Madrigal, Gartner, Espinoza given all-league girls soccer recognition

Joe Naiman

Village News Reporter

The Valley League girls soccer coaches selected three Fallbrook High School players to the 2021-22 all-league teams.

Adrianna Madrigal and Rori Gartner were chosen for the Valley League first team. Panther Espinoza was given second-team distinction.

“I’m very happy for them because they worked so hard,” said Fallbrook coach Nico Guerra.

The Warriors placed fourth in the Valley League standings with a 4-4-2 record. Fallbrook’s 7-8-3 overall record includes a loss in the first round of the CIF Division III playoffs.

“It was really a great team. They love each other. They support each other,” Guerra said.

Madrigal is a senior who was a forward for the Warriors during the 2021-22 season. She was also a team captain for her senior year. “She was such a great leader,” Guerra said. “I was really surprised the way she led the team because she leads by example.”

Last year, Sergio Garcia was the Warriors’ coach; Madrigal was primarily a midfielder; the Valley League had honorable mention all-league selections, and Madrigal was recognized at the honorable mention level.

Gartner is a sophomore who played as a defensive midfielder. “She’s very competitive,” Guerra said.

Guerra noted Gartner’s desire for success. “She works really hard to make that happen. She’s very disciplined. She’s very talented,” Guerra said. Gartner was on last year’s all-league first team as a freshman. “She has a lot of potential,” Guerra said.

Espinoza is a junior. She was a defender who played both inside right back and outside right back during the season. “She was very strong, very, very competitive, she’s always on it,” Guerra said. “She works really hard.”

Last year the Warriors had a 4-3-3 Valley League record worth third place in the standings, and Espinoza was on the all-league first team. Guerra sees a leadership role for Espinoza on the 2022-23 Warriors. “I don’t think there’s going to be any issues for her to get that captain band on her arm,” Guerra said.

Two of the all-league players are expected to return for 2022-23. Madrigal is one of five seniors who played for the Warriors this season. “I’m going to miss the ones who are going to graduate,” Guerra said.