NCS Freshman of the Year
TATUM ZUBER, ACALANES
As her inaugural high school season progressed, Acalanes freshman forward Tatum Zuber just continued to improve and impress anyone who saw the Dons, especially their opponents against who she took control, leading Acalanes to a section title and a NorCal regional semifinal berth.
Zuber played with a maturity well beyond her years as the Dons made their post-season run. Her dominant play began with a brace in a 2-0 win over Terra Linda, accounting for both Acalanes goals to get the Dons into the NCS Division III semifinals. Three days later, she had a goal and an assist in a 3-1 semifinal win over Petaluma, and then netted the only Acalanes goal in regulation against Branson, forcing a shootout against the Bulls.
She then converted both of her penalty kick opportunities in the shootout, helping lift the Dons to an unforgettable 10-9 victory in the shootout for the section championship.
“Tatum had been coming out since summer workouts, so we knew she was going to be good, but not that good,” said Acalanes coach Nick Barbarino. “One of the best things about her is she is so down to earth. She was telling people before the season that she probably wasn’t even going to make varsity.”
Not only did Zuber make the varsity, but she finished the year with a team-high 19 goals and 10 assists. While the 19 goals are certainly a phenomenal number in her first year of high school, the way in which she scored might be even more impressive. Of her 19 goals scored, 15 of them came from at least 25 yards out from the net.
“She can shoot from anywhere, and the pressure she puts on defenses is what then leads to so many assists,” Barbarino added. “It’s really incredible that she’s just a freshman.”
In the section final against Branson, it was Zuber’s free kick from 25 yards away which gave Acalanes an early lead. Between her and fellow freshman Addie Bailey, who had the game-winning goal in the Dons’ first-round playoff win over Analy, the young duo accounted for 34 of the team’s 66 goals scored this season. And yet, they were able to perfectly mesh with a roster that included 15 seniors.
“My approach going into this season was to have fun, win and make new friendships,” Zuber stated. “My mentality going into each game was that no matter the opponent, I needed to give my best effort and play for my teammates.”
The mentality of always giving her best effort led Zuber to be her own harshest critic, as Barbarino recalled an early January game against El Cerrito, who entered the game unbeaten and would end up capturing the TCAL-Rock title. Zuber had two goals and an assist in a 3-0 victory, but after the game would only talk about a pair of missed opportunities.
“She has such a terrific mentality and work ethic. She always has the attitude that she should be doing better, and she hates to miss an opportunity,” Barbarino said. “There is no superstar persona with her. Because of that, her and our other freshmen who started were quickly accepted by our upperclassmen. Her attitude and work ethic are what led to that.”
The Dons will return seven starters next winter, including Bailey and defender Jacque Peacock, both of whom also started all season as freshmen. Emily Keeler, the team’s third-leading scorer, will also return. They will all do so on the heels of a regional run which included a 2-0 win over Manteca, a game in which Zuber added an assist despite playing sick all week. The year ended with a NorCal semifinal loss to Burlingame, but that defeat did nothing to diminish the accomplishments of a group which won five straight late in the season to reach 18 wins and has plenty of reason for optimism in the future.
For her efforts this season, we are pleased to recognize Acalanes’ Tatum Zuber as the Prep2Prep North Coast Section Freshman of the Year.
Other players considered for this award include Carondelet’s Maddie Buckley, Acalanes’ Addie Bailey, Carondelet’s Lizzie Vranesh, Berkeley’s Myah Polzin, Berkeley’s Shima Dixon and Antioch’s Devan Scheringer.
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