For the first time in school history Sacred Heart Cathedral won the West Catholic Athletic League regular-season title. Senior midfielder Dylan Rogers was a big reason why.
Rogers headlined a Fightin' Irish team that lost only twice during league play. For his efforts, he was placed on the WCAL first team and was the league's Midfielder of the Year.
Two club teammates earned top WCAL honors as well. Bellarmine's Tate Hackett was named the WCAL Defender of the Year, while Archbishop Mitty's Noah Robertson was named Forward of the Year. St. Francis junior Thomas Moore was the Goalkeeper of the Year.
"To me he's not only the most dangerous attacking player in our league, but probably in all of CCS - of course I am biased," said Mitty head coach Cesar Sanchez about Robertson. "He will be one of the few four-year players in our program history and as a junior was unanimously voted team captain. He already has several schools looking at him for the next level. I think next year he will be even better."
Despite winning the regular-season crown in dramatic fashion with a 4-0 win over Bellarmine on the final day of the season, the Fightin' Irish were stunned in the first round of the CCS Open Division, losing to Menlo-Atherton on penalties. Rogers is joined on the first team by fellow senior Ellis Brennaman, who made the team last year as well.
The Irish had three second-teamers in senior Alexandre Bonville and juniors Kian Jones and Devin Pittler-McNamara. Senior Jonah Bhisitkul earned honorable mention honors.
For the second year in a row, Bellarmine fell short of the league crown but went on to win the CCS Open Division championship. Senior Gaby Martinez and junior captain Uriel Morales join Hackett on the first team.
The future bodes well for Bellarmine with three juniors on the second team, including Myles Thomas, who made up the other half of one of the strongest center-back pairings in CCS. Outside back Paxton Hall and goalkeeper Ben Galdes were also named to the second team, while senior defender Branko Sciortino was recognized as honorable mention.
Archbishop Mitty missed out on a chance for the WCAL title by tying St. Ignatius on the last day of the season. The Monarchs then reached the CCS Division 1 championship game, losing 2-1 to Gunn.
Robertson was also a first-teamer last year and is joined by senior Tyler Stevenson on the first team. Stevenson was a second-team all WCAL player as a junior. On the second team, Santa Clara University commit Timmy Rast is joined by junior Nicholas Coldiron, who led the Monarchs with 19 goals. Sophomore Thomas Pelino was recognized for the second year in a row as an honorable mention selection.
Saint Francis, which fell just short of the CCS Division 3 title, losing to Harker on penalties, had two first-teamers as junior Rory Folan was named along with Moore-Rios. Folan was one of the most dangerous attackers in the league and his highlights include a two-goal game against Archbishop Mitty. Senior captain and center back Abraham Ramirez made the second team and junior midfielder James Garlick was recognized on honorable mention.
While St. Ignatius was unable to win the WCAL title for a fourth consecutive season, the Wildcats did still manage to reach the Open Division playoffs following an impressive preseason which included a championship in the Mike Stone Invitational in Florida in December. SI lost in overtime to Watsonville in the first round.
Senior Declan Patankar was named to the first team and seniors Luca Ornstill and Joe Patino earned second-team honors. Senior Reid Pollino was named honorable mention.
Senior Eric Yin led Serra's contingent with a spot on the WCAL first team. Seniors Sandro Campos and Shane Ivish was joined by juinor midfielders Ivan Torres on the second team, while junior Max Mendenhall was named honorable mention.
Three-year starter Kristian Yum represents Valley Christian on the first team, while junior Cole Pond was named to the second team. Senior midfielder Zachary Addisson was named honorable mention.
Senior Roberto Alas was Archbishop Riordan's lone representative on the all-league teams, earning second-team honors.
