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| Mata steps down as soccer coach Published/Last Modified on Wednesday, February 24, 2010 12:49 PM PST Magi Mata has been a part of the Half Moon Bay High School girls’ soccer scene for more than a decade. She was a four-year varsity player, having graduated in 2001. Two years later, she was named head coach. But changes in her personal life have forced to make the painful decision to step down as coach. Between her job in San Francisco, living in Belmont and getting married soon, Mata informed the players last week that she wouldn’t be returning as the coach. There’s no word on who the new coach will be. “Maybe I will return someday,” Mata said. “But there are a lot of changes in my life. I need to get settled in.” The past season was especially challenging for her, as she couldn’t get off work quickly enough to start practice right after school. Nearly all of Half Moon Bay’s home games were pushed back to accommodate her. Jeff Turgeon, who has coached youth soccer with Mata for many years and is the father of goalie Carrie Turgeon, served as the co-head coach. He said he’s not sure if he will be able to serve as the head coach next year. Half Moon Bay played Capuchino to a 1-1 tie in the final game Half Moon Bay played. El Camino forfeited Thursday’s season finale with the Cougars. |