Cara Curtin

Posted By Press Democrat Staff Writer Michael Coit:

Following a run to the state title, the Santa Rosa Junior College women’s soccer team finished ranked second nationally with sisters Cara and Lauren Curtin also receiving All-American honors.
Going 20-1-3 including a sweep of the California Community College Athletic Association playoffs, the Bear Cubs posted another great season after finishing runner up in the state a year ago.
Santa Rosa finished second in the final ranking by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, moving up five spots in the poll. Montgomery College, of Rockville, MD., was top ranked.
Losing only once all season, Santa Rosa was formidable on both sides of the ball. The Bear Cubs scored more than 3 goals a game and 13 of Santa Rosa’s wins were shutouts.
Leading scorers Cara and Lauren Curtin were named to the NSCAA Junior College Women’s Division III All-West First Team.
The twins helped power a squad that posted convincing playoff wins to reach the state title game. Santa Rosa defeated Santiago Canyon College in a double overtime thriller. Cara Curtin scored all four Bear Cubs goals in the championship contest — the game winner off an assist from Lauren Curtin — and was named most valuable player of the state finals.
After capturing a fifth consecutive Big 8 Conference title, Santa Rosa placed six players on the All-Conference team: Tara Funk, goalkeeper (Petaluma High); Lisa Shaw, midfielder; Cami James, defender (Casa Grande); Alex Coffaney, defender (Montgomery), Cara Curtin, forward (Maria Carrillo); and Lauren Curton, midfielder (Maria Carrillo).
Cara Curtin also was the Big 8 Conference offensive player of the year.
In his first season leading Santa Rosa, head coach Luke Oberkirch was named NSCAA Junior College Women’s West Region Coach of the Year.