MaxPreps 2013 Soccer Early Contenders: Maria Carrillo girls

The name on the fronts of the jerseys is Maria Carrillo. The reason those jerseys are worn in so many victories is Debra LaPrath.

The Maria Carrillo (Santa Rosa, Calif.) soccer program has been one of the best in California for a long time. But the Pumas took it to a whole new level last season when they finished a perfect 20-0 and were crowned mythical national champions by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. That title, that year-after-year success and a decent number of players returning makes Maria Carrillo a national title Early Contender presented by adidas and Dick's Sporting Goods.

See all the 2013 Fall Soccer Early Contenders

LaPrath emphasizes teambuilding and other off-the-field attributes in leading her program and has made a name for herself. She has published a book titled "Coaching Girls Soccer Successfully" and has also won leadership awards for teaching.



It's those details that seem to give the Pumas a huge edge and it should happen again this season.

"They are willing and eager to do the type of team building activities that foster friendship and loyalty to each other, the team and their school," LaPrath said. "They are proud of their past accomplishments and the possibilities that the new season brings."

Last season was utter domination. There were at least 12 shutouts and the Pumas outscored the opposition 9-1 in three playoff victories that culminated in a North Coast Section Division I title. It was the second section title in a row and the fourth in the young school's history.

This season, they are pushing the envelope in terms of schedule by heading to Maryland and taking on some of the east coast's best in the McDonogh Invitational. And at home, Maria Carrillo has a healthy rivalry with crosstown rival Montgomery (Santa Rosa), which has also won four titles since Maria Carrillo High was built.

Maria Carrillo will being back players from a variety of classes and positions. One position or one class doesn't stand out. What does stand out, though, is the program's pedigree and LaPrath's career record - all facts that point to another successful season in Wine Country.

See the special Maria Carrillo girls soccer photo gallery



Local look: "For several years, the Maria Carrillo girls were the best team that couldn't win a soccer championship. That changed in 2011 when coach Debra LaPrath's squad finally broke through and won the North Coast Section title. And then the Pumas got better. They crushed the competition last year en route to another section banner and an unblemished 20-0 record. LaPrath is big on team-building exercises like senior night performances and team dinners, and she usually has some talent to work with, too. Two of her former players, Sara Tosti and Katie Mohr, are currently playing at Arizona State."
- Phil Barber, Santa Rosa Press Democrat (@Skinny_Post)
{PAGEBREAK}

State classification: California Interscholastic Federation North Coast Section, Division I

Enrollment: 1,612

Athletic directors: Kara Myers and Jerry Deakens

2012 finish: 20-0, North Coast Section champion, NSCAA national champion, No. 3 national ranking in MaxPreps Computer Rankings

Head coach: Debra LaPrath

Years at school: 17 (every year of the school's existence)

Career record: 264-75-15

Notable team achievements: The program has won five league titles and four North Coast Section titles, plus last season's mythical national crown.



Notable soccer alumni: Sara Tosti and Katie Mohr each moved on to play at Arizona State University.

Notable non-soccer facts about school: A reported 22 percent of students are identified for the Gifted and Talented program. ... Maria Carrillo is the newest school in Sonoma County.
{PAGEBREAK}

Key player losses:

F Katie Mohr

D Ali Schaffer

D Madison Minton

MF Victoria Kovatch



MF Kristen Sampietro

MF Natalia Picano

Key returners:

Sr. D Rachel Sellner

Sr. D Katie Prosser

Sr. D Sarah Sullivan



Jr. MF Miranda Gonzalez

Sr. MF Hannah Ricker

Soph. F Madison Gonzalez

Jr. GK Jenna Tiewater

Soph. GK Claire Howard

Rising contributors:



Jr. D Brianne Parsons

Soph. MF Brooke Dunbar

Soph. D Alison King
{PAGEBREAK}

Toughest games: While they may face some quality squads in their home area, the Pumas have their hands full with a trip to the McDonogh Invitational in Maryland, Sept. 5-8. They will face Our Lady of Good Counsel (another national title Early Contender) and also McDonogh, a tough school from the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference as well.

Question marks: Can complacency or a false sense of superiority bring this team down after winning a mythical national title? Maria Carrillo has experienced amazing amounts of success lately, and players may think that showing up entitles them to victories.

National look: California plays soccer in three different seasons, and each section chooses which season(s) it wants to play in. That makes it hard to determine how good the state as a whole is on the national scene. Furthermore, the North Coast Section and the Northern Section (mostly made up of tiny rural schools) are the only California ones that play in the fall.

In summary: "We have high expectations for this team, they expect to win and have the talent and ability to fight for every game. They understand that it takes team effort, and playing as individuals will only take them so far. But at the same time the individual that can change the outcome of a game when your number is called."
- Head coach Debra LaPrath
{PAGEBREAK}