By Jon Chown
The Aptos High School boys and girls soccer teams made school history this season, with both winning the first Central Coast Section soccer championship in the school’s history and moving on to the CIF Northern California Regionals where both teams were eventually eliminated in tight matches.
Their CCS championship games were both played at Del Mar High School on Feb. 28.
The girls, the top seed in Division III, defeated No. 2 seed The King’s Academy 1-0 in the first of the two championship matches.
The Mariners controlled the ball and kept the pressure on their opponent nearly the entire match, but couldn’t get past the opposing goalie until, with about 15 minutes remaining, Isabella Hartnett was able to penetrate the defense and pass the ball to Alexa Castaneda, who then scored.
The Aptos High girls soccer team celebrate their victory in the CCS championship game after the final whistle.
After the game, Hartnett said The King’s Academy was really good, especially the goalie, but her coach’s game plan was better. “We had a PowerPoint. We watched their film and got details on them and were able to find their weak spots.”
Aptos coach Gina Castaneda said it was a great effort by her team, which created a number of opportunities. The score could easily have been 3-0.
“We knew coming in that we were going to have to drag her (the goalie) out of position to get a ball in and that’s exactly what happened,” said coach Gina Castaneda after the game. “She is very, very good. I don’t know how many saves she made, but she made a ton.”
It was the 13th victory in a row for the Mariners, who finished the season 17-5-1. The win advanced them to the Northern California Division III regional playoffs in Santa Rosa where they lost to the No. 4-seeded Sonoma Academy 2-0 on its home field.
It was an amazing season for the girls, who won their third straight Santa Cruz Coastal Athletic League title, finishing unbeaten in league play for the third straight season before winning the CCS title. Castaneda said she was extremely proud of the girls and really appreciated all of their hard work this season. “They made history,” she said.
Coach Castaneda was also honored individually during the season, being awarded the Kim Crabbe Game Changers Award at the U.S. Soccer Annual Meeting held in Atlanta on Feb. 22. She was recognized for her commitment to providing soccer to underserved communities. Castaneda founded the Aztecs Youth Soccer Academy in 2008, which specifically serves Latino juvenile probation populations.
Boys Finish 17-3-3
The boys team, the No. 2 seed in the CCS Division IV playoffs, came from behind to defeat Carlmont High 2-1 to win its first CCS championship.
Aptos High’s Haziel Parra battles for control of the ball.
Aptos started slow, as Carlmont controlled the ball and the match early and went up 1-0 just five minutes into the match. The early deficit seemed to wake the Mariners up.
Once trailing, the Mariners took control of the game. They responded quickly with a goal in the 13th minute when Zavala chased down a long pass from teammate Julian Torres that landed between his defender and the goalie. Zavala raced past his defender and kicked the ball past the goalie, just as he was reaching for it, to tie the game at 1-1.
Aptos stayed in control of the ball much of the remainder of the match until Haziel Parra scored the game-winner with about 10 minutes left in the second half.
“We got it done: CCS champions and first-ever in the history of the Aptos High boys soccer program. I’m very proud of this team,” said coach Roberto Zuniga.
Siqueiros’ Hat Trick Leads Aptos to 6-1 Victory
After winning CCS, the Mariners advanced to the Northern California Division IV regional playoffs held at Aptos High School. The first round, played March 3, matched the Mariners with East Union High of Manteca, and Josiah Siqueiros scored three goals to lead the Mariners in a 6-1 victory.
“We showed we were the better team tonight. (My) first hat trick of the season, and in a state game — and we’re not done yet,” Siqueiros said after the game.
Aptos High’s Nicolás Topete (16) dribbles past a North Salinas High School defender in the first half of the Feb. 22 match at Aptos High School.
It was a close, hard-fought match through most of the game until the Mariners broke it open late. The first score came in the eighth minute when Haziel Parra drove past two defenders and the third tripped him inside the box. Siqueiros then took the penalty kick and drove it into the upper right corner for his first goal. East Union would tie the game 10 minutes later and the two teams went into halftime tied 1-1.
“In the beginning it was a little tough,” said Ivan Zavala, who got two assists in the second half. “We didn’t have our rhythm. Once the second half started we started connecting more. We found our rhythm and it worked.”
Coach Roberto Zuniga said he felt the team had gotten complacent after the early goal and during halftime urged them to press the action more.
The Mariners took a 2-1 lead on a spectacular play by Parra. Dribbling down the right side, he dodged and dribbled through three defenders, then made a perfect crossing pass to Nicolas Topete, who blasted the ball into the net 14 minutes into the second half.
“The way he broke through the line, it was impressive,” said his coach.
