The Denair High girls soccer team – led by prolific sophomore star Jazmin Padilla – is on the verge of capturing the Southern League championship and locking up a high playoff seeding.

After a so-so start to the season, the Coyotes have won six matches in a row to run their record to 12-5-1. More impressively, Denair is a perfect 8-0 in the Southern League with four matches to play.

“Our team has strongly improved since the start of the season due to the commitment of these wonderful young ladies. They work hard and have terrific attitudes,” said coach Mark Morphy.

Padilla’s 32 goals rank her third among all players in the Sac-Joaquin Section, which includes 198 schools from north of Sacramento to south of Merced. She had three goals in Denair’s most recent victory, a 4-0 shutout at home last Friday against Delhi.

Padilla comes from a talented soccer family, including her father, Tony, who is an assistant coach for Denair.

“Jazmin is a very skilled player who loves the game of soccer,” Morphy said. “Her footwork and strong legs are the key to her success. She is usually doubled- or tripled-teamed, but because of her ability to move the ball quickly, she can shoot and score.”

The Coyotes are far more than a one-girl team, however. Senior striker Abby Hernandez is a three-year starter who is second with seven goals. Two other seniors, Andrea Vasquez and Ana Renteria, consistently controls the middle of the field, pushing the ball ahead to Padilla and Hernandez. Morphy called Renteria “tough as nails.”

Denair’s defense has posted five shutouts in Southern League matches and has allowed only six goals in the other three, all victories. Morphy credited senior Lisbet Lopez, junior Emma Sarmiento and freshman Gracie Brigham for clamping down on opponents. Freshman goalie Aileen Chavez hasn’t had to face a lot of shots but has been solid as the last line of defense.

Denair has four league matches left, beginning Friday at home against Le Grand (4-10, 3-5), followed by a road contest at Mariposa (1-5) on Feb. 4, home against Waterford (2-16, 0-8) on Feb. 7 and the final regular-season game at Gustine (9-4-2, 6-1-1) on Feb. 11.

The Sac-Joaquin Section playoff pairings will be released Feb. 12. Denair currently is ranked second in Division VI behind Vacaville Christian (9-3-1). The top four seeds receive first-round byes in the 12-team playoff bracket.