ALL-NORTH COAST SECTION
Player of the Year
KAYLIE COLLINS, CARONDELET
By NATE SMITH
Prep2Prep
Following the Cougars’ NCS Division I semifinal victory over Liberty, the refrain heard from the Lions’ parents and coaches was a familiar one for teams which had to play against Collins.
The outstanding senior keeper registered a season-high nine saves in the win, and at least four or five of those saves came on solid shots from the Liberty attackers, shots which would
have almost certainly been goals against any other team.
Collins did not allow a single regulation goal in the postseason, and even assisted on Chelsea Bailey’s game-winning goal against Liberty late in regulation. She posted eight more
saves in Carondelet’s 1-0 overtime loss to San Ramon Valley in the championship game. The goal she finally did allow, a header that went back to the near post after the Wolves had
set up their attack to the far post, was considered to be virtually unstoppable.
“Kaylie is both an amazing person and player,” said Carondelet coach Amy Apodaca. “She is a lasting impact player who had such an impressive season and is certainly deserving of her honors.”
The USC-bound keeper posted 10 shutouts during the season, including that remarkable three-game stretch to get the Cougars back in the title game for the first time since they
won the 2011 championship. She’s also strong in the classroom, having received offers from academically prestigious universities such as Duke, Boston College, and Harvard. And
then there are the intangibles that every successful individual and team requires.
“Kaylie is compassionate, hard-working, and encouraging,” Apodaca said. “She is a team player in every sense of the term, was an absolute pleasure to coach at Carondelet, and will
be greatly missed in this program.”
For her contributions on the field, however, Collins was a clear choice for the Prep2Prep NCS Player of the Year.
Coach of the Year
TYLER GOTTSCHALK, BRANSON
Tyler Gottschalk led Branson to an undefeated season and an NCS Division III championship.
By NATE SMITH
Prep2Prep
Yes, Branson had been a successful spring program under coach Tom Ryan, having posted winning records throughout the past decade. The Bulls had even won the 2012 section title in the
spring, beating regular-season MCAL champion Marin Catholic in that championship game. And they had a rich history of success in the spring, winning eight section titles, seven of
them between 1991 and 2002.
But this was supposed to be a new challenge, especially for a program that had not been able to overcome programs such as Marin Catholic and Tamalpais for a regular season
Marin County Athletic League title, much less now compete with the East Bay teams for a section title in Division III.
Enter Gottschalk, who was an assistant coach for that 2012 Marin Catholic team, and was an assistant coach in the fall for Dominican University. He is also a former head coach
at San Marin High, is the Director of Coaching for North Marin United, a head coach for Marin FC, and a head coach in the Olympic Development Program. In his spare time, which
is of course juggled by his duties as a husband and father, Gottschalk publishes a weekly newsletter highlighting the top action in the MCAL.
Furthermore, he made an immediate impact on a Bulls’ program which was returning the necessary talent to compete for a league and section title. Branson played tremendous defense,
featured a few nearly unstoppable scorers, and developed the team chemistry which allowed them to post a 23-0-2 record, defeating the 2015 Division II champion, Miramonte, in the
2016 Division III title game.
“We really developed tremendous team chemistry this season, with everyone pulling in the same direction,” Gottschalk said. “This team bought in to each other, and it certainly
helped that we had some real high-quality players.”
That’s not to say winning that league title, or section title, came easily. The Bulls trailed 2-0 in the second half at two-time defending league and section champion Tamalpais,
but rallied with goals from Francesca Camahort and Allie Westley to earn a draw. When the Red-Tailed Hawks lost to Novato, it opened the door for a regular season title, but
required a win on the road at Novato. Branson and the Hornets were scoreless at the half in a critical moment for the eventual champs.
“We were in a position we had never been before, having never won a regular-season (MCAL) title,” Gottschalk said. “Things got a little tense, but we just focused on getting
each other through the moment.”
They did just that, when standout junior Sydney Westley connected with senior Campbell Day for the game-winning goal. The Bulls followed the regular season title with back-to-back
shutout victories for the MCAL tournament title, and then defeated Miramonte on sophomore Nye Day’s first-half penalty kick goal for the section title.
Gottschalk attributed a lot of success during the season to the team’s ability to buy in to a defensive mindset, and their ability to keep teams away from the net, posting 20
shutouts in the 25-match season.
