For the week of November 19 - 24, 2003

Soccer players
rock Rico’s

Wood River boys soccer awards banquet

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Much like their opponents this season, the pizzas never stood a chance.

The 3A state champion Wood River boys’ soccer team and its jayvee counterpart, saluted the season and each other at an awards banquet at Rico’s last Thursday. They also powered enough pizza to placate a pachyderm.

The mood of both teams was both jubilant and satisfied, knowing that they had accomplished the goals they laid out for the season.

The varsity squad capped a 19-3-1 season with the 3A state championship and the junior varsity squad led by coach Farrell Swain went 9-2.

"The boys deserved everything they got," coach Brian Daluiso said. "They put in the time and work to get that good."

The varsity was anchored by a strong core of seniors and their leadership and influence was reflected in the voting by the players.

Co-captains K.C. Rivera and Matt Hansen bagged a lion’s share of the awards.

Rivera’s peers named him Most Valuable Player, Most Inspirational (for the second year in a row) and voted his bicycle kick at state "Best Goal."

"The coolest goal I have ever seen," Daluiso remarked.

Sweeper Matt Hansen was honored as "Best Defensive Player," and was also presented with the Loren Hart Memorial Trophy by former Wolverine coach Craig Roth.

"Loren loved soccer tremendously," Roth said. "He always gave 110 percent at practice and 130 percent for games. He led by example."

Daluiso added that he held the Hart award in the "highest esteem" and in presenting the award to Hansen said, "This award has been four years coming. He has taken his game and the team to a new level."

"Best Offensive Player," went to Maicol Corrales. Corrales bagged a team-high 34 goals this season and finished with 54 in two years.

Sophomore Dixon Mooseau earned "Most Improved."

Daluiso honored and spoke about every player on the squad.

"When they asked me about a state MVP, I couldn’t answer that. I think it was a Most Valuable Team. They did it together," Daluiso said.

Before bringing each player up to receive a certificate of recognition and a letter, Daluiso spoke about the qualities they brought to the team.

"He owned the midfield," he said of Chase Cleveland.

He described Michael Connor with "he made the most of it when he got in."

Shane Cordeau had the game-winning goal in overtime against Payette and was "a huge reason why were here right now," said Daluiso.

‘The kid on the team that knows the game best," described Ted Dankanyin.

After joking around about the media’s misspellings of his name, Daluiso said Byron Epp, "played like a monster in the last three games. He had an incredible (state) tourney."

Willie Meyers would, "do whatever it takes to win the ball" and Reno Christino "continually demonstrated he wanted to be on varsity."

Daluiso said he looks for incredible things from Sagen Howard next season and "if the ball is in the air, it’s Sagen’s. If the ball is in the middle, it’s Sagen’s."

Steady two-way player, Tate Mills "did it all."

"He has gotten so much better each year," Dalusio remarked.

Dixon Mooseau "came out every single day and worked hard." Slater Storey "turned it up two times at state."

Daluiso saluted Bryce Newcomb for making a seamless step up from jayvee to varsity and honored goalies Kristian Timmons and Tristan Potters for supporting each other and improving throughout the season.

"There is not a team anywhere that could have taken these guys when they were on. When they were playing our game it was a thing of beauty," Daluiso said.

 

Junior varsity

Coach Farrell Swain summed up her team’s 9-2 season with, "I was really happy with the way the team gelled."

In 11 games, the Wolverine jayvee squad scored 54 goals and allowed 15. Four players scored four or more goals: Max Kwok scored 12, Michael Kunz 8, Carl Jablonski 7, and Cooper McCroskey 4.

Reid Pletcher and Spencer Cordavano tied for "Most Valuable Player."

Pletcher also earned "Best Defender." Cordavano corralled the "Coach’s Award."

Spencer Flade was named "Most Inspirational."

"Best Offensive Player" was given to Cooper McCroskey and Jake Robinson was "Most Improved."

"Best Goal" went to Michael Kunz for his score against Century.

Also recognized were Travis Amick, Michael Dale, Bill Dankanyin, Ben Gourlay, Clay Johnson, Garrett Leo, Chad Levitan, Noah Lindley, Ken Mauro, Cory Rutkowski and Dima Springs.

 

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