Eight players to lead AW back to playoffs
To reach the Marin County Athletic League playoffs, a team needs to finish in the top four of the league. That might sound easy, but it’s not. The MCAL is a powerhouse league, with annual NorCal contenders in teams such…
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Continue ReadingTo reach the Marin County Athletic League playoffs, a team needs to finish in the top four of the league. That might sound easy, but it’s not.
The MCAL is a powerhouse league, with annual NorCal contenders in teams such as Branson and Redwood. Recently Tamalpais joined the upper echelon and there’s always a threat from a program like Marin Catholic.
For Archie Williams, it has not been to the MCAL playoffs in three seasons and is looking to break that drought this year with a talented group of girls.
The team consists of nine seniors, and 15 underclassmen, and currently sits in fourth, two points ahead of Marin Catholic, with a game in hand.
Here are eight players that could lead the Falcons to the MCAL playoffs, and who will lead them to a very high seed in the North Coast Section Division III playoffs.
Charlotte Block Charlotte Block M CA , Senior, Central Defender
Block is the heartbeat of the back line. She organizes the back four, leading the defense verbally and physically. She is a very strong defender, and one heck of a slide tackler, getting her timing right so often and so well.
Ellie Casey, Senior, Holding Midfielder
A four-year varsity starter who has been waiting for a chance to get back to the MCAL playoffs, it looks like her hard work might pay off. She is a versatile player who can play up and down the spine. She is unselfish, has great vision, and has a rocket of a shot. She takes most of the set pieces. In the run of play she’s quick to the ball, she has great distribution, and is good with her head. She is also a captain, a leader, and a tone setter. Casey plays on the Marin FC 04 Blue team in club.
Sammy Gerner, Sophomore, Central Midfielder
Gerner is a total workhorse. She just doesn’t quit working. She fights for every ball, has a nose for going forward and going for goal. She shows great vision and has good ability to distribute the ball.
Tessa Miller, Sophomore, Central Defender
The partner with Block in the back, Miller is a very solid defender. She started as a freshman and should be the leader of the back line next year. She is calm on the ball, moves the ball well, and distributes the ball well to the outside. She is a very mature player for her age.
Mari Rode, Freshman, Outside Defender
Rode plays right back but can also play holding mid and can play forward. She is a very special player who will be a force for seasons to come. She’s very quick to the ball and is a very aggressive player. She has great technical skill, works hard and has a very good shot.
Gabby Thawley, Senior, Keeper
Thawley has improved so much this year and really improved over the last two years. And she has worked very hard to get better. She really puts in the effort. She’s improved at reading angles, and she’s a very good shot stopper. She has only allowed six goals all season, and only two of them in the run of play.
Zola Thurston, Junior, Outside Defender
Thurston is a very versatile player who can also feature on the left wing. She’s very fast, good with the ball and has a good sense of when to overlap or to cover. She’s a very good passer as well. Just as important, she really enjoys playing and has fun doing it.
Maya Wells, Senior, Attacking Midfielder
The other four-year player who has been working hard to make the Falcons a playoff team. She plays on the same Marin FC 04 Blue team as Casey and is heading to Utah Valley State to play after high school. She is very good technically, strong on the ball, quick, and has a great shot. She’s very skilled with the ball, routinely dribbling around and through defenders.