Rio Americano's Heinzer Leads Girls Soccer Team to D-III Title

Carmichael Patch Whiz Kids:

Name:  Alexa Heinzer

School: Rio Americano High School

Accomplishment:  Scored two goals in Rio's 2-0 overtime win against Benicia in the on May 21 at Cosumnes Oaks High School in Elk Grove.

Key to Awesomeness: With the win, the Raiders finished the season a perfect 19-0, ranked No. 8 nationally by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, according to The Sacramento Bee. Heinzer finished with 26 goals during the season.

"It's been a fun year; I miss it already," she said Tuesday. "Our team likes to share the ball."

Heinzer (Offensive MVP), senior midfielder Caroline Stromick (MVP), freshman sweeper Emily Hansen (Defensive MVP); senior midfielders Lauren Kohatsu, Emma Severson and Vilma Gonzalez; and freshman midfielder Emily Hutchinson all made the All-Capital Athletic League team, third-year coach Jennifer Smiley, a former Rio Americano player, told The Bee.

"The girls played well all season long and I knew the team was special because they worked hard from Day 1," Smiley told Carmichael Patch. "Every girl on the team is a leader on and off the field."

Heinzer said the underclassmen had a goal in mind for the final game.

"We said (before the championship game) it would be our year and we would win it for the seniors," Heinzer said.

Last week, an announcement acknowledging the team's win was made over the public address system and in the student newspaper The Mirada. 

Heinzer, who lives in Carmichael. transferred to Rio from Loretto, an all-girls private school, after that school closed and was joined in the move by two of her current Rio soccer teammates.

"I love it here," Heinzer said. "I've been so happy with my decision to come here to Rio."

On campus, she also will serve as publicity chair on the student government next year, is on the tennis team, is a part of the AVID program for community service and has helped design homecoming floats.

Some top college soccer programs have already reached out to Heinzer and she said she has contacted others including Santa Clara, where US Women's National Team legend Brandi Chastain is an assistant coach.