Womens soccer team has impressive season
By Hector Trujillo
After finishing under .500 last season, the Scripps Ranch High School womens varsity soccer team had quite the turnaround in 2024-25, ending up with double digit wins for the first time in five years.
Despite opening the regular season with a 6-1 blowout loss to San Dieguito Academy on Dec. 4, the Lady Falcons managed to turn things around in the following match on Dec. 6, earning a 3-1 victory over Mt. Carmel High.
“I’ve been extremely pleased with the attitude and focus,” said Scripps Ranch High head coach Tom Crane. “A new coach coming in isn’t always easy. They have really bought in and worked hard.”
This is Crane’s first year as head coach of the womens varsity team having served as the boys junior varsity coach since the 2000-01 season.
After a dramatic 3-3 draw against Cathedral Catholic on Dec. 10, the Lady Falcons fell 1-0 to Foothill High School from Orange County the following day, followed by a 3-0 blowout win over Classical Academy on Dec. 13.
“We’re learning together,” Crane said.
Scripps Ranch High then earned a 1-1 draw versus Olympian on Dec. 16, and took its play to another level by going on a three-match winning streak with victories over Steele Canyon High, Francis Parker High and Mt. Carmel High, which was part of an 11-game undefeated streak that spanned more than a month. That period also included a four-game winning streak which started with a 2-1 victory over San Diego High School on Jan. 15 followed by another 2-1 win versus University City High on Jan. 17, along with back to back victories against Carlsbad High and Clairemont High on Jan. 22 and Jan. 24, respectively.
“This group of players has not only worked hard but are talented as well,” Crane said. “I want these seniors to be able to leave, hopefully, with a league championship and even a CIF championship, for that matter.”
This year’s team was made up of 10 seniors led by the efforts of Katie Ellermeyer and Nina Buenaventura, plus the talents of prolific goal-scorer Chloe Adams. Goalkeepers Kate Nahrstedt and Abby Martin also left their mark on the pitch along with teammate Annalise Hickman.
Scripps Ranch High saw its undefeated streak come to an end on Jan. 29 in a 2-0 loss to Mission Bay High, but came back and beat San Diego High 2-1 three days later, which was followed by a 2-2 draw versus University City High on Feb. 5. The Lady Falcons entered the regular season finale against Clairemont on Feb. 12 with a 10-3-5 record at deadline.