Dominating performance by Los Gatos forward – Abby Nelson

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cal Commit [player_tooltip player_id='82602' first='Abby' last='Nelson'] scores a hat trick in a 5-0 rout over Sacred Heart Prep</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 chilly 48 degrees by California standards for a 6:00 pm match.&nbsp; The winter soccer season recently kicked off in Northern California, and a public high school and a private school met for a non-conference match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Sacred Heart Prep Gators from Atherton, CA, played at Los Gatos High School, in Los Gatos, CA.&nbsp; The Gators had an overall 14-7-3 record last season, while going 6-1-1 in league play for a 1st place finish.&nbsp; They had an amazing season while winning a CCS (Central Coast Section) Division 5 title as well as a CIF NorCal Division 4 title.&nbsp; The Gators ended the year as the 21st team in California and #90 in the nation.&nbsp; They graduated a bunch of key seniors, and this could be considered a rebuilding year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Los Gatos Wildcats were the first-place team in the SCVAL-De Anza League, going 9-0-3 in league play and 12-3-6 overall.&nbsp; They lost in the quarterfinal round of the Division 1 CCS playoffs to Leland High School.&nbsp; The Wildcats ended their season at #70 in California.&nbsp; They dominated possession and put up some scoring highlights with their 5-0 romp over Sacred Heart Prep.&nbsp; Los Gatos is looking like a top-level team with the potential to make it interesting against the likes of Archbishop Mitty and Saint Francis. Last season's Division 1 CCS and NorCal Division 1 champions are looking to make another epic run in the regular season and playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this match, the key players for the Wildcats were [player_tooltip player_id='206659' first='Avery' last='Edson'], [player_tooltip player_id='111090' first='Teagan' last='Kaefer'], and [player_tooltip player_id='82602' first='Abby' last='Nelson'].&nbsp; All three are early 2027 college commits, with Edson going to Hawaii, Kaefer to Santa Clara, and Nelson to Cal.&nbsp; Another player who stepped up for the Wildcats was Mariana Nanez, the sophomore who played on the right wing.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='262616' first='Aris' last='Yu'], the team captain and last season's starting left back, was the midfielder who stood out for the Gators. Sacred Heart Prep is down to its fourth goalkeeper.&nbsp; Hoping they can get more support in the box and be able to turn their fortunes around.&nbsp; If not, it will look like a rebuilding year, with the challenges giving them the experience and fuel to get this team back on the winning side, as they are now 2-2 and getting ready for league play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Warmups #1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1998570056683573429?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/1998570056683573429?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Warmups #2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1998574787329929619?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/1998574787329929619?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Player #1 - [player_tooltip player_id='82602' first='Abby' last='Nelson'] - 2027 - Defender/Forward -&nbsp; #11 in CA, #1 in Position, and #42 in the Nation</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["82602"],"_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-693fa6208f352"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Abby played primarily up top as a striker. She put on a scoring clinic with a hat trick performance. At times she seemed nearly unstoppable as she weaved through the defense and made clean passes to players in the attacking third. I've evaluated her in club competition and also seen her have multiple goal games. If she continues to dominate against A-Division teams, she's probably not only going to be the team's leading scorer but possibly the league's leading scorer as well. Her commitment to increasing her fitness is paying off, and the Cal commit looks to repeat as league champs and make a run at the CCS (Central Coast Section) playoffs. Abby plays club soccer for [program_tooltip program_id='283641' first='De' last='Anza Force'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1998622852581568737?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/1998622852581568737?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Player #2 - [player_tooltip player_id='206659' first='Avery' last='Edson'] - 2027 - Defender - #168 in CA and #44 in Position</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["206659"],"_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-693fa6208f3cd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Avery played primarily in the right back position. Her quick and precise passes help to keep possession and kick-start counterattacks from the backline. I've previously evaluated her as a midfielder in club competition. The Hawaii commit showed her strengths on both ends of the pitch when switching off with players on the wing. Her ability to make runs in the attacking third and stop runners from slipping through the lines makes her a very versatile player. Her strengths are definitely on the defensive side, but when additional firepower is needed, don't be surprised if she's given the go-ahead to play in an attacking role. Avery is also an ECNL National Champion with her MVLA club team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/2000421382874943526?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/2000421382874943526?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Player #3 - [player_tooltip player_id='111090' first='Teagan' last='Kaefer'] - 2027 - Mid/Defender - #38 in CA, #17 in Position, and #193 in the Nation</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["111090"],"_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-693fa6208f422"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Teagan played primarily as an attacking mid. During previous club competitions, I've evaluated her mainly as a center back. This new position suits her well, as she looked to be the focal point of the Wildcats' attack. She made great passes, pressed up high, and even got win-backs. Teagan's dribbling skills were on display as she was able to weave through the defense effortlessly while creating openings for the offense. The Santa Clara commit looked comfortable in the position, and she played a big part in the team's dominating performance in ball control and scoring. Teagan is also an ECNL National Champion with her MVLA club team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/2000415514292863378?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/2000415514292863378?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Player #4 - Mariana Nanez - 2028 - Midfielder</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":" Mariana Nanez","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_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":"102","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Los Gatos","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"[program_tooltip program_id='283641' first='De' last='Anza Force']","_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-693fa6208f4d2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mariana played primarily on the right wing. Her quick runs up the channel and precise passes helped with the counterattack. I really like how she played heads up and was always looking for openings in the defense. She also made one or two passes to slip past defenders. Her ability to make clean challenges near the touchline helped the defense keep players in check as well as force the attack through the middle, where they are the strongest. Looking forward to seeing her progression throughout the season as well as in club competition in the spring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/2000424689487720716?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/2000424689487720716?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Player #5 - [player_tooltip player_id='262616' first='Aris' last='Yu'] - 2028 - Defender/Mid - #33 in CA, #12 in position, and #197 in the Nation</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["262616"],"_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-693fa8b60fbc4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Aris played mainly in the midfield position as a box-to-box player. I've previously covered her in club competition as well as last year's high school season in the left back position. I was pleasantly surprised to see her play comfortably in the central position. Her one- and two-touch combos gave her team opportunities to make runs on goal, but it seemed as if they were one to two players away from getting it past the Wildcats' defensive line. I liked how she made clean tackles on both ends of the field. Looking forward to covering them during league competition, as I believe they will find a way "to right the ship" and compete for a top 3 position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/2000428261927747914?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/2000428261927747914?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Team Highlights #1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1998628057243148471?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/1998628057243148471?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Team Highlights #2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1998642462060065248?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/1998642462060065248?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->