MACIE BAIRD, Oak Park: Baird was the defensive leader of the team that led Ventura County with six postseason wins. The Coastal Canyon League co-Defensive MVP and all-CIF Division 3 selection also chipped in seven goals and an assist. It was her shot from 45 yards that equalized in the CIF-SS Division 3 final. The UC Riverside commit plays club soccer for Eagles SC in the ECNL.
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AVA DERMOTT, Oak Park: The lanky and skillful playmaker was the offensive leader for a memorable season for the Eagles, who reached the CIF-SS Division 3 finals and CIF-State Division III semifinals. The all-Coastal Canyon League first-team and all-CIF Division 3 selection had 16 goals and eight assists as a senior. Dermott is committed to UC Santa Barbara.
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MALEA JOHNSON, Oak Park: The Eagles’ run through the postseason was punctuated by big moments from their senior striker. The all-Coastal Canyon first-team and all-CIF Division 3 selection had 13 goals and nine assists. Johnson scored the game-winning goal in the quarterfinals and the golden goal in the semifinals as Oak Park reached its first sectional final in 21 years. The Long Beach State commit plays club soccer for LAFC SoCal in the ECNL.
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AMALIA NOLAN, Buena: The senior attacker was a central figure in the Bulldogs’ high-powered run to the Channel League title. The Channel League Offensive MVP had 18 goals and 15 assists as a senior. She had a hat trick in the first 14 minutes against Dos Pueblos and two goals and two assists in a 4-2 win over Rio Mesa. She also scored in playoff games against Long Beach Wilson and La Habra. The Long Beach State commit plays club soccer for LAFC SoCal in the ECNL.
PHOTO COURTESY OF EMMET CULLEN
KAYALILY PENN, Buena: The arrival of the transfer from Bishop Diego kicked the Bulldogs attack into overdrive. The all-Channel League first-team selection had 17 goals and 11 assists after joining the team in early January. Buena, which went unbeaten through the Channel League, averaged more than four goals per game after Jan. 9. She had a second-half hat trick in the 7-2 playoff win over Long Beach Wilson. The Cal State Fullerton commit plays club soccer for Eagles SC in the ECNL. Penn was the all-CIF-SS Division 7 Player of the Year in 2022 after leading Bishop Diego to the title.
PHOTO COURTESY OF EMMET CULLEN
MACKENZIE GWIN, Camarillo: The sophomore transfer needed just half a season to make an impact for the Coastal Canyon League co-champion and CIF-SS Division 2 quarterfinalist. The Coastal Canyon League Offensive MVP and all-CIF Division 2 selection had 13 goals and seven assists in just 11 matches. Gwin scored an incredible 55 goals in 20 matches as a freshman at Canoga Park High. She plays her club soccer for SoCal Blues in the ECNL.
PHOTO COURTESY OF COREY LAVALLEE/SOFA BISON PHOTOGRAPHY
JESSICA HEYBL, Camarillo: The Scorpions conceded just six goals in their eight Coastal Canyon League matches to earn a share of the title. Heybl’s acrobatic saves in goal were a big part of that run. The two-time Coastal Canyon League Goalkeeper of the Year and all-CIF Division 2 selection had six clean sheets, conceding nine goals in 17 matches. Her diving save was a key moment in the 2-1 playoff win over Upland.
PHOTO COURTESY OF MEGHAN WOODBURY
SAMANTHA FORDE, Thousand Oaks: The senior central defender was a key to the Lancers in their resurgent season. The four-year varsity player was an all-Marmonte League first-team selection. She chipped in offensively with two goals and three assists, including a two-assist game in a 3-2 win over Calabasas on Jan. 8. Forde plays club soccer for Eagles SC in the ECNL.
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IVY WILLIAMS, Thousand Oaks: The senior defensive midfielder was one of the top players in the county this winter, helping the Lancers reach the sectional quarterfinals for the first time in 16 years. The Marmonte League co-Defensive MVP also had six goals. She scored a key goal as the Lancers edged Irvine-Katella on penalty kicks to reach the Division 4 quarterfinals. The UC Irvine commit plays club soccer for LAFC SoCal in the ECNL.
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ABIGAIL SEAWRIGHT, Oaks Christian: The senior central defender was a mainstay at the back for the Lions for three years. The Marmonte League co-Defensive MVP and all-CIF Open Division selection also had a goal and three assists. The University of the Pacific commit also plays for the Puerto Rican Under-20 national team. She plays club soccer for Eagles SC in the ECNL.
