SAC
SPORTS
2019
DON’S
TWO STARTERS SHARE THE IMPACT
THEY WANT TO MAKE THIS SEASON
WORDS •DORIAN ZAVALA
6
TOTAL TEAM
PLAYERS
Both teams started strong this fall, with the women undefeated in six games
and allowing only one goal against. The men are on a roll with a 4-1 record
and both are ready to take on the Orange Empire Conference later this week.
SAC'S TOP RETURNERS
'Keep trying to play hard every
game without mistakes'
Linda Gutierrez
Sophomore Forward
Frank Aguilar Leyna Wood Kevin Ruiz
This season, Aguilar has six
goals against with 19 saves
and two shutouts. He's one
win shy of tying his win total
from last season. Aguilar's
play on the fi eld will be crucial
for the Dons to get back to
the playoffs. "I just feel like
this season I already knew
coming in this had to be my
year. I'm more mature, and I
feel like I'm in better shape,
but since the beginning, I
knew I was gonna come in, do
my thing, and its paid off right
now," Aguilar said. After an injury-fi lled season,
Wood and the Dons are
looking to have different
results this year. In six games,
Wood has helped SAC earn
a 6-0 record while recording
nine goals in the process. She
has two assists and leads the
team with 28 points. Wood
is looking forward to getting
the Dons into the playoffs.
"Personally, I have improved
because last season I dealt
with an injury the whole
season — a torn ACL — so I
got it repaired, fi xed, rehab,
and now I'm back," Wood said. In fi ve games for the Dons,
Ruiz has three goals out of
four shots on target, already
matching his total goals from
last season. His experience
from the previous year will
help him guide Santa Ana's
young forward for 2019. SAC
will need him to continue his
excellent play on the pitch
if they want to make a deep
run. "My goal is to help this
team the best I can. Whatever
coach needs from me. I want
to help this team return to the
playoffs and get further than
we did last season," Ruiz said.
Sophomore Goalkeeper
Sophomore Forward
Sophomore Forward
Over the fi rst fi ve games, Gutierrez
scored eight goals and made three
assists, including two game-winning
goals. Her play on the fi eld will be
vital as she looks to propel the Dons
to the playoffs.
'I want to play better and
make my team better'
Gilberto Garcia
Freshman Forward
Garcia has started four games for
the Dons and scored in all four of
them. He leads the team in goals
with four out of six shots on goal.
He's looking to be a big part of the
team's success this season.
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION •CARRIE GRAHAM
el Don Santa Ana College · September 2019
7