Seven from girls soccer earn all-league

Seven members of Fallbrook High School’s girls soccer team earned all-league honors.

Forward Kathleen Mellano and midfielder Kayde Hensley received berths on the Avocado League’s first team, forward Natalie Ratnavira and sweeper Kyleen Button were named to the league’s second team, and honorable mention recognition was given to midfielder Britnee Chesney and defenders Taylor Welby and Daniella Roguli.

“Most teams would be happy, but it’s a little disappointing for us,” Fallbrook coach Ted Small said of having seven all-league selections. “We’re used to having a lot more.”

The seven all-league players constituted a decrease from nine all-league berths for 2005-06. Fallbrook had three players, all seniors, who earned first-team honors for the 2005-06 season. “Usually we get about three first-teamers,” Small said.

The 2005-06 Warriors had a perfect 10-0 record in Avocado League play and reached the CIF Division I semifinals. The 2006-07 squad finished 6-2-2 in Avocado League competition and lost to La Costa Canyon in overtime in the first round of the CIF Division I playoffs.

Mellano and Hensley both earned second-team all-league honors last year. “They’re both strong players. Both have been starting since they were freshmen,” Small said.

Chesney was an Avocado League second-team selection for 2005-06 while Button and Ratnavira earned honorable mention all-league honors last year. The all-league awards are new for Roguli as well as for Welby, who is a freshman.

The six all-league selections other than Welby are all juniors, so all seven of Fallbrook’s all-league players are expected to return for the 2007-08 season. “That should be good,” Small said.