CA – WCAL Soccer: Reigning NorCal Champs vs previous Champion

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was a cool, yet beautiful and sunny day in Mountain View, CA.&nbsp; The Archbishop Mitty Monarchs came in as the 6th ranked team in CA to reclaim the first place standing in league play.&nbsp; While the Saint Francis Lancers, the 5th-ranked team in CA, are looking to exact revenge for the season's lone defeat.&nbsp; Every time these teams meet on the pitch, the crowd will be in store for an epic matchup. In summary, this matchup could be considered equivalent to an all-star game, as both sides fielded some of the best players in the region and in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both teams were able to generate passing combinations and make runs to get into scoring position.&nbsp; Lancers captain Brooklyn O'Brien scored the opening goal at point-blank range off a corner kick, which was headed back to her.&nbsp; Goal #2 for the host team came from freshman [player_tooltip player_id='187366' first='Kiyomi' last='Yoshimura'].&nbsp; A low driving shot was initially stopped and deflected by the Monarchs goalkeeper [player_tooltip player_id='199880' first='Layla' last='Tucakovic'], but Yoshimura drove it home at close range.&nbsp; The score at the half was 2-0 Lancers.&nbsp; Tucakovic made some really good saves as well, but the Saint Francis offense was set on a mission.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the second half, both teams turned up the attack, but the Lancers seemed to have had quicker combinations and smoother buildups.&nbsp; Their team chemistry has been a trademark of this well-balanced attacking team.&nbsp; This team came in with an impressive league-leading 65 goals for and only 4 against.&nbsp; The Lancers freshman goalkeeper [player_tooltip player_id='111094' first='Sophia' last='Malloy'] made some acrobatic saves to keep a clean sheet.&nbsp; At times it seemed as if the Monarchs were about to get on the board, but Malloy's impressive shot-stopping skills kept them at bay.&nbsp; The final two goals by Saint Francis were by Caitlin Motil and Charlotte “Coco” Heith.&nbsp; This brought the final score count to 4-0.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Monarchs played tough throughout the match, and some of their standouts were [player_tooltip player_id='19981' first='Murphy' last='Walsh'], [player_tooltip player_id='111097' first='Chloe' last='Miller'], [player_tooltip player_id='83851' first='Angie' last='Cao'], and Brooklynn Collier.&nbsp; Walsh, the USC commit, was a strong presence in the attacking third. She made hard challenges and had a few opportunities but could not connect on goal.&nbsp; Miller and [player_tooltip player_id='83851' first='Angie' last='Cao'] made it difficult for the attack to come from the center of the pitch.&nbsp; They both made big stops on their defensive third and forced their opponents to make runs near the touchline.&nbsp; Collier made a few strong runs into the box and placed quality shot attempts on goal.<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Next up for Coach J.T. Hanley (2021 National Girls Coach of the Year) and the Monarchs is to end the season strong and prepare for another run at a CCS and a successful run in the NorCal tournament.&nbsp; I wouldn't count out the Monarchs, as they have one of the most successful programs in California by winning 26 league titles, 18 CCS Championships, and last year's NorCal title. As for Coach Carlos Barboza (2023 California Girls Coach of the Year) and the Lancers, their goals might be the same as the Monarchs.&nbsp; I look forward to covering both teams on their journey in the playoffs and truly believe that either of these teams could bring home another NorCal Championship.&nbsp; Great players and great coaches create success at the highest level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["83851"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":278901,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67a926b88b0cf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Solid center back with great technical skills and makes hard challenges to stop runs through the middle. She is good at anticipating diagonal runs and cutting off attacking lanes with quick and decisive moves. Her ability to run from touchline to touchline shows a high fitness level. She can also support in counterattacks when her team is pressing. She plays club soccer for MVLA.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":278902,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Brooklyn O'Brien","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'6u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"103","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Saint Francis","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"MVLA","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67a926b88b1b3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Is a strong finisher with great passing skills. She starts out near the touchline and makes precise passes and runs through open lanes. Her ability to find pockets in the defense is what gets her into scoring position. She also makes strong challenges to win back possession, and she runs hard at the goal to either fire off a rocket shot or give other players opportunities to score. She opened up the scoring in the first half. She plays club soccer for MVLA.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["111184"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":278903,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67a926b88b22f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Played as an attacking midfielder. She created a lot of combination passes to start the Lancers attack. Her ability to work in tight spaces and deliver perfect passes to overlapping players kept the defense on their heels. Her decisions made it difficult for the defense to keep her in check. She also plays hard on the defensive side in winning back possession. She now plays club soccer for MVLA.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["199889"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":278906,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67a926b88b29f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Played the CB position and is part of a stellar defensive side that only conceded 4 goals this season. She makes strong challenges in the backfield and has good passing skills. Opposing players can rarely match her aerial challenges due to her height advantage and excellent timing. She also transitions quickly by distributing passes to wingers and open midfielders. She plays club soccer for MVLA.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href=""></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1888336806565011943">https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1888336806565011943</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1888373413032661401">https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1888373413032661401</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1888313844545822720">https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1888313844545822720</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1888369220519702859">https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1888369220519702859</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1888298767839019196">https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1888298767839019196</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1892981725791179019","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1892981725791179019 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->