The Scotts Valley High girls golf team last week had already wrapped up its eighth consecutive Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League championship.
They were officially crowned with the traditional black-and-orange pennant following the conclusion of the league’s end-of-the-season tournament at DeLeaveaga Golf Course on Tuesday afternoon.
Falcon junior Lizzie Goldfield shot a 98 for a second-place finish, while teammate sophomore Zoe Robbins carded a 100 for third place.
After the tourney, Goldfield mentioned a bit of pain in her spine but she still managed to hit the ball well despite the discomfort. Her shot of the day was an eight-foot birdie she sank on the second hole.
“I was just trying to do better than fourth because I got fourth last year, and I did,” said Goldfield, who shot a 108 in last year’s tournament. “So, I’m happy.”
Goldfield, who wore festive colorful socks that she picked out Tuesday morning, was also glad to be part of the program’s historical run of eight league titles in a row. Scotts Valley now has a league-best 11 championships, followed by Santa Cruz with eight, Harbor with seven and Aptos with four.
“It’s kind of nice because the past couple years I felt like I didn’t contribute a ton because I was only a sophomore and freshman,” she said. “But now that I’m the junior, it kind of feels nice to be able to be leading that.”
Robbins added, “It’s kind of like leaving our mark. It’s cool to be part of the chain.”
It was just the second time in Robbins’ young career that she played an entire 18 holes for a school match. This year, she got off to a nice start by nearly chipping in a shot from a little more than 20 feet on the second hole.
“My chipping was good,” she said. “That’s important.”
Other Falcon finishers included freshman Jess Ervine (116), senior Campbell Flores (126) and senior Hazel James (159). Teammate junior Camille Zwerling did not finish the tournament.
Soquel High senior Joey Burgos won the tournament with a 94, which was her all-time career best low after 18 holes.
“I’m just gonna say that my drives were really, really good,” Burgos said. “That was my favorite part, just hitting dingers.”
Burgos, who first started golfing at First Tee–Monterey County 10 years ago, said she’s had a great support group throughout her career. So, being able to bring home an SCCAL tournament championship had a ton of significance behind it.
“It means a lot to bring it home for the team,” said an emotional Burgos. “To Chelsea [Myers], who’s been by my side since sophomore year, I’m really thankful for. I’m thankful for my mom, my grandma, my dad.”
Teammate Hailey Noland shot a 120, followed by Chelsea Myers (122), Marcella Miller (123), Marria Talavera (129) and Meisa Soga (129).
Aptos High senior Lemi Anastasopolous and junior Emily Kniffin each shot a team-best 111, followed by senior Giselle Opiana (121), junior Addie Burgess (133), senior Dakota Bamford (134) and sophomore Rose Perkins (158).
Next up, the Central Coast Section Girls Golf Championships at Laguna Seca Golf Ranch in Monterey on Nov. 3.
Scotts Valley will compete as a team, while Burgos earns an automatic qualifier as an individual for winning the SCCAL tourney.
“I think it’ll be fun,” Robbins said.
High school football
At San Lorenzo Valley 36, Monte Vista Christian 30: The Cougars improved to 2-1 in the Pacific Coast Athletic League’s Mission North Division standings after they held on to a slim victory over the Mustangs on Oct. 24.
SLV senior quarterback Brayden Scoma had a pair of rushing touchdowns and tossed one TD pass to Braden Ramsey in the second quarter. Junior running back Jesse Fulkerson had one rushing touchdown.
The Cougar defense was anchored by senior linebacker Jacob Hardin, who registered eight tackles, one sack and one forced fumble.
Senior Nico Brasuell added seven tackles and one interception, while senior Landon Pifer had a pick-six late in the fourth quarter and made five tackles.
Carter Scarborough recovered one fumble, while senior Jackson Patton added six tackles for the Cougars, who kept their Central Coast Section playoff hopes alive with the win.
Senior lineman Gabe Attia wore the traditional No. 21 jersey that was worn by former SLV player David Maze, who was killed in an alcohol-related driving accident in 1997. Attia finished with six tackles and one sack.
The jersey is awarded prior to SLV’s final home game of the season to the player who best exemplifies the dedication and determination that was established by Maze.
Next up, SLV (3-5, 2-1) plays at Watsonville High (3-5, 1-2) in Mission North Division play Friday at 7:30pm.
At Scotts Valley 29, Watsonville 14: The Falcons improved to 2-1 in the PCAL Mission North Division standings following a victory over the Wildcatz on Oct. 23.
Next up, Scotts Valley (5-3, 2-1) plays Aptos (5-3, 3-0) in league action at Harbor High School on Friday at 7:30pm.
