Bernal, Clark girls closing in on playoff goal

The last time Clark’s girls soccer team made the playoffs, most of its current players were memorizing multiplication tables instead of putting shots on goal.

Next year’s crop of players probably won’t be able to say the same thing.

Junior Azucena Bernal and sophomore Kealani Chaidez have carried the Chargers to a 6-2 record in the Southwest League, where they sit in second place and in strong contention for Clark’s first postseason berth since 2003-04.

“We’re inspired to get this done,” said Bernal, one of 10 returning starters. “Maybe it’s because we were underclassmen, and — most of the players — we knew we still had two years to get to the playoffs. But ... we know we’re going to lose our whole defense for next year, so we need to do it now or we’ll run out of time.”

The Chargers missed the playoffs by a point last year after a 3-2 loss to Western in the season finale.

Top scorer Bernal ranked among Southern Nevada’s Class 4A offensive leaders with 15 goals and six assists as a sophomore forward. There’s more talent around her this year and Bernal has transitioned to the midfield, being bolstered by Chaidez’s 12 goals in her first season of prep soccer and sophomore Rachel Soohoo’s seven goals.

“We have a couple of new people who are big assets,” fourth-year coach Liz Case said. “But as a team, I feel like they realize they were so close last year, and that small things make a difference. This year I think they’re willing to put in the extra effort that it takes to get where they need to go.

“The attitude as a team is completely different. They’re a lot more positive. They’re willing to work really hard. It’s a completely different climate for the team this year. (Last year) was a wake-up call for them.”

Moving Bernal from target forward to midfielder has proven highly beneficial, with the junior already collecting 18 goals and 12 assists.

“I know that deep down, she’s always going to want to go in there and score,” Case said. “But she also recognizes when she has two or three people on her, and she can’t do it all by herself. That creates an opportunity where the defense is drawn to her and leaves her teammates open. It’s worked out for us so far.”

Chaidez, who missed her freshman season with an ankle injury, has provided a scoring spark while paired alongside Bernal in the center of Clark’s midfield.

“We connect really well,” Chaidez said. “When we see each other, it’s like we already have a plan. We pair up well.”

Bernal and Chaidez play regularly together on the club circuit with Neusport FC, and that connection has spread to the rest of the team, Chaidez said.

“When one part (of the team) isn’t doing good, we all encourage each other to work hard and it brings our energy up,” she added. “That’s how we play good — we have a lot of spirit. We show it in our play.”

Bernal credits part of her breakout junior season to brother and former Clark standout Salvador Bernal, who frequents Chargers matches and acts as a second coach to his younger sibling.

“I had to live up to expectations, and that’s what I did. I tried to follow my brother’s footsteps,” Bernal said. “I was really excited and wanted to play (at Clark). That’s what made me do well — that I really wanted to play here.”

Moving to her new role as a box-to-box midfielder has also proved advantageous for Bernal’s future. She is receiving interest from colleges from Santa Barbara, Calif., to Sioux Falls, S.D.

Even though most of Clark’s players can’t remember the last time the Chargers were in a playoff, Bernal and Chaidez are primed to make new memories before graduation.

“This year is going to be a good year,” Chaidez said. “We have everybody right now. The work needs to be done now, or it won’t be done later.”