The Watsonville High boys’ soccer team went on a historic run this season that ended with a trip to the California Interscholastic Federation Northern California Regionals Division I finals.
Leading the way were seniors Mateo Arias and Isaac Vargas, who were recognized by the coaches within the league as the Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year, respectively. Â
Arias finished with 16 goals, good for second on the team, and a team-best five assists, according to stats on the MaxPrep website.
Vargas, who finished with seven goals and an assist, was the heart of the defense that recorded 11 shutouts this season, including three in the postseason.
The Wildcatz, champion of the Pacific Coast Athletic League’s Gabilan Division, also captured the program’s 12th Central Coast Section title and 10th championship under legendary coach Roland Hedgpeth.
Arias and Vargas also earned all-league first-team honors along with seniors Luis Velasco-Vasquez and Lombardo Flores.
Flores finished with eight goals and three assists, and Velasco-Vasquez had one goal for the Wildcatz.
David Ibarra, Sergio Esteves, Oscar Herrera and Sebastian Abonce earned all-league second-team honors.
Herrera finished with five goals and three assists for Watsonville, and Ibarra tallied four goals.
Velasco-Vasquez was also named to the Richard Chamberlin Sportsmanship Team.
Alisal junior midfielder Yoni Avelar was named the Gaiblan Division’s Most Valuable Player.
Gabilan Division
Most Valuable Player: Yoni Avelar, Alisal
Offensive Player of the Year: Mateo Arias, Watsonville
Defensive Player of the Year: Isaac Vargas, Watsonville
First team
Isaac Vargas, Watsonville
Mateo Arias, Watsonville
Luis Velasco-Vasquez, Watsonville
Lombardo Flores, Watsonville
Kevin Brown, North Salinas
Bryan Escalante-Godinez, North Salinas
Isaac Rios, North Salinas
Cesar Romero, Alisal
Ricky Ambriz, Alisal
Yoni Avelar, Alisal
Jean-Luc Martel, Soledad
Jose Beltran, Soledad
Anthony Arevalo, Alvarez
Erik Corona, Salinas
Second Team
David Ibarra, Watsonville
Sergio Esteves, Watsonville
Oscar Herrera, Watsonville
Sebastian Abonce, Watsonville
Yahir Cruz, North Salinas
Daniel Macias, North Salinas
Sebastian Rubio, North Salinas
Carlos Aguilar, Alisal
Nathan Saldana, Alisal
Jozef Real, Alisal
Alexis Guzman, Soledad
Salvador Zepeda, Soledad
Isaias Jimenez, Alvarez
Miguel Marcos, Salinas
Richard Chamberlin Sportsmanship Team
Luis Velasco-Vasquez, Watsonville
Yahir Lugo, Soledad
Bryan Gutierrez, North Salinas
Edwin Moreno, Alvarez
Jerry Caballero, Salinas
Yoni Avelar, Alisal
Elgie Bellizio Sportsmanship School: Salinas
Mission Division
Most Valuable Player: Hernan Funes, San Benito
Offensive Player of the Year: Victor Narez, King City
Defensive Player of the Year: Ezekiel Hernandez, San Benito
First team
Chris Jamrok, San Benito
Hugo Catalan, San Benito
Ezekiel Hernandez, San Benito
Hernan Alvarez Funes, San Benito
Victor Narez, King City
Alejandro Ibarra, King City
Frankie Zavala, King City
Zack Beardsley, Christopher
Jermaine Thomas, Christopher
Brian Jimenez, Christopher
Luis Velazquez, Pajaro Valley
Elias Gonzalez, Pajaro Valley
Jefferson Cruz, Gilroy
Daniel Jimenez, Gilroy
Jose Guzman Velasquez, Monterey
Second Team
Adan Serrato San Ramon, San Benito
