La Cueva High School Girls Soccer Season Preview

La Cueva High School Girls Soccer – Offseason Spotlight

Offseason Focus

For La Cueva Girls Soccer, the offseason is about balance and trust. Coach Amber Ashcraft gives her athletes space to focus on their club soccer responsibilities—most of whom compete with Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) or Girls Academy (GA) teams. “They need the freedom to travel and play,” Ashcraft says. The school-specific training begins in mid-July with a high-intensity camp designed to realign the squad.

Special Offseason Events

That mid-summer camp has earned a reputation—it’s affectionately dubbed “Hell Week.” More than just a conditioning camp, it serves as the foundation for team chemistry and instills the discipline and expectations of the coaching staff before the season begins.

Notable Additions & Departures

The program graduated eight seniors, a significant leadership and experience shift. However, the team also returns eight key starters, giving Coach Ashcraft confidence as they welcome new talent during tryouts.

Players to Watch

This year’s rising seniors are expected to lead the charge. Standouts include:

Kena Hix

Payten Novak

Riley Erickson

Kayden Begay

Shea Galloway

Mary Valdez

This core group is experienced, battle-tested, and hungry to make their mark in their final high school season.

Nutrition Education

Nutrition is taken seriously at La Cueva. Guest speakers visit the team to discuss the importance of proper fueling, focusing on proteins, carbohydrates, and meal timing around workouts and games. The goal: empower players with lifelong performance habits.

Coaching Strategy

Ashcraft and her staff stay sharp in the offseason by studying the game—watching matches and listening to soccer-focused podcasts. Tactical flexibility is key. After playing a 3-5-2 formation last year, the staff is considering a shift to a 4-2-3-1, depending on player strengths. “We adapt our style to fit the players we have,” Ashcraft explained.

Fan & Community Connection

Community is at the heart of the La Cueva program. The team runs a youth soccer camp for local elementary students, building bonds between future and current Bears. They also participate in ALS fundraising, reinforcing the program’s values of service and giving back.

Biggest Challenges Ahead

The biggest challenge will be filling the leadership gap left by eight graduating seniors while maintaining the high standards and competitive edge the program is known for. With a strong core and rising new talent, the Bears are up for the challenge.