Semi-pro soccer team, the Cosmos, holds tryouts ahead of the season

SALINAS, Calif. (KION) -- Tryouts for the Cosmos, a women's semi-pro soccer team from Salinas wrapped up on Sunday.

The Cosmos has won two league championships and one state championship since its inception three years ago. Several girls took to the field during tryouts to be a part of this winning team.

"I want to win. I want to win again and I want to be a part of that winning team last year. Honestly, it is so fun. Like all the girls here are family. Everyone's like your teammate, but also your friend" said Chloe Thompson who lives on the Central Coast.

"This has given these ladies a platform to show off their skills. Before you see the guys playing out here on Sundays, they put these elite teams for guys to travel outside the area. You didn't see that on the women's side. Well, these ladies saw that and they figured somebody had to do something about it and they did it. And they came up to me asking if I was interested, I said, for sure," said Javier Ariagga, the coach for the Cosmos.

With 16 years of experience, Ariahha says he plans to move this team up even higher. Looking forward to more wins.

With new players and advancing to the next level, getting relegated up to the next level," said Ariagga.