SOLEDAD — Last spring, the Soledad High School girls’ varsity soccer team found itself in the Central Coast Section Division IV playoffs, but the season ended when Monterey High School beat the Lady Aztecs 1-0.
According to online stats dating back to 2018, in their last five matches, Soledad is up 3-2 against Monterey, but the Lady Toreadors have won the previous two matchups.
Both losses the Lady Aztecs suffered last spring were to Monterey, once in the league play and the other in the CCS semifinals. When Monterey beat Soledad in the playoffs, the Aztecs were without their leading scorer, freshman Sophia Martel, who had 19 goals.
As a sophomore, Martel is currently fifth in the state for total goals scored.
Although most of the attention will go to Martel, this year’s Aztecs team is young, with only four seniors, and the rest are underclassmen students, including four freshmen.
The Lady Aztecs are 10-2 (5-0) in the Cypress Division, and Monterey is 5-2 (2-0). Due to Covid-19 protocols, Monterey has had three league games postponed.
The Feb. 1 game will be the first of two matches these teams will play together.
Tuesday, Feb. 1
Soledad Aztecs vs. Monterey Toreadors
League Game
3 p.m. at Monterey High School
By the Numbers (Monterey): Monterey returns with three of five of their leading goal scorers from last season, including their top scorer from last spring, Layla Chu-Coloma, who had 15. Leading the way for Monterey this year is Marcelina Ramirez, who has five goals. When facing a team with a winning record, Monterey is 3-2.
By the Numbers (Soledad): Sophia Martel, arguably the best player in the Pacific Coast Athletic League, will have to play a big part in the game. When Martel doesn’t score or play in a game, Soledad is 1-2. This year Soledad had to find replacements for four of their top five goal scorers from last spring. They have found their replacements in senior Precious Aguilar, freshman Giselle Zepeda and sophomore Jennifer Troncoso, who are on pace to have a 10-plus goal season. Troncoso (14) and Aguilar (10) are also among the top leaders in assists in PCAL.
What’s at Stake: Assuming that Monterey will make up all of their postponed games and win them, this game will give the winner control of the Cypress Division.
Final Thoughts: This game means more for Soledad than it does for Monterey. Not only did Monterey outscore Soledad 7-0 in their two matches last spring, but they also ended their hopes for a CCS title.
“We knew that tonight was going to be a crucial match because PV (Pajaro Valley) was in first,” said Soledad girls head coach Maria Zamora after the team’s 6-1 win against Pajaro Valley on Jan. 25. “Now we move up to first place. And we know one of our biggest rivals is going to be Monterey High School. This game shows we have the potential to beat Monterey High.”
