Scotts Valley was on the cusp of keeping its win streak alive against Watsonville in last week’s non-league thriller.
Instead, the match ended in a 1-1 draw and the Falcons improved to a 3-2-3 overall record in the early 2024-25 winter campaign.
But the match was more important than just another tune-up for the upcoming league season. In order to qualify for the Central Coast Section playoffs, they need to play a minimum of 18 games.
They were on the verge of missing Dec. 18’s contest against the Wildcatz because they still don’t have a home field due to ongoing major renovations. However, they managed to obtain portable lights and set up at E.A. Hall Middle School in Watsonville. So, it was game on.
“We just need to play the game wherever they could do it, and I was super thankful that they had that option even available,” Scotts Valley head coach Taylor Raymond said.
In the first half, Watsonville committed a foul just outside of the penalty box that allowed senior Jordan Ericson to take the free kick. Her shot bounced off the goalkeeper and Lauren Lima was there for the rebound to tap the ball in for her first goal of the season.
“It was beautiful,” Scotts Valley junior Izzy Morairty said.
Jackeline Cano recorded the game-tying goal for Watsonville late in the second half.
Raymond was proud of how a depleted Falcons squad fought through the very end despite having just two substitute players available to play.
“Every time they get up there, they’re not selfish enough, they don’t take shots,” Raymond said. “But I felt like yesterday they were, everyone was taking shots, and we were staying competitive with Watsonville, who I know is a great team. All I wanted to do was make sure that we put up a good fight the entire way through, not give up.”
Raymond said Morairty, who has three goals and three assists, has stepped up and improved since last season.
“[Morairty] is somebody in practice who gives it her all, gives it 100 percent and I think that’s a really great example to show the underclassmen,” Raymond said.
Another bonus is that both Morairty and Lima played for the Valley United Club Soccer team out of the Scotts Valley/San Lorenzo Valley area during the offseason.
Other notable players to watch include senior center midfielder Lia Lock. She is battling knee and ankle injuries, yet continues to display what it means to be a true commander on the field.
“You can just tell she always has something positive to say, and then she definitely always has constructive criticism for the team,” Raymond said. “It’s helpful having a leader like that, especially being a senior, and this is her fourth year on varsity.”
Senior center midfielder Jordan Ericson has a team-best five goals to go along with two assists for the Falcons.
“Also somebody who steps up as a leader on and off the field, just truly wants to see the best out of the team and is always asking questions to make herself better,” Raymond said.
Following in Ericson’s footsteps is her younger sister, Taylor, who is just a sophomore but she plays with the intensity of a seasoned veteran. She has three goals and a pair of assists this season.
“It’s been really nice to have the same team as last year because we can just keep building on what we’ve been doing last year and don’t have to relearn everything,” Morairty said.
The Falcons also have some new faces on the roster after Maddie Pipal, Jessi Dunn and Natalia Warner were called up from the junior varsity team. Raymond said she’s impressed with the underclassmen’s drive and they’re willing to learn, which is a coach’s dream.
“It’s so nice to have them out there because they work really hard all throughout practice, all throughout the games,” Raymond said. “Not that the upperclassmen don’t, but you can just tell that they’re excited to be out there and really honored to be playing on varsity.”
The low turnout prior to the start of the season has been the only obstacle for Scotts Valley, which at times have been down to as little as nine players suiting up for a game.
“I feel terrible for the girls having to be out there running back and forth, putting their all into it. But it’s a really good experience,” Raymond said.
Morairty said the lower numbers also leaves them with less subs, forcing players to stay on the field for all 80 minutes.
“That means we all have to work really hard to play for the entire game, which has been very demanding,” Morairty said.
The Falcons have been able to hold their own during a challenging non-league schedule. They have victories over Santa Teresa and Lynbrook of San Jose, and recorded draws against Carmel, Monte Vista Christian and Watsonville.
“I feel like we’re just moving up to the next level because we’ve all had this experience together,” Morairty said. “And we all know how each other plays, so it’s really fun to see us work together.”
Scotts Valley has one more non-league match at The King’s Academy on Jan. 7 before jumping into Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League action. The league features defending champion Aptos, Harbor, San Lorenzo Valley, Santa Cruz and Soquel.
“It’s a tough league, but that honestly makes it more fun because playing tough teams makes me feel like a better player, and I learn more from playing tough teams,” Morairty said.
Raymond said each team in the SCCAL is a huge competitor and has their strengths they know to look out for. It’s the main reason why she schedules such a difficult preseason schedule.
“Almost getting a look into what it’s going to be like as soon as we enter January,” Raymond said. “We kind of have to put our foot on the gas and say, ‘All right, we’re all in.’”
Scotts Valley kicks off the SCCAL season at Aptos on Jan. 14 at 7pm.
