The boot goes on for area athletes

For four soccer players from Petaluma, Feb. 3 was a big day. It was National Signing Day when high school athletes could officially commit to the college of their choice.

Two players from Casa Grande High School, Misty Martinez and Kyle Harmina, signed letters of intent to play collegiate soccer.

Martinez will play for Southern Oregon. North Coast FC Director of Girls Coaching and Casa Grande women’s varsity Soccer coach Vinnie Cortezzo said, “Misty is a very skilled player with a great feeling for the game. Her skill set will translate nicely into Southern Oregon’s program.” Martinez has played competitive soccer for many years, first as a member of the SCA 98G team and, after SCA’s merger with Petaluma United to create NCFC last year, as a member of the NCFC 98G team.

Harmina will play for San Francisco State. As the North Coast FC Director of Boys Coaching, Tim Maycock enjoyed watching and coaching him. “Kyle is an extremely hard-working player,” he said. “He has improved every year as goal keeper. and will be a great addition to San Francisco State’s program.”

Harmina previously played competitive soccer for Petaluma United and is a current member of the NCFC 98B team.

Harmina’s NCFC 98B team teammate, Tyler Guptill, attends Petaluma High and will be playing soccer for Humboldt State University beginning this fall.

Guptil previously played for Petaluma United and SCA. According to Maycock, “Tyler is a very hard-nosed player, a true leader on the field. He is the hardest working kid I have ever coached, and he will have a major impact at Humboldt State.

Maycock goes on to say “both players have earned this opportunity to compete at the college level through hard work and commitment. I could not be more proud of these boys. I am very excited for them, and the future players that will be signing out of NCFC.”

Taylor Owen, another former SCA player, a current member of the NCFC 98G team and a senior at St. Vincent’s High School, will join her club teammate Martinez at Southern Oregon.

Cortezzo has coached Owen in club soccer for several years. He praises her “as an extremely hard worker who is always ready for the next challenge. She will be a great asset at Southern Oregon University.”

“I’m so happy for these two young ladies who have worked so hard and been incredibly dedicated to their team and NCFC,” he adds. “It is special for two players who have played together so long to have the opportunity to continue playing together at the college level.”