Champions again: SV girls soccer team earns SCCAL title

For the 13th time this season, the Scotts Valley Falcons girls soccer team shut out its opponent, with a 1-0 win over Harbor High on Tuesday, Feb. 15.
After a scoreless first half, sophomore Madison Black took a pass from Falcon midfielder Renae Maloney and dribbled past two Pirates defenders to fire a shot across the front of the goal. The ball hit the upper-right corner of the net for the game’s only goal.
Senior defender Aly Bothman helped orchestrate another defensive display with junior captain Kalynn Morano, sophomores Rachel DuBridge and Kacey Lilly and freshman Megan Keating as the Falcons (12-4-2 overall, 9-1-1 Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League) once again held their opponents scoreless. Sophomore goalkeeper Emily Johnson made four saves, raising her totals to 38 saves and 10 shutouts on the season.
The Falcon forwards applied tremendous pressure on the Pirates, led by junior captains Jordin Carlson and Emily Payne, junior Taylor Rohde and senior captain Keara McCullough.
With the win, Scotts Valley wrapped up the SCCAL title. The team played the second-place Soquel Knights (12-2-1, 7-2-2 SCCAL) after press time Thursday, Feb. 17.
The 2011 season is the fourth time in five years coach Art Munoz has led the Falcons to a league title.