MEN’S SOCCER: 7 HORNETS & AVILES COLLECT OEC HONORS
The Fullerton Hornets have earned much deserved recognition following their championship season. FC finished off the year 7-3-2 in conference play and sported a +14 goal differential, winning the Orange Empire Conference title.
Due to the team's great success, 7 players have been named to the all-conference honors, including 4 on the first team.
Coach Greg Aviles was named coach of the year in the conference for a second consecutive season, leading Fullerton to two of their four conference titles in team history, dating back to 1981.
Sophomore forward Alejandro Castillo, freshman midfielder Ryan Meinardus, freshman defender Manny Tovar, and sophomore defender Marco Polo were the four Hornets named to the OEC First Team All-Conference.
Alejandro Castillo tallied 4 goals, including a game winning goal, and an assist in just 6 conference starts.
Ryan Meinardus started 8 conference games, scoring 6 goals and racking up 6 assists. He had two game-winning goals and scored in his one chance from the penalty spot .
Manny Tovar and Marco Polo were at the heart of the best defense in the conference. Fullerton allowed just 11 goals in conference play and locked down 4 shutouts.
Tovar also tallied a goal for himself while Polo contributed an assist in conference play.
FC also had three players make OEC's Second Team All-Conference. Freshman forward Kentrell Dorsey, sophomore midfielder Mike Calderon, and sophomore defender Brian Martinez would collect the honors.
Kentrell Dorsey scored 6 goals and provided 3 assists in conference play while starting just 5 games. 2 of his 6 goals were game-winners.
Mike Calderon kept everything in sync in the middle of the field while also scoring once in conference play, which proved to be a game-winning goal.
Brian Martinez was another crucial piece to the Fullerton defensive puzzle. Joining Tovar and Polo, he was a part of the best defensive unit in the OEC.
Coach Aviles has much to be proud of after another title-winning season. He will lead the Hornets as they begin their postseason push toward even more success this year. The Hornets played in the toughest conference in the state in 2019 with an incredible 6 out of 7 teams from the OEC making the playoffs.
Up Next: The No. 3 Hornets will host the first round of the Southern California Regionals this Saturday, November 23rd when they welcome No. 14 Bakersfield College. Game time is at 2:00 pm.
ORANGE EMPIRE CONFERENCE MEN'S SOCCER 2019
COACH OF THE YEAR: Greg Aviles, Fullerton College
MVP: Daniel Vargas, Forward, Freshman, Orange Coast College
FIRST TEAM ALL-CONFERENCE
Ryan Meinardus Midfielder Freshman Fullerton
Alejandro Castillo Forward Sophomore Fullerton
Manny Tovar Defender Freshman Fullerton
Marco Polo Defender Sophomore Fullerton
Anthony Tobon Defender Freshman Orange Coast
Max Copeland Defender Freshman Orange Coast
Jake Whitcomb Defender Freshman Orange Coast
Byron Gutierrez Midfielder Sophomore Golden West
Rigo Cuevas Midfielder Sophomore Golden West
Ricardo Briseno Forward Freshman Golden West
Marcelo Aguirre Midfielder Freshman Santa Ana
Felipe Sanchez Midfielder Sophomore Santa Ana
Benjamin Asabi Forward Sophomore Irvine Valley
Max Kleinhammes Forward Freshman Irvine Valley
Nomar Ibarra Midfielder Freshman Cypress
Lorenzo Laviolette Forward Sophomore Cypress
Guillermo Fernandez Midfielder Freshman Santiago Cyn
SECOND TEAM ALL-CONFERENCE
Kentrell Dorsey Forward Freshman Fullerton
Mike Calderon Midfield Sophomore Fullerton
Brian Martinez Defender Sophomore Fullerton
Cayden Bonner Defender Sophomore Orange Coast
Chase Bullock Midfielder Freshman Orange Coast
Tyler Beteag Defender Freshman Orange Coast
Jonathan Ruiz Midfielder Freshman Golden West
Wilbert Suarez Forward Freshman Golden West
Carlos Guerra Defender Sophomore Santa Ana
Abel Bautista Midfielder Sophomore Santa Ana
Nate King Goalkeeper Sophomore Irvine Valley
Gibae Kim Midfielder Sophomore Irvine Valley
Kiam Aminloo Defender Freshman Cypress
Leonardo Mondragon Goalkeeper Freshman Cypress
Lucas Clarida Goalkeeper Freshman Santiago Cyn
Kevin Mendoza Defender Freshman Santiago Cyn