East Union responded by taking control of the ball and pressing on offense. A minute after Aptos scored, the Lancers had a direct kick due to a penalty, but goalie Julian Almand made a nice save. Then, at the 20-minute mark, Almand made the save of the game. A breakaway by the Lancers led to a shot on goal that rocketed toward the top of the goal, but Almand leaped and stretched his right arm out to knock the ball over the top of the bar and keep his team in the lead.
“That was incredible,” said Zuniga after the game. “Julian has put in a lot of hard work and has really improved this season. He was terrific out there.”
Iván Zavala on a breakaway against East Union High on March 3.
Instead of 2-2, with 18 minutes left in the match it became 3-1 when the Mariners’ River Cook scored with Zavala’s assist. Ninety seconds later Zavala got his second assist with a deep pass to Siqueiros over the heads of two defenders. Siqueiros was then able to get past the last defender and score his second goal of the match to make it 4-1.
It took only five more minutes for Siqueiros to score again. This time he broke through the defense and was basicallyjust tackled by the goalie. He put the ensuing penalty kick into the back of the net.
The final goal came off the foot of Jose Ulloa with eight minutes left in regulation. He was assisted by David Sebastian Kilpatrick. “We were able to shift the momentum and capitalize on our chances throughout the second half,” said Kilpatrick.
Boys Fall in Overtime Shootout
The 6-1 victory advanced Aptos into the regional semifinal against top-seeded Liberty Ranch High School from Galt on March 5. Aptos started slow, fell behind 2-0 before rallying to tie the game, only to eventually lose in an overtime penalty kick shootout.
Down 1-0 at half, and then 2-0 early in the second half, the Mariners battled back. After a string of passes led to a shot at goal that ricocheted off the crossbar, Ivan Zavala collected the bounce, did a half-volley turn, and placed it in the back of the net to make it 1-2 at minute 65.
Goalie Julian Almand makes a spectacular save against East Union on March 3.
Then, with just two minutes left in regulation, Parra dribbled through three defenders before he was taken down by another and drew a penalty kick, which Siqueiros converted to tie it at 2-2.
The battle continued, and the offense was on the attack, and Haziel Parra dribbled through one, two, and three defenders into the 18-yard box, at which time he was downed by an opponent, causing a PK to be called in Aptos’ favor with two minutes left in the game.
After regulation ended, Liberty Ranch took advantage of its chances and after five kicks the game ended in its favor; the Mariners’ great season was over.
“It has been a great history-making season. This team is special and through all odds has risen to the occasion. Becoming CCS champions was a huge achievement for this team. Moving onto CIF NorCal championship matches and making it to the semifinals has been a great experience for the boys and coaching staff. We will forever cherish these players and the memories they have provided for us throughout this remarkable journey,” said coach Roberto Zuniga.
“I would like to say it was an absolute honor to captain this team of brothers. … Although I wished it wasn’t over, I am still very proud of my boys for making school history,” said team captain Daniel Lozano.
•••
All PVUSD Soccer Programs Shined this Season
It was a terrific season for soccer across the Pajaro Valley Unified School District, with multiple programs advancing into the postseason tournaments and Watsonville High School boys playing for the CIF Division III State Championship on March 14, a day after this publication was sent to print.
Between Watsonville High and Aptos High, it was a historic PVUSD sweep of CCS championships. The Watsonville High boys’ soccer team claimed the CCS Division II championship, adding another title to a storied program that has now won 12 section championships — 10 under longtime head coach Roland Hedgpeth.
The Watsonville High girls’ team also had a banner season, winning the CCS Division V title for the first time in program history. The Wildcatz secured the championship with a 3‑2 victory over The Nueva School in the CCS final and carried that momentum into the CIF Northern California Division V playoffs. Watsonville opened regional play with a commanding 6‑0 win against McLane High School on March 3. The team’s postseason run concluded with a 2‑2 tie against Ripon Christian High School on March 5.
“This is more than just four championship teams,” said Dr. Heather Contreras. “It’s a reflection of years of hard work, resilience, teamwork, and community support across both of our schools.”
Pajaro Valley High School also saw success in postseason play. The Grizzlies’ girls team advanced to the CCS playoffs and earned a spot in the Northern California regional tournament, though they were eliminated in the opening round. The Pajaro Valley boys squad qualified for CCS postseason play and also reached the regional tournament, where their season ended in the first round.
TOP PHOTO (Clockwise from top left) — Aptos High’s Josiah Siquieros controls a pass in the middle of the Carlmont High defense. • Aptos High sophomore Emilie Santiago (2) dribbles through Gilroy High School defenders Katherine Montero Carillo (7) and Roslyn Hernandez (23). • Scarlett Stateler and Alexa Castaneda (9) hug as teammate Isabella Hartnett runs in to join them after Castaneda scored the game’s only goal against The King’s Academy at Del Mar High School in San Jose. • Aptos High’s Ivan Zavala (7) strikes a free kick around a North Salinas High wall.