San Ramon Valley Captures the CIF NorCal Division II Title

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Wolves were red hot coming into the match, as they won 6 consecutive matches and a CIF-NCS Division I Championship.</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>When it comes to clutch performances, this team has all the makings of close contests usually decided by a one-goal differential. In the 20 matches prior to this final, the outstanding goalkeeping by [player_tooltip player_id='111231' first='Emma' last='Henzi'] should be recognized as simply epic. In the 20 previous matches, only 8 goals were conceded with 12 shutouts to boot. With a modest 42 goals in 20 matches, it was clear that the Wolves would rely on their top-level defense and hope that one goal would get them another title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wolves, ranked as the #7 seed in this tournament, were on the road for every match, earning the name “Road Wolves." They beat #2 Vista del Lago in a penalty shootout, then they went to Cardinal Newman and beat the #3 team by a close score of 1-0. Although they placed fourth in the East Bay League with a league record of 5-2-2, with two losses against Carondelet, another top-level team in California. The 15-3-2 overall record prior to this match would be tested against another top-rated California team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Warmups: San Ramon Valley</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/2030399364351615373?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/2030399364351615373?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Archbishop Mitty Monarchs were also a team locked in on winning another NorCal title. In recent years, Coach J.T. Henley's team has won multiple CCS and a few NorCal titles. The Monarchs came into this match with an overall record of 17-4-1 and a 2nd-place finish in the WCAL at 9-2-1. They got to this point by beating #5 Amador Valley in a penalty shootout and #8 Las Lomas by a score of 2-1. The stage was set for an action-packed showdown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Warmups: Archbishop Mitty</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/2030397765910765601?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/2030397765910765601?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the first half, SRV seemed to have had more opportunities for shots on goal, but the stellar play by goalkeeper [player_tooltip player_id='111231' first='Emma' last='Henzi'] kept a first-half shutout. On the opposite end, Monarch goalkeeper [player_tooltip player_id='199880' first='Layla' last='Tucakovic'] did the same and protected the net and ended the half with a 0-0 tie. The Wolves' attack was led by [player_tooltip player_id='19123' first='Ashley' last='Dodson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='336411' first='Morgan' last='Van Puffelen']. Both players made passing combos in the attacking third and almost got a few goals on the board.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Monarchs' offense was led by Lilly Jones and [player_tooltip player_id='111177' first='Zuri' last='Brandt']. Jones provided the high pressure up top and almost stole a ball or two, which would've made things interesting. Brandt fired shots from range, which pinged off the crossbar, and a few missed by the closest of margins. Zuri's corner kicks were spot-on, but neither of Mitty's attackers was able to get a clean shot off.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the second half, Mitty seemed to have turned up their attack, but it was the Wolves who scored in the last minutes of regulation to go one up. It was a great sequence of events as Dodson drove the ball into the attacking third before laying it off to [player_tooltip player_id='20037' first='Olivia' last='Wheatley'], who found Van Puffelen just outside of the left corner on the edge of the 18. Her quick control, touch, and perfectly placed shot dipped below the top-left corner post to barely get by a diving Tucaković.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This game was pretty much anyone's game to win, but the shot-stopping skills by Henzi proved to be one of the reasons the Wolves won this match as well as the many others. Emma also got one of the best saves, if not the best save I've seen this season. Brooklyn Collier had a great shot from outside the 18, which seemed to be dipping right below the top left corner, but at the last second, Henzi went up high to push it over the crossbar. That save was definitely worthy of an ESPN highlight and hands down play of the week. With the contributions of Van Puffelen and Henzi, they were rewarded as my players of the match. Wishing the Wolves success as they compete against the SoCal Champion in the inaugural CIF Division II Championship this Friday against Westlake.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Co-Players of the Match: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='336411' first='Morgan' last='Van Puffelen'] and [player_tooltip player_id='111231' first='Emma' last='Henzi']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/2030445183205322965?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/2030445183205322965?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Player Evaluations:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brooklyn Collier - </strong>2027 - Midfielder/Forward - Archbishop Mitty</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":"Brooklynn Collier","_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":"102","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Archbishop Mitty","_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-69afaf55574ef"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She can get past defenders with breakaway speed and make quick and precise connecting passes. I've previously seen her take and score from range, and she almost got the equalizer with an incredible shot that looked to just drop below the left corner crossbar, but the epic save by the Wolves goalkeeper denied Mitty a chance to go to overtime. Collier has some really good technical skills to hold possession and get by multiple defenders. Her 12 goals and 7 assists definitely contributed to the Monarchs' success this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brooklynn's Highlights:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/2031237941939589557?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/2031237941939589557?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lilly Jones - </strong>2028 - Forward - Archbishop Mitty</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":"Lilly Jones","_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":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Archbishop Mitty","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"[program_tooltip program_id='283244' first='Almaden' last='FC']","_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-69afaf5557598"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She provided the high pressure up top and almost stole a ball or two, which would've made things interesting. Lily is great at making diagonal runs and overlapping runs to the box. Whenever she's near or around the 18, teams must account for her, as she can fire off shots from range or slip past defenders. I really like her approach in the attacking third. Her powerful runs and intense display of toughness are some of her strengths as a forward. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing her compete at the club level and leading the offense next season for the Monarchs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lilly's Highlights:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.instagram.com/p/CyPyjpdrISZ/","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"instagram","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.instagram.com/p/CyPyjpdrISZ/ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='336411' first='Morgan' last='Van Puffelen'] - </strong>2029 - Forward - San Ramon Valley</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["336411"],"_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-69afaf55575ed"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The San Ramon Valley forward scored the only goal of the match in the final seven minutes of regulation. It was a great sequence of events as Dodson drove the ball into the attacking third, before laying it off to [player_tooltip player_id='20037' first='Olivia' last='Wheatley'], who found Van Puffelen just outside of the left corner on the edge of the 18.&nbsp; Her quick control, touch, and perfectly placed shot dipped below the top-left corner post to barely get by a diving Tucakovic. It was a perfectly placed shot which decided who will represent NorCal in the inaugural CIF Division II state championship. Her awesome play gave her co-player of the match honors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Morgan's Highlights:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/2030445183205322965?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/2030445183205322965?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='20047' first='Payton' last='Gambs'] - </strong>2027 - Defender - San Ramon Valley - Nevada commit</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["20047"],"_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-69afb32e6c990"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Nevada commit was rock solid on defense. She is part of the reason the Wolves have only conceded 8 goals in 21 matches. Her ability to cut-off runners trying to slip through attacking lanes are what separates her from the rest. Payton is really good at anticipating the angles of attack and she commands her defensive line and makes clear and concise calls to shutdown runs into the box. She has a powerful boot which can be a offensive weapon from any set position past the midfield. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Payton's Social Media Highlights:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.instagram.com/p/DRRAYN_kU3n/?hl=enu0026amp;img_index=1","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"instagram","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.instagram.com/p/DRRAYN_kU3n/?hl=enu0026amp;img_index=1 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->