All-IVL girls’ soccer
The Imperial Valley League girls’ soccer season came to close earlier this year, with the squad from Central Union High finishing at the top of the local standings once again.
The Spartans had a remarkable and historic season this year posting a perfect record of 12-0 in IVL play, while going 17-3 overall.
Central also snagged the No. 1 seed in the CIF-San Diego Section Div. III tourney, earning a first-round bye and a spot in the quarterfinals, a first for any girls’ soccer program in the Imperial Valley.
The Spartans managed all this and more with a dedicated roster of talent, primarily made up of underclassmen and just six upperclassmen.
One veteran who helped Central to an .850 winning percentage for the season was junior Jocelyn Flores.
Flores served as an attacking midfielder for the Spartans and finished the season with 16 goals and six assists.
One of Flores’ best performances came against Brawley Union High on Feb. 13 when she scored four goals against the Spartans’ rival in a 7-2 win.
For this, Flores picked up All-Imperial Valley League Player of the Year honors for the 2017-18 season.
Flores is joined by two of her teammates on the All-IVL first team list, including sophomores Dayleth Palacios and Mary Torres.
Palacios has proven to be one the most effective strikers in the league after only her second season playing, as she totaled 25 goals this year and also had a scoring streak of eight games for the Spartans.
Torres proved to be one of Central’s go-to defenders and also helped push the offense forward along the sidelines, scoring three goals this year.
All-Imperial Valley League Girls’ Soccer First Team
Rebecca Parra, Brawley Union High Kristelle Silva, Brawley Union High Genesis Nuñez, Calexico High
Jocelyn Flores, Central Union High Dayleth Palacios, Central Union High
Mary Torres, Central Union High Amanda Strahm, Holtville High
Caroline Plunkett, Imperial High
Alyssa Iriat, Palo Verde Valley Veronica Boothe, Southwest High Giselle Hernandez, Southwest High
All-Imperial Valley League Girls’ Soccer Second Team
Yadira Madrid, Brawley Union High Maguie Perez, Brawley Union High Rachelle Carrillo, Calexico High
Ashley Quiroz, Central Union High
Ruby Torres, Central Union High Yahaira Cortez, Holtville High
Aubrey Hoskins, Imperial High Kassandra Louriero, Palo Verde Valley
Ivana Castro, Southwest High Brianna Mendez, Southwest High Danielle Valenzuela, Southwest High