MaxPreps Soccer Tour of Champions celebrates Monte Vista High School

The 13th Annual MaxPreps Tour of Champions presented by the Army National Guard passed through California on Friday, Apr. 27 to honor Monte Vista (Danville, Calif.) High School and its girls soccer team for winning a state championship and earning a high national ranking.

Having upended Archbishop Mitty 1-0 in the first CIF Northern California Division I regional championship, the 25-1-1 Mustangs claimed the No. 1 spot in the entire state of California and in MaxPreps' National Rankings, earning Monte Vista its second Tour of Champions invite since 2012!

As MaxPreps and the California Army National Guard arrived on campus, ready to set up and coordinate the presentation of the prestigious Army National Guard national ranking trophy to co-head coaches Chris Lum and Karen Huether and their squad, Monte Vista athletic director Andy Popper greeted the TOC and directed them to the gymnasium.

Then at 9:07 a.m., two Monte Vista students emceed the assembly, which consisted of Mustang teammates, the coaching staff and select school administration, before turning the ceremony over to MaxPreps representative Rigo Lopez. Lopez talked about Monte Vista's remarkable season and discussed MaxPreps' ranking system that resulted in the No. 1 state and national rankings for the Mustangs.

Lopez then called on Staff Sergeant John Chang of the California Army National Guard to present the coveted Army National Guard national ranking trophy to Lum and the Mustangs, who came front and center to be recognized in front of those in attendance.

Lum was grateful for the honor and extremely proud of his players for their great effort and selfless leadership throughout the season. Unfortunately, Huether could not participate in the celebration due to an illness. But we congratulate her on her leadership and her role in guiding the Mustangs towards this great achievement. Congratulations to Monte Vista High School for its outstanding character, exemplary leadership and the unity to which it embraces and fosters. You are ranked No. 1 nationally and were just one of 10 girls soccer programs chosen for the TOC out of 16,000 girls soccer teams across the nation.

Click here to view the Monte Vista TOC photo gallery and for more information about the Soccer TOC, please visit the MaxPreps Tour of Champions site.