High school girls’ soccer League play has begun throughout the LA Daily News area with some familiar faces and surprising teams already making noise.
Here’s a look at how the season is shaping up so far:
Oaks Christian looking for fourth straight Marmonte League title
The Lions’ goal has been near impenetrable as Oaks Christian is now 5-0-1 with goals conceded in just one game. Five Lions have already scored two goals, while reigning Marmonte League MVP Jonnie Jane Quiroz has netted three and added an assist to start off her final season before heading to the University of San Diego.
‘I think overall we’re defending well as a group, they’ve done a really good job,” Lions coach Sebastian Alvarado said in a phone interview. “Our keeper has done a good job, Lillee Maine, she’s only a sophomore.”
Oaks Christian is a regular in the CIF-SS playoffs’ top division and has been in each of the last three years. The Lions are hoping to put the right pieces together now to return to Open Division play and contend for a CIF title.
“Every year, the goal is obviously to win league and to do well,” Alvarado said. “I think since the Open Division has started, we’ve been one of the few schools that has been in the open. They only take eight teams and every year that’s our goal. It’s to play against the best.”
Arya Pfeiffer, a U17 Mexican National teamer, and Rebekah Kim also return for the Lions after strong freshman seasons that earned each first team All-Marmonte League honors. Ella Pfeiffer and Lauren Gatien also return and will play key roles.
Thousand Oaks will also be in the mix for a league title with all-CIF returners: Morgan Humphrey, Madison Linville and Luchiana Shattuck.
Westlake is also a Marmonte League contender. The Warriors graduated 11 seniors from last year’s 12-7-2 team but return midfielder KK Chowana. Westlake is off to a 3-1 start this year after reaching the CIF-SS Division 1 finals last season. Westlake posted an impressive 3-1 win over Hart.
Hart and Saugus gear up for another Foothill League title run
The Foothill League title has remained at Hart for 11 of the last 12 seasons, with Saugus just behind the Hawks for the last few years.
The Centurions have started 5-0-1 for the second straight year and are hoping to end the Hawks’ reign in 2025-26. Saugus graduated 12 seniors last year but returned a good amount of its core, including Oregon-commit Makea Leonard, who has seven goals already this year.
“She’s a different player,” Saugus coach Kai English said in a phone interview. “Being on varsity as a freshman is rare. We’ve had a few each year, but being the top scorer pretty much every year, she’s just an incredible player. And so far, she’s got almost two goals every game she’s played in, so that’s helping the team. I think there’s even more to come from her, which is exciting. And obviously, after this season, she’ll be going to play in Oregon, which is really exciting for her. But we hope we can as a team and as a senior class, and I’ll finish, finish together on a strong note.”
English has seen good play to start the undefeated run, but there’s still room for growth.
“Overall, the senior class and the team we have returning is really strong,” English said. “It’s been a good start to the season, but I don’t think we’ve played excellent yet, which is good when you’re not playing your best, but you’re still getting some good wins.”
Saugus also features freshman Holden Sheff in the lineup, a midfielder who English is counting on for defense and creativity on offense, where she’s already added two goals and a trio of assists. Carmen Flores and London Bane round out the strong Centurion midfield. Leonard’s younger sister, Makeli, and Tamia Neely will be key players for Saugus.
Across town in Newhall, Hart is off to a bumpy start at 3-3. The Hawks remain perfect in league play to start the year, but have dropped all of their non-league matches by at least two goals. Saugus has not beaten Hart since 2021, with three draws in that span. The two will clash on Thursday for a chance to be the last undefeated Foothill League team for now.
“We obviously have a big game this week that will sort of determine whether we’ll be on top or second, like the last few years,” English said. “But our goal is to win everything. So we want to send a message this Thursday and hopefully we come out on top.”
Mission League race shaping up to be another good one
Last season, Notre Dame ended Harvard-Westlake’s stranglehold on the top spot in the Mission League, earning its first Mission League title. The Knights are strong again, with a host of returners. Corinne Rodriguez highlights a talented returning class despite the Knights’ losing multiple NCAA Division I-bound players.
Sophomore Fabianna Gutierrez, Jenessa Da Silva and Tulah Lopez will be focal points of the Knights’ attack while 2025 first team All-League selection Cailyn Paredes leads the backline.
Harvard-Westlake also has a strong group of returners and, like Notre Dame, aims for a league championship and return to the CIF Southern Section’s Open Division bracket. Sophomores Sabrina Puathasnanon and Ava Penn will be big up front for the Wolverines, while Ohio State commit Alexandra Selvaggio returns between the posts.
Over at Chaminade, sophomore Kaitlyn Nelson has already fired in six goals in five games, while four other Eagles have already scored twice. Chaminade may be on the rise as the Eagles are winning and competing in some tough games early in the season.
Viewpoint remains in championship form
After a season opener loss, the Patriots have been close to perfect to start the 2025-26 season. Viewpoint (4-1) has allowed just one goal in its four-game winning streak, while scoring 23.
The 2024-25 Southern Section champion Viewpoint graduated three all-CIF players, but coach Zaira Fonseca has seen several players stepping into bigger roles.
“We did graduate a strong senior class, including several CIF players, so we knew there would be an adjustment,” Fonseca said via text message. “At the same time, we have a group of returners who have been in our program for years and are now stepping into bigger roles. They’ve gained experience over time, and it’s been great to see them grow into that responsibility. Charlotte Young is definitely one of those players that is stepping into a huge role this year for us.”
Young is the only returner of four all-CIF starters last season.
For the Patriots, the team has played selflessly, moving the ball around and playing tight defense that has led to three clean sheets.
“Our early success really comes down to buy-in,” Fonseca said. “The players have been committed, unselfish, and willing to put the team first. They’ve worked hard, stayed grounded, and trusted each other. We know we still have a lot to improve on, but the group has set a solid foundation.”
Viewpoint will look to improve in the Gold Coast League, where the team finished fourth last year with just four points before heating up during its CIF run.
The Patriots will look to end the rut in league, where they’ve only won two games since finishing undefeated in 2023, in the new year with a Gold Coast opener at home against Crossroads.
Oak Park, Cleveland and Chatsworth off to fantastic starts
Oak Park remains unbeaten heading into Coastal Canyon League play. Oak Park (5-0-1) has punched in 28 goals in its hot start and will look to carry momentum into league play, where the program has struggled to finish in the top spot since joining the league over a decade ago.
Freshman Charlotte Ben and senior Isabella Harder have led the offensive surge. Emerson Adams leads the backline.
In the City Section, Cleveland hasn’t missed a beat since reaching the Division I title match less than a year ago. The Cavaliers have posted impressive wins over Notre Dame, Burroughs and Agoura, with just a 2-1 loss to Moorpark on their record. Cleveland will be gunning for its second City title in three years and another West Valley League title, with both potentially running through Granada Hills, which Cleveland has beaten just twice in the last eight meetings.
Chatsworth is another West Valley League team on a heater, with an unscathed 4-0-2 start. The Chancellors finished the City’s Division II runner-up last season but returned three of their top four goal scorers. Isabella and Zoe Farrington lead the Chatsworth attack alongside freshman Lio Leon.