For the unprecedented triple crown at Branson, in his first year at the helm, Gottschalk is our Prep2Prep North Coast Section Coach of the Year.
Senior of the Year
MADDIE GRIFFEY, SAN RAMON VALLEY
Given the nickname ‘Icy’, Griffey was not only a top-notch defender all season for the Wolves, but also scored a number of header goals off set pieces, including the game-winner in the
championship game win over Carondelet.
Junior of the Year
ERIN OSPECK, CARONDELET
With Michigan commit Brooke Cilley missing the last part of the season due to injury, the bulk of the scoring responsibility fell on the shoulders of Ospeck, who is committed to
Notre Dame. She responded by tallying 46 points, including a goal and an assist each in playoff wins over Deer Valley and Clayton Valley. She also had a tremendous pass to set up the
game-winning goal over Liberty in the semifinals.
“Erin is speedy, skilled, and a clutch player for us this season,” Carondelet coach Amy Apodaca said. “She can shoot and score with either foot, yet is so modest, an amazingly well-rounded
player and person.”
Sophomore of the Year
LEXI ROMERO, LIVERMORE
Romero burst on the scene in the East Bay this year, scoring 20 goals to go with four assists as Livermore won 14 games, finished second in the EBAL, and advanced to the Division II
semifinals. And aside from her obvious skills, coach Bob Montano said he “had a hard time remembering the last time I saw someone enjoy playing the game so much.”
Freshman of the Year
REBEKAH VALDEZ, ARROYO
Valdez led the Dons with 23 goals and 13 assists in her initial high school campaign. With her contributions, Arroyo advanced to the Division II quarterfinals, beating Washington in the
first round before falling to eventual champion Las Lomas. She is already considered a two-star recruit by Top Drawer Soccer.
FIRST TEAM ALL-NCS
Haley Brown, Las Lomas
Position: Midfielder
Year: Junior
Brown earned co-Most Valuable Player honors in the Diablo Foothill Athletic League after scoring 21 goals for the NCS Division II champions. That included playoff goals against Concord
and Acalanes for the midfielder, who had earlier hat tricks against Acalanes, Campolindo, and Dublin. Brown is a verbal commit to Cal State Fullerton.
Jade Rafallo, Carondelet
Position: Defender
Year: Senior
The Portland State commit was a leader for the Cougars’ stingy defense, a player who was able to see the entire field and made it difficult for players to get past her,
qualities which helped Carondelet stay unbeaten until the championship game. She was described by coach Amy Apodaca as the “heart of the team, someone who plays with the
composure of a very mature player.”
Delanie Sheehan, Liberty
Position: Midfielder
Year: Junior
The Most Valuable Player of the Bay Valley Athletic League for the second straight season, Sheehan was the leader for a Liberty team which captured its third straight league crown,
and battled Carondelet into the final minutes of regulation in the NCS semifinals. She controlled the midfield for a team which did not allow a single goal in league play.
Rachel Speros, San Ramon Valley
Position: Midfielder
Year: Senior
The San Diego State commit controlled the midfield for the Wolves, creating scoring opportunities and protecting a back line that allowed just one goal in the post-season. Coach
Mark Jones referred to Speros as the engine for their team, someone who played every game and had most plays run through her.
Gina Crosetti, Miramonte
Position: Midfielder
Year: Senior
The co-MVP of the Diablo Foothill Athletic League registered 16 points this season while helping lead the Matadors back to their second straight section title game. Crosetti is committed
to Kentucky, and also had offers from schools such as TCU, Cal Poly, and Army.
Campbell Day, Branson
Position: Defender
Year: Senior
Described as the Bulls’ “heart and soul” by teammates and coaches, Day helped lead Branson to an undefeated season, earning a section title in its first-ever winter campaign. She
was named MVP of the Marin County Athletic League, having controlled the defense for a team that only allowed goals in five of its 25 matches. Day is committed to Williams College.
Kaylie Collins, Carondelet
Position: Goalkeeper
Year: Senior
Collins allowed just 10 goals this season, while stopping 112 shots. Her play in the semifinals against Liberty and the championship against San Ramon Valley frustrated
fans of both teams, as she repeatedly turned back great looks at the net.
SECOND TEAM ALL-NCS
Maya Nielan, Monte Vista
Position: Defender
Year: Junior
Nielan was a force defensively for a Mustangs’ program that reached the Division I semifinals despite numerous graduation losses from last year’s section runner-up. The Mustang Soccer
Club defender is considered a three-star prospect by Top Drawer Soccer.
