Chase Lopez and J.J. Mata were named Most Valuable Players last week during the team’s awards banquet, held Nov. 4.
Both received all-league honorable mention honors, said Coach Eric Stutzer, and Lopez “worked single-handedly to keep this team together.”
His goal was to have a JV team this year, Stutzer said. Lopez was busy recruiting all summer long, and he often talked strategy with Stutzer.
Mata came onto the team this year, took on a leadership role and became the team’s best shooter, Stutzer said.
For giving 110 percent and leaving nothing undone, Stutzer said, the Hustle Award went to Caleb Christman.
Everyone on the team improved throughout the season, Stutzer said, but Evan Towry’s improvement was “very impressive” as he went straight to goalkeeper as a freshman and spent the season getting his speed up, which earned him Most Improved.
Gaven Erevia received the Coach’s Award, Stutzer said.
“I never had to ask him to do anything.”
Erevia gave 110 all the time, and his level of improvement was “absolutely amazing,” Stutzer said. He spent a lot of time playing JV, and he always asked, “What can I do?”
Jaxsen Brown “exemplifies being a Husky more than anybody else,” Stutzer said. During summer league, he played all positions, and he is one of the best, most fundamentally sound players on the team, earning him the Mr. Husky Award.
The Huskies were winless this season, but they spent the season significantly improving, Stutzer said. The other coaches commented on the difference between the first half of league play and the second half, when the Huskies were able to cut the point spread.
“They faced adversity,” Stutzer said. “These guys stuck with it.”
If the team can continue coming together, it will turn the corner the way it has before, Stutzer said.
Off the field, the Huskies were nominated for the OSAA Sportsmanship Award, which is as important as a state championship, Stutzer said. The Huskies also placed sixth among 4A boys soccer programs statewide academically with an average GPA of 3.4.
Winning the JV’s Most Valuable Player award was freshman Dylan Luttmer.
Earning their first letters were freshmen Chris Christman, Caleb Christman, Mason Lopez and Evan Towry; juniors Stanley Blank, J.J. Mata and Gaven Erevia; and senior Nich James.
Second-year lettermen sophomore Joey Hiemenz; juniors Judah Christman, Chase Lopez and Jaxsen Brown; and senior Zach Zanona.
Junior Kailey James also received a letter for her exceptional stat-keeping, Stutzer said.
Senior Jarett Owen won his third letter.