Team gearing up for first winter campaign
The El Molino Lady Lions have made a steady progression in the Sonoma County League soccer ranks in the last two years, and should continue the trend this year in their inaugural winter campaign.
Under head coach Emily Farrant, the Lions enjoyed an outstanding 2016 season that included a second straight trip to the North Coast Section Division 3 playoffs and an overall record of 10-7-2.
“We’re hoping to bring the momentum from last year into this season and continue to build the program,” Farrant said. “With the core of our team returning our goal is to stay competitive and have another successful year.”
The list of El Mo veteran returnees starts with reigning SCL Most Valuable Player and leading scorer Carly Hittenmiller. The four-year star has already committed to attend St. Mary’s College on a scholarship and will be the unquestioned leader of the team in her final high school season.
Other returning veterans include seniors Areli Alvarez, Victoria Briano, Risa Scott-Smith and Hailey Styskal, and juniors Chloe Kliegel, Bridget Niclas and Lily Dittman.
Bolstering the roster is a group of first-year varsity players that feature Michelle Garcia-Lopez, Kiara Garcia-Lopez, Savannah Herbert, Natalie Alberigi, Elizabeth Bovera, Bridgette Neeley, Payton Tamayo, Juliana Visitin, Carma Wilson and Madelyne Reid.
“We have quite a few talented returners who are the key core of our team, along with a skilled incoming freshman who holds her own and a speedy first year sophomore,” Farrant reported. “We unfortunately don’t have a JV team, but kept many talented freshmen to get them ready for the following years.”
The 2017/18 campaign will be the first winter season in the program’s history, following the boys move from a fall to a winter schedule last year. This will make for a lot of matches contested under less than ideal conditions.
This is also the final year before league realignment takes effect next fall, when a new 12-school league (NBL 1 and 2) will be formed. The league will be split into two 6-school divisions divided on a sport-by-sport basis according to team strength and track record.
The Lady Lions will open the preseason schedule on Tuesday, Nov. 28 against visiting Branson (5:30 p.m.).
