Central Valley’s boys soccer program didn’t win any major awards during the Western Athletic Conference’s year-end head coaches’ meeting last month at Johansen High School despite having the best team in the league.
The Hawks finished first overall in the WAC with an 11-1-2 record.
“Honestly, it didn’t really make sense,” said Central Valley head coach Horacio Garcia.
Seven Hawk players earned all-conference honors, including Osvaldo Cisneros, Anantah Sivongxay, Artemio Ortiz, Enrique Lopez, Alejandro Garcia, Tahte Yang and Jayden Pires.
Two Ceres High standouts were recognized, including Daniel Cardenas and Samuel Vargas. The Bulldogs (4-9-1) placed seven in the conference standings.
“All the seniors will be missed,” coach Garcia said. “They were big contributors to our success. They put the team on their back.”
Cisneros, Sivongxay, Ortiz, Lopez, Garcia and Cardenas were named to the WAC First Team.
Cisneros, a junior, allowed just 11 goals, totaled 42 saves and posted eight shutouts on the year while starring at goalkeeper.
“Osvaldo definitely deserved it (MVP),” coach Garcia said. “He had the numbers. He had an amazing year. He was composed under pressure. He allowed less than one goal per game. I don’t believe the MVP and Offensive Player of the Year scored a goal against us.”
Sivongxay’s main position was defensive midfielder.
He also contributed at winger, center back, left back and right back.
Sivongxay had five goals and five assists.
He led the Hawks in steals with 202.
Ortiz, a senior center back, collected 121 steals on defense.
Lopez, a senior defensive midfielder, had 115 steals.
He collected seven goals and one assist.
Alejandro Garcia, a senior striker, tallied 17 goals and two assists.
Cardenas, a senior, contributed at defensive midfielder.
“He was the heart of the team,” Ceres High head coach Gilbert Zamora said.
Yang, Pires and Vargas were named to the WAC Second Team.
Yang, a senior utility player, had nine assists and one goal.
He logged playing time at right midfielder, left midfielder, center back and striker.
Pires, a freshman midfielder, had eight assists and two goals.
He ranked second on the team in steals with 197.
Vargas, a senior, contributed at offensive midfielder.
