By Chloe McGillvray
I’ve been a captain on the Soquel High Girls Soccer team for the past three years. Previously it was often hard to connect the team as a group, but this year felt like a fresh start. From the very beginning, every player showed effort, commitment, and kindness.
Coach Jose has always said this team had the potential to go far, but this was the first year I truly felt it.
We started preseason with strong wins — 9-0 and 6-0–boosting our confidence and giving everyone plenty of playing time.
With that momentum, we entered the regular season with just two losses.
The season had its ups and downs. Our third game was against the defending league champions, Aptos.
This match was a wake-up call — it was our first real loss, and it tested us mentally. Afterward, coaches Jose and Miguel reminded us to stay positive, and that mindset shift became key for us.
One of the most memorable moments on this team was our senior night. With our 11 seniors, we were able to field a full starting lineup of seniors. Though we lost, it was clear how hard everyone fought. The best part wasn’t the game—it was the ceremony afterward.
The rain forced us to move the celebration indoors, but it made the evening even more special. Every senior felt incredibly appreciated. This group of seniors was unique. Many of them had played together for 10 years with coach Jose. That night felt like a full-circle moment for all of us, and it couldn’t have been done without all the support of our families and friends.
As the season was ending, we knew making CCS would come down to the last game. The pressure hit us. The season could’ve ended there. However, after our first game that week, we were placed second in the league and guaranteed a spot in CCS. This was exciting, but after last year’s loss in the first round of CCS, we knew we might struggle, especially since we were in a higher division this year.
But we were wrong. We entered the postseason positively. The first playoff game came with its own challenges. Our leading goal scorer, Isis Tumason, suffered a serious knee injury and was out for the rest of the season.
This loss was a huge, but it also fueled the rest of the team to step up. That game marked the moment when we truly clicked as a team.
Isis was recognized with the Offensive Player of the Year award, while I had the honor of receiving Defensive Player of the Year. Although we finished second in the league, we were proud to have some of the best players on the team.
Our determination carried us all the way to the semifinals, where we played what I consider our best game of the season. The support from our parents was amazing, the stands were packed with Soquel fans. The energy from our supporters truly made a difference.
When we won, it was a historic moment for the team. The excitement was overwhelming.
One unforgettable moment came after our first CCS win. Haily Betterman said to me: “When do I tell Jose I can’t make it to the finals because of the ID camp?”
I suggested she wait, but if we made it, I told her she couldn’t miss the final. After contemplating, she ultimately chose to skip the camp.
In the final, Haily was incredible — she helped shut down the opposing team for 80 minutes and overtime then saved two penalty shots as goalie, including the one that won us the game.
Without her sacrifice, we might not have made history.
For the first round of NorCal, we were rewarded with a home game. The stands were packed with students.
I had never seen so many people at a soccer game.
We won 4-1, securing another home semifinal. This game was against a team that was supposed to be in Division 2 but got moved down. We were worried but knew it was all mental, like Jose would always say.
We fought hard and created opportunities. Unfortunately, that night marked the emotional end of Soquel’s best season ever and the careers of all 11 seniors.
This season was all about heart, sacrifice, and belief in one another. We made Soquel history.
From start to finish, there was so much growth, and I’m happy to have been a part of it. It was a season to remember for everyone.
•••
Editor’s note: Jose Sierra, the girls’ varsity soccer coach at Soquel High School, writes: “I want to congratulate the Lady Knights for winning the school’s first ever CCS Championship. From day one we talked playing an extra game after the regular season. The girls committed themselves to train hard, unite as a team, and always stay focused. This team persevered, we faced difficulties and opposition, but they showed determination and were rewarded with a CCS championship. I’m extremely proud of this group of young ladies, they will always remember this for their rest of their lives. It’s truly humbling to be a part of this team’s accomplishment.”
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Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League Girls Soccer All-League
Special Awards
Player-of-the-Year
Anahi Macias (12) – Aptos – M
Offensive Player-of-the-Year
Isis Gonzalez (11) – Soquel – F
Defensive Player-of-the-Year
Chloe McGilvray (12) – Soquel – D
Goalkeeper-of-the-Year
Ari Flores (10) – Santa Cruz – GK
Coach-of-the-Year
Kim Lyons – SLV
First Team
Isabella Hartnett (10) – Aptos – F
Izzie Schenone (11) – Aptos – D
Alexa Castaneda (11) – Aptos – M
Athena Forbus (10) – Harbor – GK
Lia Gularte (11) – Santa Cruz – M/F
Tamar Deutsch (11) – Santa Cruz – D
Isabella Moriarty (11) – SV – F
Lia Lock (12) – SV – M
Ashlyn Brady (12) – Soquel – D
Trinity Wilson (12) – Soquel – M
Jessica Stoelting (12) – SLV – F
Second Team
Scarlett Stateler (10) – Aptos – F
Izzy Graf (12) – Aptos – D
Emilie Santiago (9) – Aptos – M
Ximena Madrigal (10) – Harbor – D
Hayden Kriege (11) – Santa Cruz – D
Savannah Henry (10) – Santa Cruz – M
Mercedes Lopez (11) – SV – D
Taylor Ericson (10) – SV – F
Arden Sallas (12) – Soquel – M
Haily Betterman (11) – Soquel – D
Naomi Sifton (12) – SLV – M
Honorable Mention
Maddie Redding (11) – Aptos – D
Gigi Zuniga (9) – Aptos – F
Evelyn Pini (11) – Aptos – GK
Ava Bibighaus (12) – Harbor – F
Chloe Simon (12) – Harbor – M
Becca Vaca (12) – Harbor – D
Maeve Golliher (12) – Santa Cruz – D
Elena McCamey (12) – Santa Cruz – M
Bella Talbot (10) – Santa Cruz – D
Jazzy Phillips (11) – SV – GK
Jordan Ericson (12) – SV – M
Dillon Fiorita (12) – SV – M
Isela Gonzalez (12) – Soquel – F
Chloe Izenstark (12) – Soquel – M
Milana Flores (10) – Soquel – D
Samantha Lyons (10) – SLV – D
Natalia Rocha (10) – SLV – M
Simone Mugnier (11) – SLV – D
