ALL-NORTH COAST SECTION
Player of the Year
NIKKI TRUCCO, CALIFORNIA
There was no doubt entering the 2018-2019 season that California senior Nikki Trucco had an ability to score goals. But even after tallying 34 goals combined in her sophomore and junior campaigns, few would have expected the kind of season-long flurry that followed the Cal Poly commit throughout her final year of high school soccer., especially while playing in the rugged East Bay Athletic League.
With raised expectations following a NCS Division I semifinal appearance in her junior year, Trucco delivered in nearly every contest this past season. Early games included a hat trick during a win over Casa Grande - who would later contend for the VVAL title and reach the Division II quarterfinals - and six straight multi-goal outings. The six straight games early in the season included a combined four goals at the Madera Showcase, where the Grizzlies dominated Central Section opponents, and a brace while facing eventual CCS Open Division champion Archbishop Mitty at the Tri-Valley Classic. All the while, her individual scoring attributed to team success for California, which went unbeaten in its first nine contests, including ties against Mitty, St. Ignatius and San Ramon Valley, all among the best teams in Northern California.
"My focus every game was just on winning and helping my team achieve that goal the best I could. I had so many people reach out to me about how many goals I was scoring, but I just tried to keep pushing that aside and focus on each individual game," Trucco said. "I never thought about scoring, but the goals just seemed to follow. We played a lot of different, highly competitive teams this year, and every team just seemed to get better and better this year. There were no easy games on our schedule."
After a two-game skid in early January, falling to both Heritage and Carondelet, Trucco made sure the Grizzlies got back on the winning track, notching another hat trick, this time in a 4-3 win over Amador Valley. That prompted four straight wins in EBAL play for California. Despite three goals combined in games against Livermore and Monte Vista, the Grizzlies would drop both those games, but recover with a trio of big wins before the playoffs, none bigger than a 2-0 win over Carondelet. In that game, Trucco played the role of distributor, setting up her teammates for success as she gained plenty of attention from the Cougars' defense.
"Beating Carondelet for the first time in many years was amazing, especially because it happened on our Senior Night," Trucco said. "Beating Heritage in the playoffs, in a competitive game, was another amazing feeling since they had beaten us earlier in the year that win kept us alive."
Sure enough, it was Trucco's goal in the first half which lifted California past Heritage in the NCS Division I playoffs, in a 1-0 game. She scored again in the quarterfinals against San Ramon Valley, her 33rd goal of the season, an amazing total when you also considered that she scored more than half of the Grizzlies' total goals for the year, and assisted on six others. And even though California lost in a shootout to one of its district rivals, even that game remains as a top memory from Trucco's standout senior campaign.
"Even though our season ended sooner than I would have liked, that was one of the most competitive and fun games of the season, and we battled until the very end," Trucco added. "This was such a fun year, and we had a coaching staff which was so supportive and competitive, and I also appreciate everything they did it make it such a great season."
The San Ramon Valley game also marked the last time that Trucco will play on the same field with her twin sister Lexi, who also earned all-EBAL honors this year.
"Playing with Lexi has been so special to me, as she is one of the most competitive players out there and has pushed me as a player."
With 33 goals of her own in her senior year, giving her 67 goals over the past three seasons, it was clear that Trucco was the premier scoring threat in the North Coast Section, and lifted her team to success all year as well.
For her efforts throughout the season, we are pleased to recognize Nikki Trucco as the Prep2Prep North Coast Section Player of the Year.
Other players considered include Montgomery's Cindy Arteaga, Monte Vista's Julia Leontini, Carondelet's Ellie Ospeck and San Ramon Valley's Kylie Kerr.
Coach of the Year
PAT MCDONALD, MONTGOMERY
Montgomery's Pat McDonald is the choice for Prep2Prep NCS Coach of the Year.
By NATE SMITH
Prep2Prep
To say that the Montgomery girls soccer team entered the 2018-2019 season with something left to prove would have been an understatement. The previous season, the Vikings won 19 straight games after losing to NorCal power Davis in its season opener, including an unbeaten run through the North Bay League, and was then stunned as the top seed in the NCS Division II semifinals, falling to Livermore for an abrupt end to their season. Fast forward to this year, and any mission to avenge that early exit could be considered a success.
"That game stuck with the girls all year long," said Montgomery coach Pat McDonald. "They wanted to finish the job this year, and that was their primary goal to start the year."
