WCAL Men’s Soccer Players of the Year and 1st team all stars

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The WCAL (West Catholic Athletic League) has a bunch of great players playing at the highest level of competition. I was fortunate to have covered all four player of the year winners during league competition. Also, I attended the Bellarmine and Everett Alvarez CCS Division I championship match as well. Might also be able to see a rematch of the Bellarmine and Everett Alvarez in the Regional Final if both teams win their Regional Semifinal match on Thursday (3/5/25). It would be another epic battle between the two California heavyweights as 2 of the player of the year winners are on the Bellarmine squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The WCAL Defender of the Year - Ben Sutton - Bellarmine College Prep - Los Gatos United. Had some great moments in league play and in the CCS tournament. He is a huge part of the defense, which has 11 clean sheets and held in check the 4th ranked team in CA, with 84 goals going into Round 1 of the CIF D1 NorCal Boys Soccer Championships to a score of 1-0. Ben has the ability to make clears over the top of the defense while timing his tackles near the 19. He also has a midfielder's touch and can quickly start a counterattack from the penalty box area.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1896447359506354391">https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1896447359506354391</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The WCAL Midfielder of the Year - Matthew Shimizu - Senior - Bellarmine College Prep - [program_tooltip program_id='280274' first='De' last='Anza Force'] ECNL RL. Was one of the key players in the Bells 2024-2025 run to the CCS Final and current Semifinal Match against De La Salle, the 10th ranked team in CA, with an overall record of 18-4-3 and a goals scored differential of 75-26. Matthew also has 9 goals and 7 assists on the season. His presence in the midfield brings a combination of defensive win backs and clean challenges as well as setting up players or finishing in big matches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1892421408568824109">https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1892421408568824109</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The WCAL Forward of the Year - [player_tooltip player_id='144256' first='Nate' last='Coughlin'] - Senior - Junipero Serra - San Francisco Elite Academy. He is an ECNL National Selection Player and Bucknell commit. He is now Serra's all-time individual season scoring record holder with 22 goals and 7 assists in 20 games, while winning the WCAL scoring title. The match I attended was a pivotal match with playoff intentions. His goal was a beauty as 4 of his teammates started a passing combo from their side of the field before chipping it to him around the 20-yard line. Nate chested the ball forward and let it bounce once before striking it on the hop and directing it past the goalkeeper.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1890873961509998771">https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1890873961509998771</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br>The WCAL Goalkeeper of the Year - Dominic Kamienski - Junior - Junipero Serra - Silicon Valley Soccer Academy - MLS Next - Was on my radar as one of the best goalkeepers in the league.&nbsp; It was the same match in which he and Coughlin played against a competitive Saint Ignatius squad.&nbsp; Kamienski made multiple shot-stopping shots. His positioning and anticipation help decrease scoring angles, and he can soar up high to pull down or knock out high crosses and shots. He has quick reflexes and is very athletic. Made it look easy when making diving saves on low, hard shots. Overall, he is really comfortable in the box, and he is definitely keeping his team in contention.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1891164183472849302">https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1891164183472849302</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Name</strong> - <strong>School</strong> - <strong>Year</strong> - <strong>Position</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Matthew Shimizu - Bellarmine - 2025 - Midfielder</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ben Sutton - Bellarmine - 2025 - Defender</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Luke Furtado - Bellarmine - 2025 - Midfielder</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gregory Gutierrez - Bellarmine - 2025 - Forward</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thomas Dumont - Bellarmine - 2025 - Forward</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='144256' first='Nate' last='Coughlin'] - Junipero Serra - 2025 - Forward</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dominic Kamienski - Junipero Serra - 2026 - Goalkeeper</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aydin Paz - Junipero Serra - 2025 - Midfielder</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jonah Guardino - Archbishop Mitty - 2025 - Forward</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Emiliano Fuentes - Archbishop Mitty - 2026 - Defender</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Roberto Nolasco - Archbishop Mitty - 2025 - Defender</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mikel Gonzalez - Saint Ignatius - 2025 - Midfielder</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aiden Higgins - Saint Ignatius - 2026 - Midfielder</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eoin McLoughlin - Sacred Heart Cathedral - 2025 - Forward</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Theo Rice-Evans Sacred Heart Cathedral 2025 Midfielder</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Michael Scavotto - Saint Francis - 2026 - Forward</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Isaac Wong Valley - Christian - 2025 - Midfielder</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":279628,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Ben Sutton","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"101","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Bellarmine","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Los Gatos United - U19","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c945ead58d9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Had some great moments in league play and in the CCS tournament. He is a huge part of the defense, which has 11 clean sheets and held in check the 4th ranked team in CA, with 84 goals going into Round 1 of the CIF D1 NorCal Boys Soccer Championships to a score of 1-0. Ben has the ability to make clears over the top of the defense while timing his tackles near the 19. He also has a midfielder's touch and can quickly start a counterattack from the penalty box area.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":277983,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Luke Furtado","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"102","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Bellarmine","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Los Gatos United","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c945ead597b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Made some key stops on defense.&nbsp; He also made runs to the attacking third.&nbsp; He makes hard challenges, but his best play was a clean textbook sliding tackle.&nbsp; His ability to cover from touchline to touchline is a testament to his fitness level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1896443724533821491">https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1896443724533821491</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":279741,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Dominic Kamienski","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"100","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Serra ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Silicon Valley Soccer Academy - MLS Next","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c945ead5a37"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the best goalkeepers in the league. He made multiple shot-stopping shots. His positioning and anticipation help decrease scoring angles, and he can soar up high to pull down or knock out high crosses and shots. He has quick reflexes and is very athletic. Made it look easy when making diving saves on low, hard shots. Overall, he is really comfortable in the box, and he is definitely keeping his team in contention. He plays club soccer for Silicon Valley Soccer Academy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1891021042212127228">https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1891021042212127228</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Michael Scavotto","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'7u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"103","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Saint Francis","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Burlingame SC","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c945ead5abd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">He's a fast player with quick acceleration. He can get behind the defense in a blink of an eye. Michael ran through the defense on a number of occasions, and his efforts got him the first and second goals of the match. His second goal was impressive as he sliced through a couple of defenders before firing off a rocket shot past the goalkeeper. His impact on his team was also felt when making precise passes and drawing defenders to him before laying the ball off to open players. He also had an assist on his team's 3rd goal. It seems that every time the ball was in the attacking third, he was their first option. He plays club soccer for Burlingame SC.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1889870857763492185">https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1889870857763492185</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":279744,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Mikel Gonzalez","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"102","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Saint Ignatius","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"SF Elite Soccer Club","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c945ead5b65"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Got his team's only goal in the closing minutes of the first half. It was a hard-earned goal as his team pressed high to recover the ball and set up a 3-ball passing combo to Gonzalez before he placed it in a small window just outside of the goalkeeper's reach. He also helped his team turn up their attack in the second half by pressing high and playing off of defensive mistakes. He plays club soccer for SF Elite Soccer Club.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1890873961509998771">https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1890873961509998771</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["277899"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c949bb10a77"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Got the opening goal in the first 4 minutes of play during the CCS D1 Final.  A battle started just outside the 18 and multiple players from each side had touches on the ball, but during the scuffle the ball landed near his foot and Gutierrez slammed it to the back of the net. He's one of the fastest players on the field and he can slip through the defense or flat out run pass defenders and get into scoring range.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1883228987234906591">https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1883228987234906591</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1883271312946466882","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1883271312946466882 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1892981725791179019">https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1892981725791179019</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->