Encinal Lady Jets Seek Bay Shore League Soccer Title

For the first time in many years, the Lady Jets are on the cusp of a league title, needing a win in the league final when they host league power St. Mary’s at the ‘Nail House” this Tuesday, Feb. 7 at 4 p.m.  

The Jets fell 4-2 to the St. Mary’s Lady Panthers earlier this season, but since have been on an eight game winning streak, including a 1-0 road win against perennial power Piedmont and two hard fought 1-1 draws against repeat league title holder Albany.

“The future looks bright for Encinal girls soccer,” said Coach Jean Christophe Decru.

The Jets have a balanced team with a potent offense and stout defense that includes solid junior and senior leadership, and a quartet of sophomores who each earned league honors as freshman last year.

Coach Decru has taken a small roster of mostly young players (3 freshman, 7 sophomores, 3 juniors and 2 seniors) and turned them into a team to be reckoned with. 

No matter how the ball bounces on Tuesday, the Lady Jets have had a great season and are likely to get their first post-season North Coast Sectional playoff berth in years.

Coach Decru also coaches the Jets boys soccer team and leads the powerful Bay Oaks under 16 girls club team that features five girls from the Island city.

In fact, there are two opportunities to see high-quality soccer at Encinal this final week of play. The regular season closes with the classic Island Bowl game when the Jets host their friends and rivals, the Alameda High Lady Hornets, on Saturday, Feb. 11 at 3 p.m.

The Lady Hornets are a power on the field and feature blazing team speed. The Hornets are currently in second place in the Alameda-Contra Costa League and defeated the Jets 1-0 at Thompson Field in last year’s contest.

Come out and cheer Alameda’s high school girls teams this week.