West Valley Preps

For the third straight year, West Valley Preps watched enough soccer to put together a credible all Northwest Valley team. Here it is:

First team

F – Michael Huss, sophomore, Northwest Christian

F – Alex Panduro, junior, Ironwood

F – Rhett Livingston, senior, Paradise Honors

MF – Jay Morrell, senior, Liberty

MF – James Hansen, junior, Sunrise Mountain

MF – Mathew Holmes, sophomore, Ironwood

D – Kolter Nelson, senior, Liberty

D – Gabe Guerrero, sophomore, Ironwood

D – Chayse Geeffre, senior, Sunrise Mountain

D – Alfredo Vega, junior, Dysart

GK – Omair Neazi, senior, Glendale Prep

Second team

F – Ryan Galbreath, senior, Liberty

F – Adrian Mitroi, junior, Sunrise Mountain

F – Kenny Samatar, senior, Ironwood

MF – Kody Dehart, senior, Northwest Christian

MF – Oliver Moya Moroyoqui, senior, Valley Vista

MF – Jared Floyd, senior, Kellis

MF - Mark Oaida, senior, Cactus

D – Logan Ritter, senior, Liberty

D – Pablo Malutan, senior, Deer Valley

D – Nate Guzman, sophomore, Ironwood

GK – Nick Olcan, junior, Liberty

Player of the year

Michael Huss, sophomore, Northwest Christian – Not only was his 36 goals nearly 30 more than any teammate, Huss also led the Crusaders with 10 assists. In his second year, Huss is already showing a wide range of striking skills, harnessing a rare combination of technique, pace and strength.

Sunrise Mountain's James Hansen (#2) passes the ball up the field against Cactus on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017 at Cactus High School in Glendale. [Jacob Stanek/West Valley Preps][/caption]

Runner up

James Hansen, junior, Sunrise Mountain – For those that only thought of him as a football receiver, Hansen quickly showed what his best sport on grass is. In his first season with the Mustangs, the club player was the linchpin for his high school team’s suddenly potent and multifaceted offense with 16 goals and 13 assists.

Coach of the year

Bob Hossain, Sunrise Mountain – Hossain certainly benefitted from Hansen and Geeffre deciding to play from Sunrise Mountain this year. But the coach had nurtured a young group of players — like Mitroi, Andy Robertson, Kieron Hossain, Loranzo Nicolia, Cameron Burns and Tanner Lattie — who now can hang with more experienced players. The Mustangs raced to 5.5 goals per game and wiped out 11 years of losing records, finishing 13-4 and narrowly losing in double overtime of the playoffs.

Runner up

Tim Beck, Ironwood – Beck has few peers as a tactician, and proved it again, with a second straight trip to the 5A semifinals — and a second straight bitter loss. The coach’s complaints — justified or not — often put the bulls eye on he and his players. However, the Eagles remain the standard bearer for West Valley soccer and knocked off top seeded Queen Creek on another title charge. And they are the safest best of any local team to play for a title again next year.