X-factors for CA Division I, II state playoff teams
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The California regional state playoffs start today, with the Southern California and Northern California tournaments kicking off this afternoon. The very top teams and the very top players in a state loaded with great players and teams will be on…
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Continue ReadingThe California regional state playoffs start today, with the Southern California and Northern California tournaments kicking off this afternoon. The very top teams and the very top players in a state loaded with great players and teams will be on display, and here are players that will be looking to make an impact in the boys Division I and Division II brackets.
Nathan Almanza
Nathan Almanza
Almanza is an outside back for the Lancers, despite playing out of position. He has started almost every game as a sophomore and has made a huge impact for a team that jumped from Division IV to DI. He has a goal an an assist in these playoffs against some very stiff competition.
Godwin Antwi
Godwin Antwi
Antwi is a lightning fast player either when he’s on the ball or off the ball. He shows great touch and excellent vision when on the ball and has a great ability to create space. He’s a player that will make plays for his teammates as he is very unselfish, but he is also a great finisher and can score goals. He takes the game very seriously as he studies film, watches his diet and prepares to improve every day.
Bottini is a junior leader for the Falcons. He is an impact midfielder who is clever and moves well, and can be very deceptive and he is a ruthless player meaning he will play hard, he will work hard and do what it takes to win.
Highlights
Talbot Carter
Talbot Carter
Carter is a leader for the Marauders. He leads on and off the pitch, he works hard and leads by example. He’s also a very good passer with good vision, shows good pace and creative ability.
Jack Cazneaux
Jack Cazneaux
Cazneaux is one of the motors that makes the Jesuit team run. He is quick and decisive, strong on the ball and plays with strength and passion.
In a really tough matchup against an excellent Clovis North team that boasts a strong midfield, a strong No. 6 is going to be important. That’s exactly what Dekovic is. He is very well-rounded but especially gifted as a defender.
Sean Gauer
Sean Gauer
Gauer will need to be able to take players on from his outside back spot, and will need to be able to create direct opportunities going forward for Mira Costa to move forward in the state tournament.
Grant Gilmer
Grant Gilmer
Gilmer will be a key player as the wide forward is going to have to be a force going forward if the Mustangs are going to go to San Diego and upset St. Augustine. He is a player that can create opportunities and his team will need that.
Jake Goetting
Jake Goetting
Goetting is a very big forward, especially for being just a sophomore. He is strong and powerful and is very hard for teams to contain.
Nixon Hansen
Nixon Hansen
Hansen is going to be a key player for the Broncos because of his strong IQ. He has the soccer intelligence to unlock a defense, and combined with that he has a great motor and great technical skills.
Helfand has a lot of speed and a lot of ability. He can play outside and do well because of how fast he is. He also has the foot skills to play the No. 6 as he can use both feet. He reads the game well, is strong in the air and is good about connecting play with either the midfield or play longer to the wide forwards.
Max Hernandez
Max Hernandez
Hernandez is making a huge impact as a sophomore. He has scored three goals and had an assist during the post-season and has played a major role with his ability to create, to open up space for himself and for his teammates.
Aiden Jennings
Aiden Jennings
Jennings is a junior midfielder with great energy that helps drive the team. He is a very smooth player on the ball and very clinical.
Donovan Mark
Donovan Mark
Mark was a stud as a freshman, and nothing has changed this year. The No. 10 is one of the best midfielders in the state, certainly for his grad year, and one of the most dynamic players, regardless of age. He has incredible vision and can get by defenders with his combination of cleverness and skill.
Mendoza leads the Valley team, and he does so with great passion for the game. As a player he shows great vision, has the ability to deliver a precise pass and has made a difference with his ability to assist on goals in the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs. He is also a very good shooter from different areas of the pitch.
Odin Miller
Odin Miller
When all sets up correctly, Miller is a box-to-box No. 8, but for a banged up Knights team he has been playing the No. 6 and has also played some center and outside back. He is responsible for helping Las Lomas maintain fluidity in the team’s play, and he also demonstrated leadership, speaking his mind as a captain before PK’s against Richmond in the NCS DII semifinal, convincing coach Kurt Adkins to rearrange the PK order, which led to the win.
Diego Monreal
Diego Monreal
Monreal is a senior leader for Granada Hills, and helped lead them to an LA City Section title. He is a fast player, but doesn’t just rely on speed as he works hard as well. He also had a nose for goal, knowing how to position himself well. He has 10 goals and seven assists on the season.
Will Nicholas
Will Nicholas
A dynamic forward who has been an important player for Crossroads on their ascension to Southern California powerhouse, Nicholas is a dynamic, explosive player. He is not afraid to go after defenders, and is more than willing to do so when on the ball.
Nathaniel Ochoa
Nathaniel Ochoa
Ochoa is a strong leader and a hard worker. He commits to the ball when it’s in front of him and commits to beating the defender in front of him. He moves the ball really well and picks teammates out with precision passing. He has an amazing shot on goal as well, on top of being a supportive and giving player.
Pederson is the emotional leader and the captain for the Mustangs. He is the heartbeat of the Monte Vista team. He plays the No. 10 and though he takes his defensive responsibilities seriously, he has the freedom to roam the field and find open spaces. He scored 12 goals which is the fule to the team’s engine, and he doesn’t let that engine stop until the final whistle.
Poole has the ability to impact the Division I SoCal playoffs like few players can. He plays center back, but has also scored over 15 goals the past two seasons. He understands what the game needs and will apply his skills where needed. He is very consistent on the pitch during games and training as he takes it seriously. The CIF MVP last year, Poole is a 4.8 GPA student.
Highlights
Emiliano Postlethwaite
Emiliano Postlethwaite
Postlethwaite is a very, very solid defender. He is strong, he plays composed and he keeps his play clean, and really limits mistakes. He is a big reason why the Saints allowed two goals all season in league play and just one in the playoffs.
Ramans is a captain as a sophomore, which is impressive. He has a lot of respect from his teammates and coaches. He also backs it up by working hard and showing more of a work ethic than most. He gives 100 percent all the time. He also has that “it” factor, showing next-level thinking. On top of that he’s as gifted as they come, and technical as all get up. He’s very creative in addition. He shows a relentlessness and a determination to do what it is he does best, not compromising his play for an opposing player.
Highlights
Micah Rossen
Micah Rossen
Rossen has made a huge impact in returning from surgery, leading the team in assists. He is a creative player with great technical ability.
Race Serota
Race Serota
Serota is a machine in the midfield. He shows great awareness and he has the ability to deconstruct a defense, breaking them down because of his ability and his high soccer IQ.
Todd is another sophomore playing an important role for the Lancers. He’s a key leader in central defense, and is an excellent communicator and great at organizing. He’s very good at reading the game, he knows when to step up and make challenges, and almost always wins his challenges. He’s also got great passing ability and range and can break lines.
Highlights
Luke Williams
Luke Williams
Williams scored the first goal for Servite in the Section title game win over Orange Lutheran and has been a vital role player for the Friars all year. He works hard, gives his everything and is a true warrior. He’s also the definition of an X-factor as Servite doesn’t know if he will play after leaving the section game with head injury that gave him 12 stitches above his right eye.
Young is a four-year varsity player, meaning he was on winless team four years ago. He knows what this whole program is about because he’s been there through it all. A captain outside back and winger, he works very hard and has the ability to score or be a lockdown defender.