The Gavilan College men’s soccer season ended Nov. 11, but the signs left behind tell of a turnaround campaign that included the most wins in program history. Led by first-year head coach Justin Johnson, the Rams finished 2011 with an 11-8-1 record – 7-7 in the Coast Conference – and received four selections to the postseason all-conference list.
Two players, goaltender Eric Saavedra, a Live Oak High product, and midfielder Abraham Arreaga, a Gilroy High graduate, each garnered first-team Coast Conference. Arreaga produced six goals and five assists for the Rams, while Saavedra made 66 saves and registered a less than two-goal per game average.
“Abraham was a player who did everything for us this year,” Johnson said. “He’s a great passer of the ball and he created offense for us as well as played great defense.
“Eric was a standout keeper for us,” Johnson continued. “He came through in the clutch when we really needed him.”
Anthoney Valasques and Kristian Urias, both former Gilroy High athletes, were selected to the second-team. Valasques led the team with 11 goals.
“He was probably one of the players who caused a lot of the chatter at our coaches” banquet,” Johnson said of his forward Valasques. “With his size, the way he moves and his rocket shot, he receives a lot of attention.”
Urias, meanwhile, finished the year with four goals and four assists.
“He is a really crafty player,” Johnson said. “One of the major attributes for our team this year was his ability to distribute the ball to his teammates, especially in tight games.”
A majority of the Rams, the four all-conference recipients as well, will return next season, a promising prospect for Johnson, who said he considered the Rams’ 2011 “remarkable.”
“In retrospect, we surpassed the expectations that we had,” Johnson said. “I wanted to change the culture and create a competitive environment in which the South County Community could be proud of. We have our base, and with any structure, once you have a solid foundation, you can continue to work and continue building. And that’s what we are planning to do.”
