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EU’s Perez nets another VOL MVP honor
All-VOL soccer
East Union striker Giovanni Perez dribbles past goalkeeper Manuel Ramirez for one of his three goals in a Valley Oak League game against Manteca. - photo by SEAN KAHLER

One of the state’s top scorers in high school boys soccer has repeated as Valley Oak League MVP.

Junior forward Giovanni Perez amassed 23 goals and seven assists in 10 league contests, leading East Union (8-2 VOL, 22-7-1 overall) to a three-way share of the championship with Sierra (8-2, 22-7-1) and Kimball.  He’s one of five Lancers to make the all-league first team.

All-VOL soccer
Manteca standout forward Cameron Silva (10) fires a shot at the East Union goal while pressured by defender Mackenzie Weber. - photo by SEAN KAHLER
Highlighting the All-VOL girls first team from the area is Cameron Silva, Manteca’s prolific scorer and one-time MVP who is signed with Alabama.

Perez tallied nearly half of East Union’s 53 goals in VOL play. He had four hat tricks in league, including a six-goal outburst in a 10-0 win over Central Catholic. In total, he had 43 goals and 16 assists overall.

Center midfielder Anthony Sy (six goals, 10 assists) is one of three Lancers seniors on the all-league team. Joining him are defender Luis Bucio, forward Erardo Pelayo (eight goals, three assists) and junior forward Angel Guzman (goal, eight assists).

Jorge Reyes enjoyed a breakout senior campaign as Sierra’s target striker,

All-VOL soccer
After intercepting a pass, Sierra’s Jorge Reyes makes the score 4-0 with a goal in front of Wingsem Zingkhai. - photo by Dave Campbell
earning an all-league spot with 10 goals and two assists. Junior midfielder Emmanuel Ruiz (three goals, four assists) and senior defender Adam Montero (goal, assist) also made the first team.

Second-team selections are East Union midfielders Favian Gonzalez and Esau Martinez, and Sierra goalkeeper Aiden Lira and midfielder Diego Lopez.

East Union’s Andreas Garcia and Orian German got honorable mention, as did Sierra’s Alexandro Paz, Wingsem Zingkhai, Adrian Ramirez, Paul Pimentel and Amun Singh

No player from Manteca made any of the all-league boys teams. East Union’s Ronnie Green, Sierra’s Joe Pires and Kimball’s Bryce Lassiter split Coach of the Year honors.

Manteca’s girls squad had the most all-league first-team selections among Manteca Unified schools. Silva led the way for the fourth-place Buffaloes (3-3-4, 18-5-5) with eight goals and five assists. The 2019 league MVP totaled 44 goals and 18 assists on the season, ranking her third in the Sac-Joaquin Section in points scored.

Freshman defensive midfielder Brooklyn Cornish and junior defender Tatiana Orozco round out the Buffs’ top all-leaguers. Haylie Brasil, Corrine Jones and Alexia Alva made honorable mention.

Sierra’s Jocelin Roa was the reigning MVP, but she missed half the season and was named to the All-VOL second team. Sophomore forward Hailey Cruz finished as the Timberwolves’ overall leading scorer with 20 goals, six of them coming in league and made all-league along with junior midfielder Lindsey Rose (two goals, two assists).

Defender Payton Abrew was selected for the second team. Sutton Denny, Annika Beal, Leslie Reyes, and Presley Perez received honorable mention.

Sierra (4-2-4, 12-7-4) placed third on the table behind champion Oakdale and runner-up Kimball. Oakdale’s Kyndra Obermeyer is the MVP, and Kico Monrares claimed Coach of the Year.

Representing East Union (2-6-2, 5-13-4) on the All-VOL first team are junior midfielder Chloe Silva (goal, eight assists) and junior defender Mackenzie Weber. Forward Jenna Campbell is on the second team. Madelynn Miske, Haylee Hutzler and Chelsea Keathley earned honorable mention.