Men's Soccer Finishes Season Ranked 15th in the Nation

Men's Soccer Finishes Season Ranked 15th in the Nation

2015 Big 8 Conference Champions

Final Overall Record: 16-3-2

Big Eight Conference Record: 7-0-1

NSCAA NATIONAL Ranking 15th

SRJC's men's soccer started the 2015 season with an August trip to Santa Cruz for a solid opponent and a great opportunity to define their season goals. The team spent two days in beautiful Aptos and came away with specific team and individual goals for the season and a much tighter overall group. This camaraderie carried onto the field where they did not lose a game until October 20th. We were dominant in Big Eight Conference play and compiled a 7-0-1 record, scoring 25 goals while allowing only 1.

The bear cubs then travelled to majestic Yosemite Valley, after a game with Modesto for an overnight retreat before the final season push. They spent the night Friday and Saturday hiked beautiful Vernal falls as a team and cemented some lifetime memories. More than 24 players had never been to Yosemite Valley previous to this trip. During the season the team also volunteered at the Santa Rosa marathon and spent an entire day helping the valley fire families, serving food.

SRJC finished the season as the no. 4 seed in northern California earning us home field advantage. They hosted Mendocino College in the first round and won 5-1. Their next opponent was Lake Tahoe Community College in the second round of playoffs. The game was a tough, physical game and SRJC was down 3-0 at halftime. The boys rallied back in the second half scoring in the 90th second and again the 24th minute, coming close on several other attempts and actually having a third goal reversed by the hard working officials on a close call.

The loss was disappointing and the team had higher expectations for our season, but the cubs had a lot to be thankful for and to celebrate. The team is graduating eight sophomores and six are looking to continue to play soccer. The bear cubs are returning a strong freshmen class and are excited for next season.

NSCAA Scholar All-American:  Nick Klimenko (Casa Grande)

Academic All Big 8:  Nick Klimenko (Casa Grande), Jared Robbins (Analy)

SRJC CAPTAINS:  Nick Klimenko (Casa Grande), Jared Robbins (Analy), Jovany Carlino (Windsor)

SRJC MOST VALUABLE PLAYERS:  Nick Klimenko (Casa Grande),Chris Ochoa (Petaluma)

1st Team All-Conference Big 8:  Nick Klimenko (Casa Grande), Chris Ochoa (Petaluma), Jovany Carlino (Windsor), Wilson Briggs

2nd Team All-Conference Big 8:  Oscar Cabrera (Ridgeway), Sebastian Herrera (Vintage), Darian Huerta (Maria Carrillo)

Big 8 CONFERENCE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Chris Ochoa (Petaluma), Defensive: Nick Klimenko (Casa Grande), Offensive: Wilson Briggs

NSCAA Far West Region Second Team:  Chris Ochoa (Petaluma)

CALIFORNIA ALL-STATE TEAM:  Nick Klimenko (Casa Grande), Chris Ochoa (Petaluma)

Red Shirt of the Year:  Saul Valencia (Analy), Joe MEATBALL Madden

Blue Collar Award:  Wilson Briggs

Danny Bree Award:  Nick Klimenko (Casa Grande)

Ken Wipf Award:  Oscar Cabrera (Ridgeway)