Last week, Manuel Pires said Jadyn Shinn is “definitely one of the best players I’ve ever had the pleasure to coach” at Sierra.
The good news for Pires is he has another year with the talented goal scorer. That is, of course, bad news for the rest of the Valley Oak League.
Shinn scored 42 goals and 10 assists in just 21 overall appearances this past season and was voted the VOL’s Most Valuable Player. She led the Timberwolves (13-0-1, 24-1-2 overall) to a second straight league title and the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III semifinals, where they lost to Central Valley in penalty kicks, 1-1 (5-4). The Cal commit tied Sierra’s career goal-scoring total of 107 in the defeat.
In league alone, Shinn accumulated 29 goals and nine assists.
“It’s not just her scoring goals, she’s able to assist and the get whole team involved,” Pires said. “She’s a player who can play any position you need. She’s always ready to step in and do what’s best for the team.”
Three other T’wolves joined Shinn on the all-league first team: Defender and part-time goalkeeper Callie Crain (six goals, six assists), senior midfielder Daisy Valencia (16g, 6a) and freshman forward/midfielder Tiana Cello (28g, 12a). Pires was named Coach of the Year.
Senior defenders Julissa Pimentel and Yolanda Tavares and senior midfielder Jasmine Loaiza (21a) are Sierra’s second-team selections along with freshman midfielder Jenna Villanueva (3g, 8a) and third-year junior forward/midfielder Yasmin Ballew (18g, 14a).
East Union (10-2-2, 15-6-2) has just two all-league first-team players despite its runner-up finish. The Lancers making the cut are a pair of freshmen in wing midfielder Hailey Sims (8g, 4a) and Taylor McMahon. Forward Jasmine Mejia (21g, 5a), midfielders Mariana Huizar and Taylor Campbell (11g, 4a) and defender Chelsey Medeiros earned second-team spots.
Prolific forwards Kaley Miller (34g, 13a) and Kaitlyn Funsch (21g, 19a) were among the first-team honorees for third-place Manteca (10-2-2, 19-6-2). Midfielder Alexa Mayen (9g, 15a) and defender Carly Morrish made also all-league.
Lathrop and Weston Ranch combined for three all-league selections. Sophomore striker Kassandra Ceja (28g, 3a) wound up on the All-VOL first team for the Spartans (2-11-1, 6-12-1) after she was tabbed MVP a year ago. Senior defender Taylor Rose earned first-team recognition, as did Weston Ranch junior goalie Aliyah Guerrero (7.8 saves per game).
Lathrop senior Noelle Smith is a second-team selection and goes out as of the most productive keepers in the state, averaging 18.2 saves while stopping two of four penalty kicks.
