Girls’ soccer: Valencia could be a league and divisional title threat

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

I understand Hart is still the top dog in the Foothill League until somebody else proves otherwise, but don’t be too surprised if Valencia turns out to be that somebody else.

The Vikings are off to a 6-0-1 start and a lot of that can be credited to the play of striker Kelly Deckers and forward Alyson Drake. Drake leads the team with 13 points (5 goals, 3 assists) and Deckers has 11 points (5-1). The defense has also been impressive, allowing an average of one goal a game.

Valencia beat defending Division V champion Oaks Christian, 3-1, last week and it cruised to a 4-1 victory over a decent Westlake squad. But does that mean the Vikings are Foothill League or Division II championship-challenging material?

We’ll find out when the Vikings play in the Hart tournament after Christmas. The tourney might even give us a chance to see these teams play each other in what could be a Foothill League championship preview.

-- Austin Knoblauch