In it’s 90-year history, Point Loma High School has fielded some excellent athletic teams and seen a number of students find success at the professional level. Despite these decades of success, the school’s teams have rarely developed  a county-wide reputation of excellence that continues year after year–perhaps a prep sports dynasty in the making? But that may be changing on the surface of Bennie Edens Field where John Murphy and his girls soccer teams are laying the groundwork for what may well become just that…the school others fear because of their talent-laden roster overflowing with skills from top to bottom. Murphy is in his ninth year as Lady Pointers head coach, and few are aware of his team’s rise, outside of the sprinkling of parents and grandparents of players who bundle up to watch the girls play their home matches in wind-swept Pete Ross Stadium.  But building the team took time. Murphy’s first team turned in a 9-12-2 record in 2008.  By 2009, that record was reversed as the team finished 14-5-6, challenging Patrick Henry for the Eastern League title with a 7-1-4 mark. And then came the CIF playoffs. Behind Murphy’s daughter Shelby, a junior, and a talented, tough group of girls that included freshman goalkeeper Lily Edwards, the Lady Pointers swept through the playoffs, defeating Hilltop (1-0),  Helix (1-0) and Mt. Carmel (2-1) to win the CIF championship.  After an off year in 2010, Murphy’s group won the 2011 Eastern League title with a league record of 9-1-2 (13-6-5 overall). That was followed by league championships in 2012, 2013 and 2015. And, on March 7 last year, the Lady Pointers held up another CIF championship trophy after defeating Valhalla 1-0 in a physical match decided by senior Taylor Hopkins’ penalty shot goal late in the game to give the team an amazing 21-2-3 season record, again with a freshman (Taylor Washington) in goal. That team included a balanced blend of five seniors, four juniors, nine sophomores and four freshmen players, all of them seeing playing time. This year the Pointers move up to Div. I with the county’s top 20 teams, and next year will join the city’s top teams in the Western League. Perhaps it is the team bonding and off-field fun Murphy concocts that makes being a Lady Pointer soccer player something special. “My aim is to create leaders with strong character and values,” Murphy said. “Our team has the second highest grade point average of any at PLHS,” he noted. Murphy is proud of players like junior Makenna Peter who managed the hot chocolate concession at this year’s Garrison St. Christmas lights festival. Peter has earmarked funds raised for programs helping domestic violence victims and she is also developing a project to assist a Mexican orphanage. Before upcoming dances such as this month’s ASB Ball, Murphy arranges for all his players to have their hair and nails done at no cost. And then there are the team beach runs followed by breakfast, the sushi dinners, girls-only overnight parties, walking in the OB Christmas parade, spin classes and a popular paint ball battle last year the girls want to repeat. “That one left me pretty sore and beat up!” Murphy said with a laugh. “But we are now seeing the top county players choosing to come to Point Loma.” Flash forward to 2016, and Murphy’s newest team has posted an 8-1-1 pre-season record. In its only loss (2-0 at Coronado) the Lady Pointers rebounded to whip the same Islanders 4-0 four days later in a tournament game at home. To date, Murphy’s players have scored 26 goals while yielding only four. And again, he has involved all grades on his roster, a tactic that has led to long-lasting bonds among his players and developed top-tier players that produce consistent champions. This year’s blend is five seniors, five juniors, six sophomores and five freshmen. “I think last year’s team and this year’s team each have their strengths and weaknesses,” said sophomore Iyana Zimmerman. “We are definitely adjusting to losing two of our seniors in the middle but Jacquelyn Neves and Lily Lutz definitely make up for it so I think we have a really good shot (at another CIF title).” But after their CIF win last year, team’s approach the Lady Pointers differently. “It’s definitely different,” Zimmerman observed. “The intensity level is higher, and of course we’re Division One now, so it’s all just moved up a notch, but we’ve been matching up very nicely against the D-I teams.   Every one of the 21 girls on Murphy’s roster saw playing time and contributed last week as the team began the City League season with a 7-0 blowout of overmatched Mission Bay on the Lady Pointers pitch. New team member Trinity Watson, a sophomore forward, scored a hat trick, her trio of goals and an assist making for a seven-point game. Last year’s point leader Jordan Patane, now a senior, had two goals and two assists for six points. Sophomore Zimmerman and freshman Malia Humphrey each had a goal and assist while juniors Lily Lutz and Kennedy Hopkins each had an assist. And this week, talented junior forward Riley O’Toole returns to bolster the roster. After the game, Watson spoke about her varied experiences before becoming a Lady Pointer. “I play for the Olympic Development Program Under 16 team,” she said, “and we just won regionals so we’re going to nationals. Last year was my second Under 16 Nationals camp (in Carson, Ca.) and I also play for the Surf, my club team.” But prep soccer has also captured Watson’s heart. “Playing here is awesome,” Watson noted. “My teammates are like my family and it’s nice to reconnect and play with them again. I’ve played with all of them on club teams.” And do the Lady Pointers have a chance to win yet another CIF championship? “Of course!” Watson said with a quick smile. “We’re the best!”