Girls Division 1 CIF Norcal Playoffs Preview/Predictions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The next phase is set. 8 teams vying for one crown. Will Del Oro, Monte Vista, Saint Francis or Rocklin continue championship runs or will Bishop O'Dowd, Archbishop Mitty, Amador Valley, or Folsom avenge their recent playoff losses. Get your popcorn ready this is going to be an exciting week. New bracket, clean slate with 7 games to be played this week to decide who takes the biggest prize of the season home. Everything to play for all 8 of these teams. Here are some story lines, players and predictions for the this seasons tournament. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Starting with the #1 seed the Del Oro Eagles coming off a Sac-Joaquin section championship beating #7 seed Folsom in overtime. This team is built on defense. They haven't let a goal in their last 7 matches. Any great defense is built around a fantastic goalkeeper and Sophomore Rowan Wilson is just that. She has been phenomenal between the pipes this season and will need to continue that as she plays a high powered offense in Bishop O'Dowd. Senior Defender and Eastern Washington commit Ella Hyde has been immense this season at outside back. Columbia commit [player_tooltip player_id='19778' first='Leila' last='Hawkins'] is also one to keep an eye on as she has had a lot to do with this teams defensive success so far this season. Although balanced offensively Sacramento State commit Bailey Fuller is the mainstay offensively. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moving to the #2 seed Saint Francis who for me is this years favorite. They are coming off a CCS Championship beating #5 seed Archbishop Mitty in overtime. MVLA standout [player_tooltip player_id='199889' first='Tori' last='Williams'] has been immense this season. Bay Area Surf player and Utah commit senior [player_tooltip player_id='63471' first='Mimi' last='Yamamoto'] was sensational in the CCS championship. She looks to continue her fine form headed into Norcal playoffs. Freshmen sensation [player_tooltip player_id='187366' first='Kiyomi' last='Yoshimura'] is establishing herself as one of the best players in her class not just in California but the entire country. With a league and CCS title already acquired for this impressive Lancers team can they cap off this historic season with a treble? They will have their hands full in the first round with a very good Folsom team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#3 seed Rocklin high school gets bumped up to Division 1 after winning the Division 2 Sac-Joaquin championship. Junior Allyson Walker has had a good season so far. Freshmen [player_tooltip player_id='111170' first='Ella' last='Johnson'] has been superb for the Thunder this season with 7 goals and 6 assists. The San Juan product is an excellent finisher with very quick feet in and around the 18 yard box. Senior Elise Mullican has also been a standout for Rocklin this season with 5 goals and 7 assists. The Rocklin Thunder face a very difficult Amador Valley team in the first round of these Norcal playoffs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#4 Seed Monte Vista Mustangs won NCS in surprising fashion as a 10 seed. The senior leadership on this team is phenomenal. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='20223' first='Sophia' last='Carbone'], [player_tooltip player_id='54243' first='Avery' last='Standish'] and KK Michel are trying to pull off an unprecedented double. After missing out on the EBAL league and playoff crowns, winning NCS was a huge accomplishment. Can they keep this momentum going headed into Tuesday night at home against a loaded juggernaut Archbishop Mitty side? </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#5 Seed Archbishop Mitty head into Norcal with a big chip on their shoulder after losing to 2 seed Saint Francis in extra-time this past Friday in the CCS Championship game. They face the Monte Vista Mustangs in what I believe will be the most competitive game in the first round of these playoffs. There are stars on both sides. Senior and USC commit [player_tooltip player_id='19981' first='Murphy' last='Walsh'] leads the line for Mitty. Recently released PrepSoccer rankings has freshmen [player_tooltip player_id='111097' first='Chloe' last='Miller'] as the #1 ranked player in the country. Freshmen goalie [player_tooltip player_id='199882' first='Vivian' last='Baker'] is a star in the making. Can they avenge their CCS Championship defeat by winning Norcal? </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#6 seed Amador Valley looked like they were the team of destiny in this seasons NCS section tournament. They finished 3rd in EBAL won EBAL playoffs and had all the momentum headed into the final against Monte Vista. Ultimately losing 1-0 in double overtime. If they can shake off that defeat and regain some of that confidence this team has all the ability to make a run at this. They play hard and together with a physical brand of soccer. Defensively they are very strong as their back four have great chemistry. Winger [player_tooltip player_id='227856' first='Addison' last='Stout'] is one to keep an eye on as her creativity and fancy footwork are very fun to watch. I think Amador get the upset win in their first round matchup against Rocklin. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#7 seed Folsom lead by senior Kiana Arbis have a very tall task in their first round matchup against the team with the most momentum Saint Francis. Coming off a tough Sac-Joaquin championship loss to #1 seed Del Oro this team will need to rebound quickly. They have already played their first round opponents twice this season earning two draws which is encouraging and should provide them with confidence headed into Tuesday night. It is a long way to travel and after such a taxing Championship loss I think they get bounced early. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#8 Seed Bishop O'Dowd snuck into this seasons Norcal playoffs as the highest seed in the semi-final of division 1 playoffs. They had a heartbreaking defeat to #4 seed Monte Vista in the NCS Semi-Final after being up 2-0 early in the first half. An intriguing matchup of elite offense vs elite defense in their first round game against Del Oro. Lead by Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='289538' first='Chloe' last='Keating'] and [player_tooltip player_id='111260' first='Abby' last='Forsgren'] this young Dragon's team has everything to play for and the most rest of any team headed into Tuesday night. Can they use that to their advantage and make a surprising run to a Norcal Championship. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Predictions</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>First Round </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#1 Del Oro 0-1 #8 Bishop O'Dowd </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#2 Saint Francis 3-0 #7 Folsom</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#3 Rocklin 0-3 #6 Amador Valley </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#4 Monte Vista 1-2 #5 Archbishop Mitty </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Semi-Final </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#5 Archbishop Mitty 3-1 #8 Bishop O'Dowd </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#2 Saint Francis 2-0 #6 Amador Valley </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Championship </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#2 Saint Francis 1-2 #5 Archbishop Mitty </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Archbishop Mitty avenges their CCS Final loss to the Lancers and win Norcal. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->