Today begins the North Coast Section soccer playoffs, and while it?s obvious there are strong teams in the larger 3A division, there are some talented small-school teams as well, including No.1 seed Sonoma Academy girls and No.2 seed Calistoga boys.
Chris Ziemer?s Sonoma Academy Coyotes received their third consecutive No.1 seed in the 10-team bracket and won their fourth straight league championship.
The Coyotes went 12-0 in the North Central League II and 16-0 against small schools, losing only to Sonoma Valley and Santa Rosa.
It?s a balanced team with good scoring and defense. Junior Lexie Nadeau leads the Coyotes in scoring, followed by freshman Kate Bayes. Sierra Nadeau, Lexie?s twin, is a top defender and one captain, senior Bianca Farrow plays on top.
Ziemer also called senior captain Sally Williams the team?s emotional leader, who had a great postseason a year ago, and Ashley Cliver as doing an ?amazing job,? filling the midfield role of last year?s Player of the Year, Cyrina King.
One change has been playing on the field at its new permanent campus. What hasn?t changed is the team has not lost at home in over 2? years.
?I think we?re most proud of the three No. 1 seeds,? said Ziemer. ?It shows our team is consistent.?
Sonoma Academy plays its first game Saturday against the winner of today?s RV Christian-Kelseyville match.
The Calistoga boys earned a No. 2 seed out of a 16-team field that includes such small school powers as Marin Academy, Head-Royce and Lick Wilmerding.
Calistoga, which won the NCL II without losing (it tied Anderson Valley and Roseland Prep, both of whom made the playoffs), finished up its season with a 3-2 loss to Vintage, the No. 2 ranked team in the Sac-San Joaquin Section.
Coach Carlos Garcia has a talented group that includes midfielder Mitchel Arroyo, forward Edwin Meza, forward Mario Sanchez, midfielder Hugo Vargas, left back Zach Smith and center back Javier Carrillo.
Meza, nicknamed Lightning, set the school?s single-season goal record with 55 last year and has 50 this season. He?s also the school?s all-time leading scorer.
?I believe we can go all the way,? Garcia said. ?We have some good players who are very fast.? Garcia has led the Wildcats into the playoffs his three years as coach, getting a 15th seed, a No. 8 and a No. 2.
Calistoga hosts Athenian at 7 p.m. today at the Calistoga Fairgrounds.
REAL WATER POLO
What do water polo players do in the rain? Just keep playing. That?s what teams did in Saturday?s Redwood Empire League championships held outdoors at Napa College.
In boys competition, Newman defeated Ukiah 13-12 for the league title and received the 20th seed in today?s playoffs. Newman plays Mission San Jose at Campolindo High.
The Ukiah girls also won a league title and received a No. 20 seed.
Chris Humphreys led the Cardinals in scoring with four goals a game and had seven against Ukiah in the title match. Kyle Galbraith was second in scoring, the goalie was freshman James Scharfen and the best defender was center Peter Dietzen.
RUNNING FOR A CAUSE
Santa Rosa high schools will hold a 6 p.m. twilight 3,200-meter race at Cardinal Newman Saturday. The cost for entrants and spectators is one food item.
Foods and donations collected will go to the Food Bank.
There will be boys and girls JV and varsity races with Cardinal Newman, Ursuline, Maria Carrillo, Montgomery, Santa Rosa, Piner and Elsie Allen taking part.
CAMP FOR A CURE
Saturday is the new date for Casa Grande?s cancer benefit youth baseball clinic ? Camp for a Cure.
Tampa Bay?s Jonny Gomes will be on hand as well as other pros, college and high school coaches and pro scouts. The Young campers session is 9 a.m.-1 p.m. and 13-15 will go from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Walkups will be accepted.
You can reach Staff Writer Rich Rupprecht at 521-5275 or rich. rupprecht@pressdemocrat.com
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