Marin Catholic's Success Fueled by Novato Athletes

Shelby Brown, a senior forward on Marin Catholic High's North Coast Section champion girls soccer team, has accepted an offer to play collegiately at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro next season.

Brown, an Honorable Mention selection on the All-Marin County Athletic League team, is a Novato resident who grew up playing in the Novato Youth Soccer Club before moving over to Marin FC.

Sending a son or daughter to play college sports is nothing new to the Brown family. Shelby's sister Kiley plays soccer at Sonoma State, while their brother Mason plays football at Willamette University in Oregon.

Brown was one of six Marin Catholic players honored recently in the All-MCAL balloting.

Wildcats defenders and both made the all-league first team, while forward Stephanie Martini, midfielder Alyssa Devine and goalie Maddie Cincebeaux were voted onto the second team.

Meanwhile, Novato played a huge role in Marin Catholic's boys lacrosse success this season, with nine residents helping the Wildcats win the NCS championship after, ironically, they suffered their lone loss of the season against Novato in the MCAL Playoffs.

Novato resident Kyle White was one of the heroes in a one-goal win over Acalanes of Lafayette in the finals, stealing a pass in the final minute to help preserve the Wildcats' lead.

Defender Alec Ratto and goalie Mike Podshadley, who made 13 saves, also contributed big-time in the championship game.

Podshadley was one of three Novato residents to earn an all-league distinction for the Wildcats, getting named to the All-MCAL second team. Eddie Berguer also was selected to the second team, while Chris Hill made the Honorable Mention list.

Also contributing to Marin Catholic's first-ever NCS championship in boys lacrosse from Novato were Austin Colvin, Nick Hallmark, Richard Yocke and .