Mesa Legend - News - Lady T-Birds soccer still pouring on wins

Lady T-Birds soccer still pouring on wins

Nick Kosmider
Mesa Legend

Ten games into its season, the MCC women’s soccer team is creating a lot of buzz. Until a heartbreaking 1-0 loss to Paradise Valley Community College on Sept. 23, the team was undefeated, carrying a number two national ranking.

Not allowing the loss to get them down, the team rebounded with a convincing 5-1 over Cochise College, followed by a 2-0 shutout win over Phoenix College.

The team is now ranked sixth in the national junior college polls.

A big reason for the Lady Thunderbirds success this season has been relentless goal scoring.

In its first 10 games, the team has scored 34 times. Meanwhile staunch defensive play has held opponents to only 10 goals so far this season.

The defense seems to improve as the year goes on, amassing four shutouts in the teams last seven outings. Monique Wells, who her teammates call “Moe,” has been solid tending goal for the Thunderbirds, stopping 46 out of 56 shots, while surrendering only a goal per game so far this season.

Offensively, Krista Mirabelli has led the score-happy T-birds this season with nine goals and five assists as of Sept. 30, which is tied for tops in the ACCAC (Arizona Community College Athletic Conference).

The Dobson High School graduate has been all over the field scoring goals in a variety of ways.

The young freshman won National Junior College Athletic Association’s player of the week honors earlier this season and has been featured in The Arizona Republic.

Helping Mirabelli out with the scoring has been Andrea Evans. The freshman, a product of Highlands High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico, has amassed seven goals and five assists as of Sept. 30.

Freshman Kelly Wallace, from Mesquite High School in Gilbert has also chipped in nicely scoring four goals with four assists.

Teamwork has also been an important factor in the success of the Thunderbirds this season.

Celene Molera, a Freshman from Buena High School in Sierra Vista, Arizona, has been a big part of that teamwork this year with eight assists, ranking among the top of the ACCAC in that category.

Molera also came away with a game winning goal against Chandler-Gilbert on September 16th on an assist from Cammi Kellar.

“The biggest story for out team this year, is that we are absolutely playing well together,” says head coach Tim Barmettler.

The Lady Thunderbirds play at home on October 11 against Gledale Community College. They will also get a chance to avenge the only loss of the season as they take on Paradise Valley Community College at home on Oct. 21. The game begins at 7.

The men’s team, who are sixth in the ACCAC with a 5-6 conference record, take the field against the same opponent at 4:30.