Eusebio Rivera, San Benito
Abraham Nunez, San Benito
Gilbert Bolivar, San Benito
Giovanni Alcaraz, King City
Osvaldo Velasquez, King City
Diego Narez, King City
Emmanuel Lopez, Christopher
Edisson Torres, Christopher
Gilmar Torres, Christopher
Isaac Rojas, Pajaro Valley
Andres Rebollar, Pajaro Valley
Saul Hernandez, Gilroy
Yandy Cruz, Gilroy
Rene Saucedo Garcia, Monterey
Richard Chamberlin Sportsmanship Team
Ezequiel Suarez, San Benito
Damian Aguirre, King City
Anthony Patino, Christopher
Johan Velasquez, Pajaro Valley
Julian Ceja, Gilroy
Adriel Gutierrez, Monterey
Elgie Bellizio Sportsmanship School: Christopher
Cypress Division
Most Valuable Player: Jesus Arroyo, Greenfield
Offensive Player of the Year: Hector Garcia, Greenfield
Defensive Player of the Year: Ryan Ruiz, North Monterey County
First team
Jesus Arroyo, Greenfield
Hector Garcia, Greenfield
Anthony Zavala, Greenfield
Ivan Lopez, Greenfield
Saul Magos, NMC
Geovany Ochoa, NMC
Kevin Benitez, NMC
Ryan Ruiz, NMC
Kevin Espinas, Palma
Isidro Hernandez, Palma
Aiden Keegan, Monte Vista Christian
Cristian Linares, MVC
Alexis Soriano, Carmel
Jesus Pena, Gonzales
Second team
Sebastian Hernandez, Greenfield
Armando Hernandez, Greenfield
Victor Contreras, Greenfield
Eduardo Magdaleno, NMC
Martin Rios, NMC
Luis Simancas, NMC
Samuel Gomez, Palma
Suyesh Niraula, Palma
Benjamin Alcantara, Palma
Mark Spohn, MVC
Trent Hendricks, MVC
Chris Esparza-Pasos, Carmel
Brody Mendez, Carmel
Jesus Valdez, Gonzales
Richard Chamberlin Sportsmanship Team
Jordy Cabrera, Carmel
Jesus Pena, Gonzales
Steven Meza, Greenfield
Nathan Hanson, MVC
Harry Rojas, NMC
Samuel Bastida, Palma
Elgie Bellizio Team Sportsmanship School: Palma
Santa Lucia Division
Most Valuable Player: David Garcia, Seaside
Offensive Player of the Year: Jeffry Reyes, Seaside
Defensive Player of the Year: Daniel Avendano, Seaside
First team
David Garcia, Seaside
Jeffry Reyes, Seaside
Angel Lomeli, Seaside
Daniel Avendano, Seaside
Nathaniel Hahn, Stevenson
Nico Ochoa Collignon, Stevenson
Ardan Dorian, Stevenson
Mostafa Hassan, Marina
Shaiya Henry, Marina
Daniel Cano, Marina
Byron Duenas, Rancho San Juan
Alejandro Hernandez, Rancho San Juan
Sawyer Rice, Pacific Grove
Nate Goodwin, Pacific Collegiate
Second team
Lane Gonzalez, Seaside
Juan Vazquez, Seaside
Haziel Vazquez, Seaside
Emeka Cole, Seaside
Win Metcalf, Stevenson
Santiago Sanchez, Stevenson
Santiago Esquino, Stevenson
Rigo Garcia, Marina
Skeebo Henry, Marina
Samuel Oliver, Marina
Edgar Zamora, Rancho San Juan
Julian Hernandez, Rancho San Juan
Adryan Aquino, Pacific Grove
Carlo Ramirez-Truse, Pacific Collegiate
Richard Chamberlin Sportsmanship Team
Alejandro Venegas, Seaside
Santiago Sanchez, Stevenson
Mostafa Hassan, Marina
Guy Pimentel, Rancho San Juan
Sawyer Rice, Pacific Grove
Hudson Smith, Pacific Collegiate
Elgie Bellizio Sportsmanship Team of the Year: Pacific Collegiate
Arroyo Division
First team
Remigio Guijosa, Ceiba
Gonzalo Rocha, Ceiba
Carlos Ramirez, Ceiba
Israel Carisales, Ceiba
Kyle Khojasteh, Oakwood
Dylan Matthews, Oakwood
Joseph Gastelum, Oakwood
Jason Khan, York
Tyler Dwelle, York
Ryan Krageland, York
Garrett Lee, St. Francis
Emiliano Hernandez-Torres, St. Francis
Julian Valentin, Anzar
Brandon Maguire, Trinity
Elgie Bellizio Sportsmanship School: Oakwood
