
Mission Bay High School’s soccer field has served as more than a playing field for five seniors. It’s been a source of support sometimes not found anywhere else. “Coming out here every day, it doesn’t matter if I’ve just had the worst day ever or had a test or stepped in gum, I come out here and have fun,” said midfielder Micaela Cervantes. For Cervantes’ teammate, the encouragement is unrivaled. “I’ve never really had this kind of support system,” said defender Remy Gagnon. “We really don’t have that at our house, but on the field, I have my family.” Gagnon’s twin sister, Lauren, mentions plenty of support from the sideline as well. “[Coach Jorge] Palacios has helped us a lot over the years,” Lauren said. The twins were on their own when they learned a lesson their freshman year: don’t be late for class. And if you are, don’t believe everything your future teammate tells you. “We were late, so we didn’t have a chance to see if we made the team,” Lauren said. “And Jessica [Diaz] told us we didn’t make it.” Diaz fed a similar to line to Cervantes. The four seniors, along with Stephanie Urruti, have started on the varsity team ever since. “It was just a little prank,” Diaz said. The girls still count Diaz as the jokester of the group, but her fellow seniors said she is also the first to have their backs. Her jukes are fun to watch, too. All five seniors bring something different to the field. Lauren can be counted on for on-the-field chatter. Remy knows when the team needs a round of charades. Cervantes steps up when they need a hero. And, Urruti, after much dedication, can be counted on for speed. Cervantes and Diaz know how to lend a helping hand as well. Cervantes holds a program-best of 27 assists in one season (2009-10). Diaz isn’t far behind with 24 (good for No. 2 all-time) in the same season. Each of the five seniors are in the program’s record books in some form. “They are just an extremely talented group,” Palacios said. The group will collect their talents for a final CIF run. Coronado High School has stood in their way before; the girls dropped two consecutive semifinals decisions to the Islanders. Starting this season, Coronado will test its mettle in Division IV, possibly making way for a new Division III champion. Until then, the Lady Bucs are showing next year’s team what it takes to win. “We show that we take care of one another and that we are always there,” Urruti said. Palacios said he appreciates the girls’ dedication. “I think the biggest thing they show is their level of commitment to soccer,” Palacios said. “They are players who really love the game.” Although all five girls have played the game year-round since they were five, and some soccer futures are in question, each one of them said it’s the relationships they’ll miss the most because it’s the games — won and lost — the pasta parties, the movie nights, the shared classes and more, that made the five seniors become more than teammates. They’ve become sisters. “I am going to miss us bonding because we’ve grown so much,” Diaz said. “It’s like we are sisters. So I am definitely going to miss that.”
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