9 members of Woodland Christian girls soccer team recognized by Sierra Delta League with awards

Shaun Holkko

April 5

After seven years away from the pitch, head coach Jamie Gordon returned to the sidelines in 2023 and led the Woodland Christian High School girls varsity soccer team to its first outright league championship in program history.

At 13-3-3 overall, the Cardinals won the Sierra Delta League with an 8-1-2 record against SDL foes. Woodland Christian won its first playoff game with a shutout of Big Valley Christian and lost at Stone Ridge Christian in the D6 Sac-Joaquin Section semifinals.

Following the conclusion of the 2023-24 season, nine Cardinals receive accolades from the SDL. Gordon received SDL Coach of the Year in her inaugural year at Woodland Christian after seven seasons coaching at Capital Christian in Sacramento.

"It was humbling, we had such a great season and were confident in our season. When we were at our banquet and I announced the league awards, I wasn't going to talk about the award for Coach of the Year but my assistant did," Gordon recalled. "I told the girls, 'This award was because of them.' They've been such a great group to coach, have been so coachable and it's really been full of moments this season that have made it into that. It was a special way to cap off a really special season."

Gordon was joined on the sidelines by assistant coach Karin Anderson, whose daughter Chayse was a freshman on the team.

"I absolutely could not have done this year without Karin," Gordon proclaimed. "She brought a lot of the things that are opposite to what I bring. As her and I developed our relationship, because we were brand new to knowing each other prior to coaching, she offered, I knew I'd need some help and it'd be great. Her history in soccer is more on defense while mine is on offense so we complimented each other in that way.

"We started to say that we were a full package like a yin and yang. Our team would not have been successful if it wasn't for her. It was an absolute joy to have her coaching with me this year and we plan to continue."

Sophia Peniche is 1-of-6 Cardinals departing in the Class of 2024. Before she graduates, the senior forward is leaving with some hardware as the SDL co-Offensive Player of the Year. Peniche ranked third in the SDL with 32 points and 14 goals, respectively, and tied for fifth with 4 assists.

"She earned that by being such a tough presence on the field. She nearly led the league in goals scored and really was such a leadership presence on the field for our team," Gordon said. "Also in showing others how to play and being that lead presence. I think that's really what did it, her nearly leading the league in goals scored is a big piece of offense. When you're doing that, you're one of the most prolific goal scorers that's such a key to offense and wining games."

The Woodland Christian girls soccer team won the Sierra Delta League championship for the first time in program history during the 2023-24 season. (Stephen Ehnat/Courtesy)

Eleven Woodland Christian girls soccer players received academic All-Sierra Delta League accolades following the 2023-24 season. (Stephen Ehnat/Courtesy)

Woodland Christian girls soccer team individual award winners pictured from left to right: Yaneli Cruz, Malaya Armstrong, Kylie Shahan and Sophia Peniche. (Stephen Ehnat/Courtesy)

Six Woodland Christian seniors were honored at halftime of a 0-0 tie against Esparto on Feb. 5 at the Woodland Community & Senior Center. (Shaun Holkko/Daily Democrat)

Woodland Christian senior midfielder Grace Van Lienden chests the ball during a 0-0 tie against Esparto on Feb. 5 at the Woodland Community & Senior Center. (Shaun Holkko/Daily Democrat)

After keeping the football players hydrated on their way to a state title in the fall, junior goalkeeper Grace Ehnat anchored Woodland Christian's league championship-winning defense. Ehnat earned SDL co-Defensive Player of the Year after leading the league in total saves by a country mile with 116, which was 70 more than the runner-up.

"Grace is an incredible goalkeeper. When we had the league meeting, a lot of the other teams were just like, 'Wow, she's making stops that they weren't seeing other girls make.' She was a formidable presence in the goal," Gordon recalled. "She continues to train and develop herself. She's not afraid to go for any ball. She's so vocal back there, is a leader on our defense, she had a lot of tough saves this year. Just her attitude and presence, when she brings that onto the field, everyone sees that. She established a very formidable presence, people didn't want to see her coming towards them because they knew she was going to get it."

Four Cardinals were named to the All-SDL first team: sophomore Malaya Armstrong, junior Kylie Weaver and seniors, Kylie Shahan and Grace Van Lienden.

"In that group of four, you see three of them were our captains this year. They brought the leadership along with the ability to play and make things happen on the field," Gordon said. "They lead with a humble confidence but also make things happen on the field. Van Lienden easily could've been a captain as well. They bring confidence that other teams notice. When those girls step out onto the field, they are going to make something happen. They are the entire student-athlete package that you want representing your team."

Juniors Holly Devine and Margaret Tkachuck received All-SDL second-team recognition.

"They bring skill of play as well as being there as a presence on the field," Gordon explained. "They were chosen for their developmental leadership skills and for how they interact with the team if their teammates have questions. Holly really stepped up at the end of the season because Shahan suffered a pretty devastating injury that left her out of our last few games. Margaret dealt with injuries but really pushed through adversity to come and be able to join us at the end of the season. Those factors are really important."

Other departing seniors include: Rebeca Paddock, Valerie Personeni and Yaneli Cruz.

"We are losing a lot of seniors next year but I think the core that we have remaining are such a strong group," Gordon foreshadowed. "This year was really special. At the end of the season, so many of the girls came up to me and said, 'This season I rediscovered my love for the game.' If that's the only outcome, then I've succeeded as coach, but we had a successful season. We have that core now remaining going into next year. They're going to get some more friends to play and are already talking about next season.

"I'm really excited looking ahead. Losing six seniors hurts but I think we can come back and have a really talented core that's there. I'm excited to see who we can add and have another great season next year."