It has boiled down to a three-team race for girls soccer in the
six-team Tri-County Athletic League.
It has boiled down to a three-team race for girls soccer in the six-team Tri-County Athletic League.
“It seems to be shaping up that way,” said Notre Dame coach Niel Smit.
Yes, it does. Tied at the top are Hollister High and Live Oak, each with a 3-0-1 record. Breathing down their respective necks are Smit’s Spirits at 3-1-0. For the Balers (10-3-2), much will be determined within the next four days. Hollister hosts Notre Dame this Saturday at 10 a.m. at Andy Hardin Stadium. Then the Acorns arrive for a battle royale on Tuesday at 5 p.m. in a game played under the lights.
Hollister and Live Oak tied 2-2 in their previous meeting. The Acorns beat the Spirits last Wednesday 3-1.
The Balers can’t overlook a talented Spirits team, which has most of their players back from last season.
“Our girls are excited about it,” said Baler head coach Michael Schurig. “Notre Dame is a solid soccer club and they’re out to hold their position, if not gain ground.”
Last year, Schurig traveled to Salinas with an even younger team and the Balers were taken aback by the physical play of the Spirits and had to battle from behind most of the match.
“They were the most physical team we had played up until that point,” said Schurig. “We were on our heels in that first half. This year, we won’t be surprised.”
Schurig feels that his defense was stronger a year ago, mainly because it had an established goalkeeper in Jillian Williams and a healthy Amy Baxter. Baxter’s rehabilitation from knee surgery has progressed rapidly and she may be back by the time the Balers play the Spirits in Salinas on Feb. 12. A big maybe.
“Our defense is playing fairly solid right now,” said Schurig. “We’re much stronger in the center-midfield with Kory Case and Chantelle Guajardo. And outside mids Julie Broyer and Michelle Sanchez are improved. The difference for us is that our offense is much better than last season. Jennifer Vandenberg and Jenny Maheu are playing so well together this season. That wasn’t the case last year.”
Schurig hasn’t made a decision yet as to who will be in the box – Chanin-Rae Maka or Mary VonUrff.
“Chanin has improved tremendously, but Mary has a natural physical advantage over Chanin,” said Schurig. “Mary’s height is a bonus. She can touch the top of the post.”
The Balers had better have their ‘A’ game ready if they want to pull out a win on Saturday. The Spirits (8-4) have some tremendous athletes, starting with midfielder Michelle Dupree, one of the best athletes in the Central Coast Section.
“Michelle is a terrific athlete,” said Smit. “She could play Division I soccer somewhere, but it’s not a priority for her. She could play any position and I move her around as I see fit. She’s fun to watch.”
Melissa Smit, Niel’s daughter, will be a feisty force in the middle, as well.
“She has a nose for the ball,” said Niel. “She’s a good distributor of the ball, too.”
And the Baler defense had best be ready for the speedy Lysette Garay, a striker who can create serious havoc. And the Spirits have even more speed on defense in sweeper Lindsay Schutzler, who Baler fans know as an outstanding softball player with lightning speed from home to first. Schutzler will attend Tennessee on a softball scholarship next year.
“I expect Lindsay to keep on eye on Maheu and Vandenberg,” said Niel. “Those two girls are terrific players and we’re well aware of them. That should be great to watch, also.”
In goal for the Spirits is sophomore Jazmine Ohmann.
“I’m happy with her progress,” said Smit of Ohmann. “She’s been a quick study.”
Niel Smit, in general, is looking for competitive match on Saturday.
“This is the way we like it,” said Smit. “We want good matches, not blowouts. Michael has done a great job with that team and you can tell Hollister is playing much better as a team this year than last year.”
