March 16, 2006     San Jose, California Since 2003
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Photograph by Brian Connelly
Head Above: Pioneer's Stephanie Righetti, going up for a header with Piedmont Hills' Kristina Llorin, was named the Junior of the Year in the BVAL's Mt. Hamilton Division.
Leland's Rodriguez claims Mt. Hamilton's MVP spot
By Bob Scudder
Leland senior Peter Rodriguez played a crucial role in Leland's championship soccer season in the 2005-06 season, and the rest of the coaches in the Mt. Hamilton Division of the Blossom Valley Athletic League certainly noticed--they selected him as the Most Valuable Player on the all-league squad.

The Chargers had another pair of seniors who were key ingredients in the team's success this past season. Alex Todd and Stevie Munoz were first team all-league selections. The depth of the talent on the Charger team was evidenced by junior Adel Arabi and sophomore Adonis Levine receiving second team all-league honors.

Although Pioneer finished in the middle of the pack in the Mt. Hamilton Division, the Mustangs advanced to the championship match in the Central Coast Section Division II playoffs before coming up short in the finals. The success of the team can be partially attributed to some solid senior leadership. Both Brian Velez and Flavio Huato set the example for the Mustangs all season and were selected as first team all-league honorees. Sophomore Marcus Gomez was named to the all-league second team.

Juan Gutierrez of Yerba Buena and Aaron Kaefer of Leigh were named co-Seniors of the Year. Junior of the Year went to Oak Grove's Miguel Botto while Edgar Campos of Overfelt received Sophomore of the Year honors. Mt. Pleasant's Dario Cruz was named Freshman of the Year.

Over first all-league selections were Overfelt's Juan Sanchez and Jose Vitela, Oak Grove's Nathan Miller, Yerba Buena's Mario Chavez and Sergio Sambrano, Independence's Alan Suesin, Mt. Pleasant's Danny Ortiz and Ivan Garcia and Leigh's Kevin Stanton.

Pioneer went through BVAL Mt. Hamilton Division play unblemished with an 8-0-4 record and edged out Leigh for the girls league championship. The Mustangs had some strong performances from a number of underclassmen who were honored for their play.

Stephanie Righetti was named as the Junior of the Year in the division and coach Randy Worthington was named as co-Coach of the Year with Michele Kennedy of Leigh.

The Mustangs had three first team and three second team all-league awards for their efforts. Seniors Lauren West and Kaila Demarquez along with freshman Shannon Righetti received first team all-league recognition. Second team selections went to junior Michele Schenone and sophomores Sammy Vega and Bianca Springer.

Leland completed Mt. Hamilton Division play in fourth place at 6-2-4 and only a few points behind Pioneer's top finish. Sophomore of the Year Sarah Chehrehsa led the Charger effort. Leland also received a pair of first team all-league awards and had two second team all-leaguers.

Senior Katelyn Tyson and junior A.J. Huffman secured first team honors while senior Evelyn Powery and sophomore Karina Cavanna nailed down second team spots.

The Most Valuable Player award went to Leigh senior Amy Neustedter while teammate Jessica Sitarz was named Senior of the Year. Megan Jurado of Piedmont Hills was the Freshman of the Year.

Other first team all league selections included Veroncia Vasquez of Overfelt, Brianna Yarber of Piedmont Hills, Michelle Houghey of Branham, Jessica Ingram and Hannah Wikkeling of Santa Teresa and Leigh's Jackie Hill, Kim Johnston, and Marissa Dunaway.

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