In early January, it seemed in question that Montgomery would have another shot at the Cowboys and a section title, after dropping three of five games, including losses to Davis and Maria Carrillo, which spoiled a quest for an unbeaten run through the NBL-Oak. It was just one more series of setbacks for a team which had its field condemned just before the start of the season, and had to borrow fields all year long, not knowing where or when they would practice sometimes until that day. But the ship became righted, as the Vikings beat Cardinal Newman twice and took the rematch against Maria Carrillo, 4-3. As the post-season approach, the Vikings were once again in full form.
"This team really got along well, and they really enjoyed each other," McDonald said. "They really pulled for each other, played hard for each other and made it easy to coach this team. Our team chemistry was amazing. They never complained and really stuck together despite all the uncertainty from day to day and week to week. Our defense also did a great job all year, especially with not allowing shots on goal."
A 9-0 win over Arroyo in the first round of the playoffs made it six straight shutout victories, and wins over Bishop O'Dowd and Northgate set up the rematch with Livermore, this time for the NCS championship. The previous year, the Vikings had out-shot the Cowboys 24-6, but ended up on the wrong end of the scoreboard. This time, senior Cindy Arteaga scored twice, and Montgomery picked up a 4-2 victory, clinching not only a section title but carrying momentum into the Vikings' first trip to the CIF NorCal playoffs.
Montgomery easily dispatched Menlo in the NorCal Division II quarterfinals, not allowing a single shot on goal to the Knights. Then came the worst half of the season for the Vikings, falling behind by three goals to CCS perennial power Mountain View in the semifinals. But a spirited halftime meeting led to a strong second half, as Montgomery rallied to tie the game in regulation. Neither team scored in overtime, but the Spartans prevailed on penalty kicks. Despite the loss, the comeback might have been the most impressive moment of the season.
"I was really proud of the way we finished, the way we came back," McDonald said. "We were shell-shocked, and had not had that happen to us all year. We challenged each other at halftime, and they responded. I am still so proud of that response."
For his efforts throughout the season, we are proud to recognize Pat McDonald as our Prep2Prep North Coast Section Coach of the Year.
Other coaches considered include Monte Vista's Chris Lum, Marin Academy's Josh Kalkstein and San Ramon Valley's Mark Jones.
FIRST TEAM ALL-NCS
Cindy Arteaga, Montgomery
Position: Foward
Year: Senior
Arteaga was named MVP for the NBL-Oak after leading the Vikings to a league title and then a Division II section crown, and doing so as a primary scoring threat in every game. She had 25 goals and 11 assists this year, and highlights for Arteaga included a brace in the NCS title game win over Livermore and another two-goal performance in the regional semifinals against Mountain View.
Grace Bouton, Redwood
Position: Foward
Year: Junior
The leading attacker for the Giants was named the MVP of the MCAL, and led the league in scoring with 12 goals and eight assists in league games alone. The UC Santa Barbara commit led her team to a regular-season league title and to the quarterfinals of the Division II playoffs.
Lauren Hazel, Petaluma
Position: Midfield
Year: Junior
The Offensive Player of the Year in the VVAL, Hazel led the Trojans to an undefeated regular season, and Petaluma never lost a game during regular game time, falling to Campolindo on penalty kicks in the Division III semifinals. She had 13 goals and seven assists for the year, including a pair of goals in a quarterfinal win over El Cerrito.
Carly Ortega, Northgate
Position: Defender
Year: Senior
The San Francisco State commit was named co-Defensive Player of the Year in the DAL after leading the Broncos to an unbeaten mark in league play and a berth in the Division II semifinals. She had three goals and 12 assists while setting up the attack in front of her.
Kamryn Farro, Livermore
Position: Defender
Year: Senior
The Saint Mary’s commit had an outstanding senior year. One of the premier defenders in the country, Farro added eight goals and 12 assists this year as her involvement on the offensive end grew to support the Cowboys, who once again reached the Division II championship game.
Kylie Kerr, San Ramon Valley
Position: Defender
Year: Senior
The UCLA commit displayed her versatility during her senior campaign, not only continuing her play as a premier defender, but also being used as an offensive weapon, especially on set pieces. The first-team All-EBAL pick had nine goals and four assists, including game-winners against Granada, Freedom and Monte Vista to lead the Wolves to the Division I title game.
