So many ties, and it’s not even Father’s Day.
Here’s one for the oddity file: Amador Valley High has earned seven straight ties. Imagine that: A seven-card straight.
The ties have come against San Ramon Valley, Livermore, Foothill, Carondelet, Dougherty Valley, Granada and Monte Vista.
In honor of the Dons (3-7-7, 0-4-6 EBAL), I have placed them in a three-way tie for 15th in the rankings. Rumor has it, Amador’s Lexi Nicholas was typically stellar in goal in Thursday’s scoreless draw with the Mustangs, the Dons’ sixth straight tie in league action.
Monte Vista could have moved into first place with a victory on Thursday, but it wasn’t to be.
San Ramon Valley opened the door with a 1-1 tie against Carondelet, but the Wolves still hold a 21-20 edge over the Mustangs.
Overall, there’s been some great action this season throughout the East Bay Area — with a lot of balance and quality at every turn.
I caught the Bishop O’Dowd-Castro Valley HAAL showdown on Tuesday night. I was impressed with the intensity, quality, and organization of both teams.
O’Dowd junior Ryan Walker Hartshorn, a Stanford commit and U.S. under-18 national team pool player, is the real deal. She commanded center stage up top with speed, smarts and a nose for the goal. She scored in the second half to clinch 1-0 victory.
The outcome temporarily left the Dragons and Trojans tied for first place with 9-1-0 records.
But O’Dowd got a gift from Moreau Catholic on Thursday. The Mariners upset the Trojans 2-1 to set the stage for a possible outright HAAL title for the Dragons.
The Dragons celebrated the return of 6-foot-0 central defender Darby Nordin, who has orally committed to Chico State. Nordin had been on the shelf with back and hip injuries.
How did it feel to be back?
“I’m so excited,” she said. “That’s probably the happiest I’ve felt in so long. It felt good to be a part of something like that.”
HIGH FLYING FALCONS: College Park all but clinched the DVAL title with a 5-1 thumping of Ygnacio Valley on Thursday.
The Falcons (13-4-2, 9-0-0 DVAL), with 27 points, have an eight-point lead over Clayton Valley (6-2-1 DVAL) with three league games remaining. Falcons senior captain Ashley Dickinson had two goals, and Kendall Stuscavage and Mabelle Gozun each had a goal and an assist.
PATRIOT GAMES: Defending champion Heritage is making a late push in the balanced BVAL. The Patriots moved into a first-place tie with Freedom after consecutive wins over Antioch, Liberty and Deer Valley. Buckle up for that Heritage-Freedom game on Jan. 31 in Oakley. Of course, Brentwood rivals, Heritage and Liberty, meet for Round 2 (the Patriots tamed the Lions 1-0 on Jan. 19) on Feb. 7 at Heritage.
East Bay Girls Soccer Rankings (subjective):
As of Jan. 26 (at 3 p.m.), 2012
1, San Ramon Valley (12-1-4, 6-1-3 EBAL)
2, Monte Vista (9-0-7, 5-0-5 EBAL)
3, California (11-4-2, 5-3-1 EBAL)
4, Logan (13-2-2, 8-0-1 MVAL)
5, Carondelet (8-3-4. 4-2-3 EBAL)
6, Granada (8-5-2, 4-4-1 EBAL)
7, Bishop O’Dowd (7-3-2, 9-1-0 HAAL)
8, Campolindo (8-1-3, 6-0-2 DFAL)
9, Berkeley (9-2-0, 4-0-0 ACCAL)
10, American (13-2-2, 7-1-1 MVAL)
11, Albany (10-0-3, 3-0-3 BSAL)
12, Castro Valley (9-6-1, 9-2-0 HAAL)
13, Piedmont (7-2-3, 5-0-2 BSAL)
14, Dublin (12-4-2, 5-2-1 DFAL)
15 (t), Heritage (10-5-1, 5-1-0 BVAL)
15 (t), College Park (13-4-2, 9-0-0 DVAL)
15 (t), Amador Valley (3-3-7, 0-4-6 EBAL)
Also included (in alphabetical order): Alhambra, Clayton Valley, Foothill, Irvington, Livermore.
Source for records: maxpreps.com.
Corrections: Send to mschwab@bayareanewsgroup.com.
NOTE TO READERS: Rankings are based on results in key games, observation, information, and gut instinct. Coaches, serious fans and players should feel free to chime in with their thoughts on any soccer-related issues.
