Amy & Todd Garelick (Andy Morales/AllSportsTucson.com)
Amy Garelick was expecting a rebuilding year but magic comes when its least expected, when its needed the most. What was supposed to be a less than average year for FC Tucson Women turned into a dream season that ended with a 6-3-1 campaign that included a Pac South championship and a Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) Western Conference runner-up finish. It turns out that “magic” was nothing more than players stepping up under the direction of a legendary coach.
The WPSL rewarded Garelick for her efforts on Monday by naming her Western Region Pac South Conference Coach of the Year and the league doubled down by naming her program and players the “Franchise of the Year.”
“It means I have a lot of really great players and assistant coaches around me,” Garelick said. “I expected to rebuild with a different rotation of players but the UA girls stepped up and we had a lot of support from FC Tucson.”
One of the 10 Wildcats on the roster who stood out was goalie Lainey Burdett. Burdett earned WPSL Player of the Week honors leading up to the playoffs.
Garelick earned Big Sky-North Division Coach of the Year honors in 2013 and was named WPSL Honorable Mention Coach of the Year for the whole league after taking the first squad to represent Tucson to a third place finish in the Western Conference. Current Salpointe coach Kelly Pierce was named First Team All-West as a defender in that initial campaign.
Garelick is also the head coach of the Pusch Ridge girls’ soccer team.
(Team Photo)
SOUTHERN ARIZONA STANDOUTS IN THE WPSL
FC Tucson
Hope Hisey, Canyon del Oro (2019): FC Tucson Youth Soccer (GK)
Hannah Leitner, Rincon/UHS 2019 (F)
Tatianna Lizarraga, Catalina Foothills 2019 (F)
Jordyn Ives, Mountain View 2020 (M)
Malia Vanisi, Walden Grove: New Mexico (GK)
Rita Siaha, Tucson: Grambling (GK)
Maury Urcadez, Tucson: Pima (M)
Priscilla Pimienta, Mountain View: Arizona (M)
Alexis Hernandez, Ironwood Ridge: Pima
Laura Pimienta, Mountain View: Arizona (D
Allison Raniere, Sahuaro: Eastern Washington (M)
Avadney Gerard-Osbourne, Tucson: New Mexico (D)
Alexandria Skidmore, Catalina Foothills: Louisiana Monroe (D)
Lauren Bollinger, Salpointe: Idaho State (D)
Lainey Burdett, Arizona (GK)
Samantha Falasco, Arizona (D)
Kelcey Cavarra, Arizona (M)
Jillienne Aguilera, Arizona (F)
Kennedy Kieneker, Arizona (M)
Hannah Wong, Arizona (F)
Hailey Mazzola, Arizona (M)
Paige Maggio, Arizona (F)
St. Louis Lions
Mariah Loya, Ironwood Ridge: Marysville (M)
Phoenix del Sol
Leah Carillo, Arizona (D)
Brynn Moga, Arizona (D)
San Diego Parciero
Dana Dalton, Arizona (F)
THUSC Diamonds
Hailey Clifford, Arizona (D)
Hannah Clifford, Arizona (F)
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Andy Morales was recognized by the AIA as the top high school reporter in 2014 and he was awarded the Ray McNally Award in 2017 and he has been a youth, high school and college coach for over 30 years. His own children have won multiple state high school championships and were named to all-state teams. Competing in hockey, basketball, baseball and track & field in high school, his unique perspective can only be found here and on AZPreps365.com. Andy is the Southern Arizona voting member of the Ed Doherty Award, recognizing the top football player in Arizona, and he was named a Local Hero by the Tucson Weekly for 2016. Contact Andy Morales at AMoralesMyTucson@yahoo.com
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