Odessa High junior Sierra Vigil expects to take a larger role with the Lady Bronchos’ soccer team this spring as it chases a District 2-6A title.
The defender has played all over the backline for Odessa High and is entering her third season on Odessa High’s varsity squad.
With two years experience under her belt, she’s hoping to show how much she’s improved.
“Our focus really is for her to be more consistent in the back,” Odessa High head coach Cecilia Kellar said. “Obviously as a freshman, you expect them to make a lot of mistakes and then their sophomore year, they kind of figure it out a little more and then by their junior year, they’re really confident in their position, especially when they’ve played in the same position for a while.
“(Vigil) having that confidence and being solid in the back and directing and having more of a leadership position in the back is a focus for us.”
Vigil returns to the Lady Bronchos along with the rest of the defensive starters from a season ago.
Although the quartet of Vigil, senior Cameron Rodriguez, junior Alyssa Rocha and sophomore Lyvani Ross might not all return to defensive roles as personnel around the team changes, Vigil is set to take one of those four starting spots, whether it be at center back or at one of the two outside back positions.
“I think I’ve improved on reading the opposite team more — when they’re going to pass it, where they’re going to pass it, what space they have, what space they don’t have, where to pressure them to and where not to,” Vigil said.
Vigil’s versatility allows Kellar to tinker with the Lady Bronchos’ lineup to find what combination works best as the team goes deeper in the season.
Kellar said that Vigil’s work ethic in the offseason identifies her as one of the leaders on the team.
“We have some kids who just really work hard, which is good to have,” Kellar said.
And with Vigil being at the forefront of the team’s work rate, she should have a big say in how the Lady Bronchos do in 2018.
She has a younger midfield in front of her than last year and Vigil hopes to fill that gap left by last year’s seniors.
“I think I would have a lot bigger role because I’ll be more vocal so I fee like they’ll listen to me more since I’m older and I have a lot more experience than they have,” Vigil said about guiding the younger Lady Bronchos.
