The honors just keep coming for Gilroy High’s boys soccer
team.
The honors just keep coming for Gilroy High’s boys soccer team.
The Mustangs were ranked eighth by CalHiSports.com in their final poll, finishing as the second best team in Northern California. Only unbeaten Monte Vista (Danville) was ahead of Gilroy in the final rankings. The Mustangs finished one place ahead of Bellarmine Prep.
“It’s another first for GHS,” said co-coach Armando Padilla. “It’s the first time we have ever been ranked (in the state). It’s a great honor. We’ve been trying to build on a tradition of excellence the last couple of years.”
Two players were surprised as well.
“It feels great to finally be recognized,” said sophomore Bruce Ocana, the team’s second leading scorer.
“Now we’re getting a lot of attention and respect,” junior Andy Moya added. “For all we did during the summer when it was hot and we felt like quitting, it all paid off. It was hard those first two weeks, getting used to the weather.”
It wasn’t just statewide that Gilroy was recognized. According to the NCSCAA/adidas Web site, the Mustangs were among the top 12 teams in the nation. Canoga Park (No. 2) and Wilson (No. 7) were the only California schools ranked ahead of GHS. Among Western Region teams, NSCAA/adidas had Gilroy No. 3.
“It’s fantastic recognition for our boys,” GHS co-coach Brian Hall said. “It’s not only statewide but nationwide.”
“It’s awesome that the kids are finally getting recognition,” Padilla said. “They are trying to be the best they can be and not get complacent. They want to be a better team as well as better individuals.”
Gilroy (17-2-5) finished the season unbeaten in its last 16 games and won its first Central Coast Section title. The Mustangs will lose four key seniors off that team, but will have plenty of talent returning next season.
“We won’t be the underdogs next season,” Ocana said. “Everybody will want to beat us. We’ll have to step it up and play against a lot of pressure.”
“We look forward to next season when we will have new goals,” Moya added. “We will try to be first in the nation.”
California’s Top 10 ranked teams,
according to CalHiSports.com
1. Canoga Park (24-0-1); 2. Monte Vista-Danville (19-0-7); Clovis West (23-4-4); 4, Loyola-Los Angeles (26-6-4); 5, Santa Margarita (19-4-6); 6, Wilson (25-2-4); 7, Milliken (27-2-4); 8, Gilroy (17-2-5); 9, Bellarmine Prep (20-3-6); 10, Servite (20-4-6).
