The Aptos High girls’ soccer team in 2023-24 had one of its most inspirational seasons in the program’s history.
Mariners superstar Alexa Castañeda wanted to make her case throughout the campaign as one of the league’s top players.
Meanwhile her mom and head coach, Gina Castañeda, wasn’t even sure if she was returning at the helm following a life-changing surgery procedure.
The mother and daughter duo were awarded the highest honors at the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League’s end-of-the-year meeting for their efforts both on and off the pitch.
“It’s special because I feel like she really deserved it and we both worked really hard for the award,” Alexa Castañeda said. “We don’t know if we’ll get it again next year, so it’s really special to us.”
Alexa was named Player of the Year after the standout sophomore finished with a team-best 11 assists and was second in scoring with 10 goals, according to stats on the Monterey Bay Preps website.
Gina helped lead the Mariners to a 15-3-3 overall record and back-to-back SCCAL crowns, earning her Coach of the Year honors.
“Don’t get me wrong, I’m humbled by it and I appreciate it,” Gina Castañeda said. “But for a lot of these girls this is their last year, as a senior. I’d rather acknowledge one more high schooler for their contributions, maybe not just this year, but all for years.”
Aptos nearly swept the top honors. Junior defender Anahi Macias was awarded Defensive Player of the Year, and senior Alessandra Zuniga was recognized as Goalkeeper of the Year.
Zuniga had 29 saves and helped the defense record 12 shutouts, while Macias had three goals and was a stalwart on the backline.
Offensive Player of the Year was awarded to Soquel High senior Julia Inkles, who had 11 goals and six assists, according to the Max Preps website.
Castañeda was aiming to have fun and do the best they could, especially knowing her mom was going to be on the sideline this past season.
“I always take advantage of the times I have playing soccer, because at practice you could get hurt, in a game you could get hurt,” Alexa said. “[It’s] playing in the moment and not looking for the next day.”
Castañeda had goals such as winning a league crown (which the Mariners did) and making it as far as they could in the Central Coast Section playoffs.
Aptos lost a heartbreaker to No. 2 seed Leland in the Division II quarterfinals.
“I just tried my best every practice and every game so we could win,” she said.
Gina Castañeda made it clear there was no favoritism just because Alexa is her daughter.
In fact, Alexa has been identified as one of the best players in the western region of the United States. She’s on the state Olympic Development Program team for Northern California and received the invite for the West Region Camp in Utah.
“I don’t want people to think she’s got a free ticket or an easy ride. That’s not the case,” Gina Castañeda said. “Because the truth is, she’s so dedicated and devoted, and works just extra hard. Her soccer IQ, how she plays and understands the game, she’s just super intelligent.”
Gina noted that Alexa is the type of player who always checks her shoulder to see in relation not only where she is, but where her teammates and the defenders are at all times. She’s also looking for how to get the ball into a space where her teammates can be the most effective.
“It’s pretty impressive to watch her play,” Gina said.
A trio of Mariners in freshman Isabella Hartnett, sophomore Izzie Schenone and senior Ella Shoemaker earned All-SCCAL First Team honors.
Hartnett led the Mariners with 13 goals to go along with four assists, while Shoemaker had five goals and five assists.
Aptos seniors Peyton Westjohn and Kaitlyn Murphy, and freshman Scarlett Stateler earned all-league second team honors.
Angelique Nunez, a senior, along with junior Isabelle Graff and sophomore Anahi Najera made the honorable mention list.
Alexa Castañeda said this year’s group had such a different bond than any other year because of how much they hung out together outside of the pitch.
Gina Castañeda knew the coaching staff had an amazing team full of talented and hardworking players. Those who received awards were the cream of the crop out of six teams in the SCCAL, yet everyone contributed one way or another.
“They should be really proud of that,” she said. “But it really took a team, not just those players individually to win a league title and advance to the CCS playoffs.”
Going into the CCS playoffs, the Marines were one of the highest ranked teams—boys or girls—within the league and county. They earned the No. 7 seed in the Division II field.
“That just just says a lot about what a huge accomplishment that was for our team,” Gina said.
The Mariners had plenty of players who were dynamic and supported each other. Gina Castañeda said she’s glad this season wasn’t about a one-person team.
“It was really about them together, and that’s what made it special and unique,” Gina said. “And that’s why I think we were so successful.”
Individual Awards
Player of the Year: Alexa Castañeda (So.), Aptos
Offensive Player of the Year: Julia Inkles (Sr.), Soquel
Defensive Player-of-the-Year: Anahi Macias (Jr.), Aptos
Goalkeeper of the Year: Alessandra Zuniga (Sr.), Aptos
Coach of the Year: Gina Castañeda, Aptos
First Team
Isabella Hartnett (Fr.), Aptos
Izzie Schenone (So.), Aptos
Ella Shoemaker (Sr.), Aptos
Maya Kingsley (Sr.), Santa Cruz
Taylor Ericson (Fr.), Scotts Valley
Ella Ireland (So.), Scotts Valley
Chloe McGilvray (Jr.), Soquel
Arden Salles-Cunha (Jr.), Soquel
Trinity Wilson (Jr.), Soquel
Becca Vaca (Jr.), Harbor
Ava Root (Sr.), Harbor
Taylor Long (Sr.), San Lorenzo Valley
Second Team
Scarlett Stateler (Fr.), Aptos
Peyton Westjohn (Sr.), Aptos
Kaitlyn Murphy (Sr.), Aptos
Elena McCamey (Jr.), Santa Cruz
Ava Bibighaus (Jr.), Harbor
Sonja Hulphers (Sr.), Harbor
Annie Gowing (Sr.), Scotts Valley
Dillon Fiorita (Jr.), Scotts Valley
Madalyn Price (Sr.), Soquel
Ashlyn Brady (Jr.), Soquel
Chloe Izenstark (Jr.), Soquel
Jessica Stoelting (Jr.), SLV
Honorable Mention
Anahi Najera (So.), Aptos
Angelique Nunez (Sr.), Aptos
Isabelle Graff (Jr.), Aptos
Sienna Parker (Sr.), Santa Cruz
Ruby Holmes (Sr.), Santa Cruz
Lia Gularte (So.), Santa Cruz
Paige Bariteau (Sr.), Scotts Valley
Jordan Ericson (Jr.), Scotts Valley
Skylar Dufour (Jr.), Scotts Valley
Nola Salazar (Sr.), Soquel
Isis Tumasom (So.), Soquel
Alyce Javier (Jr.), Soquel
Olivia Chen (Sr.), Harbor
Anika Dawson (Sr.), Harbor
Ruby McAlister (Sr.), Harbor
Joci Carkner (Sr.), SLV
Naomi Sifton (Jr.), SLV
Simone Mugnier (So.), SLV