Alison Whipple, Miramonte
Position: Defender
Year: Senior
Whipple was named the co-Defensive Player of the Year in the DAL and her play in the back led the Matadors to both NCS Division III and CIF NorCal Division IV crowns. She had five goals and four assists this season, including a goal in the regional title game win over El Camino-Sacramento.
Leah Freeman, Berkeley
Position: Goalkeeper
Year: Junior
The first-team All-WACC Foothill selection and Oregon commit posted 11 clean sheets this season, and allowed just one goal in regulation during the final month of the season. In a quarterfinal playoff loss to Liberty, she denied one opportunity after another during regulation before facing an unstoppable shot. Nine of her 12 goals allowed all year came against Division I semifinal teams.
SECOND TEAM ALL-NCS
Callie Jones, Branson
Position: Forward
Year: Senior
The first-team All-MCAL selection had 12 goals and 14 assists for the Bulls this season, as they captured MCAL tournament and CIF NorCal Division III titles. Jones assisted on the game-winning goal against Sierra in the regional final and scored the game-winner against Marin Academy for the NorCal championship.
Tara Bradley, Las Lomas
Position: Forward
Year: Senior
Bradley was named co-Offensive Player of the Year in the DAL after leading the Knights with 12 goals and five assists. That included a hat trick in a big win over Campolindo, plus a goal and an assist in a Division II playoff win over Benicia.
Keely Roy, Cardinal Newman
Position: Forward
Year: Senior
The USF commit and first-team NBL-Oak selection had 18 goals and 14 assists this year for the Cardinals, including goals in five straight post-season matches. She had a role in all three goals during Cardinal Newman’s 3-2 win over Marin Academy for the NCS Division IV title.
Anmol Gill, James Logan
Position: Midfield
Year: Junior
The MVP of the MVAL, Gill led the Colts to an unbeaten run through league play before an overtime loss to Clayton Valley in the Division I playoffs ended their year. She had 20 goals and 13 assists for the year, including goals against both Liberty and Campolindo in non-league play.
Christina Cawood, Montgomery
Position: Defender
Year: Junior
When the Vikings beat Menlo in the NorCal quarterfinals, they did not even allow a shot on goal, continuing a trend from the second half of the season, when they blanked six straight opponents and allowed just four goals in the section playoffs. This first-team NBL-Oak defender was a major reason why, anchoring the back line which protected the net.
Angelina Anderson, Carondelet
Position: Goalkeeper
Year: Senior
The Cal commit and first-team All-EBAL selection posted 10 clean sheets this year, and allowed just 12 goals playing against elite opponents. She did not allow a single goal during the NCS playoffs, shutting out all four opponents on the way to a Division I crown.
THIRD TEAM ALL-NCS
Position: Forwards
Yvette Moreno (James Logan), Ceci Brien (Piedmont), Alexci Johnson (St. Patrick-St. Vincent), Kylie Rojas (Castro Valley), Ella Wright (Cardinal Newman), Alyssa Chin (El Cerrito), Natalie LaRue (Northgate), Alexa Avelar (Clayton Valley)
Position: Midfielders
Eliana Prosnitz (Branson), Abria Brooker (Montgomery), Julia Hagedorn (Northgate), Lily Arbabaraghi (Monte Vista), Lexi Trucco (California), Mika Sayfurahman (Livermore)
