Ronnie Green and David Morris have big boots to fill next season.
The East Union boys and Ripon Christian girls soccer coaches are both losing highly-productive goal scorers and team leaders to graduation.
“Gio is just a generational player,” Green said. “He has that knack to be in the right place at the right time. He just knows how to finish goals. He had a strong season again this year and it kept us in contention. He is going to be sorely missed going forward.”
Perez is also a three-time Valley Oak League MVP. He is the first East Union boys soccer player to eclipse the 100-goal mark, ending up with 107. And that’s with a freshman year truncated by the coronavirus pandemic.
This season, the Lancers (7-2-1, 16-10-2 overall) came up short of repeating as VOL champion, tying a must-win regular-season finale against outright titlist Kimball. They went on to drop their SJS Division III quarterfinal to top-seeded Valley, the eventual champ.
The skillful wing forward did enjoy one last highlight, however, producing an electrifying first-half hat trick in EU’s 3-0 win over Roseville in the opening round.
He again accounted for more than half of his team’s goals for the year, netting 31 of its 57. Perez also had five assists for 67 points, finishing with the eighth most goals in the SJS and 12th most points.
Perez ended with multi-goal games and six hat tricks. His back-to-back hat tricks against Oakdale and Sierra led important wins that gave East Union the opportunity to play for the VOL crown.
“He’s by far one of the best players I’ve had,” Green said. “I’ve been lucky to have several league MVPs on my team, but he stands out with his goals and he also has a ton of assists — he’s not a selfish player.”
Morris also lauded the selflessness of his super striker.
Koolhaas exploded for 41 goals, nine assists and 91 points, but she put the success of the team above her own.
After helping the volleyball team repeat as state champion in the fall, she led the Knights’ girls soccer team (11-1-1, 24-4-1 overall) to a runner-up finish in the Southern League and the SJS Division VI championship — its first since winning back-to-back in Division VII in 2014-15.
Although she was kept out of the score sheet in the 2-0 final-round win over Stone Ridge Christian, Koolhaas played a part in both goals. Her initial through ball set up the first goal from freshman winger Brooke Barnes, and she sent sophomore Alanna Blanco on her way to a breakaway goal with a progressive pass from midfield.
“We’re going to miss her goal scoring next year, but the leadership is what we’re going to miss the most,” Morris said. “She’s a three-year captain. Even as a sophomore, she had that leadership quality. She showed leadership in different ways, vocally supporting her teammates and just making everyone around her better.”
Koolhaas collected 26 goals and eight assists in 13 league matches, earning All-SAL MVP honors. She’s a three-time all-league selection, making it as a central defender as a sophomore. Morris moved her to striker at the start of her junior campaign, and it paid dividends.
Her overall goal tally this season is third most in the SJS and 15th in the state. Koolhaas produced 65 goals and 14 assists for her career.
Ripon Christian made its first NorCal appearance and was stunned by sixth-seeded Winters in the opener, 3-2. Koolhaas scored on a breakaway to give the Knights a 2-0 lead, but Ava Muir-Vickrey’s second-half hat trick carried the Warriors to a comeback win. Winters went on to claim its first NorCal title, knocking off the top three-seeded teams along the way.
Despite the heartbreaking loss, Morris believes the future remains bright because of Koolhaas.
“Her impact is going to be felt well beyond the season,” Morris said. “We’re going to get four years of Brooke, who was influenced by Dayna as were plenty of sophomores and juniors coming back.
“Dayna has left a mark. I’m excited about where the soccer program is at right now, and Dayna had a huge hand in making Ripon Christian soccer what it is.
Here is the rest of the All-Area Boys and Girls Soccer Teams:
BOYS
Offensive Player of the Year
Ociel Mora, Lathrop Sr: The All-Western Athletic Conference MVP scored 15 goals and 10 assists while leading the Spartans to their second straight SJS quarterfinal.
Midfielder of the Year
Alan Hernandez, Lathrop, So: Young playmaker again finished with double-digit assists, turning in 12 to go with 10 goals.
Defender of the Year
Adrian Vivanco, East Union, Sr.: The converted midfielder/forward centered the stingy back line but also keyed the Lancers’ buildup in the attack, contributing two goals and an assist.
Team: Goalkeeper — Andres Garcia, East Union, Sr. Defenders — Paul Barrios, Sierra, Sr.; Mateo Esparza, Manteca, So.; Carlos Santos, Lathrop, So.; Chris Stackpole, Sierra, Jr. Midfielders — Ethan Fraser, Manteca, Sr.; Diego Lopez, Sierra, Sr.; Ethan Mamorno, East Union, Sr.; Luis Mata, East Union, Sr.; Emmanuel Ruiz, Sierra, Sr. Forwards — Jorge Garcia, Lathrop, Sr.; Fernando Lopez, Manteca, Sr.; Drew Meester, Ripon Christian, Jr.; Hugo Reyes, Sierra, Jr.
GIRLS
Offensive Player of the Year
Alexia Alva, Manteca, Sr.: Diminutive center forward paced the Buffaloes with 37 goals and nine assists.
Midfielder of the Year
Sienna Jones, Manteca, Sr.: The versatile Jones played every level of the field and contributed 15 goals and 16 assists.
Defensive Player of the Year
Tatianna Orozco, Manteca, Sr.: Center back anchored a back line that gave up just 24 goals in 29 games.
Team: Goalkeeper — Haylie Brasil, Manteca, Sr. Defenders — Brianna Bedolla, Lathrop, Sr.; Serenity Cerritos, Manteca, Jr.; Katie Rhodes, Ripon, Sr.; Mackenzie Weber, East Union, Sr. Midfielders — Jenna Campbell, East Union, Sr.; Addison De Jong, Ripon Christian, Jr.; Katie Martin, Ripon, Sr.; Lindsey Rose, Sierra, Sr.; Chloe Silva, East Union, Sr. Forwards — Hailey Cruz, Sierra, Jr.; Olivia Maragos, Ripon, Jr.; Joanna Roa, Manteca, So.; Janessa Ward, Lathrop, Sr.
