The Team to Beat: Torrey Pines
The defending CIF-San Diego Section champion Falcons will have a new coach for the second straight season, but they return four All-CIF-San Diego Section players (three first team, one second team). Torrey Pines defeated Coronado, 9-8, in the championship game in 2010. Middie Katie Trees (second-team All-CIF San Diego), who has already committed to Duke, and attacker Anna Knowles will anchor a tough Torrey Pines offense. Knowles, the All-CIF-San Diego Player of the Year in 2010, has not committed yet. Middie Caroline Boucher (Virginia Tech) and goalie Carrie Young were also first-team selections in 2010.
Contenders: Coronado, La Costa Canyon
The cast of players doesn’t change much in this section.
Coronado was the section runner-up but only lost by a goal. Coronado will be a tough contender, anchored by three players who have already committed to Division I programs – Kaitlyn Couture (USC), Alex Reidy (Davis) and Michaela Guerrera (UMBC). Guerrera and midfielder Lauren Mack were both first-team All-CIF San Diego Section selections.
La Costa Canyon advanced to the second round of the playoffs before losing in overtime to Poway, but the Mavericks will likely be even stronger than last season. Senior attacker Jackie Mills, who is among the first players to commit to San Diego State’s new Division I lacrosse program, is one of eight returning starters. Mills, who is always a threat, is the only returning first-team All-CIF San Diego Section selection on her team, but she will be surrounded by a strong supporting cast. The Mavericks graduated seven seniors but return all their attackers and goalie Taylor Langston.
Preseason Top 10: 1. Torrey Pines, 2. Coronado, 3. La Costa Canyon, 4. Scripps Ranch, 5. Poway, 6. Westview, 7. Rancho Bernardo, 8. Bishop's, 9. Santa Fe Christian, 10. Carlsbad.
Returning 2010 First-Team All-Americans:
Players to Watch: Danielle Budde, Att., Poway (Lindenberg); Dana Christensen, G, Bishops; Kiki Gibson, Mid., La Costa Canyon; Tace Higuchi, Mid., Canyon Crest Academy (Tufts); Megan Lax, Att., La Costa Canyon; Lauren Mack, Mid., Coronado; Sara Nolte, Def., La Costa Canyon; Nicole Ornelas, Att., Helix Charter; Bianca Pham, Def., Bishop's; Samantha Segura, Att., Helix Charter; Rachael Silva, Helix Charter; Paige Soenksen, G, La Costa Canyon; Elyse Tierney, Mid., Bishop's; Meganne Weissenfels, G Coronado; Carrie Young, G, Torrey Pines; Caitlin Zirpolo, Mid., La Costa Canyon.