Malaya Armstrong returns to pitch and catapults Cardinals to first SDL title | Athlete of the Week

Shaun Holkko

February 7

Woodland Christian High School sophomore midfielder Malaya Armstrong set the tone for a successful girls varsity soccer campaign by netting a hat trick in the Cardinals' season-opening win at Highlands on Dec. 13.

Armstrong achieved the feat less than two months after earning a share of the Central Valley California League Championship as a member of the Woodland Christian girls varsity volleyball team. Now she can consider herself an underclassman champ champ after clinching an outright Sierra Delta League title on Monday afternoon.

"That means a lot to me because this is my first year on the team," Armstrong proclaimed. "I feel like I've helped my team win a league title and it means a lot to have helped. It's really awesome that the seniors got to do that right before they graduate because they're such a big part of this team."

The matinee match, which started at 1 p.m., was nostalgic for Armstrong who grew up playing soccer on the respective pitches at the Woodland Community & Senior Center.

"I've played soccer my whole life, ever since I was little, like 2-years-old playing at the YMCA. This is really my sport and I'm glad that I chose to play this year," Armstrong recalled. "It was really fun because this is the field I grew up playing on so this is really awesome for me, personally. I think it was nice having everyone come out and it was special, especially because it was our Senior Night. It was fun playing in the middle of the day and getting to miss some school. The wind and sun were big factors, which isn't really a problem when we play at night but other than that, it was good."

Despite playing soccer for nearly her entire life, Armstrong competed for the Cardinals girls varsity basketball team last year as a freshman, advancing to the second round of the D5 playoffs.

"I played basketball last year just because everyone else wanted me to," Armstrong explained. "I really just try to be encouraging. This is just high school soccer so I really want it to be fun, especially for the girls who haven't played before. I really just want them to enjoy it and have a good time. I encourage everyone to work and play hard."

Woodland Christian sophomore midfielder Malaya Armstrong (right) and junior forward Kylie Weaver attempt to steal the ball from Esparto senior defender Samantha Ramirez during a 0-0 tie against the Spartans on Monday, Feb. 5 at the Woodland Community & Senior Center. (Shaun Holkko/Daily Democrat)

Woodland Christian sophomore midfielder Malaya Armstrong passes the ball to sophomore forward Mariah Johnson during a 0-0 tie against Esparto on Monday, Feb. 5 at the Woodland Community & Senior Center. (Shaun Holkko/Daily Democrat)

Woodland Christian sophomore midfielder Malaya Armstrong delivers a throw-in during a 0-0 tie against Esparto on Monday, Feb. 5 at the Woodland Community & Senior Center. (Shaun Holkko/Daily Democrat)

Woodland Christian sophomore midfielder Malaya Armstrong executes a header during a 0-0 tie against Esparto on Monday, Feb. 5 at the Woodland Community & Senior Center. (Shaun Holkko/Daily Democrat)

Woodland Christian sophomore midfielder Malaya Armstrong dribbles up field during a 0-0 tie against Esparto on Monday, Feb. 5 at the Woodland Community & Senior Center. (Shaun Holkko/Daily Democrat)

Armstrong hasn't been Woodland Christian's leading goal scorer this season as that honor belongs to senior forward Sophia Peniche. However, she has been an invaluable member of the program's first SDL championship team according to new coach Jamie Gordon.

"She brings leadership. She's only a sophomore and she plays like an upperclassman," Gordon explained. "She can scan the field and brings a maturity in soccer because she's been playing for so long and she did that immediately! When she came on to the team, she started doing that. She took that leadership role and has really executed it. She is encouraging and hard on herself to where she keeps herself playing at a high level.

"She expects herself to play at a high level and she does. She has been such a key contributor this year, we wouldn't be the team we are without her."

Armstrong is also one of Gordon's primary babysitters, who watches her three young boys frequently.

"Away from soccer, she is one of the best kids I know! She's actually one of my babysitters and watches my boys all the time, they absolutely adore her," Gordon said. "She is so kind-hearted. Every time I hear her talk about her friends or anyone else, she always speaks so positively."

The Cardinals are now headed to the Division VI CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Girls Soccer Playoffs, which begin Saturday. According to Armstrong, the objective is simple: put the ball in the back of the net.

"We have to score. We've been having a scoring drought these past few games," Armstrong foreshadowed. "We really need to just get in there, take some shots, not be afraid to shoot or go at the goal and be aggressive on offense. When we're getting tired, we can't falter and need to stay strong, especially when we're getting tired shutting down the other team."