CIF NorCal teams draw in season opener – A Division

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Week 1 High School soccer competition - Ann Sobrato at Evergreen Valley</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>USE THE PROMO CODE almasin30 for a discount on your first subscription</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The temperature around game time was a cool 52 degrees for a 7:00 pm match.&nbsp; The winter soccer season just kicked off in Northern California, and two public high school teams met for a non-conference match in their season openers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ann Sobrato High School out of Morgan Hill, CA, played its first match of the season at Evergreen Valley High School in San Jose, CA.&nbsp; Sobrato had an overall 11-5-3 record last season, while going 5-3-2 in league play for a 4th place finish.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Evergreen Valley was last season's B-Division champion and was promoted to the A-Division this year.&nbsp; Last season's overall record was 11-7-1, with a 7-2-1 league record.&nbsp; This was also the Cougars' first match of the season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sobrato played more of a give-and-go style while dropping long-range crosses over the defense or quick passes to diagonal or overlapping runners.&nbsp; Evergreen relied more on quick passes into the attacking third with multiple players getting touches.&nbsp; They relied on finding players in open pockets and slashing runs down the channels.&nbsp; Both teams were effective in their strategies, which eventually resulted in a 1-1 draw.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Team Warm Ups - Sobrato at Evergreen Valley</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1996410104925831575?s=20","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/1996410104925831575?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bulldogs scored early in the first half while dominating possession for the first 12 minutes.&nbsp; It was more of a wake-up call for the Cougars, as they seemed to have stepped up their level and made it a competitive match after the score.&nbsp; They got the tying goal in the 19th minute of the first half.&nbsp; As both teams made multiple runs at goal in the second half, credit should be given to both goalkeepers for keeping the scores at 1-1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Team Pics - Sobrato at Evergreen Valley</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1996414792953983088?s=20","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/1996414792953983088?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players who stood out were [player_tooltip player_id='111186' first='Camila' last='Valencia'] (2027), Tori Fitzpatrick (2026), Lauren Crowell (2027), Mahi Nanda (2027), and Bella Larsen (2027).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Player #1 - [player_tooltip player_id='111186' first='Camila' last='Valencia'] - Evergreen Valley - Midfielder</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["111186"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","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-6935143e52222"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She can body up on defenders and make quick cuts on a dime.&nbsp; Her quick give and go passes and drives through the middle of the defense was what impressed me the most.&nbsp; She won most 50/50 challenges.&nbsp; She was clearly the Cougars MVP in the match.&nbsp; Camila plays club soccer for [program_tooltip program_id='283641' first='De' last='Anza Force'] ECNL G09</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1996727241170927897?s=20","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/1996727241170927897?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Player #2 - Tori Fitzpatrick - 2026 - Evergreen Valley - Goalkeeper</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Tori Fitzpatrick","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"100","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Evergreen Valley","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"[program_tooltip program_id='283466' first='Santa' last='Clara Sporting'] ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"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-69351c8da2717"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She made at least 4 key saves to keep her team in the match.&nbsp; Excellent 1v1 challenges and cutting off runners outside the 18.&nbsp; Great awareness and positioning.&nbsp; Tori plays club soccer for [program_tooltip program_id='283466' first='Santa' last='Clara Sporting'] (Girls Academy and NPL).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1996730262617837623?s=20","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/1996730262617837623?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Player #3 - Lauren Crowell - 2027 - Ann Sobrato - Defender</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Lauren Crowell","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"101","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Ann Sobrato","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"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-69351c8da27bf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She played the right back position and also moved up on counterattacks.&nbsp; Seamlessly switching off to multiple areas on the pitch and playing as a box-to-box player is where she shone.&nbsp; Solid defender and team player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1996734520238997598?s=20","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/1996734520238997598?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Player #4 - Mahi Nandal - 2027 - Evergreen Valley - Defender</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Mahi Nanda","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"101","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Evergreen Valley","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"[program_tooltip program_id='283244' first='Almaden' last='FC'] - AFC 08/07G","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"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-69351c8da2848"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She played the LB position and made the offense attack from the opposite channel.&nbsp; Her clean tackles and quick passes started many counterattacks.&nbsp; She can drop the ball over the defense onto open lanes.&nbsp; I really liked how she made clean tackles as well as contributing as a passing outlet in the winger position.&nbsp; Mahi plays club soccer for [program_tooltip program_id='283244' first='Almaden' last='FC'] - AFC 08/07G.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1996743092800754082?s=20","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/1996743092800754082?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Player #5 - Bella Larsen - 2027 - Ann Sobrato - Forward</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Bella Larsen","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_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":"Ann Sobrato","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"[program_tooltip program_id='283257' first='Bay' last='Area Surf'] ECNL-RL","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"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-69351c8da28c5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She scored the opening goal and almost got a few more.&nbsp; Her high pressure and ability to slip past defenders made her dangerous.&nbsp; Although the season just started, I'm thinking she might end up being their leading scorer. Bella plays club soccer for [program_tooltip program_id='283257' first='Bay' last='Area Surf'] ECNL-RL.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1997549974582882498?s=20","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/1997549974582882498?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->