After the Rancho Mirage and Coachella Valley girls’ soccer teams managed to share the De Anza League title with identical 9-1 marks this season, it would be only fitting the teams would both dominate — and even share — the highest honors in the league’s postseason awards released this week.
Rancho Mirage Kenya Cordero in action against Alverno Heights Academy at the CIF SS Division 7 quarterfinals played in Rancho Mirage on Friday, February 24, 2017.
Rattler senior Kenya Cordero was named the league’s Defensive MVP at her midfielder position, while Coachella Valley junior midfielder Mariah Godinez took home the league’s Offensive MVP honors. Cordero played a pivotal role in the team’s deep postseason run into the CIF Southern Section Division 7 semifinals on the defensive side of the ball, while also leading Rancho Mirage in goals with 15. Godinez recorded 21 goals in her team’s postseason run to the Division 6 quarterfinals.
Mariah Godniez scored the second goal for Coachella Valley Tuesday.
The teams’ goalkeepers, Rattler senior Jasmin Sterling and Arab junior Melanie Ramirez, tied for the De Anza League Goalkeepers of the Year award. Sterling played in 26 games in goal, saving 106 of 148 shots on goal, giving up 1.7 goals per match. Ramirez faced 85 shots on goal in 21 games, making 64 saves for an average of 1.6 goals given up per game.
READ MORE:Some of valley’s best honored in DVL girls’ soccer awards
Both Rancho Mirage and Coachella Valley also had four additional members on the league’s first team, including senior defenders Aaliyah Carter and Maya Hernandez, junior forward Jaidah Martin and senior midfielder Melina Flores for the Rattlers. Junior midfielders Brianda Rios-Felix and Adriana Moreno, sophomore defender Daniela Iniguez and sophomore forward Miranda Torres were named from Coachella Valley.
Desert Mirage sophomore defender Fabiana Zavala and Desert Hot Springs senior midfielder Stephanie Vargas were also named to the league’s first team.
All-De Anza League girls’ soccer team
Defensive MVP: Kenya Cordero (Rancho Mirage)
Offensive MVP: Mariah Godinez (Coachella Valley)
Co-Goalkeepers of the Year: Jasmin Sterling (Rancho Mirage) and Melanie Ramirez (Coachella Valley)
FIRST TEAM
Rancho Mirage: Kenya Cordero, Jasmin Sterling, Aaliyah Carter, Jaidah Martin, Melina Flores, Maya Hernandez
Coachella Valley: Mariah Godinez, Melanie Ramirez, Miranda Torres, Daniela Iniguez, Brianda Rios-Felix, Adriana Moreno
Desert Mirage: Fabiana Zavala
Desert Hot Springs: Stephanie Vargas
SECOND TEAM
Rancho Mirage: Briana Luna, Caitlin Estrin, Fernanda Mercado, Salma Delgado
Coachella Valley: Itzel Candido-Chavira, Jenny Salcido, Fernanda Rodriguez, Corely Garcia
Desert Mirage: Yoseline Rojas
Desert Hot Springs: Shaden Arceo
HONORABLE MENTION
Rancho Mirage: Melanie Ramos
Coachella Valley: Lupita Torres
Desert Mirage: Sonia Rivera
Desert Hot Springs: Yurixa Aldana
