The Morro Bay High’s Girls’ Varsity Soccer Team recently completed a great season, reaching the CIF Semi-Finals. Team players are pictured kneeling left to right: Hana Yoneyama, Angie Ibay, Abby Hall, Jane Hotaling, Mia Bennett, Sonia Martinez, and Alexa Contreras. Standing left to right are: Jessica Sloan, Ava Burton, Jessica Chavez, Victoria Palos, Samantha Riveras, Fatima Martinez, Dot Nickel, Kaylie Gonzalez, Avery Miller, Nellie Calderwood, Emily Giordano. Photo Courtesy MBHS
Morro Bay High’s Varsity Girls Soccer Team recently wrapped up a very successful season, which while not topping the league standings, they battled their way to the CIF Semi-Finals.
The Lady Pirates ended the regular season in fifth place in the Ocean League, said Coach Kim Wishon (Coach Kim). The girls were far from done. “Even though we were seeded 14th out of 16 teams in CIF, we made it to the semi finals. This was a special year because many of the seniors were on the team as freshmen, and the team really came together.”
Hard work and teamwork were keys. “The key to our success this year,” Coach Kim said, “was not only putting in the hard work to be fit, have a good touch on the ball and know the game, but more importantly to work together and be a team.”
Several players had standout seasons. Dorothy “Dot” Nickel, the team’s goalie and team captain “kept us competitive in many games,” Coach Kim said. Dot Nickel was named First Team All-League.
Center back, Jessica Chavez played a key role on offense and defense. “Without her excellent defense and goal scoring abilities,” the coach said, “we would have had a big hole in the back line.” Chavez was named Second Team All-League and was named the Pirates’ Most Valuable Player.
Jane Hotaling, Coach Kim said, was a monster in the midfield, “making plays, defending and scoring.” Hotaling was named Honorable Mention All-League.
The Lady Pirates also got some great defense from Hana Yoneyama. “As one of our captains,” Coach Kim said, “she led the team on and off the field.” Yoneyama received The Coaches Award.
Every player contributed to the team’s overall success. “Anything can happen on the soccer field and I am proud to say that this team worked cohesively together to accomplish a great season,” Coach Kim said.
The Pirates will say goodbye to eight senior players, and Coach Kim’s preparing for a rebuilding year. Thankfully, she won’t be starting from scratch.
“With that many seniors leaving,” she said, “we will have some re-building to do but since next year will be my fifth year coaching, the girls coming up know what to expect and I am hopeful that we can maintain and improve in the years to come.”
Many of the girls are expected to continue playing soccer in college with one getting a lot of attention from scouts. “Our goalie, Dot Nickel,” Coach Kim said, “has received offers from many schools such as Oregon State, Grand Canyon University, and abroad, but she has not yet decided where she will go. Most of the seniors will likely play in college next year, either for fun or competitively.”
Coach had many thanks that she wanted to express. “I would like to thank Jessica Brown for coaching the JV Team; Kelly Hotaling for being our team/program manager; Ava Dorvillier for assisting me; Katie Aenerud, MBHS athletic trainer, for helping with all the injuries; and all of our fans. Thank you for coming out in the freezing cold to support our team! Thanks for a great season!”
