WATSONVILLE — Watsonville High believes that it might have its most talented and experienced squad of the decade.
The Wildcatz will need every ounce of talent and every bit of experience to compete this season.
Fresh off its first league title since the 2011-12 season, Watsonville has its eyes set on stunning the Monterey Bay League once again by winning the Gabilan division.
Watsonville breezed through the Pacific division last season — winning the league crown with a 9-1-1 record — but the challenge this season will be ratcheted-up.
In the Gabilan division, Watsonville will not only be tasked with knocking off three-time reigning champ Salinas High, but a load of other technically sound squads like Gilroy High, Alvarez High and Notre Dame-Salinas.
“With the new teams that we’re going to be playing in the new league, it’s hard to say what will happen, but I do believe in the team,” said Watsonville senior striker Gabby Felix. “Our main goal, obviously, is to win league again. That’s a huge ‘what if,’ but we’re going to keep working hard to get that. I have a lot of confidence in this team.”
Felix, who scored 25 goals last season and was named the MBL-P’s Player of the Year, is one of several starters that return from last year’s league-champion squad.
Midfielders Annalee Robledo, the MBL-P’s Offensive Player of the Year last season, and Dalia Garcia, and defenders Anissa Lopez, Annah Ramirez, Jasmine Orendain and Zuli Alcantar all return to the starting lineup, while head coach Gladys Mondragon has also received a big boost from newcomers young and old.
Freshman forward Denise Corrales and junior forward Ashley Haduca helped Watsonville win its first four games this season.
Watsonville carries six seniors, six juniors, five sophomores and four freshmen.
“It’s nice to have a whole mixture of new players and old players,” Mondragon said. “The new players are living up to the expectations that we’re putting on them and they’re giving a challenge to the older players. It looks like we could have some good depth on the team. We’re excited about that, especially coming up to the new league.”
Watsonville, however, did have a big hole left in its defense with the graduation of keeper Ina Gonzalez, who now plays at Cal State East Bay. But junior Jessica Zavala has stepped in nicely, already posting five shutouts during the Wildcatz’s 4-2-2 start.
The rest of the group has also settled in nicely heading into the league opener at Gilroy on Jan. 3.
“Honestly, I think it’s going to be a tough one but our group is really strong this year,” Robledo said. “I think we can do it. We just need to keep our mindset to winning and have the hunger toward scoring.”
Christopher High and San Benito High also compete in the MBL-Gabilan, which only automatically sends its top three finishers to the Central Coast Section playoffs.
MBL PACIFIC
In the lower division again, Monte Vista Christian is rebuilding on the backs of a young but talented squad.
Third-year head coach Morgan Miller has 17 players on her roster but only six of them are upperclassmen and only five return from last year’s squad that finished in the bottom third of the Gabilan.
A four-year varsity player that has made more than 100 saves in each of the past two seasons, senior keeper Syerra Montes will try to keep the Mustangs afloat in the Pacific division, which features Alisal High, Monterey High, North Monterey County High, Pajaro Valley High and Seaside High.
Juniors Kailey Morrell, a forward, and Stephanie Rebottaro, a defender, and sophomore midfielder Caroline Sullivan will also shoulder the load for M.V.C.
“We’re a very young team which isn’t necessarily a bad thing,” Miller said. “I expect a lot from my team. I think that we might be one of the stronger teams in our division and I think that we can compete. Right now, it’s all about consistency. I’ve got amazing athletes and I think it’s about making them amazing for every game.”
Pajaro Valley and North Monterey County also have several talented players and have looked impressive through the preseason.
The Grizzlies have been blessed with a skilled freshman class powered by forward Jasmin Castillo, who already has 16 goals through only four games.
Senior forward Emma Arroyo, who has led Pajaro Valley in goals each of the last two seasons, is back for her final campaign and senior midfielder/defender Natalie Gallegos also returns for her fourth varsity season.
The Grizzlies last season finished last in the MBL-P but have gotten off to a hot 3-1 start.
N.M.C., meanwhile, might be the favorite to win the league crown with a balanced squad under new head coach Hector Maravillo.
The Condors graduated only three players from last year’s team that finished fourth in the division at 6-3-2.
Senior keeper Nicole Garcia, who has made at least 100 saves in all three of her previous varsity seasons, has guided N.M.C. to a 5-0-2 start to the season. She is one of 10 seniors on a roster of 18, including captains Alyssa Delgado and Marcella Gudiel.
Sophomore striker Ruby Amaya has already matched her scoring output from last season and four other players have also scored during their unbeaten start.
