07/02/2026
In its first season in the Ocean League, after two years in the Sunset, the Santa Ynez High girls soccer team seems to really be hitting its stride.
The Pirates are in the midst of a five-game winning streak, and seven-game unbeaten streak, and stands at 6-0-1 in the league, 8-1-1 overall
"It's finally starting to come together," said SYHS head coach Rob Cantrell. "We work really hard with some of the things we're doing, and the girls are just playing for each other."
That was in evidence on Jan. 23, when the Pirates beat Nipomo 8-0 in a game that saw five different players score for SYHS.
"I think we have a better chemistry this year," Cantrell continued after the Nipomo game. "These kids have played with each other a long time."
Assistant coach Julia Pritchard, a former player for the Pirates, said she senses a better attitude with the team.
"We're connecting this year, and we found a calm," Pritchard said. "I feel like past seasons were so hectic and out-of-place, and this year we found our groove."
Some of that can be attributed to a bolstered coaching staff, as Cantrell recruited SYHS employee Polo Amador to join him and Pritchard on the sidelines.
"I finally got him to coach for us this year, and it allows us to see the game through three eyes," he said. "We can see things differently, but with the respect we have for each other, the girls see that the and are buying into that. It's just a real good synergy right now."
In that win over Nipomo, Hannah Ricci scored four goals and assisted on three others, while Kailani Ladera had a goal and 3 assists of her own. Meanwhile, Campbell McClurg and Coral Murray scored their first goals of the season.
Ricci and Ladera currently have 7 goals apiece on the season to tie for the team lead.
The Pirates followed up the win over Nipomo with victories over Morro Bay (2-1) on Jan. 27 and Templeton (2-1) on Jan. 30. Ladera and Isabella Rubio had a goal apiece in each of those wins.
SYHS closes out the regular season schedule with three road games, starting with the one against Mission Prep that was played on Tuesday, Feb. 3. After that, the Pirates go to Morro Bay on Friday, Feb. 6, and Cabrillo on Tuesday, Feb. 10.
Boys soccer all even in league after loss to Nipomo
The Pirates boys soccer program lost to Nipomo 4-0 on Jan. 23, and stood at 2-2-2 in the Sunset League and 6-4-3 overall. The team took a week's hiatus on the schedule and returned to action on Tuesday, Feb. 3, against Morro Bay, and will play its regular-season finale Friday, Feb. 6, at home against Templeton. Game time is 6 p.m.
Vince Guerrero leads the team in scoring, with 6 goals and and an assist for 13 points on the year, with Cristian Sandoval tallying 4 goals of his own. Mario Villegas has a team-high 5 assists.
Boys basketball continues to shine in league play
The SYHS boys basketball team traveled to Righetti on Jan. 30 and defeated the host Warriors 66-46 to raise its record to 4-1 in the Sunset League and 14-10 overall.
Mason Skidmore led the Pirates with 22 points in that game, with Jude Pritchard adding 14 points and 7 rebounds, and Lucas Ollenburger (12) and Gael Villalobos (11) also scoring in double figures.
SYHS played at Templeton on Tuesday, Feb. 3, and will close out the regular season with home games against Paso Robles on Friday, Feb. 6, and Tuesday, Feb. 10. Game time for both is 6:30.
Pirates girls basketball suffers third straight loss
The SYHS girls basketball team fell to Righetti 53-45 at home Jan. 30. It was their third straight loss and dropped them to 2-5 in the Sunset League and 10-9 overall.
The Pirates suffered an even bigger loss during its 41-29 defeat to Lompoc on Jan. 23 as one of their top players, Helina Pecile, went down with an injury. It was unclear at press time how long she would be out.
SYHS played a home game against Cabrillo on Tuesday, Feb. 3, and will end its regular season with road contests against Atascadero (Feb. 6) and Lompoc (Feb. 10).
SYHS on a seven-game unbeaten in first season as an Ocean League member
In its first season in the Ocean League, after two years in the Sunset, the Santa Ynez High girls soccer team seems to really be hitting its stride.
Read full article at Santaynezvalleystar.com
https://santaynezvalleystar.com/pirates-girls-soccer-riding-new-calm-to-undefeated-league-record/
SYHS on a seven-game unbeaten in first season as an Ocean League member
