Analy clinches SCL title; lands top seed in Division 3
Analy and El Molino girls soccer teams begin the final phase of the winter campaign this week in the North Coast Section playoffs with one common goal – extend their seasons for as long as possible.
The Tigers were given the ultimate show of respect at the NCS seeding meeting on Sunday, landing the #1 seed in the NCS Division 3 tourney. At press time Analy was preparing to host #16 Encinal in the playoff opener on Feb. 14 (7 p.m.).
Should they win as expected, the Tigers will advance to host the victor of the #8 El Cerrito versus #9 Pinole Valley on Saturday, Feb. 17.
“I couldn’t be happier to be the #1 seed,” Analy coach Brittney Briones said. “We’re hoping for a deep run into playoffs and that many of our key players will be healthy enough to play. We know it will be a lot of work, but the girls are looking forward to the challenge.”
Analy (15-2-3) locked up its fifth straight Sonoma County League championship in their final league match on Feb. 9, turning back Sonoma Valley in double overtime, 3-1. Claire Brown recorded a hat trick (3 goals), with assists going to
Jennah Copeland (2) and Sydney Hargrave.
The win came on the heels of a 1-0 loss to Sonoma Academy and gave the Tigers a final SCL mark of 12-1-1, a half game up on the second-place Coyotes (12-2).
“The SCL title means more this year than in years past because of what the girls have gone through and because it’s the last season of the SCL,” Briones noted. “The team has had many struggles this year with injuries, illnesses, and key players being out. I don’t think we’ve had a single game or practice where we have had all of our players able to play. It’s been challenging, but the girls have pushed through it.
Lions land playoff spot
El Molino (5-9, 7-12) was also rewarded for a solid SCL campaign, landing the #12 seed in the NCS Division 4 playoffs. The Lions open the tournament at #5 seeded Marin Catholic on Feb. 14, with the winner slated to play at #4 ranked Cardinal Newman on Feb. 17 (7 p.m.).
El Mo finished up the SCL schedule with a split in a pair of outings, combining a 10-0 rout over Healdsburg with a 4-1 loss to Sonoma Academy.
Leading the scoring barrage against the Greyhounds were Lily Dittman (3), Risa Scott-Smith (2), Chloe Kleigl (2), Carma Wilson, Hailey Styskal and Madelyn Reid. Dittman tallied her 19th goal of the season in the Feb. 9 finale against the Coyotes.
Hittenmiller signs with St. Mary’s
El Mo soccer star Carly Hittenmiller celebrated a stellar four-year varsity career on Feb. 7 in a ceremony on the Forestville campus, signing a letter of intent to attend St. Mary’s College in Moraga on an athletic scholarship.
Lions coach Emily Farrant reflected on what Hittenmiller has meant to the program during her tenure.
“Carly has been a force for El Molino, she’s quick and versatile on the field and is a player who quietly leads by example,” she said. “It has been important to have a player like Carly on the El Molino team as she helps our play rise and allows players around her to benefit from her skills. She will definitely be missed.”