Position: Defenders
Isabel Castaneda (John Swett), Crysta Macias (Arroyo), Lauren Ross (Tamalpais), Devon Ortman (Campolindo), Sarah Smith (Heritage), Julia Gosman (Amador Valley), Peyton Raun (Foothill)
Position: Goalkeepers
Briana O’Dell (Freedom), Taylor Little (Maria Carrillo), Elizabeth Todd (Bishop O’Dowd)
HONORABLE MENTION:
ACALANES:
Sasha Sadoff
ALAMEDA:
Jackie Lim
ALBANY:
Grace McRory
ALHAMBRA:
Gigi Betti
AMADOR VALLEY:
Kennedy Mayo, Penny Murphy
AMERICAN:
Naina Pasricha
AMERICAN CANYON:
Alexus Jackson
ANALY:
Isabel Housman
ANTIOCH:
Jazmin Alanis
ARROYO:
Celeste Macias
BENICIA:
Sarina Regis
BEREAN CHRISTIAN:
Elizabeth Dutton
BERKELEY:
Rayna Carter, Ava Zlatchin
BISHOP O'DOWD:
Alexa Ingersoll, Ailani Price
BRANSON:
Abby Dillon
CALIFORNIA:
Brenna Madruga
CAMPOLINDO:
Cecilia Campo
CARDINAL NEWMAN:
Claire Hernandez, Paige Foster
CARONDELET:
Angelina Scoma, Annaliese Giusto
CASA GRANDE:
Mia Santander
CASTRO VALLEY:
Myla Ogle
CLAYTON VALLEY CHARTER:
Jenna West
COLLEGE PARK:
Natalia Leroux
CONCORD:
Micaela Davis
DE ANZA:
Kimberly Garcia
DEER VALLEY:
Sarah Figueroa
DOUGHERTY VALLEY:
Celina Garcia
DRAKE:
Sadie Cudd
DUBLIN:
Bekah Valdez
EL CERRITO:
Malia Kobayashi, Raniyah Burton
EL MOLINO:
Lily Dittman
ELSIE ALLEN:
Eileen Davalos
ENCINAL:
Peyton O’Neill
FOOTHILL:
Aly Marzocco
FREEDOM:
Izzy Midgley, Anissa Gomez
GRANADA:
Meghan Kennedy, Ashleigh Ward
HAYWARD:
Briana Torres
HEAD-ROYCE:
Sophia Cavalieri
HEALDSBURG:
Susie Gutierrez
HERITAGE:
Katey Hartwig, Renny Buchanan
IRVINGTON:
Darya Rasol
JAMES LOGAN:
Kylie McNamara
JESSE BETHEL:
Biance Estrella
JOHN SWETT:
Sophia Islas
JUSTIN-SIENA:
Caroline Melancon
KENNEDY-FREMONT:
Trinity Castillo
KENNEDY-RICHMOND:
Frida Gutierrez
LAS LOMAS:
Uki Fujiwara
LIBERTY:
Savannah Boone, Jordan Gregory
LICK-WILMERDING:
Brittney Righetti
LIVERMORE:
Lily Redell, Alivia Krummen-Ganz
MARIA CARRILLO:
Teagan Coleman
MARIN ACADEMY:
Liza Kinney, Audrey Byrne
MARIN CATHOLIC:
Taylor Martin
MIRAMONTE:
Isabel Fine, Olivia Grillo
MISSION SAN JOSE:
Rachel Lin
MONTE VISTA:
Rachel Anderson
MONTGOMERY:
Micky Rosenbaum
MOREAU CATHOLIC:
Jolie Poulet
MT. DIABLO:
Nayeli Martinez
MT. EDEN:
Andrea Aguilar
NAPA:
Sophia Conversano
NEWARK MEMORIAL:
Nevaeh Arroyo-Stansbury, Brianna Santillan
NORTHGATE:
Meighan Farrell
NOVATO
Erin Brown
PETALUMA:
Zoe Frothinger, Tessa Lambert
PIEDMONT:
Clara Kochendoerfer
PINER:
Hannah Tavares
PINOLE VALLEY:
Natalie Orellana
PITTSBURG:
Maria Rebolledo
RANCHO COTATE:
Alesi Vadranwale, Alexia Acosta
REDWOOD:
Madeleine Pero, Sophia Curtaz
RICHMOND:
Lisette Cordova
SAINT MARY'S:
Paola Tejeda-Gonzalez
SALESIAN:
Tatiana Rodriguez
SAN LEANDRO:
Taylor Heredia
SAN LORENZO:
Theresa Tran
SAN MARIN:
Caitlin Dwyer
SAN RAFAEL:
Jackie Lancaster
SAN RAMON VALLEY:
Sierra Ransweiler, Emiko Groth
SANTA ROSA:
Oli Ruggles, Dom Garzoli
SONOMA ACADEMY:
Sophie Vargas
SONOMA VALLEY:
Alexia Contreras
ST. JOSEPH NOTRE DAME:
Mollie Vandevelde
ST. PATRICK-ST. VINCENT:
Malia Samonte
TAMALPAIS:
Lily Travers, Grace Gustafson
TENNYSON:
Noemi Garcia
TERRA LINDA:
Ivanna Maldonado
UKIAH:
Bella Loflin
UNIVERSITY:
Gabby Garland
URBAN:
Julietta Seirmarco
VALLEJO:
Amber Palas
VINTAGE:
Chase DeBow
WASHINGTON:
Madeline Keswick
WINDSOR:
Lola Gugel
YGNACIO VALLEY:
Samantha Reyes
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