Devyn Gilfoy, Liberty
Position: Forward
Year: Junior
The all-league standout for the Lions was part of an attack which outscored BVAL opponents 42-0 this season. She is committed to Pepperdine University, having also received
strong interest from Saint Mary’s, UC Irvine, and UC Santa Barbara.
HONORABLE MENTION:
ACALANES:
Cati Combs, Callie Ericksen
ALAMEDA:
Simone Willcox
ALBANY:
Patty Quinn, Emily Polito
ALHAMBRA:
Nicki Rucki
AMADOR VALLEY:
Sam Frost
ARROYO:
Amara Mitchell, Samantha Arrizon
BEREAN CHRISTIAN:
Emily Dutton
BERKELEY:
Francesca Comacchio, Teresa Mesones
BISHOP O'DOWD:
Aliyah Walker
BRANSON:
Emily Modlin, Gwyer Unsworth
CALIFORNIA:
Morgan Taylor, Kaitlin Groleau
CAMPOLINDO:
Mariah Brown
CARONDELET:
Chelsea Bailey, Kathryn Hoyt, Brooke Cilley
CASTRO VALLEY:
Emma Barrow, Emily Kaleal
CLAYTON VALLEY:
Emma Nelson, Julia de Jesus
COLLEGE PARK:
Olivia Gin, Marianna Giovanetti
CONCORD:
Sabrina DeBardeleben
DE ANZA:
Nadia Maldonado
DEER VALLEY:
Brierre Johnson
DOUGHERTY VALLEY:
Autumn Halvorsen
DRAKE:
Alexa Harrison
DUBLIN:
Hanya Loskutoff
EL CERRITO:
Annie Sako, Maddie MacCoun
ENCINAL:
Alia Morris
FOOTHILL:
Julia Densmore
FREEDOM:
Lexi Robbins, Sydney Torrano
HAYWARD:
Sabrina Lopez
HEAD-ROYCE:
Jai Smith
HERCULES:
Madison Chavez
HERITAGE:
Jenae Packard, Sienna Zabroski
IRVINGTON:
Sami Alur
JAMES LOGAN:
Denisse Ramirez, Kiret Pattar
JUSTIN-SIENA:
Danielle Rodriquez
KENNEDY-FREMONT:
Haley Chitwood, Athena Balal
LAS LOMAS:
Sydney Abrahimi, Shannon Delaporta
LIVERMORE:
Tori Nicolo
MARIN CATHOLIC:
Grace Kripal, Chase Geffert
MIRAMONTE:
Samantha DeVecchi
MISSION SAN JOSE:
Seona Patel
MONTE VISTA:
Katie Hoofnagle, Sarah Mondloch
MOREAU CATHOLIC:
Ijoema Anyanwu
MT. DIABLO:
Alejandra Rosas-Gomez
MT. EDEN:
Stevie Segovia
NEWARK MEMORIAL:
Marissa Bryant-Sepulveda
NORTHGATE:
Taylor Chaplin
NOVATO:
Sydney Spina
PIEDMONT:
Asarra Price, Grayson Ellis
PINOLE VALLEY:
Stephanie Alva, Grace Stott
PITTSBURG:
Karen Benavides
REDWOOD:
Lauren Foehr
RICHMOND:
Jasmine Rodriguez
SAINT MARY'S:
Nina Lewis, Sienna Inouye, Charlotte Guillory
SALESIAN:
Haylee Bauer
SAN LEANDRO:
Katherine Harris
SAN LORENZO:
Lupe Tovar
SAN MARIN:
Grace Olsen
SAN RAFAEL:
Taylor Lancaster
SAN RAMON VALLEY:
Colby Parker, Rachel Murphy
ST. JOSEPH NOTRE DAME:
Eleanor Seiwald
ST. PATRICK-ST. VINCENT:
Emily Thompson
SWETT:
Samantha Collins
TAMALPAIS:
Callie Clifford, Kira Cross
TENNYSON:
Alejandra Hernandez, Ibania Rivera
TERRA LINDA:
Frances Applegarth
UNIVERSITY:
Alex Ritter
URBAN:
Remi Feuerman, Serena Richard
WASHINGTON:
Kyllie Glock, Laticia Martinez, Alexis McClain
YGNACIO VALLEY:
Jessica Jaime
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