Posted by Press Democrat Staff Writer Michael Coit:
Opposing coaches predict the Sonoma State men’s and women’s soccer teams will be tough to beat this fall.
In the California Collegiate Athletic Association coaches’ poll, the men are picked to win the league’s north division for a seventh straight season and take the CCAA Championship Tournament title.
The women are tabbed to finish second in the north in the CCAA coaches’ preseason poll that has the Seawolves just missing the league tournament.
Already picked 22nd in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/Adidas Division II Preseason Poll, the men’s team faces a tough field to win the league title. Both Cal State Dominguez Hills and Cal State Los Angeles are ranked ahead of the Seawolves with Cal State San Bernardino also in the top 25.
Top returning players for the Seawolves include Cory Taufer, Ryan Hall, Cam Vickers and Trevor Hurst, from Piner high and Santa Rose Junior College.
Among the newcomers are Brian Clementino, from Sonoma Valley high, and Taylor Varnadore, out of Analy high. Juan Sosa, from Elsie Allen high, returns to the team and will compete for time at goalkeeper.
Sonoma State’s women are picked to finish behind defending north champion Chico State and fifth overall in the league. The top four teams make the league tournament.
Leading the Seawolves will be Taylor Edmonds, Katie Parucha and Macy Usher. The goalkeepers who shared time a year ago are back, Courtney Grixti and Alexis Sciacqua, from Montgomery high. Julianne McFarlin, from Santa Rosa high, is among the newcomers.
