The pain was still lingering for San Marcos boys soccer coach Paul McLean as he took the microphone at Monday’s Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table press luncheon at The Creekside Restaurant to talk about Saturday’s CIF-SS Division 2 playoff loss to Norwalk in a penalty-kick shootout after a 1-1 tie through regulation and two overtime periods.
“I know I speak for (my players) Jared and Caden Vom Steeg and the team that we’re not super stoked to be here… because it’s still a little close to 36 hours that we lost and our season ended,” McLean confessed. “It’s somewhat on a painful note we’re here.”
The Royals were coming off their first Channel League title in 20 years and won their first playoff game. They had several chances against Norwalk but couldn’t finish and lost on the last penalty shot.
“I was reminded, ‘Why does this suck so bad when you lose,’? said McLean. “The answer is because of the deep investment that we make in the season. These guys invested deeply and that’s why it hurts when it’s over.”
McLean introduced his twin star midfielders Caden and Jared Vom Steeg. Their play and commitment raised the level of the San Marcos team.
“One of the things I appreciate about them both is their deep level of investment in our program and in our team,” McLean explained. “They’re both headed to UCSB to play soccer; they didn’t have to play at San Marcos, their soccer future was already decided. But they wanted to, because soccer is fun and playing for your high school is more fun. I love they made that decision, and have been part of our team in every way from the start.”
Santa Barbara High Boys Soccer
The Dons also lost a playoff heartbreaker on Saturday, falling to fourth-seeded Loyola, 2-1, on a last-minute goal in a Division 1 second-round game at Peabody Stadium.
“We lost a nail biter, but we return a good amount of juniors,” said coach Ricardo Alcaraz.
He introduced standout junior midfielders Rockwood Foster and Sebastian Alvarez.
On Foster: “He may look like he’s 5-7 but he plays like he’s 6-4,” said Alcaraz of his holding midfielder. “He’s just a monster in the midfield. He wins every battle and goes for every single ball like it’s the last meal of the day.”
The coach said Alvarez made huge strides from his sophomore to junior years, and he’s excited about his future.
“I think he’s a player who is going to get a lot of recognition next season,” said Alcaraz of the attacking midfielder who scored seven goals and had five assists.
“These are two guys who played an important role in our season,” said Alcaraz. “I can’t wait to work with them and the rest of the juniors returning next year.
“These kids are on a mission next year. Be ready.”
Santa Barbara Boys Volleyball
Coach Chad Arneson is excited his team and the other spring sports have CIF playoffs.
“I want to thank CIF for allowing us to have playoffs,” he said. “All the fall sports didn’t have a chance to have playoffs, so I am grateful these kids have the opportunity.”
His undefeated Dons are seeded No. 1 in Division 2. A big reason why is the play of outside hitter Alex Rottman and middle Andrew Douglas. Douglas is headed to UC San Diego.
Santa Barbara has a first-round bye and opens with a second-round match at Quartz Hill in Lancaster on Thursday.
San Marcos Boys Lacrosse
Coach Rick Lehman said the Royals claimed the City Championship for the seventh straight year and will be looking to win a sixth straight Channel League title on Tuesday when they play Cate.
He introduced four-year standouts Jackson Kelly and Jack Hughes.
“Jackson has been playing defense for years and is a root there,” said Lehman.
On Hughes: “Jack Hughes is man that plays everywhere; he goes up and down the field.”
San Marcos Baseball
Chris Neal and Luca Schoenwetter are two college-bound Royals who are team-first guys, said coach Wes Ghan-Gibson.
On Neal: “He’s a special human being that will attack life as he attacks the weight room and the baseball field,” said Ghan-Gibson. “People like Chris will continue to drive this culture forward by leading by example.”
Neal carries a 4.8 GPA and is headed to Cal, where he plans to major in mechanical engineering and join the rowing team.
“Schoenwetter brings passion to our dugout,” said Ghan-Gibson. The 4.0 student is going to Cal Poly and plans to major in geography.
Santa Barbara Track & Field
Assistant coach Moki Nacario said freshman Blaise Snow ran a season best in the 800 and Blaise Winston clocked personal bests in the 400 meters and 300 hurdles at the Simi Valley Invitational over the weekend.
On the girls side, senior team captain Zia Frausto ran a PR in the 200 at Simi Valley. She also does the 100, 400 and 4×400 relay. Mila Speer competes in the jumping events and is part of the 4×100 relay.
Santa Barbara will host the Channel League Finals on Saturday at the newly named Cunningham Family Track at Peabody Stadium.
Santa Barbara Girls Lacrosse
Coach Elayne Blessing said sophomore Daisy Foreman “is passionate about lacrosse and plays smart on the field.”
Freshman Olivia Battles is the team’s top defender and has recently played in the midfield.
“She puts everything she has into everything she does and pushes the other players to be better,” said Blessing. “I’m lucky to have such young talent and look forward seeing them grow in the next few years.”
Dos Pueblos Baseball
Coach George Hedricks thought Ryan Speshyock’s 79-pitch three-hitter against Santa Barbara was even better than the 17-strikeout performance he accomplished in his previous outing.
Speshyock was named the Athlete of the Week.
