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12/6/04: Ocean League Preview
Ocean League: The favorites to qualify for the CIF playoffs in the Ocean League are undoubtedly Santa Monica, Beverly Hills and Culver City. Santa Monica and Beverly Hills both won their leagues last year and Culver City also made the playoffs last year as a third-place team from the Pioneer League. But before those teams start writing in playoff berths from the re-configured Ocean League, there will likely be a stiff challenge from the young Monarchs.

Santa Monica: The defending Ocean League champion is expected by most to once again win the league. Despite losing league MVP Claire Beitcher and her 16 goals, the Vikings have plenty of firepower. Sophomore forward Sam Greene scored 12 goals last year and was first-team all-league as a freshman. They also return two second-team all-leaguers in senior midfielder Payton Raffa and defender Julia Keighley as Santa Monica looks to improve its 10-12-1 record from last year. (Daily Breeze)

1/12/05: Morningside
Boosted by five starting freshmen to go along with a solid defense, Morningside just might see the dawn of soccer playoffs for the first time in its program's history. But it still doesn't figure to be easy since the favorites to qualify for the CIF playoffs in the Ocean League are undoubtedly Santa Monica, Beverly Hills and Culver City.

With a lineup that includes only three seniors, it would be easy to dismiss the Monarchs as too young to challenge for a playoff spot. But Coach Felipe Bernal does not agree with that thinking. Instead, he sees younger players as a strength that could allow Morningside to improve on its 7-12-2 record from last year. "Our freshman class is very strong, it just depends if they grow together," Bernal said. That class will be led by forward Elena Ruiz and offensive midfielder Yadira Juarez. If those freshman play as Bernal expects, the Monarchs could challenge for their first playoff spot in the nine-year history of the program. "With those freshman we are able to score now and I know we are good defensively, so I know we have a chance," Bernal said. The defense is anchored by sophomore sweeper Karina Ortiz and senior goalkeeper Jennifer Diaz. Bernal spoke highly of Ortiz and Diaz, who should keep the Monarchs in most of the games they play. "Ortiz is an all-around player who is an excellent sweeper, despite the fact she plays out of position," Bernal said. "Diaz will be a big part of this team as long as she is healthy." (Daily Breeze)

1/12/05: Santa Monica 1, Morningside 0
In the first Ocean League game of the season Samohi (8-3-2, 1-0) wins 1-0 at Morningside in a game played on a sloppy wet field. Allison Gourvitz scored the lone goal with an assist from Samantha Greene. Morningside is 0-1 in league.

1/14/05: Inglewood
The Sentinels return four starters from last year's squad that finished last in the Pioneer League. Inglewood boys coach Clemente Gonzalez has taken over the girls program and acknowledges that it is critical that this team improves so that it can be competitive in league play. (Daily Breeze)

1/14/05: Santa Monica 12, Inglewood 1
The first game against Inglewood is a 12-1 victory with Nicole Allen scoring four goals for Santa Monica (9-3-2, 2-0). Eight other players scored in the game (Daniela DaCosta, Michela Fitten, Julia Keighley, Samantha Greene, Anna Nabel, Jenna Robbins, Nora Casey, and Courtney Borden). The score was 8-0 at half-time.

1/19/05: Beverly Hills
Last year's Pioneer League champion had the misfortune of being moved to the Ocean League where the Normans are expected to finish second behind Santa Monica. But a playoff spot could be in the cards. They return two all-league players from their back line, senior goalkeeper Jade Sherman and senior sweeper Coral Wright. A strong defense will be needed since there will be only seven returning letterman from last year's strong team, which finished 15-7 overall. (Daily Breeze)

1/19/05: Santa Monica 4, Beverly Hills 0
The January 19th meeting between the two teams ended with a 4-0 win for Samo against a big, strong and physical Beverly Hills team. Amelia Daly and Nicole Allen each had a goal and an assist and Kelsey Thomas and Allison Gourvitz also scored. Nicole Duvardo got her 7th shutout of the season.

1/21/05: Culver High
The Centaurs are the favorites to take the third and final playoff spot out of the Ocean League. They'll be looking to do as well or better than last year's performance of 12-7 while finishing third in the league. Culver City has a young squad that returns eight lettermen and four starters. But Coach Stephanie Coddens is confident in newcomers such as sophomore midfielder Jennifer Honda, sophomore stopper Elisabeth Hill, and junior midfielder Alyssa Figueroa, can contribute to a possible playoff run. (Daily Breeze)

1/21/05: Santa Monica 2, Culver High 0
The Jan 21st meeting at Culver High (4-5-2, 2-1) was a strange game dominated mainly by the referees. Payton Raffa scored in the first half on an assist from Nicole Allen. They reversed roles in the second half with Allen scoring on the assist from Raffa. Santa Monica improves its record to 11-3-2, 4-0. It was the 8th shutout for Nicole Duvardo.

