There’s a new game in Peralta Town.
The brand-new Merritt College women’s soccer team will start playing for real in August. There has been interest before, but a firm commitment by the Merritt administration and the hiring of a coach, Lillia Dosalmas, has brought the idea of a women’s soccer team in the district to fruition.
Dosalmas and a couple of prospective players made an appearance at the Ecofest Sustainability Festival held at Laney College on April 23 to promote their new program.
To that end, a Summer Session class is being offered Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1–3:50 p.m. on Field 1 at Merritt. The Summer Session starts June 15.
“We are just looking to build a program at this point,” Dosalmas said. “We want input from students, faculty — everybody. We want to represent Merritt in the best possible light.
“We are going to have some growing pains. We want a cohesive team that will work hard.”
She estimates that it will take five-six years to see if the program flourishes. The 2015–2016 season is just the start.
Dosalmas, who has 15 years of coaching experience at Mills College, Diablo Valley and Contra Costa College among others, has 40–43 women interested in the program and 15–18 “solid leads.” 
One of those “solid leads” is Virginia Rodriguez, a freshman in General Education studies from Skyline High School.
“I’ve played soccer practically my whole life,” she said. “Merritt is close by and not expensive so this looks like it really can work out for me. I am excited to be part of a new team.”
Rodriguez has played every position — offensive and defensive — in soccer, with the exception of goalkeeper. “Never played that (position),” Rodriguez said.
Might she give the position a shot? Who knows? She just might. It’s a whole new experience for Merritt women’s soccer.
The Thunderbirds’ first game is Friday, Sept. 4, at West Valley College in Saratoga. The first home game is Tuesday, Sept. 15, against Solano College. Both games start at 4 p.m.