A pair of standout senior midfielders in girls lacrosse, Scotts Valley High’s Sofia Niklaus and Stevenson’s Macey Torres, were named co-Players of the Year in the Gabilan Division, the top tier of the Pacific Coast Athletic League.

Pirates junior Georgia Bonifas was named the Defensive Player of the Year.

Niklaus, a Colorado College commit, has shined for the duration of her Falcons career. She was the Gabilan’s Offensive Player of the Year as a junior in 2024, when she was a USA Lacrosse All-American who played for the Swiss Women’s National Team, a first-team pick as a sophomore, and Defensive Player of the Year as a freshman.

Niklaus finished the season with 102 points (84 goals and 18 assists) to help the Falcons (9-4, 7-3) take second place behind Stevenson (14-4-1, 10-0) in the Gabilan and advance to the Central Coast Section Division II playoffs.

She had 66 draw controls (draws to herself); 205 draw possessions (draws won for Scotts Valley) out of 280 attempts for a 73.2% win rate, 86 ground balls, and 38 caused turnovers.

“Sofia is a true impact player,” said Falcons coach Colleen Niklaus, noting that her daughter helped the Falcons place either first or second all four years and qualify for the CCS playoffs four times.

The past two years, she helped lead a young, inexperienced squad.

“Sofia is a true on-field coach,” her coach said. “Not only does she bring the benefit of years of playing and coaching experience to her team, she is also a certified lacrosse official, so she teaches not only quality play, but also an ingrained respect for the game.”

She finished her Falcons career with 343 points (231 goals and 112 assists).

“On the offensive side, she is almost unstoppable,” Colleen Niklaus said. “Teammates turn to her to score when we need it most — and against the most competitive teams. And although she very much loves to score, and the fans love it just as much, she exudes pure joy and pride when she helps one of her teammates score a goal. She loves to see her teammates find success.

“On the defensive end, Sofia is such a vocal leader on the field. She can shut down any opponent 1-v-1. And she has helped her teammates improve so dramatically so they all work together as a strong defensive unit.”

Niklaus was joined on the first team by senior midfielders Skylar Dufour and Dillon Fiorita. Monte Vista Christian senior goalie Jana Bacero-Duncan and Mustangs sophomore midfielder Maya Moore also made the first team.

Mission Division

Aptos junior attacker Aryel Reyes Mager was named the PCAL’s Mission Division Player of the Year after leading the Mariners (11-6, 9-0) to the title. Soquel senior attacker Reilly Kerko was named Offensive POY, and Santa Catalina senior Sawyer Vogel was named Defensive POY.

Mager scored 66 goals on the season with a single-game high of nine.

“Her speed, stick skills and ability to go coast to coast and weave through defenders to the net are what sets her apart as a player on the field,” said Mariners coach Stuart Mager. “She helped us win some big games by creating turnovers and scoring goals when it mattered.”

Her coach said Mager worked with younger, less experienced players to help the team get better.

“What stands out to me about Aryel is her love for her teammates, always cheering them on and encouraging them, even when we are losing and the new players are trying to figure out what to do on the field,” her coach said. “Aryel wants to win, but having a team that bonds, has fun and provides a positive environment for all the players is most important to her.”

Kerko, who played for the Knights’ boys lacrosse team as a freshman and sophomore, finished with 36 goals and four assists for the Knights (11-4, 6-4).

Knights coach Lauren Junker said Kerko possessed a unique cradle, relentlessly charged through opposing defenses, and struck fear into fully padded goalies with her lethal shot.

She had “a power shot that every goalie we played against ducked away from at least once,” Junker said.

Kerko sustained a major ankle injury late in her junior season and had surgery to reattach ligaments that had been torn off of bone. Despite playing through ankle discomfort and pain this season, Kerko stood tall as a team captain and led with kindness, dedication and positivity, according to Junker.

“She showed our freshman-heavy team what it means to play Soquel lacrosse,” her coach said. “Our three pillars this year were commitment, communication, and attitude, and Reilly stood strong on those principles.”

Junker’s goal for Kerko at the outset of the season was to have her talented senior attacker finish the season healthy. What Kerko showed along the way was inspiring showing of attitude, heart and determination.

“Reilly was the backbone of the team,” Junker said. “She brought confidence and courage to our new squad. She was a leader, mentor, and teacher; often taking time to teach new players different skills and help them improve. She was patient and kind with the new players and worked to help her teammates rise to the occasion in games. Reilly was never one to keep the ball. She was constantly looking to set her teammates up to succeed.”

Kerko will attend Cal and plans to play club lacrosse for the Golden Bears.

Mager was joined on the first team by four teammates, senior midfielders Avi Andrews and Maya Rosa, and junior defenders Lucy Erikson and Gia Arista.

Kerko and Knights junior midfielders Addie Somerville and Ayla Hymes made the first team, as did Santa Cruz senior midfielders Jada Colehower and Sasha Wallan.