After a 4-1 debut that exceeded every expectation, Aptos Girls Lacrosse was back for year two — and this time, the bar was higher. A scrimmage win over Monte Vista Christian set the tone — the nerves were gone, replaced by confidence.
Reality hit fast. Monte Vista Christian handed the Mariners a 13-3 loss in their official opener, and Carmel followed the next day with a 14-4 defeat. Two games, two blowouts. The excitement of preseason was gone, replaced by a hard truth: Year Two would be tougher than Year One. But the response was immediate. Friday's division opener at Santa Catalina was a win — and suddenly the energy was back. '1-0 in division!!' read the Instagram post.
A road loss at Soquel (13-10) was competitive but stinging. Then came a bounce-back win at Woodside Priory. The pattern was emerging: the Mariners could beat anyone in their division, but the top of the league was still out of reach.
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April opened with new energy — and new gear. The win over Santa Cruz came with a fresh look. 'Another win for the Mariners tonight against Santa Cruz! Plus our new gear!! We're 3-1!'
The losses were behind them, and the wins were piling up. Then came Notre Dame — and a 17-2 blowout that showed just how deep the roster had become. Every player contributed. The ball moved crisply, the defense was suffocating, and the bench erupted after every goal.
This wasn't just winning — this was dominance. And the best part of April was still ahead.
Senior Night against Santa Cruz came down to the final seconds. Tied with time running out, the Mariners pushed up the field one last time. With 20 seconds left, the ball found the back of the net. Aptos 5, Santa Cruz 4. The sideline erupted. 'The best way to end our senior night with a win in the last 20 seconds!!!'
The celebration was everything a senior night should be. Then came the four-game week — a test of depth, endurance, and heart.
Monday: Soquel, 11-5. A dominant statement. Wednesday and Thursday: back-to-back games at Monterey. Saturday: the season finale at home. Four games in six days. They beat Soquel 11-5 to start the week, split the road trips, and came home for one final game. It was a test of depth, endurance, and heart — and the Mariners proved they had all three.
The season finale against Monterey was a battle. In a game that went back and forth, the Mariners pulled out a 10-9 win to close the season on a high. 'BEST SEASON EVER!!' the post read, and it was hard to argue.
In just their second year of existence, the Aptos girls had won eight league games, sealed a walk-off Senior Night victory, closed the season with a one-goal thriller, and earned six All-League selections — four to the first team. An 8-2 league record and a second-place finish proved this program was for real.
Aryel Reyes Mager, Holly Hegna, Avi Andrews, and Gamble Kellermyer were recognized as among the division's best. At the beach celebration, the smiles said it all. This program wasn't just surviving — it was thriving. And the best was yet to come.
The Wall
Gamble Kellermyer anchored the defense for the second straight season. Her consistency in the cage earned her first-team All-PCAL honors and gave the Mariners the confidence to play aggressive, knowing the last line of defense was locked in.
Six Lady Mariners earned All-League recognition in just the program's second season. Aryel Reyes Mager, Holly Hegna, Avi Andrews, and Gamble Kellermyer all earned first-team honors — a remarkable showing that announced Aptos girls lacrosse as a legitimate force in the PCAL.
First Team All-PCAL
First Team All-PCAL
First Team All-PCAL
First Team All-PCAL
Second Team All-PCAL
Second Team All-PCAL, Sportsmanship
| Team | Overall | League |
|---|---|---|
| Aptos | 8-7 | 8-2 |
| Soquel | ||
| Santa Cruz | ||
| Monterey | ||
| Notre Dame | ||
| York School |
| Matchup | Score | Time |
|---|---|---|
Home vs. Monte Vista Christian Mustangs |
13-3 | L |
Home vs. Carmel Padres |
14-4 | L |
Away vs. York School Falcons |
13-3 | W |
Away vs. Soquel Knights |
13-10 | L |
Away vs. Notre Dame Spirits |
15-4 | W |
Away vs. Woodside Priory Panthers |
15-6 | L |
Away vs. Scotts Valley Falcons |
13-5 | L |
Away vs. Santa Cruz Cardinals |
7-5 | W |
Away vs. Monterey Toreadores |
8-3 | L |
|
Home vs. Notre Dame Spirits |
17-2 | W |
|
Home vs. Santa Cruz Cardinals |
5-4 | W |
|
Home vs. Soquel Knights |
11-5 | W |
|
Away vs. Monte Vista Christian Mustangs |
11-2 | L |
|
Home vs. York School Falcons |
9-2 | W |
|
Away vs. Monterey Toreadores |
10-9 | W |