1/24/05: Samohi
Santa Monica debuts in the Division III coaches' poll tied for 10th.

School           Rank    L Rank
MAYFAIR           01      01                              
WALNUT            02      02                             
SUNNY HILLS       03      03                             
COSTA MESA        04      04                             
SANTIAGO          05      05                             
BONITA            06      06                             
KENNEDY           07      07                             
SAN LUIS OBISPO   08      08                             
CYPRESS           09      10                             
ORANGE LUTHERAN   10 Tie  09                             
SANTA MONICA      10 Tie  UNR

1/26/05: Hawthorne
The Cougars should be the most improved team in the Ocean League because they return 10 starters from a squad that went winless in league play last year. All-Ocean League first-team forward Cindy Ortega (13 goals, 11 assists) and All-Ocean League second-team forward Noemi Aguilar (12 goals, 13 assists) make for a potent attacking duo that could surprise the Ocean League elite this year. Though not expected to make the playoffs this year, with eight underclassmen starting, the future looks bright for the Cougars. (Daily Breeze)

1/26/05: Santa Monica 7, Hawthorne 1
The first game of the season against Hawthorne resulted in a 7-1 win for Santa Monica (12-3-2, 5-0). There were two goals each from Nicole Allen, Samantha Greene and Nikki Hoffman and one goal from Allison Gourvitz. Hawthorne (2-8, 1-3).

1/28/05: Morninside
The Santa Monica-Morningside match was called with 15 minutes remaining after a brawl broke out. Santa Monica, the first-place team, had a 2-0 lead in the physical game. Morningside coach Felipe Bernal said officials allowed the rough play to continue, which ultimately resulted in punches being thrown. (Daily Breeze)

1/28/05: Santa Monica 2, Morningside 0
Daniela DaCosta and Amelia Daly each scored for Santa Monica (13-3-2, 6-0) in the win over Morningside (9-5-5, 2-4).

1/31/05: Samohi
Santa Monica moves up to No. 8 in the Division III coaches' poll.

School           Rank    L Rank
MAYFAIR           01      01  	 	 	 	  
WALNUT            02      02 
COSTA MESA        03      04 
SUNNY HILLS       04      03
BONITA            05      06
KENNEDY           06      07 
SANTIAGO          07      05 				 
SANTA MONICA      08      10		 
CYPRESS           09      09				 
SAN LUIS OBISPO   10      08 				 
ATASCEDRO         10      UNR

2/2/05: Santa Monica 6, Inglewood 0
Junior Kelsey Thomas had two goals to lead Santa Monica (14-3-2, 7-0), ranked No. 8 in the Division III coaches' poll. Jenna Robbins, Allison Field, Samantha Green and Allison Gourvitz also scored in the win over Inglewood (0-7 in league).

2/4/05: Beverly Hills 1, Santa Monica 0
April Shannon scored the game-winning goal in the 25th minute on an assist by Jocelyn Karlin as the Normans (5-1-1, 11-8-2) upset Santa Monica (14-4-2, 7-1-0), the first-place team in the Ocean League and the 8th-ranked team in Southern Section Division III. It was Shannon's fourth goal of the season. (LA Times)

2/7/05
Samohi Girls drop out of the top 10 in the CIF-SS Division III coaches' poll.

2/8/05: Santa Monica 2, Culver City 1
Nicole Allen scored both goals for Santa Monica (15-3-2, 8-1) with assists from Zoe Mosk and Julia Keighley. Deanna Leon scored for Culver City (8-6-3, 6-2-1).

2/8/05
With both Beverly Hills (12-9-2, 6-2-1) and Culver City (8-6-3, 6-2-1) losing today, Santa Monica (15-3-2, 8-1) clinches the Ocean League title for the second year in a row.

2/10/05: Santa Monica 8, Hawthorne 0
Senior Nicole Allen had two goals, senior Zoe Mosk scored one and Nikki Hoffman, Samantha Greene, Nora Casy, Michela Fitten and Nicole Fischman also scored for Santa Monica (16-4-2, 9-1) in the final Ocean League game of the season against Hawthorne (3-13-0, 2-8).

2/11/05
Final Ocean League Standings

Place  School           League    Pts   
-------------------------------------
1st    Santa Monica     9- 1- 0   27  
2nd    Culver City      7- 2- 1   22   
3rd    Beverly Hills    6- 3- 1   19  
4th    Morningside      5- 5- 0   15   
5th    Hawthorne        2- 8- 0    6 
6th    Inglewood        0-10- 0    0 

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