Rosas named Coach of the Year; Seven Eagles earn All-Conference nods
LAMC Men's Soccer racked up the post-season honors after finishing 3rd in the Western State Conference rankings with a record of 4-3-3.
Head Coach Alberto Rosas was voted WSC Coach of the Year in his inaugural season at the helm of the program. Rosas was an assistant coach for the Eagles from 2014 to 2017 before taking over in the 2018 season and bringing in assistant coaches Gus Gomez and Will Beard.
In his first year, Rosas doubled the program's wins from the previous season and led the team to its first playoff appearance since the 2016 season with a No. 13 overall rank in Southern California. He also helped place six Eagle players on All-Conference lists for strong offensive and defensive performances.
First Team All-Conference
Freshman midfielder Ricardo Martinez earned a First Team award for his outstanding offense in the later half of the season, scoring two goals in each of his last three games. His 9 conference goals led the team and ranked him 5th in the WSC in the category. He played every minute of every game in the Eagles' 2018 season, earning a team-leading 23 points. He finished conference play with five assists, three game-winning goals, a .692 shot percentage, and a .796 shot-on-goal percentage.
Sophomore midfielder Andres Aguilar was another key offensive player for the Eagles. He scored two goals in conference play, including one in Mission's crucial 5-3 second-round win against conference rival Allan Hancock. He picked up one assist and five points in nine WSC games started.
Sophomore defender Elijah Patyk had a strong 2018 season for Mission on defense, holding down the back for the Eagles while scoring a goal of his own in 10 conference starts. He posted a .500 shot percentage and a .500 shot-on-goal percentage. Patyk was on the Second Team list as a freshman in the 2017 season.
Patyk and Aguilar will be playing in the CCCAA Sophomore Showcase on Dec. 1 at Oxnard College.
Second Team All-Conference
Freshman forward Brandon Escobar started 19 games for the Eagles, and nine in conference play. He scored two goals against WSC opponents, and 10 overall on the season, including game-winners over Sequoias and Antelope Valley. His WSC stats include one assist and a .429 shot-on-goal percentage.
Freshman midfielder Emilio Vallin started all 10 Western State games for Mission and scored all four of his season goals against WSC opponents. He scored one goal in both of Mission's games against Hancock, including the game-winner in the first round, and netted both of Mission's goals in a tough 5-2 loss to Oxnard. He finished with two assists and a .500 shot-on-goal percentage.
Honorable Mention
Freshman forward Jose Salles earned an Honorable Mention for his performance in 10 conference starts. He scored four goals this season, including one in conference against Hancock, and contributed two assists and a .500 shot-on-goal percentage.
Diego Xol, a freshman defender, also started all 10 conference games for the Eagles. He received Honorable Mention for his leadership and strong contribution to Mission's defense as a back row standout.