For Ruby Ochoa, a freshman at Chisholm Trail, being a part of the varsity girls’ soccer team was always an important and high-achieving goal of hers. 

“I always held myself to higher standards, so that was my goal, and it was nice to actually accomplish it,” Ruby said. 

But for Yanely Borbolla, she never imagined she’d be a freshman on varsity. 

“I thought I wasn’t as good as people who have been playing for many years and so I was really scared going into high school and playing at another level,” Yanely said. 

Ruby has been playing soccer for eleven years, since she was four years old, while Yanely has only been playing for two, since the seventh grade. Both girls were highlights on their respective middle school teams and both have made an incredible impact on the girls’ soccer program at Chisholm since becoming freshmen around seven months ago. 

Head coach Sean Mcgarry had nothing but praise for the two girls, stating that he knew the pair would have the potential to be great. “It’s nice to have freshmen that can play,” he said. “Not every year do you get a couple that can really contribute, and this year the two that we have have both done an excellent job with the things that I’ve asked them to do.” 

Yanely plays a holding or defensive mid, while Ruby isn’t limited to one spot and plays more offensively, in striker, winger, and midfield positions.  

“I’m just really excited about the offensive potential that Ruby has,” Mcgarry said. “Her ball striking is incredible, already, at her age. I think that she’s only going to get smarter and better at some of our offensive things within the program.” 

He added, “Nely’s motor is incredible. I could probably tell her to run through a brick wall and I feel like she’d probably do it. And honestly, her skills have gotten better and better. Her trust of her left foot has gotten better, the way that she’s processing things. I think that sometimes, she doesn’t quite click as fast as we would want a player to click, but at the same time, when she does, you can see it.” 

Both players have improved tremendously so far through the school year, with the end of the season right around the corner. Yanely and Ruby both credited their teammates for helping them improve so much throughout the year. 

“The players who were already here have been incredibly supportive,” Yanely said. “My teammates have shared their playing styles with me and offered constructive feedback, which has significantly improved my skills and overall performance.” 

Ruby agreed, stating, “My teammates have pushed me to be better; in a way they help me grow as I watch how they play, learning from their mistakes and setting them as a role model to better me as a player. Whether good or bad, it helps me improve and adjust my skills.” 

The two girls have shown great growth over the past few months, with Ruby scoring twice on March 4th to extend the 1-0 lead over Saginaw to 3-0, working alongside Bana Yohannes and Danika Womack to ensure the 4-0 win. 

“When I scored my first goal, I was shocked to see the ball go in the back of the net,” Ruby admitted. “I was so happy that I almost started crying. I had practiced so much and hoped and tried for a goal and finally it happened. When I scored my second goal, I was just as shocked as the first time, but it felt nice to score again and have people be proud of me, and to be proud of myself. To me, my goals proved to me that my dedication and hard work has paid off after so many mistakes and challenges. Seeing the score go up made me so proud, and it was nice to hear people tell you how proud they were of you when you hadn’t heard it in a while.” 

Freshmen in general are extremely important to the team, both at the varsity and junior varsity levels. They are the future of the program, and for Mcgarry, starting those basics young is important.  

“If the player seems like they’re there, at that level, then you put them there, and you build them from that point on and know that they’re going to be an integral part of the program for the next several years,” Mcgarry said, adding that he saw a lot of development potential in the freshmen group this year.  

Indeed, the freshmen have helped land the varsity team in fourth place, guaranteeing a spot in a playoff game over Spring Break in two weeks. With their win over Saginaw on March 4th and Azle losing to Brewer on March 5th, there isn’t a way for the team to be knocked down, and the news broke to the team Wednesday night. 

“When I heard we made playoffs, I was so excited. I felt proud that all our hard work was paying off,” Yanely said. “Coming into high school, I never thought I’d experience playoffs this quick, but it felt amazing to be part of such a big moment. I’m so blessed to experience this accomplishment with my team. We’ve all put in so much effort together, and sharing this journey makes it even more special. No matter the outcome, this experience has brought us closer and taught us to be better players.” 

Both girls have learned incredible lessons already on staying out of your own mind and moving past any mistakes you might make, and taking every day in stride to be the best player you can possibly be. 

“I’ve learned that being one of the youngest on the team does affect you but in a positive way as it pushes you to be better,” Ruby said. “You are younger, and you have less experience compared to others you may go up against. You will eventually get there, and you’ll experience more, so don’t be so hard on yourself, since it’s your first time. You learn throughout it and all those experiences will help you grow, learn, fix your mistakes and make you a better player overall.” 

Yanely agreed with her fellow freshman, crediting the ability to watch film in the days after the game and before a rematch as her way to move forward beyond her mistakes. 

“I analyze my mistakes on film and find ways to improve for next time. Then, I practice those solutions during our training sessions,” Yanely said.  “I’m not too hard on myself because I know it’s my first year and there’s still so much room to improve.” 

The freshmen on the Chisholm Trail Lady Rangers varsity soccer team have already made a great impact on the squad, with their first season nearly complete and much improvement throughout the past couple of months. Both girls are looking forward to the next season and already anticipating the challenges that await them while working to improve themselves.