“Seventy-nine pitches over a complete game is, to me, a little bit more special,” said Hedricks. “We’ve been preaching all year to get ahead and get batters out. He still ended up with eight strikeouts (against the Dons in a 3-1 win), and those were really big strikeouts in key moments for us.”
The Chargers got great defense from shortstop Greg Marmo and clutch inning from Jackson Greaney in the win over the Dons that put them one game out of first place.
On Marmo: “He did things with the glove that are really special. We needed him the most in this game,” said Hedricks. “We all know what Greg is capable of, but it was neat for everybody to get a chance to see that.”
On Greaney: “He’s a consistent senior starter for us and our team captain,” said the coach. “He had five hits in the Santa Barbara series , including some big RBIs for us. He came up in big spots for us, and he’s been really doing that for us all year. He’s really put the offense on his back and carried us.”
Dos Pueblos Boys Lacrosse
Assistant coach Justin Juarez praised senior captain Ashton Slattery and senior Robert Griz for the example they’ve set for the younger players.
On Slattery: “This guy is running all over the field having to fill spots. He never complains, does what he’s told and does the job for us,” said Juarez.
On Kriz: “He keeps taking hits and keeps going, keeps pushing through. He’s leading our team in goals, face-off wins and assists,” said the coach.
Dos Pueblos Track & Field
Charger girls team coach Veronica Gines said senior jumper and team captain Madison Martinich decided to pick up the hurdles this season “and she’s good at them. She hasn’t fallen yet.”
She finished second in the 100 hurdles at the Santa Barbara County Championships last Saturday.
Sophomore Samsara Chahine was a double county champion, winning the 1600 and 800 titles. She also has the fastest leg on the 4×400 relay.
Boys coach Chris Molkoy said distance runner Dylan Richardson and thrower Kellen Tressler are contrasting leaders.
“Dylan is very vocal and outgoing,” Molkoy said. “He’s a consistent point getter and has been a leader on the team all season.”
On Tressler: “He’s more reserved. He gets the work done. He’s been winning and placing all season for us.
“These two gentlemen are the foundation of our team.”
San Marcos Girls Lacrosse
Senior attacker Meiya Sidney is the leading goal scorer for the Royals with 29 goals and nine assists, said coach Paul Ramsey.
“She is one of our biggest work-ethic players,” he said.
Junior midfielder Emma Neal “is after a spot at West Point,” Ramsey noted. “If you know West Point and what it takes to get there, and what she is doing to prepare herself along with playing lacrosse at San Marcos, then you have a glimpse of how we have a great opportunity with Emma on our team.”
Junior attacker/midfielder Sofia Martinez-Tomatis switched from defender to attacking player and the move paid off.
“She came up to me halfway through her sophomore year and said, ‘Hey coach I want to play attack,’” Ramsey recalled. “I said, ‘OK we’ll see if we can work that out.’ We did it and she is our third leading scorer.”
Ramsey said the Royals clinched a spot in the first CIF-SS lacrosse playoffs.
San Marcos Boys Volleyball
The Royals open the Division 2 playoffs at home Tuesday against Hart.
Coach Roger Kuntz introduced senior outside hitters Joey Macko and Nick Walker and junior outside Zach Willbanks.
Willbanks will miss the playoff opener with an ankle injury, said Kuntz.
On Macko: “He’s one of those coach’s dreams. He’s a real intelligent guy, solid character, solid spiritually and solid work ethic,” said Kuntz. Macko is headed to Wichita State.
Walker plays outside hitter and defensive specialist.
“He is a very fast-twitch guy, a good athlete and a solid starter,” said of Kuntz of the Point Loma-bound Walker.
San Marcos Track & Field
Senior Joaquin Salazar, who came out late for track because of spring football, went over 40 feet and finished fourth in the shot put at the County Championships.
“He broke into the 40s in the shot and placed in the top five in shot and discus,” said coach Marilyn Hantgin. “I’m looking forward to see what he does at league finals.”
Jacob Snodgrass won county titles in the 1600 and 800.
“I’m looking for some good things to come,” said Hantgin of the junior. “Luckily, we get to go to CIF this year. I’m so excited to see what he can do.”
Hantgin said the future looks promising for freshman sprinter Ava Carter, who broke 13 seconds in the 100 and 27 seconds in the 200 in her first year.
“She has a bright future ahead of her,” said the coach.
Sophomore Makenzie Fauver is another young standout for the Royals. “She’s getting better and better every week in the hurdles, which is hard to do,” said Hantgin.
Fauver won the frosh/soph 300 and 100 hurdles at the county championships and was part of winning 4×100 and 4×400 relays.
Santa Barbara Girls Basketball
Coach Andrew Butcher said what sets senior standout Athena Saragoza apart is she possesses that combination of aggressiveness and discipline.
“Very often I get a player with one or the other,” he said. “It’s a rare combination to be skilled at both,” said Butcher of his Regis University-bound star.
In addition, he said Saragoza’s “work ethic is unbelievable.”
Butcher said junior Adlen Godinez is a strong, dedicated player. “She’s a great player, and I’m proud to be her coach. She just busts her butt every minute.”
Next Monday will be the final press luncheon of school year. The program will include a tribute to longtime Santa Barbara sports writer Mark Patton.
— Noozhawk sports editor Barry Punzal can be reached at bpunzal@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk Sports on Twitter: @NoozhawkSports. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.
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