You might expect Mitty, a team that lost its top scorer and playmaker from a year ago, to be in a rebuilding mode. But rebuilding is a foreign concept for the Monarchs.
This year Mitty does not have a Marquel Love or Mabinity Kanu, yet this year’s team may be as good as many of the great team teams that have come before them.
“Probably one of the best in Mitty’s history,” said senior Kristina Sola about how good the Monarchs could be this year. “Hands down there’s no doubt. It just works so people better watch out.”
Sola, who has committed to UC Davis, said that this year the expectations are once again sky high for the Monarchs who have started the year 7-1-1 including a 4-0 sweep in the Tri-Valley Classic in Danville where Mitty combined to outscore its opponents by a combined 15-1.
“We have three goals -- to win Tri-Valley, win league and then win CCS again,” said Sola. “We already accomplished one now it’s onto the next.”
On the season Mitty has outscored its opponents a combined 28-3.
While the Monarchs don’t quite have that top-notch goal scorer, they have many girls who can put the ball in the back of the net.
Last year Mitty had 18 girls score goals. This year in nine games 14 Monarchs have scored.
Leading the way for Mitty and its new possession style attack is senior Amy Apostol who has seven goals and two assists.
Apostol credits the team’s depth and the hard work everyone puts in to make this team such a success.
“We have a really deep bench and a lot of returning players from last year,” she said. “The great thing is everyone is always working their hardest so our bench is always ready.”
Whenever a team is fortunate enough to get past the stingy defense of the Monarchs there is not one but two division I goalkeepers who proect the net for the Monarchs.
Senior Brooke Lisowski who has committed to Cal and junior Maya Hoyer (Rice) share keeping duties with one playing the first half and one playing the second.
Mitty coach J.T. Hanley, who is in his eighth year as coach, echoes his players’ sentiments that this team can yet again be special.
“We have all the pieces to be a very good soccer team,” said Hanley. “This is a team -- this isn’t a group of individuals. They play very hard for one another and take a lot of pride in wearing the jersey and I think that reflects on the way they play.”
Hanley’s squad features four freshmen all of whom have seen playing time. Leading the way for the freshmen is Sophia Mendoza who is tied for second on the team in goals with four and assists with four also.
Mendoza is well aware of the type of team she joined when she came to Mitty.
“It’s a little intimidating because everyone is a lot older and bigger,” said Mendoza who is the shortest player on the team at 5-foot-2. “I’m not used to it but I’m adjusting well and we’ve all been bonding well. It’s a great environment to be in. It pushes me to work harder and to earn my spot and my playing time as well.”
With goal one of winning the Tri-Valley Classic checked off, the Monarchs will now shift its full attention to capturing the West Catholic Athletic League title.
The Monarchs finished in second place last year and are looking to reclaim the title this year but Hanley knows that even with a really strong team that winning the WCAL won’t be easy.
“Winning this league is a big, big deal for anybody that does it,” said Hanley. “Last year Valley (Christian) had a great regular season and SI had a great run through the playoffs. We are focused on that next level which is to compete for a league championship.”
This year all WCAL teams have winning records.
Hanley thinks Valley Christian, St. Francis and Presentation all pose serious threats.
“There’s no easy games in the WCAL,” Hanley said. “You have to be ready to play because on any given day you can get beat.”
TEAMS TO WATCH (with last season's overall and league records)
Archbishop Mitty (18-5-4, 7-1-1)
The Monarchs — the reigning CCS D-II champions — are stacked yet again this season. The Monarchs have ouscored its opponents a combined 28-3 this season.
St. Francis (14-6-1, 5-0-2)
The Lancers are off to a hot start. All of the Lancers' wins this year have come against teams that made the playoffs last year including a 5-1 triumph against league foe Sacred Heart Cathedral. Junior forward Georgia Kingman leads the Lancers with six goals while fellow junior Delaney Baie Pridham leads the team with six assists to go with two goals.
Palo Alto (11-4-5, 6-0)
The Vikings are one of only three teams in all of CCS to have neither a tie or loss heading into league play. After finishing fourth in the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League’s De Anza Division last year, Palo Alto looks poised to contend for the title this year. Junior Jacey Pederson who has 10 goals and two assists so far leads the Vikings.
Valley Christian (16-4-0, 4-0-1)
The defending WCAL regular-season champs are off to another hot start, winning four of its first five games of the season. The Warriors are looking to avenge last year’s CCS D-II quarterfinal loss to Mitty. The Warriors play host St. Francis on Wednesday.
Presentation (8-7-5, 4-0-2)
The Panthers are off to a tremendous start, having defeated three playoff teams from a year ago in non-league play. Presentation also holds a 1-0 win over WCAL opponent Notre Dame-Belmont in mid-December. The Panthers will be sorely tested in the next couple of weeks with league contests against Mitty, St. Francis, St. Ignatius and a non-league contest against Capuchino.
Live Oak (12-4-4, 6-0)
Live Oak is off to a 6-0 record that includes three shutout wins. The Acorns are one of only three teams along with Palo Alto and Alisal in CCS to have neither a tie or loss. The Acorns will be a strong contender for the Blossom Valley Athletic League’s Mt. Hamilton title this year.
Alisal (14-5-1, 7-0)
Just going off the numbers there isn’t a hotter team heading into league play than Alisal. The Trojans (7-0) have outscored opponents by a combined 43-3. However the Trojans have yet face a team that made the playoffs last year. Priscilla Ruiz leads CCS with 13 goals while Breanna Aguilar and Oralia Perez each have six.
Leigh (12-2-6, 4-0-1)
The Longhorns are off to another hot start including outscoring their opponents by a combined 19-3. Along with Live Oak, Santa Teresa, Branham and Leland, the Longhorns will be a top contender for an open BVAL-MH title this year.
Aptos (13-5-1, 4-0-1)
The defending Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League champions are off to another quick start. Aptos has only allowed one goal so far, in a tie against St. Francis.
Milpitas (7-8-5, 6-0-2)
The Trojans are unbeaten, having outscored opponents by a combined 20-6. While the Trojans have yet to beat a team that made the playoffs last season, Milpitas appears ready to claim its first playoff berth in eight years.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Priscilla Ruiz, senior, Alisal:
Ruiz is the leading goal scorer in CCS with 13 and in the process led the Trojans to a 7-0 non-league record. Ruiz also has five assists for the Trojans who have outscored their opponents 43-3 this year.
Jacey Pederson, junior, Palo Alto:
Pederson leads the Vikings with 10 goals and two assists as Paly has started the year 6-0.
Georgia Kingman, junior St. Francis:
Kingman leads the Lancers with six goals and two assists. Kingman will play a major role in St. Francis’ quest for the WCAL title this year.
Amy Apostol, senior, Mitty:
Apostol is the scorer for the Monarchs who employ a short game passing game.
Jazmin Vasquez, senior, Seaside:
Vasquez leads all MBL-Pacific players in goals with nine.
Molly Brown, junior, Harbor:
Brown is the leading goal scorer in Santa Cruz County and will play a key role for the Pirates who look to vie for their first SCCAL title in 10 years.
Sophia Mendoza, freshman, Mitty:
Mendoza is second on the Monarchs in goals (four) and assists (four).
Oralia Perez, junior, Alisal:
Perez is second on the Trojans in goals with six and also has six assists.
Jazmin Latimore, junior, Milpitas:
Latimore leads a resurgent Trojans' squad in both goals (six) and assists (three) as she tries to get the Trojans back to the playoffs for the first time in eight years.
