College of the Redwoods athletics

By Ray Hamill — One of the top players in the H-DNL has committed to play for the College of the Redwoods women’s soccer team after graduation in 2026.

McKinleyville senior Grace Pimentel, who was among the most consistent and dangerous players in league this fall, is one of three early recruits for the local community college team.

“She’s awesome and we’re excited about her being our first local recruit,” CR head coach Juan Perez said. “She’s a very composed midfielder and she’s definitely going to bring leadership qualities and will be very competitive.

“She’s one of those players who has a strong love of the game.”

Pimentel is one of three early recruits for the team.

Goalkeeper Laniesa Younique Felix out of Salida, CA, and defender Sophie Paterson out of Modesto will both also join CR for next season.

Felix plays travel ball for Albion FC Merced, while Peterson plays for Ajax United out of Modesto.

This year’s CR team, meanwhile, will honor the four sophomores before Friday’s final home game of the year against Feather River at 1:30 p.m.

The four sophomores include Lluvia Matias, Miriam Munoz-Guererro, Alondra Ramirez and Caitlyn Canepa, and all four have played key roles for the team this fall.

“They definitely provided leadership,” said Perez, who is in his first year in charge of the program. “They were the four girls that were there when I took over the program, and they definitely have played key roles in the direction the program is moving.”

On Tuesday, the Redwoods women fell 6-0 at Lake Tahoe while missing some players who were unable to make the trip because of injuries.

CR also fell 4-1 at Butte on Friday, with Jorlynn Villalvazo netting the team’s only goal of the game on a well-taken long range free kick.

Despite the two losses, which dropped CR to 2-7 in the Golden Valley Conference and 5-13 overall, Perez believes his young team is showing signs of progress.

“The last couple of games, despite the scores, we have been working together as a unit,” he said. “It shows me, as far as moving forward with the program, we’re moving in a great direction.”