X-factors in CCS girls Open Division

Take a peek at the California Interscholastic Federation's Central Coast Section Open Division bracket, and you will see names you recognize. Mountain View, St. Francis, Leigh, and Archbishop Mitty. A veritable who's who of girls powerhouse programs in the San Jose area are the final four in the section's most esteemed bracket. And at the top of the pile is top-seeded and unbeaten Mountain View, who will take on another unbeaten team in No. 4 seeded Leigh. "They are probably one of the best teams we've faced all year long," Mountain View coach Jeff Panos said. "We are so similar, we both play the same shape and style. It's almost like looking in the mirror. They are very solid position-wise all over the field, they play great possession-based soccer." The Longhorns also like to push up with their outside backs, something that Mountain View likes to do. The Spartans will have to be aware of that and the wingers will need to be ready and willing to defend. "Our outside backs need to play smart," Panos said. "As a team, we need to limit turning the ball over in the midfield and we need to play quickly and get the ball out wide." Out wide is where you will find seniors <strong>Allie Montoya</strong> and <strong>Isabella Walker</strong>, two of the most dangerous forwards in California. There are X-factors for both teams, and these four players could be the difference in the match. <strong>Cadee Borg, Leigh, Senior, Defensive Midfielder</strong> Borg is the player that links everyone together for Leigh. She keeps possession going and can pivot the attack quickly. In order to top Leigh, Mountain View will need to limit the space that she plays in. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="29293" first="America" last="Frias"], Leigh, Senior, Striker</strong> Frias, the FCA Bay Area player and UCLA commit, is a very talented target striker who is great at bringing the ball down to her feet and setting up combinations. She can distribute and set up her teammates or get the ball back and take shot and be dangerous from just about anywhere. Look for the Spartans to try and limit her ability to play with the ball at her feet. [caption id="attachment_39458" align="alignleft" width="300"]<img class="wp-image-39458 size-medium" src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/02/Karena-1-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /> <strong>Karena Shaw.</strong> <em>Photo: Alicia Gill</em>[/caption] <strong>Karena Shah, Mountain View, Sophomore, Striker</strong> Tenacious is the best word to best describe Shah. The sophomore has an engine that does not stop and she would run through a brick wall for her team. She is not your typical target striker. She chases the ball down, wins 50/50 balls, and in doing so helps set up the attack. Shah is coming off a great game in the quarterfinals, a 4-0 win over Burlingame where she scored off a set piece and also scored on a shot where she made a nice turn and buried the ball in the top corner. [caption id="attachment_39456" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/02/Abby-Westcott-scaled-crop-1750x1149-1645501005.jpeg"><img class="wp-image-39456 size-medium" src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/02/Abby-Westcott-scaled-crop-1750x1149-1645501005-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> <strong>Abby Westcott.</strong> <em>Photo: Andrew Walker</em>[/caption] <strong>Abby Westcott, Mountain View, Senior, Central Defender</strong> Westcott is the captain and the heartbeat for the Spartans, and if anyone can put the team on their shoulders, it's her. She is there when they need a tackle when they need a smart pass and she reads the game so well. Since her sophomore season when they won the CCS title, she has gained a lot of maturity and grown as a player. In the other semifinal, you have second-seeded St. Francis, against the No. 6 seed in Archbishop Mitty. Mitty upset Woodside to get to the semifinals, but knowing the Mitty program, nobody is surprised. The team plays really hard for one another and is led by a very talented defensive midfielder in <strong>Bridget Maloney</strong>. St. Francis does not allow a lot of goals, allowing just six all season. The two teams squared off twice, with the first being a 1-1 draw and the other being a 1-0 Lancers win. This is the kind of game where the first goal could be the only goal and the game-winner. A mistake in the midfield or on a set piece could be the difference. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="33291" first="Jordan" last="Geis"], Archbishop Mitty, Sophomore, Wing Back</strong> Geis has been featuring at wing back for the Monarchs, putting her size, speed and given technical ability to good use. She is a hard-working player who will play anywhere to help the team as she will also be spotted playing forward and is a goal-scoring threat. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="19243" first="Caroline" last="Kane"], St. Francis, Senior, Central Defender</strong> The speedy and dangerous Kane is a premier Central Defender in California. She is committed to Princeton and for good reason. She is fast and can cover for her teammates if the outside backs push up, and she is great in the air as she has great size and aerial ability. A great athlete, she's very dangerous going forward and has been playing some on the left wing to generate more of an attack. She is quite a threat on set pieces. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="33296" first="Charlotte" last="Kohler"], St. Francis, Senior, Attacking Midfielder</strong> Kohler is a very talented, gifted, and dangerous player leading the attack for St. Francis. Her impact should not be understated as St. Francis hit a little bit of a lull in the final week of the season when she was out, but her return will be quite a boost to the Lancers. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="19981" first="Murphy" last="Walsh"], Archbishop Mitty, Freshman, Striker</strong> The nearly 6-foot tall freshman has really burst onto the scene, leading the Monarchs with 11 goals. She has great size, but also has good speed, is very good technically and can be a target striker, can turn and run with defenders or get the ball out wide.