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Six Warriors given all-league girls soccer honors

Arce, Espinoza, Gartner on first team

Joe Naiman

Village News Reporter

The post-season meeting of the Valley League girls soccer coaches provided all-league recognition for six Fallbrook High School players.

Aaliyah Arce, Panther Espinoza and Rori Gartner were placed on the Valley League first team. The second team included Gianna Alvarez‑Lindenmayer, Kaylie Diaz and Abby Petersen.

“They really made a difference,” Fallbrook coach Nico Guerra said. “They did an outstanding job.”

The 2022-2023 team finished 3-0-5 in Valley League play for second place, a point behind league champion Valley Center High School and a loss in the first round of the CIF Division III playoffs gave this season’s Warriors an overall record of 6-5-7.

Arce is a sophomore and is Fallbrook’s goalkeeper.

“She’s a great goalie. Technically she’s really good,” Guerra said. “She knows the game, and I just can’t wait to see her this coming season.”

Espinoza is a senior and was a defender for the Warriors.

“I’m very, very happy with Panther’s performance overall,” Guerra said. “Technically really good and strong.”

Last year, Espinoza was a second-team Valley League selection; the 2021-2022 Warriors were fourth among the six Valley League teams and had a 4-4-2 league record along with an overall 7-8-3 mark which includes a loss in the first round of the CIF Division III playoffs. Gartner was on the 2021-2022 first team as was 2022 senior Adrianna Madrigal. Espinoza and Gartner were both on the 2020-2021 Valley League first team; that season the Warriors placed third in the league standings at 4-3-3 and were 6-6-4 overall.

This year Gartner, who plays high midfield, is a junior.

“She has really good ball control,” Guerra said. “She can defend, she can attack, she can pass the ball.”

Alvarez‑Lindenmayer and Diaz are both sophomores; Alvarez‑Lindenmayer played center-midfield while Diaz had center back duties. Petersen is a junior and was both a midfielder and a defender.

“I’m very thankful and happy for the team that I have. The team stayed together until the very end,” Guerra said. “They’re hard working. They’re always determined.”

Due to injuries and personal circumstances, three of Fallbrook’s 18 players were unavailable for the CIF playoff game at San Diego High School.

“They tried so hard,” Guerra said.

Although the Warriors lost the playoff game by a 3-0 score, during the regular season they only allowed 10 goals. The Warriors scored eight times during league play while opponents only scored twice.

“They always communicate with each other,” Guerra said.

Joe Naiman can be reached by email at [email protected].

 

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