Gregori High School’s girls’ soccer team is turning heads statewide and beyond, earning a #1 ranking in California and #10 in the nation early in the season, a historic first for the school and one of the highest rankings ever reached by a Division I team in Modesto, according to MaxPreps.
“This has never happened at Gregori,” said Athletic Director Jim Davis. “To be ranked number one in the entire state and top ten in the country is a huge deal. I’d be hard-pressed to find another team in our area that’s ever reached that level.”
While the ranking has generated excitement across campus and in the community, Davis notes that the season is still young and much can change.
“It’s early, and there’s a long road ahead,” he said. “There are still 15 to 20 games left, and in sports, a lot can happen.”
The Jaguars are also not yet at full strength. Three to four veteran players are still competing with their club teams and are not permitted to join the high school roster until their club seasons conclude. This is a common reality in high-level girls' soccer. Despite that, the team has already demonstrated why it's being recognized at the statewide and national levels.
Head coach Tracy Moore, a longtime Gregori PE teacher, has led the Jaguars’ girls soccer program since the school opened in 2010. A 1987 graduate of Davis High School, Moore earned a soccer scholarship to play at Chico State before launching a coaching career spanning more than 30 years. Her experience includes head coaching roles at the University of the Pacific and Appalachian State, along with coaching stops at Modesto Junior College, Manteca High School, Davis High School, and Gregori High School, as well as extensive work in Modesto’s youth soccer leagues.
Moore has taken a measured approach to the early recognition, emphasizing focus over fanfare.
“We’re just focused on getting better every week,” Moore said.
From a coaching perspective, Davis said Moore’s mindset is intentional and rooted in experience.
“From a coach’s point of view, you appreciate the recognition, but you don’t buy into it,” he said. “You don’t want your players becoming overconfident or distracted. The message is simple: keep your heads down and keep playing.”
Moore credits the team’s early success to culture, discipline, and depth across the roster.
“We play as a team,” Moore said. “Even with strong individual players, our culture and work ethic are what set us apart.”
Davis said his perspective is shaped by a lifetime around the sport. While he’s excited about the recognition, Moore, his sister, remains focused on the work ahead, a balance the two siblings agree has helped sustain the program’s success.
That approach has helped build a program known for developing elite, college-bound athletes. Last year, Gregori graduate Alison Hou earned a scholarship to the University of Southern California and is now competing as a freshman at the collegiate level. This year, senior Kylie Farmer, a defensive midfielder, signed on National Signing Day to play soccer at the University of Oregon.
Farmer is one of several standout players contributing to the team’s success this season. Moore cited the senior captain’s leadership and relentless work ethic as setting the tone for the group.
“She thinks she can get to every ball, and she does,” Moore said. “She’s sprinting back to help defensively every time. You don’t see that a lot.”
Moore also highlighted Grace Rodriguez, who provided a major offensive spark at the team’s most recent tournament.
“Grace is on fire,” Moore said. “She scored eight goals last weekend in a tournament we played.”
Moore added that the roster includes several additional college-caliber athletes who have yet to make their post-high school decisions.
The Jaguars face Justin Garza High School of Fresno today in non-league action, with Central California Athletic League play opening in January against Downey.
For Moore, the matchup carries added significance. She said today’s game marks the first time this season the team will take the field together after several veteran players rejoin the roster following their club commitments.
“This will be the first time we’ve had the group together,” Moore said. “We’re still missing one player who’s recovering from an injury, but it will be important for us to see how everyone comes together.”
Beyond wins and rankings, Davis sees the moment as an opportunity to elevate girls’ athletics and rally community support.
“This is great for our kids and for our program, but it’s also great for girls’ sports,” he said. “These athletes deserve to be recognized, and it gives the community something really special to rally around.”
As the season continues, the Jaguars remain focused on the day-to-day work, with rankings taking a sideline role to growth, teamwork, and the long journey ahead.