Neighbor News
DVC women's soccer team recognized by college
The state runner-up DVC women's squad was honored by interim college President Ted Wieden
The Diablo Valley women’s soccer team was honored Thursday for its rousing and historic march to a runner-up finish in the state that thrilled the college’s faculty and students.
College interim President Ted Wieden and Vikings Athletic Director Christine Worsley praised team members and coaches during the ceremony in the DVC gymnasium. Head coach Cailin Mullins, the North Region Coach of the Year and a finalist for a national honor, also addressed the players.
Consider it a special day for a very special team -- the top community college women's team in Northern California.
"I definitely think that it's very important to our program that we're getting recognition from our president, which is huge," said standout goalkeeper Katie McLaughlin. "It's all definitely warm feelings now. We're happy to be able to celebrate what we've accomplished."
College interim President Ted Wieden and Vikings Athletic Director Christine Worsley praised team members and coaches during the ceremony in the DVC gymnasium. Head coach Cailin Mullins, the North Region Coach of the Year and a finalist for a national honor, also addressed the players.
Consider it a special day for a very special team -- the top community college women's team in Northern California.
"I definitely think that it's very important to our program that we're getting recognition from our president, which is huge," said standout goalkeeper Katie McLaughlin. "It's all definitely warm feelings now. We're happy to be able to celebrate what we've accomplished."
McLaughlin, a sophomore out of College Park High, received a high honor this week when she and freshman midfielder Vanessa Ruvalcaba of Pittsburg High were selected as NSCAA Junior College Division III first-team All-Americans. McLaughlin was also named as DIII Player of the Year.
The Vikings (18-2-6) won their first Big 8 title, and then beat Solano 6-1, Las Positas 4-0 and Delta 1-0 in the regional playoffs en route to a first berth in the state final four.
But they weren’t done. They beat Santa Barbara 2-0 in Friday’s CCCAA semifinals on second-half goals by Cameron Chan and Karla Ramos at Ventura College. In the final, McLaughlin made a remarkable 17 saves in a 2-0 loss to Cerritos in overtime -- Cerritos’ fifth consecutive title.
It turns out McLaughlin’s outstanding DVC career probably wouldn’t have gotten started without a nudge from Mullins.
“I was kind of done with soccer and coach convinced me to come over here and play,” McLaughlin said. “I’m so thankful that she did because this program is so much thicker than any other program than I’ve been at.”
What made the Vikings so good this year?
“I think talent was definitely a big part, but I think that another part was just a connection that we had,” McLaughlin said. “I think last year was a little more (divided); this year the freshmen and sophomores, we were all able to come along and combine and connect.”
Top scorer Noelle Lemos, an All Region player like McLaughlin, attributed the special season to “just the people. There was such a variety of athletes. We all got along for the most part, as much as a big group of girls can. But with all these different personalities, we brought something to the table and it just meshed really well. We just created this team atmosphere. Regardless of what was going on, when we came to the field it was something special, and it kind of carried us all the way through.”
The Vikings worked 17 shutouts, 18 if you count the first 90 minutes against Cerrito. They were 12-0-2 at home and amassed 61 goals in 26 games.
The Vikings (18-2-6) won their first Big 8 title, and then beat Solano 6-1, Las Positas 4-0 and Delta 1-0 in the regional playoffs en route to a first berth in the state final four.
But they weren’t done. They beat Santa Barbara 2-0 in Friday’s CCCAA semifinals on second-half goals by Cameron Chan and Karla Ramos at Ventura College. In the final, McLaughlin made a remarkable 17 saves in a 2-0 loss to Cerritos in overtime -- Cerritos’ fifth consecutive title.
It turns out McLaughlin’s outstanding DVC career probably wouldn’t have gotten started without a nudge from Mullins.
“I was kind of done with soccer and coach convinced me to come over here and play,” McLaughlin said. “I’m so thankful that she did because this program is so much thicker than any other program than I’ve been at.”
What made the Vikings so good this year?
“I think talent was definitely a big part, but I think that another part was just a connection that we had,” McLaughlin said. “I think last year was a little more (divided); this year the freshmen and sophomores, we were all able to come along and combine and connect.”
Top scorer Noelle Lemos, an All Region player like McLaughlin, attributed the special season to “just the people. There was such a variety of athletes. We all got along for the most part, as much as a big group of girls can. But with all these different personalities, we brought something to the table and it just meshed really well. We just created this team atmosphere. Regardless of what was going on, when we came to the field it was something special, and it kind of carried us all the way through.”
The Vikings worked 17 shutouts, 18 if you count the first 90 minutes against Cerrito. They were 12-0-2 at home and amassed 61 goals in 26 games.
