Victoria Martinez Named Offensive Player of the Year as Cougars Earn 10 All-WSC Selections
By Mari Kneisel/COC Sports Information
College of the Canyons had 10 players receive All-Western State Conference (WSC), South Division accolades, with Offensive Player of the Year honors going to Victoria Martinez.
Martinez, a sophomore forward, led the Cougars producing 14 goals and claiming six assists across her 21 starts on the season. The Pete Knight High School alum progressed into a goal-scoring offensive leader for the Cougars in year two and brought a strong edge to the top line. That performance followed a freshman campaign in which she netted three goals across 18 games. Martinez scored three game-winning goals and finished the season with 34 points.
She is the third Canyons player to earn WSC, South Offensive Player of the Year honors across the last four seasons, following Lauryn Bailey (2022) and Rebekah Brooks (2021).
Canyons saw four sophomores named to the All-WSC, South First Team in Alexa Garcia, Felicia Marquez, Vivian Martinez and Sofia Soler.
Starting in all 21 matches for Canyons, Garcia proved, from the first whistle to the last, to be a valuable asset to the midfield. Her ability to break up oppositional attacks and turn them into offensive attacks led to many goal-scoring opportunities for the Cougars. Garcia claimed four goals of her own with one assist.
Marquez was another important asset of the Cougars' midfield, creating space and speed up the middle of the field. In her 21 starts Marquez was responsible for six goals and two assists, rendering 14 points.
Center-back Vivian Martinez was a key piece to the back line, controlling the pace of the game. She led a strong line of defense, making it hard for opponents to slot through for an attack.
Soler, working side-by-side with Vivian Martinez, also helped control the back line and worked to create multiple offensive opportunitis. Her efforts brought about five goals and three assists on the season.
Named to the All-WSC, South Second Team were Bailey Williamson, Ashley Striegel and Gigi Montiforte.
Williamson appeared in 18 games, with 17 starts, and presented a threatening force as an outside forward. The freshman's speed and ability to work through defenders rendered six goals and just as many assists, totaling 18 points on the season.
Striegel, a sophomore midfielder, started in 14 of her 15 games this season, before it was cut short due to injury. During her time on the field Striegel heavily influenced the pace of the game working just as hard defensively as she did offensively. The Saugus High School alum produced seven goals, four of which pushed the Cougars to victory, and saw three assists working for a total of 17 points.
Freshman Gigi Montiforte was a reliable and consistent piece to the Canyons back line. Starting in all 21 games, Montiforte proved to be a versatile player, excelling in every position she held.
Honorable Mention selections went to Leyla Goodman and Hayley Bench.
Goodman, a freshman defender out of Golden Valley High School, worked to shut down any player coming down the line in her 21 starts. Her tactful defending and effortless footwork gave the Cougars many chances offensively. She even put away a goal and an assist.
Bench led the Cougars from between the posts in 20 games, starting 17 of those. The sophomore only allowed 14 goals and was credited with a total of 34 saves producing a .708 save percentage. She finished the season with a record of 12-4-2, commanding four shutouts.
Canyons (14-5-2, 10-2-2) closed out the 2024 season in the opening round of the 3C2A Southern California Regional Playoffs against San Diego Miramar. The Cougars previously finished the regular season second in the WSC, South standings. The postseason trip was the program's 13th straight under head coach Justin Lundin.
Stay up to date on all this season's action by following the College of the Canyons Athletic department on social media at @COCathletics on X, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.