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AVERY ODER, Oaks Christian: One of the most exciting players locally for three seasons, Oder took a step forward as a leader as a junior. The Marmonte League Most Valuable Player and all-CIF Open Division selection scored 22 goals, finishing fourth in CIF-SS Division 1, and added nine assists for the 13-4-4 Lions. The Duke University commit is also part of the U.S. Under-17 women’s national team. She plays her club soccer for Beach FC in the ECNL.
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The Star’s All-County sponsored by Ventura Orthopedics
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KAITLYN WRIGHT, Ventura: The 5-foot-8 striker has been an unstoppable force through two varsity seasons. The all-Channel League first team selection scored 26 goals as a sophomore, one shy of the school record. She has 44 goals in her two seasons. Wright had hat tricks against Frazier Mountain on Nov. 15, Moorpark on Dec. 1, and Oxnard on Jan. 18. She plays her club soccer for Eagles SC in the ECNL.
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MARLENE GONZALEZ, Fillmore: A mainstay in the Flashes’ attack for four years, Gonzalez led her team to the playoffs for the third straight season. The Citrus Coast League Offensive MVP and all-CIF Division 4 selection had 11 goals and eight assists as a senior. Gonzalez also won the fans’ vote when The Star asked its readers who was the top girl soccer player in Ventura County. She completed her four-year varsity career with 43 goals and 23 assists. She plays club soccer for Ventura Surf SC.
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KK CHOWANA, Westlake (left): One of the top young players in the county, Chowana powered the Warriors to the Division 1 quarterfinals. The Marmonte League Offensive MVP had 16 goals and two assists as a sophomore, including a memorable hat trick in the playoff win over Moorpark. Chowana’s brother, Charles, plays at Oak Park and was named to The Star’s boys first team. She plays club soccer for Eagles SC in the ECNL.
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CALISTA BANIHASHEMI, Westlake: The holding midfielder has been an impact player for the Warriors for three seasons. The all-Marmonte League second-team selection chipped in three goals as a junior. She plays club soccer for Eagles SC in the ECNL.
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SIENNA PIMENTEL, Oxnard: The 5-foot-5 junior has developed into one of the most efficient attacking players in the county. The all-Channel League first-team selection had 16 goals and four assists as a junior. She has scored 27 goals the past two seasons. The Cal State Fullerton commit plays club soccer for Eagles SC in the ECNL.
PHOTO COURTESY OF HAMPYSHOTS
SIENA MEYER, Newbury Park: The long and versatile junior is one of the top players in her class. The UCLA commit can play anywhere on defense and in the midfield. The Marmonte League first-team selection had four goals and two assists this season, including a goal against rival Thousand Oaks. She plays club soccer for LAFC SoCal Youth in the ECNL.
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KAITLYN BEAVERS, Moorpark: The Coastal Canyon League co-champions were deep and tough and that mentality was founded on their senior defender. Beavers was voted Coastal Canyon League co-Defensive MVP. She plays club soccer for Eagles SC in the ECNL. She and her twin sister Kamryn plan on continuing their career at Cal Lutheran University.
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YARABY HERRERA, Santa Paula: Herrera powered Santa Paula to a dramatic Citrus Coast League championship, scoring lone goals in key 1-0 wins over Carpinteria and Hueneme in the last week of the season. The all-Citrus Coast League first-team selection had 17 goals, including two in the 6-2 playoff win over Marlborough. Herrera also runs track for the Cardinals.
PHOTO COURTESY OF SEAN ENGLE
PRIYA TORRES, Grace Brethren: The senior attacker lead Ventura County in both goals and assists to power the Lancers to a share of the Frontier League title and a playoff win. The Frontier League Offensive MVP had 28 goals and 19 assists. The Point Loma commit plays club soccer for LAFC SoCal in the ECNL.
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CHARLOTTE WILFERT, La Reina: If it was the last La Reina soccer season, it was a memorable finish. That was partially provided by Wilfert, who kept five straight shutouts as the Regents earned the Frontier League title and won their first playoff game in 12 years. The Frontier League Goalkeeper of the Year is committed to play at Penn next year. She plays club soccer for LAFC SoCal in the Elite Clubs National League.
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