2016 Press-Telegram girls soccer Dream Team; Tavia Leachman named Player of the Year

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: TAVIA LEACHMAN, LONG BEACH POLY, SENIOR

A true soccer player isn’t completely judged on his or her accomplishments and statistics. The obstacles they’ve overcome to perform make the great ones stand apart and that’s why Long Beach Poly High School’s Tavia Leachman is the Player of the Year.

Injuries and club commitments kept Leachman from racking up games played and statistics with the Jackrabbits, but her technical skill and leadership at Poly made her the most valuable player in Long Beach this season.

“She’s one of the most talented, selfless players to wear the green and gold,” Poly coach Teri Collins said. “She leaed to score goals, be a leader and be an example for her teammates.”

In four years and 56 games at the varsity level, Leachman compiled 92 points with 41 goals and 10 assists. Under her leadership this season the Jackrabbits completed the three-peat as Moore League champions.

“When I put the Poly jersey on (for the Dream Team photo shoot) I didn’t want to take it off,” Leachman said. “I’ve had so much support here. My coaches and my teammates always encouraged me. They’re the only reason I was able to do anything at Poly.”

In her ninth game as a freshman, Leachman broke her arm about 30 seconds after the opening whistle. She played the rest of the game. She broke her foot as a sophomore. One of her four goals in 10 games was the game-wier against rival Wilson to take control of league.

“I think that’s when the team started to look at me to do something,” Leachman recalled.

It’s hard to miss Leachman on the field with her incredible work rate and nose for the ball. Collins primarily used her as a forward, but Leachman played her natural position of defense at the elite club level and she’ll play there at The University of Utah next season.

“She will be hard to replace,” Collins said.

COACH OF THE YEAR: DAVE CHRISTENSEN, LA MIRADA

A back-to-back wier of Coach of the Year, Christensen has built a powerhouse in six years at La Mirada. This season the Matadores repeated as CIF Southe Section Division 4 champions and then won their first CIF State Division IV regional title.

“It’s been a dream season, so it’s nice to end it on the Dream Team,” Christensen said. “We’re building a program with good kids. We take soccer very seriously here.”

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La Mirada had a 16-game wiing streak this year after ruing though the Suburban League. The Matadores had an 18-game wiing streak last season and are 33-0-2 in the Suburban League over the last three years.

Christensen has been coaching for 26 seasons and is creeping up on 500 career wins. He’s coached the Valley Christian boys, the Gahr boys, the North Torrance girls and the Millikan girls.

“Working at La Mirada is a real pleasure,” Christensen said.

FIRST TEAM

Alexis Weiser, St. Anthony, Junior

Amanda Duran, La Mirada, Senior

Amanda Jones, Los Alamitos, Junior

Bryn Chesser, Los Alamitos, Senior

Emily Knous, Long Beach Poly, Sophomore

Estela Sanchez, Warren, Senior

Gabriella Hurtado, La Mirada, Junior

Maddie Beett, La Mirada, Senior

Mercedes Padilla, Mayfair, Senior

Monica Torres, Bellflower, Junior

Nadiyah Siqueiros, Mayfair, Junior

Natalie Day, La Mirada, Junior

Sarah Pilster, Long Beach Poly, Junior

SECOND TEAM

Aaqila McLyn, Long Beach Poly, Junior

Amaya Gonzalez, Downey, Freshman

Breae Monrroy, Millikan, Senior

Carley Brown, Los Alamitos, Senior

Cynthia Covarrubias, Mayfair, Junior

Emily Flores, Warren, Senior

Giovaa Recinos, Paramount, Senior

Holly Buschelman, St. Anthony, Senior

Jeifer Cortez, Warren, Senior

Kaitlyn Haibel, Mayfair, Junior

Lauren Garcia, La Mirada, Sophomore

Marley Farelle, Millikan, Senior

Meagan Gruber, Wilson, Senior

Melissa Torres, La Mirada, Junior

Taylor Miller, Lakewood, Senior

LEAGUE CHAMPIONS

Moore League: Long Beach Poly

Suburban League: La Mirada

San Gabriel Valley League: Warren

Santa Fe League: St. Anthony