Central Valley’s boys soccer team won three major awards and a handful of players earned recognition during the Central California Conference’s year-end head coaches’ Zoom meeting on March 6.

Horacio Garcia, Miguel Serrano, Jesus Silva, Alejandro Garcia, Gilbert Zamora III, Yahir Perez, Ivan Cervantes and Anantah Sivongxay were rewarded for leading the Hawks to a first-place finish in the CCC standings (11-1-0).

Central Valley experienced a bounce-back season.

“Last year, we didn’t have many players get recognized,” Hawks’ head coach Horacio Garcia said.

Horacio Garcia was voted CCC Coach of the Year.

“It’s because of the players,” he said. “They continue to win despite me being the coach. I’m just happy to have a bunch of great kids. They make it very easy for me.”

Serrano was named CCC Defensive Player of the Year.

The senior co-team captain/defensive midfielder also earned first-team all-conference honors.

“I’m not surprised,” coach Garcia said. “He demonstrated great qualities throughout the season. He averaged 15 steals per game, which is a really impressive number. He was running everywhere.”

Silva, a senior co-captain, was named CCC Goalkeeper of the Year.

“I’m very happy for him,” Horacio Garcia said. “He deserved that award because of his performance. He made impressive saves in many games.”

Silva allowed just seven goals in league play. 

He totaled 30 saves.

“His decision making was big,” Coach Garcia said. “His positioning was great. He made the least amount of mistakes.”

Silva had a breakout year during his first season competing at the varsity level.

He started at goalkeeper at the junior-varsity level in the 11th grade.

“Last year, he didn’t make it (varsity),” said Horacio Garcia. “Now, he’s being recognized as the best goalkeeper in our league. It shows how much he worked. He didn’t get discouraged. He came out and earned his spot from the very beginning. And didn’t give it up.”

Perez, Zamora III and Alejandro Garcia were all selected to the CCC First Team.

Alejandro Garcia, a junior, contributed on both offense and defense.

“He deserved the recognition he got,” commented Horacio Garcia. “He put up impressive numbers.”

Alejandro Garcia collected 14 goals and five assists while starting at six games at forward in league play.

“He’s a great all-round player,” said Coach Garcia. “He led the team in scoring. He was one of our top defenders.”

Zamora III, a senior team co-captain, contributed at center back on defense.

He didn’t miss a game.

“His consistency was great,” added Horacio Garcia. “He played 99 percent of the minutes.”

Perez, a senior attacking center midfielder, tallied six goals and three assists.

He earned second-team all-CCC honors as a junior.

“Yahir was the most-skilled player on the team,” Coach Garcia said. “He’s one of those players that can make you look bad in a one-on-one (situation). When he feels challenged, that’s when he performs his best.”

Sivongxay and Cervantes were both selected to the CCC Second Team.

Sivongxay logged playing time at left fullback and central defender. He collected one assist.

“I’m really happy he got recognized,” commented Horacio Garcia. “He was a key player on the team. Defensively, he can play anywhere and at a high level.”

Cervantes, a sophomore right winger, totaled three goals and five assists.

“He’s very talented for his age,” Coach Garcia told the Courier. “He’s fast. He’s very good on the ball. Whenever he had a good game, we ended up winning.”