Monte Vista Win Division 1 NCS in Double Overtime

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Monte Vista Mustangs are the 2025 Division 1 NCS Champions. I would like to send my congratulations to their players and coaching staff on an improbable run to this years Championship. They finished 4th in EBAL and lost in the 2nd round of EBAL playoffs to Carondelet which earned them the #10 seed in this years tournament. All signs pointed to an early exit and their season coming to a disappointing end. However, that's why we play the games ladies and gentlemen! This team has been scratching and clawing for results since early January. As most championship games are it was a very nervy affair. Both teams struggled to string passes together. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Monte Vista although they were the lower seed was able to host this game and the home crowd definitely provided them energy. Particularly in overtime as the Mustangs dominated in the final parts of the game. [player_tooltip player_id='20223' first='Sophia' last='Carbone'] again was the star player that dragged Monte Vista over the line. Scoring the golden goal in double overtime that won them the NCS championship and was a constant problem for the Dons. The midfield play from the Mustangs was top notch as senior captain KK Michel leading the way and putting in a top notch shift on both ends of the field. Distributing the ball really well and putting her body on the line defensively. Partnered in midfield with Michel was [player_tooltip player_id='54243' first='Avery' last='Standish'] a UCSB commit who had an outstanding game. Michel and Standish have a fantastic understanding of each other's game. Both are exceptional ball winners and can break lines on the dribble or with a pass. They get the balls into the channels and feed off of Carbone's hold up play. Julia Robinson also put in a great shift at right back for the Mustangs. She locked down her side and also had incredible service with her free kicks and corners. She provided the assist off a corner to Carbone for the match winning goal in double overtime.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Amador had a ton of success going down their right side Monte Vista's left. Right back [player_tooltip player_id='19627' first='Kaia' last='Hoyman'] and right winger [player_tooltip player_id='227856' first='Addison' last='Stout'] both had fantastic games for the Amador Valley Dons. Hoyman was incredibly strong and brave defensively. Offensively she was dynamic and dangerous. Stout wowed with her great footwork, direct dribbling and vision. Center Back [player_tooltip player_id='19701' first='Keira' last='Barker'] also had a fantastic championship game, playing against [player_tooltip player_id='20223' first='Sophia' last='Carbone'] is no easy task and they battled each other all 100 minutes. All three players although in a losing effort should be very happy and proud of the way they played. If they want to keep playing they will need them to be firing on all cylinders on Tuesday night. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>EBAL now has three teams who have won something this season. Carondelet won the regular season crown, Amador Valley won the EBAL playoff championship, and Monte Vista has now won NCS. Establishing this league as the best league in Northern California. Next up for Monte Vista and Amador will be Norcal playoffs. Can EBAL's representatives who are the #4 and #6 seeds respectively win Norcal and move on to state? Good luck to them both as they pursue another championship. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->