Experience has been one of the main reasons the Rancho Cotate girls’ soccer team has gotten off to its best start in years.
The Cougars, 6-2 overall and 0-1 in the North Bay League, have eight seniors who have been through the program since their freshman seasons.

“The seniors who’ve been here have just gotten after it,” Rancho Cotate coach Dennis Holmberg said. “We’ve also added some new formations.”

Rancho Cotate rebounded from its 1-0 loss to Cardinal Newman in the NBL opener on Sept. 7 by overpowering St. Vincent de Paul of Petaluma 3-1 on Tuesday. Wednesday, Rancho Cotate was in Santa Rosa to face perennial NBL power Montgomery. Holmberg was excited about the prospect of facing the Vikings.

“The seniors on the team have never beaten Montgomery, and no one can remember the last time beating them,” Holmberg said. “If we can get a win against Montgomery in Santa Rosa, that would be big.”

Details of the game are on www.thecommunityvoice.com.

Rancho Cotate got a pair of goals from Kayleen Belda and one from Tea Lopes to turn back St. Vincent.

Today (Sept. 14), the Cougars play a road game at Santa Rosa High. Kickoff is at 6 p.m.