ABERDEEN — Aberdeen defender Christian Sanchez was named Defensive Player of the Year as eight Bobcats athletes received all-conference honors as the 2A Evergreen League released its list of the top players for the 2018 season.
The junior’s staunch defense and backline leadership were two keys to Aberdeen’s late-season run to the playoffs. The Bobcats won eight of their final nine regular-season games, allowing a mere six goals during that stretch.
In addition to Sanchez, Tony Oropeza and Trevor Dawkins earned first-team all-conference honors and Aberdeen had three additional players who received second-team honors.
Oropeza was named a first-team midfielder while Dawkins was honored as first-team forward.
Oropeza, who was also named Aberdeen’s MVP as the school released its team awards, shouldered a lot of offensive responsibilities his senior year and helped set up some important goals during the Bobcat’s playoff run. Oropeza picked up an assist in each of the final two playoff games of the Bobcats season.
Dawkins was on the receiving end of a number of Oropeza passes and proved to be one of Aberdeen’s top scoring threats. The senior had three goals in Aberdeen’s playoff run, including a two-goal performance in a 4-2 win against Washougal.
Forward Hulizes Chavez, midfielder Rigo Alavez and goalkeeper Luis Soto were also recognized with second-team all-league honors.
Chavez showed an ability to finish plays when given the opportunity to score and was recognized by his team with the Offensive MVP award.
To go along with his second-team honors from the league, the Bobcats named Soto the most improved player.
Midfielder Luis Garcia and defender Cuevas received honorable mentions from the league.
Dawkins and Angel Sanchez were also recognized for their consistent effort level by winning team’s Hustle Award.
Christian Sanchez helped anchor the backline and was named Defensive MVP by the team.
Alavez, Soto, Dawkins, Christian Bateman, Enrique Cuevas,Eric Eng, Jiahao Guo, Antonio Hernandez, Joel Oropeza, Romeo Sanchez all kept a GPA of 3.2 or higher this school year and were recognized as scholar athletes at the team’s award banquet.
Korlerk Vichiantassana was awarded Top Scholar for maintaining the highest GPA on the team.
Midfielder Luis Garcia and defender Cuevas received honorable mentions from the league.
Black Hills’ Bekele Dowty was named the league’s MVP.
Yitagesu Dowty of Black Hills was named the league’s Offensive Player of the Year.
The Coach of the Year award went to Black Hills’ Frank Soiza with the Sportsmanship Award going to WF West.
