By Catherine Garrett | [email protected]

Between three of Juan Diego Catholic High School forwards, 27 of the team’s 47 goals have been scored through the first nine games of the season. Junior Hailey Mezenen has netted 11 goals with sophomore Mia Rhay and her sister Kira Rhay scoring eight each. The trio is a big part of the Soaring Eagle’s 7-2 record as the program hopes to improve on last year’s season and compete for the Region 15 title. Mezenen has also assisted on 11 goals to lead the squad.

Junior Hailey Mezenen has netted 11 goals with sophomore Mia Rhay putting in eight and her sister Kira Rhay scoring seven. The trio is a big part of the Soaring Eagle’s 7-2 record as the program hopes to improve on last year’s season and compete for the Region 15 title. Mezenen has also assisted on 11 goals to lead the squad.

“We are working hard to be ready for the playoffs,” said head coach Joe Baca, who is in his third year at JDCHS. “We are working on defensive shape in the middle third of the field and I hope to see us improve in winning the ball out of the middle and transitioning into an offensive third attack.”

Baca also noted the coaching staff’s emphasis on continuing to develop his younger players. “They need to be ready for the playoffs as well because having a strong bench will get us to that championship,” he said.

The team has been led on and off the field additionally by four “hard-working” captains “who have really helped me mold the team,” said Baca, including Kira Rhay, senior midfielders Madz Burnham, Lily Carlson and Janessa Flores Young.

Other key players for Juan Diego are sophomore defenders Madde Chiazzess and Kate DiGiandomenico along with senior goalkeeper Jonna Tucker in the net. Brighton transfer Tessa Shuman and freshman Hope Lowery have also been nice additions on the field, according to Baca.

Juan Diego began the season with an 8-0 loss to Weber before running off five straight wins—outscoring opponents 28 to 2 during that span. A 4-1 loss to RSL is the only other blemish currently on the Soaring Eagle team’s record as they have also defeated Judge in a shootout and American Leadership Academy 7-0. They finished out the regular season with shutout wins over Providence Hall 4-0 and Summit Academy 5-0.

“We are a competitive team and we’ve defeated teams that should have been undefeated,” Baca said. “We are faced with two very competitive opponents in our region, but hopefully if we win out we can finish on top of Region 15 and reach our goals.”

Also on the JDCHS team are seniors Olivia Harbison, Hanna Jessen, Mwende Kavila, Natalie Lamb, Olivia Meredith, Hannah Munding and Chaya Roberts; juniors Hailey Cutler, Lily Edwards, Drea Mudrock and Theodora Tsandes; sophomores Abigale Alamilla, Kennedy Jones, Jada Mirable, Peyton Montoya, Morgan Mulcahy and Megan Selmer; and freshmen Alison Green and Abigail Harbison.

“We have had a great season so far and look forward to finishing strong,” Baca said.

Baca is being assisted on the coaching staff by Troy Stroud, Joe Alamilla and Whitney Shuman.