Gilroy
– While the Tri-County Athletic League soccer coaches were
meeting to decide on awards, Amanda Bruce was at Gilroy High vying
for Homecoming queen.
Gilroy – While the Tri-County Athletic League soccer coaches were meeting to decide on awards, Amanda Bruce was at Gilroy High vying for Homecoming queen.
Alas, Bruce came up short in Homecoming activities. That wasn’t the case on the soccer field where the Mustangs’ senior midfielder was selected as the TCAL Most Valuable Player. Not bad for a player whose scoring opportunities were limited because of being marked by defenders in every game. She was still able to finish second on the team with 11 goals. Her 13 assists were easily a team and league high.
“It was frustrating at times,” Bruce said of being marked close by opponents. “I just had to give quicker passes. Others were open and they had opportunities to score.”
And Bruce seemed to find the open teammates.
“Amanda was very deserving of the award,” GHS coach Jose Hernandez said. “She helped make the others better and was the consummate teammate.”
Bruce was one of five Gilroy girls selected as first-team members. Joining her were Kristi Figueroa, Sara Hugo, Nubia Diaz de Leon and Irene Figueroa. Additionally, Diaz de Leon was selected TCAL Senior of the Year, Kristi Figueroa was chosen co-Junior of the Year and Ariana Vera was named co-Sophomore of the Year. Also, GHS senior Alicia Reese picked up a Sportsmanship Award.
Coach of the Year honors were shared by Jose Hernandez and San Benito’s Mike Schurig. It was the second such award in three years for Hernandez. Gilroy was second in the league last year.
The Mustangs and Haybalers were league co-champions. It was a particularly noteworthy achievement for San Benito, which was winless in TCAL last year.
TCAL Girls Soccer All-League Selections
MVP-Amanda Bruce, Gilroy
Offensive MVP-Tannia Hernandez, North Salinas
Defensive MVP-Sydney Busch, Notre Dame
Midfield MVP-Brittany Huth, San Benito
Goalkeeper MVP-Emily Key, San Benito and Chelsea Campbell, NS
Senior of the Year-Nubia Diaz de Leon, Gilroy
Junior of the Year-Kristi Figueroa, Gilroy, and Annie Busch, Notre Dame
Sophomore of the Year-Ariana Vera, Gilroy and Patricia Magdaleno, NS
Freshman of the Year-Sophie Coelho, San Benito
Coach of the Year-Mike Schurig, San Benito and Jose Hernandez, Gilroy
First team-Bruce, K. Figueroa, Sara Hugo, Diaz de Leon, Irene Figueroa, Gilroy; Huth, Coelho, JC Clayton, Key, Rachel Maheu, San Benito; A. Busch, S. Busch, Eric MacIsaac, Notre Dame; Hernandez, Magdaleno, Campbell, North Salinas; Casey Seran, Alvarez.
Gilroy second teamers-Cheyenne Strametz, Vera, Maritza Gonzalez, Ariana Carrillo, Rahni Giardina.
Gilroy honorable mention-Amparo Artega, Samantha Saenz.
Gilroy sportsmanship-Alicia Reese.
