APTOS—It’s typically difficult to identify an MVP-type caliber soccer player when they primarily play in the defensive backfield and it’s the attackers producing all of the highlight reels with the goals and assists.
Aptos High senior defensive midfielder Summer Jacob recorded just one goal and was credited with one assist the whole season, yet her presence and toughness in the middle third of the pitch is what coaches would dream of having any day of the week.
It was one of the main reasons the Mariners standout player was named the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League co-Player of the Year this season by the coaches within the league.
“I felt super honored, it means a lot to me because of the hard work I put in,” she said. “I played with so many amazing soccer players and I just know I wouldn’t have been able to get where I am today without all my teammates and coaches. I’m just really honored to represent our team, too.”
Jacob shared the award with Santa Cruz High sophomore Jocelyn Travers.
Aptos coach Gina Castañeda said Jacob deserves to be the league’s top player because of the way she plays the No. 6 position–defensive midfielder–which the longtime skipper believes is one of the most difficult positions for athletes to play.
Not only does Jacob have to protect the defensive line, but she’s also the key player that transitions the ball from the defensive line to the middle and into the attacking third of the field.
She helped lead the Mariners to an SCCAL title with a 9-1-0 record in league play and clinched top seed in the Central Coast Section Division II playoffs this season.
“She had a huge role and for the past two years has done an excellent job,” Castañeda said. “She is a wall in the air. She gets to every ball with her head, people could not get the ball over her.”
Castañeda mentioned how Jacob’s work ethic is beyond amazing. If there was a chance for her to put 11 players on the pitch who play with the dedication and love for the game as Jacob does, Castañeda would.
Jacobs’s soccer IQ is off the charts and her leadership skills along with her attitude toward her teammates is unlike any other that Castañeda has seen.
“She just raises the bar to all of the players that are around her,” Castañeda said. “Not to mention that she’s just this gentle kind soul to everybody.”
Jacob said she always wants to work hard to win back the ball and be there to support her teammates if they lose it. One of the things she loves about soccer is that it’s a team sport and she feels close to her companions.
“I always want to be there for them and it’s like my second family,” Jacob said. “I think that passion is what makes me want to work so hard when I play.”
Jacob said the award really did come to her as a surprise, especially because she knows there’s a lot of good talent in the area.
The recognition from the coaches within the league gives her a lot of pride and makes her happy that they appreciated the hard work she put in.
“I feel really supported by everyone and soccer has been such a huge part of my life and it’s made me who I am,” she said. To be able to get that award was just really meaningful to me.
All-SCCAL Girls Soccer
Individual Awards
Players of the Year: Summer Jacob (Sr.), Aptos; Jocelyn Travers (So.), Santa Cruz
Most Outstanding Attacker: Naiya Saimos (Sr.), Scotts Valley
Most Outstanding Midfielder: Lily Montesinos (Sr.), Soquel
Goalkeeper of the Year: Ruby Holmes (Jr.), Santa Cruz
Coach of the Year: Taylor Raymond (second season), Scotts Valley
First team
Kaitlyn Murphy (Jr.), Aptos
Alexa Castañeda (Fr.), Aptos
Ella Shoemaker (Jr.), Aptos
Hannah LoFranco (Sr.), Harbor
Gianna Schwarzbach (Sr.), San Lorenzo Valley
Clara Willet (Jr.), Santa Cruz
Zaina Alahaina (Sr.), Santa Cruz
Alex Teves (Sr.), Scotts Valley
Ella Ireland (Fr.), Scotts Valley
Julia Inkles (Jr.), Soquel
Haily Betterman (Fr.), Soquel
Second team
Angelique Nunez (Jr.), Aptos
Catalina Ontiveros (Sr.), Aptos
Gwen Chapman (Sr.), Aptos
Sonja Hulpers (Jr.), Harbor
Simone Mugnier (Fr.), San Lorenzo Valley
Clare Byram (Sr.), Santa Cruz
Maya Kingsley (Jr.), Santa Cruz
Lia Lock (So.), Scotts Valley
Ashley Haver (So.), Scotts Valley
Yaren Yanez (Sr.), Soquel
Chloe McGilvray (So.), Soquel
Honorable Mention
Madison Redding (Fr.), Aptos
Peyton Westjohn (Jr.), Aptos
Alessandra Zuniga (Jr.), Aptos
Lia Gulorte (Fr.), Santa Cruz
Sienna Parker (Jr.), Santa Cruz
Lucinda Steiner (Jr.), Santa Cruz
Paige Bariteau (Jr.), Scotts Valley
Annie Gowing (Jr.), Scotts Valley
Dillon Fiorita (So.), Scotts Valley
Alexis Sierra (So.), Soquel
Victoria Weiss (Jr.), Soquel
Sadie Strout (Sr.), Soquel
Zoe Soenen (Jr.), Harbor
Becca Vaca (So.), Harbor
Anika Dawson (Jr.), Harbor
Joci Carkner (Jr.), SLV
Naomi Sifton (Jr.), SLV
Leila Nite (Jr.), SLV
