John F. Kennedy changing the conversation in Fremont

Last season, the girls soccer team from John F. Kennedy High School in Fremont won three matches. Three total matches for the entire 2021/2022 season.   To say that this season is off to a better start would be an understatement.   The Titans have won two out of their first three matches, with the only loss coming to a very good Encinal team, which will be a top team in the North Coast Section's Division III.   With that being said, the ladies at JFK High would like you to keep an eye on them in that DIII playoff picture as they look to challenge in the Mission Valley Athletic League as well and reach the NCS playoffs.   "This year we have a good mix of girls, ranging from experienced to first-time players," Kennedy coach Andrew Valdez said. "I think we will be competitive this year and will be able to make a run at playoffs."   The Titans have a nice blend of experience and youth that Valdez is referring to, and the experience starts with three very key players.   Danica Harper, Sophomore, Forward   Harper is a forward with a knack for playing the position. What she does so well is that she gets herself into attacking position and will work very hard to win the ball high. She is a player that has worked very hard to get better, and the improvement is immense from last year to this season.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/12/Amanda-Kim-crop-2041x1341-1670903588.jpeg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-70006" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: John F. Kennedy High</figcaption></figure>     Amanda Kim, Junior, Defender   Kim is what you want out of one of your defenders. She is a leader, and has earned the right to be one of the team captains. She has a great understanding of what it takes to be a great defender and she has become one of the best in the league. She really understands the game as she is a high soccer IQ player. She also reads the game very well, allowing her to be in the right position when defending an attack. She is very composed, which comes with her experience, she is a physical player as she is not afraid to mix it up, and she is a very fast defender.   Breana Wu, Senior, Midfielder   Wu is one of the established seniors, and also one of the captains. She is a box-to-box midfielder, and will run for the entire match as her work rate is second to none. She has great vision, and reads the game well which is so important for a midfielder. She is very composed and very physical and was the team's leading scorer last year.   Also, watch out for three players new to the team who will have a big impact on this new and improved Titans squad. One is a junior and the other two are freshman.   Gabby Lewis is the junior, and she is a midfielder. She is a defensive-minded midfielder and is a hard-worker. The freshman are Lily Bella and Addison Lewis. Bella is a midfielder who is quick and very good on the ball while Lewis is a defender who is very good solid in defense and is very aggressive.   With players like the three returning key players, and the three talented newcomers, Kennedy is already vastly improved from a season ago as a mix of experience and youthful energy has energized the players, the team and the school. The Titans are trending up for this season, and future seasons.   "The biggest difference from last year is that we have more experienced players this year, more club players, than we did last year," Valdez said. "We also have a young team this year that we can build on for the coming years. The players are eager to learn and want to improve every day in practice. They are coachable and hard workers."

Last season, the girls soccer team from John F. Kennedy High School in Fremont won three matches. Three total matches for the entire 2021/2022 season.