by Andrew Alonzo | aalonzo@claremont-courier.com

When Webb’s Kennedy Clarke notched her 70th goal of the season to give her team a 1-0 lead over Francisco Bravo High in the first half of Tuesday’s first round California Interscholastic Federation State Division 5 match, the Gauls hoped it would be enough for another big postseason win. But shortly after Kennedy’s strike, the Knights’ Katheryn Bautista netted an equalizer. Then in the second half she scored the dagger, making it 2-1. The Gauls mounted relentless pressure, but didn’t find the net.

When the final whistle blew, their remarkable season was over, finishing at 20-2-1.

First-year head varsity girls soccer coach Danny Mosaquites fought back tears after the game.

“Obviously, the girls played their heart out,” he said. “Unfortunately, maybe the first goal wasn’t a great one [to concede], but all in all, we gave everything to the very end. And as you could see in our circle there,” he said pointing to his gathered team, “that’s what it’s really all about.”

First-year Webb head coach Danny Mosaquites, top left, with interim athletic director Morgan Kapp to his left, and the girls varsity soccer team pictured February 28 after winning the CIF-Southern Section Division 8 title. Photo/courtesy of Danny Mosaquites

And indeed the team has plenty to be proud of. In January Webb clinched the Academy League title in emphatic fashion with an 11-0 win over Vista Meridian. Then on February 28 the Gauls claimed the CIF-SS title, beating Buckley, 4-0.

Individually, Kennedy’s 70-goal season is the sixth best in CIF-Southern Section girls soccer history. And she’s only a freshman, so the sky appears to be limit for the young forward.

And in Mosaquites’ first season he won two titles and an invitation to the CIF-State tournament. Add to that there are just six seniors on this year’s 22-player roster, with the remainder comprised of three juniors, one sophomore, and 12 freshmen, and things seem to be looking good for the future of the program.

“When your number of freshmen outnumber the rest of your team, you don’t know how that’s going to go,” Mosaquites said. “Maturity is not always a given. Our freshman class in general has been very strong and consistent throughout the year, which is one of the biggest reasons for our success this year.”

Mosaquites has two daughters on the team, senior Natalia Mosaquites and sophomore Giada Mosaquites. “I’ve inherited 22 girls, yes” he said with a laugh. “Actually 20, because two of them are already mine.”

Mosaquites credits the team’s consistent bonding and mentoring work, Webb’s strong emphasis on academics and unique community atmosphere — about 2/3 of its more than 400  students are boarders — as keys to this year’s success. “We’ve created a sisterhood,” he said.

This year’s season evokes memories of Webb’s 2021-22 team, which went 20-0 and won the San Joaquin League, Division 6 CIF-SS and Division 5 CIF-Southern Regional titles. That team was led by Abbey Cook, who ended her career with 140 goals, good enough for ninth in CIF-SS’s record book for career goals in girls soccer.

High scoring Webb Freshman Kennedy Clarke, center, eludes a Francisco Bravo High defender during Tuesday’s season-ending 2-1 loss. Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo

But Cook’s 55-goal freshman season seems modest compared to Kennedy’s 70 this year (including 14 in the playoffs), which already puts her halfway to Cook’s record and a place alongside her in CIF-SS history.

“It was tough, but it definitely wouldn’t have happened without my team, because we all worked really hard,” Kennedy said. “And you know the midfield would have really good strategies on getting the ball up to me. If it wasn’t for them, then this wouldn’t have happened. So, I’m really grateful.”

Kennedy pointed to the team’s work ethic as the secret to its success. She’s also more than familiar with Cook.

“I’m actually a big fan of her’s, because my sister played on the team and I would always watch her and it was just amazing,” Kennedy said. “She actually inspired me to play well like her.”

Mosaquites had plenty of praise for his star freshman, but also for the team’s defense. Webb’s goal differential — the combined sum of a team’s goals scored and allowed throughout the season — was +108, with 121 goals scored and 13 allowed. In the postseason, Webb scored 22 and conceded just three.

Rounding out Webb’s key contributors this year were senior Jayden Aleman with 16 goals and 17 assists, and junior captain — and Abbey Cook’s sister — Kate Cook with 9 goals, 7 assists. Kate, who also anchored the defense, said she had hoped to mirror her sister’s junior year accomplishments — helping the Gauls win a league and two CIF titles — but nonetheless looked forward to next season.

Webb captain Kate Cook makes a header during Tuesday’s 2-1 loss to Francisco Bravo High. Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo

Webb midfielder Jayden Aleman, right, makes a pass during Tuesday’s 2-1 loss to Francisco Bravo High. Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo

“It’s okay. I got next year,” Kate said.

Morgan Kapp, who started as Webb’s interim athletic director in January, was among those on the field celebrating when the girls won the CIF championship February 28. Now just a few weeks into her new job, she’s preparing to hoist a CIF-SS championship banner.

“As a high school student who played in [CIF] Southern Section myself, it felt so special to be a part of this championship team,” Kapp said. “These are kids that I’ve known their entire Webb career in different iterations. And the coaching staff just cares so much about the development on the field, but also each kid and what they bring each day to practice or a game. It’s just wonderful to get to be a part of this big accomplishment.”