SEND IT BACK—La Reina defender Rachel Brajkovich thwarts an offensive attack by Santa Paula. BILL SPARKES/Acorn Newspapers The La Reina girls’ soccer team is scorching on the pitch.

Entering Wednesday’s match against Malibu, La Reina was 11- 2 overall and 2- 0 in the Tri-Valley League.

With three players having already tallied double-digit goals for the season—senior forward Jillian DeGennaro (12), junior midfielder Rebecca Koval (11) and sophomore forward Meghan Ray (10)—the Regents continue to blitz foes with a quick-strike, multipronged attack.

“Without a doubt, this is the most talent I’ve ever had,” La Reina head coach Creighton Van Horn said.

On defense, senior goalkeeper Ali Parisi has been sensational, logging as many shutouts (five) as goals allowed (five) leading up to the Malibu match.

“It all starts in the back,” Van Horn said. “We have a fabulous goalie in Ali Parisi, who neutralizes other teams’ attacks. . . .

“When other teams do get close, our back four are shutting them down. We’re playing on a shorter field by forcing teams to take very tough shots.”

Juniors Rachel Brajkovich, Whitney Gould and Kara Frank are all key contributors in the La Reina back line.

Two other top defenders, sophomore Bailey Rohlfing and freshman MacKenna Kelleher, have performed like battle-tested veterans, Van Horn said.

La Reina scored 50 goals in its first 13 contests.

In addition to the on-field fireworks provided by DeGennaro, Koval and Ray, freshmen outside midfielders Holly Petrusson and Kiana Phillips have been extremely dangerous near opposing nets, scoring five goals apiece before the Malibu game.

Sophomore Jordan Jeworski joins Petrusson and Phillips as key outside midfielders.

“Those three girls give us complete confidence on the outside,” Van Horn said. “Defenses can’t just mark up on our two forwards when the outside mids can make a run and get into the defense. It spreads everybody out.

“Because we’re very good on the outside, it opens up goals in the middle, and that’s where our forwards and center-mids are putting the ball in the net.”

Koval, one of six La Reina captains, partners with senior Emily Melvin in the central midfield, giving the Regents’ a potent one-two punch.

“ Just about every one of (Koval’s) goals come from outside the penalty area,” the coach said. “She has a tremendous leg. She can score from 30 yards out or more. . . .

“Melvin was injured all of last year but she’s healthy now. She has really stepped up as well.”

Junior goalkeeper Roxanne Myers gives LRHS valuable insurance behind Parisi in the cage. Senior Emily Gilbert, junior Christie Beaulieu and freshmen Gillian Myers and Maddie Rohlfing round out the Regents’ roster.

“We’ve never had this level of depth at each position,” Van Horn said.

“They all can put the ball in the net. They all pass well. They play well together. And, to some extent, our defense keeps us in every game. We have balance and scoring.”

Van Horn added that Oaks Christian remains the team to beat in the Tri-Valley League. In the latest CIF-Southern Section Division 4 coaches’ poll, Oaks Christian was ranked No. 1 while La Reina was tied for 10th.

But after recording a few eyeopening victories during the preseason, including a 10-0 trouncing of perennial power Marlborough on Dec. 9, the Regents believe they can topple any foe that lines up across the pitch.

“With the success we’ve had so far, the girls know they can compete with any Tri-Valley team,” the coach said. “They won’t be afraid to play anyone.”

La Reina’s next match is Wed., Jan. 19 at St. Bonaventure.

The Regents play their home games at California Lutheran University’s Mount Clef Stadium.