Pajaro Valley High’s Jasmin Castillo, Monte Vista Christian’s Syerra Montes and North Monterey County High’s Marcella Gudiel were all honored by the soccer coaches from the Monterey Bay League Pacific division when league awards were released on Monday.
Castillo earned Newcomer of the Year honors, Montes was named the Most Valuable Goalie and Gudiel repeated as the league’s Defensive M.V.P.
A high-scoring and active freshman striker that took full advantage of her straight-line speed, Castillo opened some eyes in Pajaro Valley’s preseason slate by scoring 16 goals over three matches.
She finished the season with 22 goals, which is believed to be the program’s new single-season record, according to head coach Kassandra Marquez.
“I surprised myself, I didn’t think I was going to score that many goals,” said Castillo, who said she started playing soccer in the third grade and slowly developed a love for the game in the years after.
Her brilliance in the attack was a bright spot for the Grizzlies in an otherwise tough season. With more than half of its team out of town for a significant chunk of league action, Pajaro Valley finished last in the MBL-Pacific division.
Marquez said Castillo could very well have hit the mid-30s if the Grizzlies had their full squad for the entire season.
“I think she would’ve had more goals,” Marquez said. “That impacted our team, that’s for sure.”
Montes, a senior, helped M.V.C. stay in the league title hunt throughout the season with her savviness in front of the net. The Mustangs finished third in the MBL-P, behind N.M.C. and champion Alisal High.
Headed to NCAA Division II Holy Names University on scholarship, Montes finished the season with 128 saves — her third straight campaign with triple-digit rejections — and posted nine shutouts.
“She comes alive in the games,” M.V.C. head coach Morgan Miller said of Montes just days after she signed her letter of intent. “She keeps her team organized. Her technique and her vision is spot-on, so she’s able to save some crazy shots.”
Gudiel, a senior, was the backbone of a Condors’ squad that won five of its last six games, and nearly beat Alisal for the league crown. With Gudiel leading the N.M.C. defense, the Condors finished second in the MBL-Pacific division.
Castillo, Montes and Gudiel all made the MBL-P First Team.
M.V.C.’s junior forward Kailey Morrell and sophomore midfielder Sophie Bessa, and N.M.C.’s senior keeper Nicole Garcia and senior midfielder Alissa Delgado also made the league’s first team.
M.V.C. won the Sportsmanship Award.
Alisal’s Cyenna Maldonado was honored as the league’s M.V.P. and Carissa Purnell earned Coach of the Year after leading the Trojans to their first league championship since the 2012-13 season.
Seaside High’s Yvette Rojas was tabbed as the league’s Offensive M.V.P.
M.V.C. had Megan Zanardelli, Emily Ederle and Caroline Sullivan make the MBL-Pacific division Second Team.
N.M.C.’s Gina Huerta, Daisy Magdaleno and Evelyn Orosco, and Pajaro Valley’s Jasmine Paniagua also made the second team.
Four local players earned honorable mention: Alison Zulaica (M.V.C.), Madison Bindi (M.V.C.), Isabel Hollingsworth (M.V.C.) and Emma Arroyo (P.V.).
N.M.C’s Gudiel, M.V.C.’s Clarissa Alvarez and Pajaro Valley’s Nancy Montejano made the sportsmanship team.
MBL-GABILAN
Watsonville High senior defenders Annalee Robledo and Annah Ramirez made the MBL-Gabilan division First Team.
Watsonville finished with a 7-9-4 overall record and took fifth with a 3-7-2 standing in its first season in the upper division.
The Wildcatz also had sophomore defender Jasmine Orendain and freshman forward Denise Corrales make the league’s second team, while sophomore forward Elyanna Magdaleno, junior keeper Jessica Zavala and senior striker Gabby Felix earned honorable mention.
Watsonville’s freshman midfielder Brianna Guerrero made the sportsmanship team.
Christopher High’s Aurea Martin was named the league’s Most Valuable Player after leading the Cougars to the MBL-Gabilan division title.
Salinas High’s Brooke Oleson earned Offensive M.V.P honors, her teammate Kimi Chin was named the Defensive M.V.P. and Notre Dame-Salinas’ Alexia Torculas walked away with the Goalie of the Year award.
Christopher’s Jordan Anaya was given the Newcomer of the Year.
