2017 Palo Verde Girls Soccer Capsule

PALO VERDE

League: Class 4A Northwest

Head coach: Frank Messina, 10th season

2016 record: 18-3-4 (8-1-3 Northwest, second)

Returning letter winners (starters): Ten (four)

Top athletes: MF Noah Johnson (Sr.), F Madison Hernandez (So.)

Outlook: The Panthers won the Sunset Region title last year and advanced to the Class 4A state championship match, but return only four starters from that squad.

Hernandez (11 goals, 5 assists) and Johnson (7 assists) are part of the foundation around which Palo Verde hopes to build and be a force again this season.

“The program is looking to build back the key positions that were lost to graduation and be right back in the mix this season,” Messina said. “The returning players are excited to get the season started, and all are determined to make it back to the state game.”