it.
“I think we should be able to be up there this season.”
