Merino wins SCL soccer coach honors

All-conference teams named by SCL coaches|

Sonoma Valley High boys soccer Coach Pedro Merino was named the Sonoma County League Boys Soccer Coach of the Year.

In addition, Christopher Prudente shared MVP honors with Piner’s Elmer Piñeda.

Five Dragons were named to the first team while four were named to the second team and three were honorable mention. First-teamers included Sami Contreras, Christopher Prudente, Edwin Mancilla, Jason Bernardino and Christian Prudente. Second-teamers were Joseph Angulo, Bryan Rodríguez, Aron Corona and Luis Rivas while Fabian Oseguera, Oscar Rivas and Alan Amezquita received honorable mention.

In other winter sports, Annie Neles was named SCL Co-Defensive girls basketball MVP.

In girls basketball, Alyssa Schimm and Annika Ginter were named to the all SCL first team, Kennedy Midgley was named to the second team while Sydney VonGober was named honorable mention.

On the boys’ side, two members of the basketball team were named to the all-conference team.

Jack Boydell was named to the second team and Tyler Garrett received honorable mention.

“Jack is a great example of a player who puts in extra purposeful work on his own time. He is extremely coachable, is always looking to improve his game, and more importantly he is a quality young man,” said Coach Mike Boles. “Jack scored 20 or more points in six of the 12 SCL games. He’s a high level player and we’re pretty confident he will not rest on his laurels. He will keep working.”

Boles also praised Garrett. “Tyler had a real good season. We ask a lot of Tyler and he has responded,” Boles said. “He led our team in rebounding, our offense flows through him, and he’s a clutch player. Tyler’s a very thoughtful young man, works hard, and is a competitor. We’re proud of his achievements.”

In girls soccer, goalkeeper Ellie Bon was named SCL defensive Co-MVP along with Tannin Klunis of Analy.

Bon and CB Layla Schoeningh were named to the first team; CB Shauna Johnston and striker Auguste Andi were named to the second team while MF Delaney Ohman and forward Alexia Contreras received honorable mention honors.

“Ellie’s play in goal was top notch,” said Coach Mike Verdu. “I’ve said a million times, she’s the best goal keeper in the SCL and beyond. The amazing thing about Ellie is she is mostly self-taught, some training here and there, but not the type of training the other keepers in the county have had access to through their club teams. She has the ability to play the game competitively beyond high school if she chooses. It has been a joy watching her grow and improve over the past three seasons, I couldn’t be more proud.”

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