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ORANGE COUNTY PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Faith George, Santa Margarita, Jr.
Santa Margarita girls soccer player Faith George considers herself a goal-oriented person. And by goal, she means a team objective, not her finishing boots into the net.
The junior forward wanted the Eagles this season to capture Division 1 titles in the CIF-SS and CIF Southern California Regional playoffs and then seize a national title.
The team came close to reaching all of those lofty goals.
With the high-scoring George leading the way, Santa Margarita (22-2-1) swept the first two championships and finished second in MaxPreps’ national rankings.
“It’s OK,” she said of the near sweep. “Just another goal for next year.”
George is the Register’s Orange County player of the year.
The speedy USC commit erupted for 28 goals — 26 more than last season — as she moved from a defensive midfielder to a center forward under first-year coach Craig Bull.
George scored off a free kick in a 1-0 victory against Los Alamitos in the regional final, capping a season full of critical goals.
She netted both goals in a 2-1 victory against San Clemente in the Division 1 quarterfinals. She set up the goal in a 1-0 triumph against Villa Park in the semifinals.
“Big moments,” Bull said during the season of George’s productivity, which included several assists. “You don’t have that many goals if you don’t have a nose for it.”
George said Bull’s confidence in her play was critical in her success but also credited her teammates.
She worked at forward with Jastel David, Cora Fry, Emily Davey and Sydney Osborn. Midfielders Angelina Moschetti, MacMillan, Ruby Casey and Kendall Memoly each found different ways to pass her the ball or create scoring chances. Even defenders helped George score, she said.
“It was a whole team effort for me to score,” said George, selected the Trinity League MVP and All-CIF. “I just wanted my team to win everything.”
COACH OF THE YEAR
Erland Jones, Magnolia
Erland Jones guided the Magnolia girls soccer team for more than two decades before experiencing a season as magical as the one this winter.
Magnolia High, which opened in 1961, never witnessed a season like it either — in any team sport. Football, baseball, you name it.
The Sentinels won the CIF-SS Division 7 title in a sudden-death overtime amid heavy rain and wind to claim the school’s first CIF-SS team championship.
For his steady leadership and perseverance, Jones is the Register’s Orange County girls coach of the year.
“We brought it home!” Jones, in his 21st season, told his players after a 1-0 win against La Quinta in the final. “What a season!”
Jones, assisted by Alyssa Garcia and Wilfredo Velasco, also led Magnolia (17-10-1) to the Orange League title and a trip to CIF Southern California Regional playoffs.
FIRST TEAM
Faith George, Santa Margarita, Jr., forward (Player of the year)
Jaiden Anderson, Huntington Beach, Jr., forward
The Surf League MVP and USC commit scored 29 goals to lead the Oilers to the CIF-SS Division 1 playoffs.
Skylar Cano, Mater Dei, Sr., forward
The Trinity League offensive player of the year scored 16 goals and added six assists to help the Monarchs reach the CIF-SS Division 1 playoffs.
Kaylee Noble, Los Alamitos, Sr., forward
The Surf League co-offensive MVP scored a team-high 16 goals to help the Griffins finish as the runner-up in the CIF-SS Division 1 and regional playoffs.
Isis Salazar, Ocean View, Jr., forward
The Golden West League MVP scored 45 goals to lead the Seahawks to an undefeated league title.
Cindy Conner, Villa Park, Sr., midfielder
The Crestview League MVP contributed offensively and defensively to help the Spartans reach the semifinals in the CIF-SS and regional playoffs.
Molly MacMillan, Santa Margarita, Jr., midfielder
She scored the game-winning goal in a 1-0 victory against Villa Park in the CIF-SS Division 1 semifinals and scored in penalty kicks in a dramatic win in the final.
Viviana Zacarias, Los Alamitos, So., midfielder
The dynamic playmaker scored 10 goals and added six assists for Griffins.
Christa Hayden, Santa Margarita, Sr., defender
The center back was the Trinity League defensive player of the year.
Peyton Leonard, San Juan Hills, Sr., defender
She anchored the defense and sparked the offense, especially with her long throw-ins, to help the Stallions reach the CIF-SS Division 1 playoffs.
Malia McMahon, San Clemente, Sr., defender
The Cal-bound center back anchored a defense that helped the Tritons capture the South Coast League title.
Peyton Trayer, Santa Margarita, Fr., GK
The CIF-SS Division 1 player of the year blocked three shots in penalty kicks against Los Alamitos to help the Eagles claim their first section crown since 2016.
SECOND TEAM
Abbie Campos, Pacifica, Sr., forward
Sanaa Guyness, Los Alamitos, Sr., forward/midfielder
Peyton Marinos, JSerra, Fr., forward
Ariana Markey, Troy, So., forward/midfielder
Rylie Whittaker, Villa Park, So., forward
Kate Kubiak, Newport Harbor, Jr., midfielder
Zamorah Malinoski, Los Alamitos, Fr., midfielder
Angelina Moschetti, Santa Margarita, Sr., midfielder
Emma Song, Portola, Sr., forward/midfielder
Kiera Miskelly, Marina, Sr., defender
Brooklynn Acevedo, Crean Lutheran, Sr., GK
Avarie Gonzalez, Los Alamitos, Fr., GK
