The San Diego Surf GU15 team appears to be on a mission this season. After a year in which the group didn’t live up to its potential, the Surf appears to be trying to make up for lost time.

With a record of 5-0-2, the Surf recently stormed through its US Youth Soccer National League division, edging the FC Pennsylvania Strikers for the title.

The achievement is no shock for a squad as talented as the Surf. The only surprise may be that this group didn’t put it together in big tournaments sooner.

“We definitely underperformed last year,” said coach Jose Ocampo, whose team fell in regional play a season ago. “I think the team is motivated this year and they understand what potential they have. They’re starting to work toward that. It’s been the same core of girls for the past few years and they’re really putting it together.”

Midfielder Sarah Adams and forward Alexandra Bailey, two cogs on the team, led the way in scoring during the National League.    

Adams, a good all-around player, thrives at keeping possession. Defensively she covers well in the midfield and works tirelessly to win the ball back.

Bailey is a natural scorer with creativity and good finishing ability.

Midfielders Cassie Callahan, Cassie Collins and Kate Perry also add to the depth of the group.

The defense is led by the likes of Maya Theuer and Laura Liedle, who combine with a defensive unit that only allowed three goals in seven matches of national league competition.

But the beauty of the Surf team is that it’s built on the strength of its numbers.

“We don’t depend on any one player, it’s not like we really have one goal scorer,” Ocampo said. “Usually you have teams that have a go-to player and the whole team kind of depends on that player. We don’t have that and it’s a bonus. To see us play the league and be able to see girls interchange positions let me know we have something special here.”

Just how special?

“I think this team has the potential to go the whole way,” Ocampo said. “They understand what we’re trying to achieve and they’re focused. We’ll see.”


SAN DIEGO SURF
#1 Alexandra Bailey, #2 Neela Mohan, #3 Michelle Craft, #4 Regina Manneh, #5 Cassie Callahan, #6 Sarah Adams, #7 Laura Liedle, #8 Kate Perry, #9 Olivia Buechler, #10 Catherine Ortega, #11 Kendall Kraus, #12 Courtney Massimino, #13 Lauren Koenig, #14 Brittany Reese, #15 Maya Theuer, #16 Cassie Collins, #17 Jacqueline Friedman, #18 Ariana Zargarian.