Jaime Rios – Staff Writer

Clovis Sidekicks

Clovis, CA (8/9/2010) - Football, or as we Americans know it as soccer, can be a cruel and satisfying sport at any given moment of the beautiful game.  In a sport where every missed opportunity follows with feelings of regret, and every chance well taken follows with feelings of gratification, it is without a doubt that the Central Valley's only Women's Premier Soccer Club, the Clovis Sidekicks, experienced feelings of disappointment at the end of their inaugural season; but yet at the same time the feelings of satisfaction and accomplishment outweighed the negativity as they made an impressive and striking debut in the 2010 Women's Premier Soccer League season.

As the Clovis Sidekicks' began their inaugural campaign on May 21, 2010 against defending Women's Premier Soccer League champions, the California Storm, there was much controversy whether or not the Sidekicks would rise to the occasion and compete at a level where only the highly skilled and talented are invited to play in such a competitive atmosphere.

Indeed the Clovis Sidekicks silenced all critics who felt that they would not be able to go toe to toe with one of the most revered teams in the Women's Premier Soccer League as they scored two goals in the first half, having conceded two goals initially to the California Storm.  Inevitably, the Clovis Sidekicks would continue to improve throughout the season as their positive mentality and sheer determination made them respected and feared opposition in the Pacific-North Conference of the Women's Premier Soccer League.

With a positive and highly motivated mindset that encompassed the Clovis Sidekicks, they were able to impress audiences and critics alike as they crushed FC Sacramento Pride by scoring an average of nine goals per game in each of the two games they played against them.

At this point, there was no stopping the Clovis Sidekicks short of victory as they continued their winning ways through convincingly defeating the San Francisco Nighthawks and Spokane Blackwidows to improve to a remarkable 5-2 record; as well as securing a second place position in the Pacific-North Conference of the WPSL.

Midway through the inaugural season of the Clovis Sidekicks, high hopes and aspirations surrounded the team as they pushed for a playoff berth that seemed inevitable with only five games left.  As the Sidekicks inched closer to make history for their newly established team, they would experience a few unexpected mishaps along the way that would alter their predicaments of ending the season with a spot in the playoffs.

As with every team that starts their season off well, it is inevitably so that they will eventually hit a bump along the way.  That was the case with the Sidekicks as injuries and other dilemmas led to four straight losses in the last half of their season, which ended their hopes of a playoff berth.  It seemed as though fatigue and frustration settled in as their record suffered and dropped to 5-6.  With only one game left in the season against BCS Portland Rain, the Sidekicks knew that they would have to play 'inspired football' in order to end their season right. 

Indeed the Sidekicks played 'inspired football' and ended their season victorious as they defeated BCS Portland Rain 3-1 in the last match of their inaugural season.  In a season where mixed emotions took a toll on the Sidekicks, they overcame adversity and put those feelings aside to come out on top and finish with a notable 6-6 record in the Women's Premier Soccer League.

It is without a doubt that the Clovis Sidekicks experienced many high and lows that can account for such an emotional season.  Entering the Women's Premier Soccer League as the new kids on the block can prove to be intimidating and overwhelming for many teams, but the Clovis Sidekicks handled the pressure exceptionally and ended with many positive aspects to build upon for next season. 

Although the Clovis Sidekicks did not secure a spot in the playoffs in their inaugural season, it will be certain that head coach Milt Contreras will make this feat a top priority for when the Sidekicks enter next season having already experienced the highly competitive nature of the Women's Premier Soccer League. 

With one season already under the belt for the Clovis Sidekicks, it is certain they will be looking to defy odds and prove critics wrong once again in their upcoming second season.

For more information and updates regarding the Clovis Sidekicks, visit www.facebook.com and search under the Clovis Sidekicks Women's Premier Soccer Club.