APTOS — Aptos head coach Jessica Perkin did not beat around the bush when asked if this season’s team was the most talented squad she has had in her nine years with the Mariners.
“Yes,” Perkin said. “We’ve had some amazing teams in the past, but this team was super special.”
The league awards verified Perkin’s words.
Seniors Monserrat Hernandez Marquez, Paige Dueck and Grace Rothman all received top honors after helping the Mariners to their fifth straight Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League title this season.
Hernandez Marquez repeated as the league’s Most Valuable Player, Dueck was named the Midfielder of the Year and Rothman earned the Defender of the Year.
“Their leadership was big for us,” Perkin said. “They took responsibility for this team.”
Hernandez Marquez, who is headed to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo on scholarship in the fall, scored 17 goals and dished six assists — both team-highs — for the Mariners, who finished 13-4-2 overall and advanced to the Central Coast Section Open Division playoffs for the third consecutive season.
She scored 14 goals in league play and was drastically improved defensively from a year ago, winning back multiple possessions in the middle of the pitch with her quick feet and crafty positioning.
“She was already an incredible player from the moment she stepped on the field as a freshman, but the amount she’s improved since that year until now is impressive,” Perkin said.
Dueck, who is headed to Santa Clara on Scholarship, finished with eight goals and four assists, and beat out several standout midfielders for the honor.
“There’s a lot of great midfielders across the league, that’s where the stars play,” said Perkin, who commended Dueck for how she led by example with her effort. “It’s tough to win that award.”
Rothman led the Aptos defense to 13 shutouts from the all-important centre back position. The Mariners’ section-championship hopes took a hit when the physical defender broke her wrist in practice leading up to the CCS playoffs.
Without her, Aptos lost 1-0 to Sobrato in the first round.
“It was a tough one for Grace and a tough one for our team,” Perkin said. “I’m proud of her. I thought she deserved it and I was happy she won it.”
Scotts Valley senior Olivia Ross won Forward of the Year and Falcons’ coach Art Munoz won the league’s Coach of the Year.
Aptos junior goal keeper Caroline Miller, junior forward Haley Veldhuis and junior midfielder Olivia Meier all made the SCCAL First Team. Veldhuis and Meier combined for 10 goals and nine assists this season, as the Mariners showcased several talented weapons, including freshman defender Chantal Aguirre, who earned second team honors.
“Our lineup never stayed the same,” Perkin said. “We had so much depth and versatility. There was no really no drop-off.”
St. Francis had seniors Katie Farley and Clare Tershy make the SCCAL First Team.
Farley led the St. Francis defense through its seven-game winning streak in the preseason, and Tershey scored 12 goals and made six assists this season while spending time at multiple spots.
The Sharks finished 9-9-1 overall and 2-9-1 in league action. The nine wins were a single-season program record.
St. Francis junior midfielder Riley Croghan, who scored 16 goals and made five assists, earned a spot on the SCCAL second team.
Six locals were given honorable mention: Brynn Mitchell (Aptos, So.), Kirsten Martin (Aptos, Fr.), Gisselle Vasquez (Aptos, Fr.), Samantha Bellucci (St. Francis, Sr.), Avery Croghan (St. Francis, (Sr.) and Savannah Guel (St. Francis, Sr.).
BOYS
Aptos senior forward Cristoval Montejano earned a spot on the SCCAL First Team.
Montejano had 11 goals for the Mariners, who took fourth in the league at 6-5-1 and had a 9-8-2 overall record.
League champion Soquel nearly swept the awards. Senior defender Jalen Graves won the M.V.P., junior forward Ryan Jordan was the Forward of the Year, senior keeper Nate Zeise earned the Goalkeeper of the Year and Jon Baron was named the Coach of the Year.
Harbor senior Henry Puga stopped the sweep, winning Midfielder of the Year.
Aptos junior midfielder Bryan Palacios made the SCCAL Second Team, while senior Cooper Jeffrey, sophomore Gilberto Vasquez and junior Francisco Casillas were given honorable mention.
