Temecula Valley loaded with talent, earns high ranking

After winning the Southern Section and Southern California State Division I title in 2022, last season did not go as well as the Temecula Valley girls soccer team would have hoped. They were still one of the top teams in the state, and certainly a contender entering the Southern Section's D I playoffs, but a first-round loss to Mira Costa abruptly ended any hopes of back-to-back Section and State titles.   Scaling the mountain top again and finishing this 2023/2024 season as the top dog is certainly in the range of outcomes as this team is absolutely loaded with talent. They have experience, they have speed, technical ability, goal-scoring, a tough defense with vocal leaders and top notch play between the posts. This team should be considered a serious contender, and opens as PrepSoccer's No. 3 ranked team in the state of California.   "We believe this team has the ability to go after a deep run," Temecula Valley coach Jennifer Guinn said. "We have the talent, drive, hunger, passion, and program legacy on our side. I think we need to take each game one at a time and truly learn from it. Our goal this season is to elevate in every way. As student-athletes, humans, teammates, and within our community. I believe they are capable of bringing anything to the table."   This team knows it is capable of hoisting league, section and state trophies at the end of the season, but they are not putting additional pressure of naming those as goals. Instead, they are focused on being the best version of themselves they can be.   "Our goals are to come together as a team as quickly as possible," Guinn said. "To unite all of our strengths together and see what this group can put together. We definitely are hungry and see the big picture. The talent in the Southern Section is incredible and we have worked hard to be in that group of teams."   The Bears hit the field tonight (Thursday) for their first game, and in training so far Guinn has seen a team coming together, a team that is ready to hit the ground running, and a team that is showing a lot of heart. This team will grow together as the season unfolds, and with so many players to watch, it is a team that will have different girls lead the way on a nightly basis.   [player_tooltip player_id='82570' first='Makenna' last='August'], Keeper, Class of 2026   August is a transfer who will be eligible to play with the team in a few weeks. She is a sophomore keeper who shows great passion and drive for the game, and is not phased by the pressure. She is a vocal leader and a commanding presence.   Chloe Depner, Midfielder, Class of 2024   Depner is a player who can play anywhere in the midfield. She is very versatile. Depner can feature as a No. 6, 8 or No. 10. She has the ability to impact a game, she is very smart and has the kind of energy that can drive a midfield. She creates a positive, winning environment for her teammates.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/12/Cassidy-Drago-crop-1170x769-1701965357.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-156142" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Scott Padgett Time Stood Still Photography</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='19248' first='Cassidy' last='Drago'], Forward, Class of 2025   Drago is a junior striker who is already committed to BYU. She was the Southwestern League MVP last year, scoring a lot of goals, 26, despite getting a lot of attention. This year, she will get even more. She is a dynamic player on and off the ball and has a true knack and a nose for scoring goals. With great speed, strength and toughness, she is a handful for opposing defenses.   [player_tooltip player_id='144757' first='Liberty' last='Drago'], Central Defender, Class of 2027   Cassidy's sister, [player_tooltip player_id='144757' first='Liberty' last='Drago'], is a freshman who is putting herself in a position to earn playing time and perhaps even start. She set the goal for herself to come in and be a contributing player, and is earning the trust of the captains and the rest of the team. She is a big, strong commanding center back who is quick to learn and is picking things up quickly.   Ella Gessel, Central Defender, Class of 2024   Gessel is yet another versatile player for the Bears, a strong center back who can also move up and play the No. 6. She is strong with the ball, strong in the air, and is a ball-winning defender and midfielder. She can bring the ball down and control it. She uses her body very well and is an aggressive player.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/12/Annika-Jost-crop-1854x1217-1701965415.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-156144" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Scott Padgett Time Stood Still Photography</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='19101' first='Annika' last='Jost'], Midfielder, Class of 2024   Jost is a player who takes the game very seriously. The Air Force Academy commit plays seriously, trains seriously and has expectations that her teammates do the same. She has been a varsity player since she was a freshman, has earned many accolades, helping the team to the state title, earning the MVP of the program last season as she had 18 assists and is willing to do whatever she can to help the team win. She is yet another versatile midfielder who can play the No. 10, the No. 8 and No. 6.   Isabella Jost, Midfielder, Class of 2025   Bloodlines are a theme with Temecula Valley and the younger sister of Annika, Isabella Jost is yet another fine player. She is a midfielder that can play from the back to the top, yet another theme with the Bears. She loves to play the ball on the ground, boasting excellent technical skills. Jost is a finesse player who can do it all.   Arianna Lewis, Outside Defender, Class of 2024   Lewis is an outside defender, and just what you want from an back on a team that likes to get forward as she loves to join in the attack. She is very, very fast, comfortable with the ball and can get up and down the line with the best of them.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/12/Sloane-Phillips.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-156145" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Scott Padgett, Time Stood Still Photography</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='20206' first='Sloane' last='Phillips'], Midfielder, Class of 2026   Phillips is one of the more outstanding players from the 2026 class, and shows great versatility in the midfield. She is able to feature at any of the three spots. She loves to attack, she loves to score goals and display her creativity. She is incredibly technical on the ball, loves to keep the ball on the ground and is so skillful that she can set up her teammates with ease, or go for goal.   Carly Radke, Forward, Class of 2025   Radke is a versatile attacking player as she can play across the top, featuring at all three forward positions. She has the skill and ability to do so, making her a very dangerous player. She is a terrific goal scorer who is also very unselfish, and is happy to set her teammates up. Radke scored in Thursday's opening season match. She put herself on the map her freshman year, scoring three goals in the state semifinal against Los Alamitos.   [player_tooltip player_id='128506' first='Celia' last='Ramos'], Keeper, Class of 2026   Ramos is the other part of the 10th grade keeper duo, and like August, is a very vocal leader who plays the game with great focus and drive. She is a high IQ keeper who is ready to step up and play like an experienced varsity high school keeper.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/12/Juliet-Thrapp-crop-763x501-1701965531.jpeg?w=762" alt="" class="wp-image-156147" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Scott Padgett Time Stood Still Photography</figcaption></figure>   Juliet Thrapp, Central Defender, Class of 2025   Thrapp is a junior who is committed to play at Point Loma. A standout center back, one with incredible leadership skills and abilities that will transfer to the next level. She's played a key role in the trophies the team has lifted, she is the anchor of the defense and has been a big part of the program since she was a freshman. She is very vocal, she loves to press attacking players, and also likes to get in on the attack herself at the other end. She's quick, allowing her to move forward and track back easily. She also has a lethal long throw. Thrapp offers a personality that is contagious and is loved by her teammates.   [player_tooltip player_id='148144' first='Ashlyn' last='Vaughn'], Forward, Class of 2025   Vaughn can feature as a No. 7 or a No. 11, showing the ability to use either foot. She is very comfortable on the outside, and is a constant threat on the outside. She remains consistent and fluid and that keeps defenders on their toes.

After winning the Southern Section and Southern California State Division I title in 2022, last season did not go as well as the Temecula Valley girls soccer team would have hoped. They were still one of the top teams in the state, and certainly a contender entering the Southern Section's D I playoffs, but a first-round loss to Mira Costa abruptly ended any hopes of back-to-back Section and State titles.