In one of its better seasons in recent years, finishing
runner-up in the Tri-County Athletic League with a 10-1-1 record,
the San Benito girls’ soccer team was awarded generously when the
TCAL recently announced its all-league awards as it received 11
distinctions, including four first-team selections, four
second-team selections, MVP honors at midfield and defense, as well
as the top honor for the sophomore class.
HOLLISTER
In one of its better seasons in recent years, finishing runner-up in the Tri-County Athletic League with a 10-1-1 record, the San Benito girls’ soccer team was awarded generously when the TCAL recently announced its all-league awards as it received 11 distinctions, including four first-team selections, four second-team selections, MVP honors at midfield and defense, as well as the top honor for the sophomore class.
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Defense was very much the name of San Benito’s game this past season, and the awards reflected as much.
With a total of nine MVP awards handed out — including the overall Most Valuable Player of the TCAL, which was awarded to Gilroy’s Taylor Slattery — San Benito corralled three of the league’s highest distinctions when Hannah Cobb was named Midfield MVP, Nicole Yost garnered Defensive MVP, and second-year player Victoria Perez, also a defender for the Balers this season, collected the award for Sophomore MVP.
San Benito allowed all of 10 goals through 21 games this season, shutting out 14 out its opponents, including its first seven games to start the season, as well as seven games through league play.
Meanwhile, both Cobb and Yost were named to the 18-member first team as well, joining teammates in senior midfielder Sara Yamasaki and senior forward Daniela Ocampo.
On the offensive end, Yamasaki and Cobb were second and third in scoring for the Balers this past season, respectively, with Yamasaki depositing 10 goals and Cobb adding seven.
Karly Leon, who received a second-team selection this year, led San Benito offensively with a team-high 14 goals this past winter. She was joined on the second team by junior keeper Anissa Stanton, senior defender Marissa Adame and junior forward Kelly Gottron.
Sophomore keeper Marissa Espino and freshman forward Kristen Callanta were given honorable mention in the TCAL this year, while Cobb was named to the Pursuing Victory with Honor team.
Five-time defending league champion Gilroy garnered the most all-league distinctions with 13, including five first-team and five second-team nods.
The Mustangs, who went 11-0-1 this year and staved off a late push by the Balers for the TCAL crown, were also awarded the MVP in Slattery, Offensive MVP in Cynthia Sanchez, Senior MVP in Indra Garcia and Co-Goalkeeper MVP in Sarina Sandoval, who shared the award with Carmen Cortez of Everett Alvarez.
Slattery, Sanchez and Garcia combined for 45 goals this year for Gilroy, with Slattery leading the league with 20 goals scored.
Meanwhile, Salinas’ Tessa Lee was named Junior MVP, and Andrea Perez from Everett Alvarez was selected as Freshman MVP.
Although the Balers have finished in second place four times in the last five years, this year’s squad displayed an impressive defensive showing throughout the season.
Finishing with a 14-2-5 overall record, San Benito shutout 14 of its opponents, allowed one goal to five other opponents, and gave up either two or three goals to just two other opponents.
The lockdown approach yielded to San Benito receiving its second straight appearance in the Central Coast Section Division I Championships, but the Balers were unable to further continue their season when they dropped a 1-0 match to Santa Teresa in overtime.
Tri-County Athletic League
MVP — Taylor Slattery, Gilroy
Offensive MVP — Cynthia Sanchez, Gilroy
Defensive MVP — Nicole Yost, San Benito
Midfield MVP — Hannah Cobb, San Benito
Co-Goalkeeper — Sarina Sandoval, Gilroy
Co-Goalkeeper — Carmen Cortez, Everett Alvarez
Senior MVP — Indra Garcia, Gilroy
Junior MVP — Tessa Lee, Salinas
Sophomore MVP — Victoria Perez, San Benito
Freshman MVP — Andrea Perez, Everett Alvarez
First Team — All-League
Indra Garcia, Gilroy; Erin Slattery, Gilroy; Monique Barragan, Gilroy; Cynthia Sanchez, Gilroy; Taylor Slattery, Gilroy; Hannah Cobb, San Benito; Sara Yamasaki, San Benito; Nicole Yost, San Benito; Daniela Ocampo, San Benito; Tessa Lee, Salinas; Raquel Daniel, Salinas; Amara Clayton, Salinas; Gina Shearn, Everett Alvarez; Carmen Cortez, Everett Alvarez; Arantxa Figueroa, Alisal; Yanely Ramirez, Alisal; Liz Zamora, North Salinas; Samantha Winslow, Notre Dame.
Second Team — All-League
Alexandria Maldonado, Gilroy; Breanna Rose, Gilroy; Margarita Trigo-Rocha, Gilroy; Connie Contreras, Gilroy; Monica Marrazzo, Gilroy; Karly Leon, San Benito; Anissa Stanton, San Benito; Kelly Gottron, San Benito; Marissa Adame, San Benito; Katie Chin, Salinas; Megan Pettley, Salinas; Arielle Rivera, Salinas; Andrea Perez, Everett Alvarez; Jackie Shearn, Everett Alvarez; Andrea Ramirez, Alisal; Stephanie Gonzalez, Alisal; Maritza Nava, North Salinas; Alexandra Lathos, Notre Dame.
Pursuing Victory with Honor Team
Katelyn Nebesnick, Gilroy; Hannah Cobb, San Benito; Arielle Rivera, Salinas; Jackie Tarsitano, Notre Dame; Sulema Ruelas, North Salinas; Jackie Shearn, Everett Alvarez; Adela Hernandez, Alisal.
Honorable Mention
Savannah Silacci, Gilroy; Sarina Sandoval, Gilroy; Kristen Callanta, San Benito; Marissa Espino, San Benito; Ann Graziano, Notre Dame; Adela Hernandez, Alisal; Mayra Mata, Alisal; Andrea Araujo, Alisal; Daniela Armenta, Alisal; Guadalupe Paredes, Alisal; Celina Medina, Notre Dame; Lexie Flores, Notre Dame; Klare Nichols, Notre Dame; Daisy Valladares, Notre Dame; Marianna Burns, Notre Dame; Ashlin Gomez, Notre Dame; Evalin Lopez, North Salinas; Vanessa Caro, North Salinas; Jessica Barrera, North Salinas; Karla Santoya, North Salinas; Andrea Romero, North Salinas; Hannah Green, North Salinas; Salinas Romero, North Salinas; Kaylee Lundquist, North Salinas; Daniela Marquez, North Salinas; Victoria Alcala, Everett Alvarez; Victoria Barrera, Everett Alvarez; Karina Alvarez, Everett Alvarez; Monica G. Marquez, Alisal; Mariana Salazar, Alisal; Graciela Belmontes, Alisal; Angelique Salinas, Alisal; Jasmin Guido, Alisal; Jaquy Alcala, Alisal.
