Mater Dei, JSerra Catholic headline Trinity League
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Two of the top three teams in the state of California share a league as the Trinity League, consisting of teams in Orange County, is always amongst the best leagues in the country. This year is no exception and JSerra…
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Continue ReadingTwo of the top three teams in the state of California share a league as the Trinity League, consisting of teams in Orange County, is always amongst the best leagues in the country. This year is no exception and JSerra Catholic and Mater Dei are leading the way.
Mater Dei is 11-0-0, ranked No. 1, fresh off a win over JSerra Catholic (and a win over Servite on Wednesday), which knocked the previously top-ranked Lions down to No. 3. The Monarchs are an experienced team, that is bonded, that is family, and it is paying dividends as they are having a special season.
“The majority of this group has been together and played together at the varsity level for the last 3-4 years,” Mater Dei coach Sean Ganey said. “We have worked hard to build our culture and brotherhood to what it is today. It’s our mission to develop the man first, and everything after that will take care of itself. Our leaders have done an amazing job at holding everyone accountable, maintaining their discipline, and keeping everyone hungry. The players and staff all believed we had the pieces to do something special, and now these kids are reaping the rewards of those years of hard work. It hasn’t come easy but that’s what has made thus far so special. We have a long way to go, and a lot of work ahead of us, but our mentality to stay hungry is as strong as it’s ever been. We are all trying to enjoy every moment with each other.”
This special group has been in the making for years, as they have worked hard together, they have improved together, and after good seasons of nine, 13 and 12 wins, the time is here for Mater Dei.
“These kids are capable of anything they set their minds to, but everyone is focused on taking it one day at a time,” Ganey said. “As players and staff we have all worked hard to grow every year, constantly reflecting and working to get one percent better each day. We truly have the best staff and kids here at Mater Dei and that makes everything else run that much smoother. All of the moments of the past couple of years, good and bad, have led us to where we are now. We all want to continue to learn and grow so we are at our best at the end.”
The two teams combine to have some of the best talent in the league, and in the state. JSerra is 6-1-2 and are the defending national champions, so counting the Lions out of repeating would be a mistake.
“We look forward to the pressure that comes with being the National Champions,” JSerra coach Erik Kirsch said. “We understand the road ahead is going to be one of the toughest seasons the programs has ever had to endure. There are a lot of top teams and programs out there that we will face. That will give us an indicator of what we will need to improve to compete for another Trinity League, CIF and National Championship title.”
The players 12 players listed below are vital for these two teams and are some of the best in California.
Kevin Abarca Kevin Abarca null | F CA , Midfielder, Mater Dei, Class of 2024
Abarca is a stud. Full stop. He is a versatile player as he can control the game in the middle of the pitch as a No. 8, or play as an outside defender. He has a combination of being a powerful runner and dribbler along with great passing range. He is very hard to defend because of this array of skills. He is intense, he is a leader and these things have driven him and his teammates forward as a group.
Gavin Allegart, Forward, JSerra Catholic, Class of 2025
Allegart was a second-team All-Trinity League selection last year, and is now stepping into a larger role as a scorer. He has the ability to create or to get on the end of a ball, and is able to use two feet and operates well in space. Last season he scored 14 goals and had five assists.
Tanner Casey, Defender, JSerra Catholic, Class of 2025
A key player in defense as a sophomore, Casey is an even more important player now. He is a do-it-all defender who can possess, he can play a ball and is equally as good in tracking down an attacker, locking them up and also very good at winning the ball.
Michael Cherico, Forward, Mater Dei, Class of 2024
Cherico is a very dominant player, showing a rare combination of great size and technical ability. He also has a hunger inside of him to be the best and that has been infectious and has made the team better. He has mostly featured as the No. 9, but has been asked to play the No. 6, and has been dominant wherever he has played.
Avian Gonzalez Flores, Central Defender, Mater Dei, Class of 2025
Gonzalez Flores is a special center back because of how good on the ball he is. He is the foundation for the Monarchs as things seem to stop and start with him. He has a next level ability to play progressively and carry progressively. He is a great defender, he is fantastic in the air but also likes to get forward, can also pass and is a player that always seems composed.
Kalani Kunimura, Defensive Midfielder, Mater Dei, Class of 2025
Kunimura is a fierce competitor. Just about as fierce as they come. He plays hard and plays to win, and does so from a place of wanting to support his teammates. He can cover the entire pitch from touch line to touch line, box to box, and seems to win all of his duals. He does not come off the pitch, showing a motor that does not stop. He truly hunts the ball, is such a great ball winner as he has mastered this trait and is invaluable to his team.
Logan Mahoney, Outside Defender, JSerra Catholic, Class of 2024
Mahoney has the speed and the strength to matchup with outside forwards and is also very good himself about getting up the line with the ball at his feet. He’s good at squashing an attack, winning the ball and then starting an attack for the Lions.
Greyson Moreno Greyson Moreno 5'9" | M JSerra Catholic | 2024 CA , Central Midfielder, JSerra Catholic, Class of 2024
Moreno is the consummate No. 8. He patrols the field box-to-box, and does everything you need him to do. He doesn’t score a ton, but can help facilitate the ball forward, and is not afraid to track back and defend. He has good technical skills, and can pick a pass, can shoot as well as defend in the middle of the pitch.
Noah Nesson, Keeper, JSerra Catholic, Class of 2024
Nesson is one of the top keepers in all of Southern California, which is saying something. He had 50 saves and six clean sheets last season, and was selected as an all-CIF keeper. He can make saves, he commands between the posts and is brave when it comes to coming out for a ball or shutting down an angle.
Noah Parks, Forward, JSerra Catholic, Class of 2024
The offensive MVP of the Trinity League, Parks is back for his senior year after scoring 14 goals. He can score in a variety of ways, using either foot. He just needs the smallest sliver of space to get a shot off, and is very good at creating goals, or getting on the end of a ball.
Ayden Romo Ayden Romo 5'7" | M Mater Dei | 2026 State CA , Attacking Midfielder, Mater Dei, Class of 2026
Romo is a truly talented player, combining great talent with an extreme level of hard work. He has amazing drive, athleticism and the ability to beat players. Not only can he beat a defender, he can then finish, becoming a massive scoring source. He can play just about anywhere, showing a versatile side as well as being dynamic in those positions.
Jake Tatch Jake Tatch F Jserra Catholic | 2025 CA , Midfielder, JSerra Catholic, Class of 2025
Tatch is a midfielder with a nose for goal, scoring 12 goals last season. But he is also a facilitator as he had nine assists last season on his way to a second-team All-Trinity League selection. He is proficient with the ball at his feet, is good creating or running off the ball.