The defending Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League Champion girls soccer team is on a roll.
Under 12-year coach Art Munoz, the Scotts Valley High Falcons have made it their mission to regain their dominance of the Central Coast Section.
After finishing league play undefeated in 2010, the Falcons fell in the Central Coast Section finals to crosstown rival Santa Cruz High. In a heart-wrenching season-ending CCS championship game, the girls fell 1-0 in the last period.
This year could be a different story.
“We are returning six strong starters,” Munoz said. “But a lot of our strength is in our new players. We have talent all over the place.”
With six starters from their championship team back this year, the Falcons are experienced. Captains Aly Bothman and Keara McCullough are the lone returning seniors, but Scotts Valley boasts both depth and charisma on its offensive front.
Junior forwards Jordin Carlson and Emily Payne are threats to strike at any time and also return looking to make their mark on the SCCAL again this year. Payne is tied for the team lead in goals with four this season, and Carlson leads the team with three assists.
Sophomore goalie Emily Johnson also looks to build on last year’s success.
San Lorenzo Valley
The San Lorenzo Valley High Cougars will look to rebuild after a so-so season last year.
Second-year coach Heidi Romswinkle is enjoying her young team’s ability to come together under adversity.
“We are young, but have a tremendous work rate.” Romswinkle said “The girls are finding their groove and learning quickly their roles and, really, their true abilities.”
The Cougars have fared well this season, going into league with four wins and only two losses, but the SCCAL is rife with talent, and Romswinkle knows that the road to the top is a steep climb. Santa Cruz High is the defending CCS champion, and Scotts Valley was that team’s only loss last year, beating the Cardinals for the SCCAL title. Aptos, already with a 6-1 record, and Soquel (5-1-1) promise to challenge for the league championship, too.
“It would be great to finish mid-pack this season.” Romswinkle said.
The Cougars return only one player from the first-team All-SCCAL team last season in Chere Garcia. Garcia and fellow captain and midfielder Lyndsey McClish will lead the Cougars this season.
Freshman Marlee Amos is a much-needed player from the Santa Cruz Breakers club team and will be an added spark on defense for SLV. Senior forward Lacey Monack is also a prolific goal scorer for the Cougars, already having tallied a hat trick in a Nov. 30 game against Monte Vista Christian.
“Yeah, we’re young,” McClish said, “but we are a diverse team, and we really are coming together.”
