Sonoma State Women’s Soccer is back after a very successful 2021 campaign that included winning the CCAA Championship. The defending champions have come out this year staying on top with a current overall record of 3-1. The Seawolves biggest win so far this season was against nationally ranked Western Washington. All this early success has been a complete team effort but 2 certain players have been on another level. 

     Senior Julia Pritchard and freshman Annette Sotelo contributions to the team were both highlighted this past week. Sotelo was named CCAA Offensive Player of the Week while Pritchard was named CCAA Defensive Player of the Week. These athletes are making their mark early against tough competitors as they look to repeat as CCAA league champions. 

      “Julia is a captain and returner All-American. I don’t know how I can truly express my respect for her. She was an All-American Centerback but she never played this position before. So for her to become an All-American never playing that position speaks to her incredible leadership and talent. She has so much enthusiasm, and high moral integrity. Julia is an exceptional leader, and human being,” said Head Coach Emiria Salzmann. “She puts it all out on the line. She’s an absolute dream. Julia is a kind of player that once you lose her there’s no replacing her, she’ll always be Julia and always will be missed.” 

             Freshman Sotelo has started the season off with clinical finishing. She has scored 3 goals so far this season including the game winner against Western Washington University and 2 more coming against Academy of Art University. This freshman has come out of high school being a four year varsity soccer player and track & field athlete. In 2021, she was named Offensive MVP for Mission Hills High School. Sotelo’s transition from highschool to college has gone very well as she has carried over her excellent offensive game. She has been an immediate impact for the Seawolves and the team can only hope she can keep it up for the whole season. 

       “We begin preparing our athletes mentally in the spring to create the understanding of how to carry on the tradition for the freshman by: helping continue the culture, and managing the responsibilities of what it takes to win. We continue through the summer by mentoring them so they have experience of running or training. Mainly to try to take away the nervousness before coming in, especially being a fall sport,” said Salzmann. “The girls really respect what we have built and they honor what we have. The responsibility coming in is so high but the freshmen have done a great job of listening and it all stems back to the good leadership on the team.”

        These athletes have had a great start to their season. The Seawolves are hoping to keep up their recent success in their upcoming games as they look forward to another stellar season under Salzmann. Coming up this week, they will be competing against Point Loma in San Diego Calif. on Wednesday. For more information on the team and upcoming games, make sure to head over to, https://sonomaseawolves.com/sports/womens-soccer