Girls soccer: Eichelberger's Top 10 juniors
January 7th, 2009, 12:40 am · 11 Comments · posted by Jason Eichelberger, OC Varsity.com
Beckman's Tawni Martino
Here is my list of the Top 10 Juniors in the county, based on performance so far this season.
These players should be followed closely throughout the rest of the season.
(Players listed in alphabetical order:)
• Ariana Carillo (Los Alamitos): Great speed and ability to get off quality shots in traffic.
• Morgan Gage (El Modena): Has tallied 10 goals (second among players in her class).
• Alexis Mahoney (San Clemente): With her scoring ability (six goals and three assists), she should be quite a force during league.
• Jordan Marada (Capsitrano Valley): Big reason for the Cougars' great start; leading the team in goals (eight) and assists (11).
• Tawni Martino (Beckman): Dangerous with the ball from anywhere on the field; she is third in the county with 12 goals.
• Erica Mazeau (Esperanza): Tough on defense and can help create offense for the Aztecs.
• Kathleen Messinger (Aliso Niguel): Excellent ability to locate the ball and make spectacular saves at the net.
• Kendall Romine (Tesoro): Talented midfielder is currently leading Titans with six goals.
• Chandler Shermerhorn (Capistrano Valley): Seven goals and four assists gives the Cougars solid one-two punch.
• Aubree Wyer (Savanna): Second leading scorer for the Rebels with 10 goals and seven assists.
• Top 10 Seniors
• Top 10 Sophomores
• Top 10 Freshmen
11 Comments
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Why is Allie Harrison not on this list?
Mr. Eichelberger,
First and foremost, congratulations to all of the players on the top ten list. The accolades are well deserved. Keep doing the OC proud.
Second, I felt compelled to respond to the top ten list posted on Wednesday because you missed a gem from the Beckman girls soccer program. Though the name isn’t the most recognizable, junior Autumn Altamirano (#5) should be considered among the top juniors in the county. She has speed that can be turned on and off at will and is without a doubt one of the most athletic and versatile players in the county. As a freshman and sophomore, she played the defender role using her speed and uncanny ability in the air to deny countless scoring opportunities. Her efforts earned her 2nd and 1st team all league honors respectively. At the Irvine / Beckman opening league game today, she was playing the center midfield position and impressively so I might add. With a mere 8 games under her belt she has 5 goals and 6 assists. This kid plays forward on the nationally ranked Arsenal Girls 16 Premier team and is being recruited by several schools including USC and Stanford. Yet, she is continually overlooked by the OC Register / OC Varsity.
Third, please consider expanding your lists to include the top 15 or 20 in each grade so that more of our deserving Orange County players can be recognized.
Finally, I realize the enormity of maintaining a website that houses as much information as OC Varsity contains and appreciate your efforts.
Respectfully,
Walt
Special congratulations to Erica Mazeau. You've come a long way since your North Irvine days. Keep up the good work.
Dear Walt,
Thanks for taking the time to write such an informed response to the list.
It is difficult to try to recognize all of the top players in each class, and there are some that are unintentionally not on the list.
I have had the pleasure of seeing Autumn play and she is a very talented player and an important part of what is shaping up to be a strong year for the Patriots.
Your suggestion to expand the list is one that is being considered.
Thanks again for your input and I look forward to receiving it throughout the season.
SC's Alexis Mahoney is a Senior.
I have to agree with Walt. My daughter's team has been playing against Autumn (#5) from Beckman going on three years now and she always causes havoc for our team where ever she plays on the field. She is definitely one of the most talented players I've seen. I was suprised not to see her on the list along with a few others, but I understand how tough the selection process must be.
Tesoro's Gabby Zarnegar, Has been hurt for most of the seasons but deserves recognition. Committed in to the University of Texas as a junior and plays forward for the Southern California Blues.
Corona del Mar's Lauren Smits, should be considered for your recognition. Lauren is a Defender for CDM (Slammers FC). Lauren has been a varsity starter at CDM for three years now, earning First Team All-CIF honors and First Team All Pacific Coast League honors as a Sophomore. Lauren was recently ranked by ESPN Rise as one of the top 25 players in the All LA Area and has shut out top ranked players in the country/OC, both in high school play and club play. CDM currently has only 9 goals against in 17 games played - a testament to Lauren's leadership in the back for CDM as their starting defender. Lauren currently has 1 goal and 3 assists on the season as a Defender. Although Lauren has not yet committed to a particular school, she is being recruited by the Ivy's and the top-ranked, highly selective liberal arts schools in the country. Lauren is a force to be reckoned with on defense and is deserved of your recognition.
I am certian that many players are standout players but you have overlooked an extremely athletic, competitive, versatile and talented player in the Freeway league, fullerton. junior Dominique Richardson. She has been playing up in the U19 team for premier team OCP and earned 1st team all league as a sophmore.as well as She is being recruited by multiple highly ranked DI schools. Also a dual sport athlete in the same season both varsity soccer and basketball.She has also been named to 1st all league for bball. Worth checking out!
Autumn Altamirano commited to USC. USC doesn't recruit girls that aren't very good so that pretty much comfirms her as one of the top players.
The biggest miss on the list on Juniors has been not including San Clemente Shelby Chambers-Garcia. She has been huge for the Tritons success as a Freshman.