Fahrner, Coronado look for breakthrough season

But the junior netminder also considers herself the first attacking player for the Cougars.

“If I have the ball, I’m the first attacker. I need to be able to distribute it good to our out-wide defenders, and they can get the ball to our attackers,” said Fahrner, who posted 11 of the team’s shutouts. “If everyone’s in the box for a corner (kick), I can throw it out wide fast, and get it behind the defense.”

That defense-to-offense approach has keyed Coronado’s rise as one of the top teams in the Sunrise Region, including two region championships and one Southeast League title in three years.

The Cougars have won at least one playoff game for three straight years, advancing to the Southern Nevada title match in 2008-09 and 2009-10 and the region final last year, where they lost on penalty kicks to eventual Southern Nevada champion Green Valley.

With all but two starters back from last year, optimism is high at Coronado.

“I’m confident that we can make it all the way,” said senior forward Breanna Robinson, who was second on the team in points last season with seven goals and four assists. “We have almost our same team. We just have to work on it throughout the year, and hopefully we can win a state championship.”

Indeed, the Cougars have been able to pick up where they left off rather than using the early practice time to build trust among strangers-turned-teammates.

“Before, everyone was brand new and we didn’t trust each other as much, but now everyone is best friends,” junior Kymberly Busset said. “I feel like before, everyone was trying to take the ball for themselves, or doing more on their own. But now we’re passing more and working off each other, which is how it should be.”

Chemistry will be key for Coronado, which finished 12-5-4 last season. But so will the team’s defensive presence, which begins with Fahrner, an Olympic Development Program and Far West regional team player.

“She’s very talented in what she does, but, additionally, she is so good at directing the defense and getting them in the right places,” Coronado coach Dana Neel said. “She talks collectively to the defense and lays things out, how things should go, and what they need to work on. She’s really good at being that guiding force for our defense, and even into our midfield.”

A stout shot stopper, Fahrner is also a strong communicator.

“I’ve always been taught to be vocal and tell the defense what to do, and how to play (in situations),” Fahrner said. “I just think that if they listen to me well, and they’re talking to each other, then we all listen and communicate and we can be really successful this year.”

The Cougars held Green Valley scoreless in last year’s Sunrise final before losing in penalty kicks and lost 1-0 each time they reached the Southern Nevada title game.

The 16 returning varsity players are familiar with what it takes to compete for the top spot in Southern Nevada.

“It’s always good to get a fresh start, and to have so many returning players,” Neel said. “It is a fresh start, and we get to fill in those holes that we were missing, and solidify our lineup to become stronger.”