RIVERSIDE - As men's soccer prepares for the postseason, the California Pacific Conference honors a few exceptional athletes from La Sierra with the highest end of season awards.
The Cal Pac awarded Robert Carroll to First Team All Conference for his outstanding command on the defense. Jordy Verde and Jose Alcala both are awarded the Second Team All Conference as a midfielder and defender respectively. Cristian Prieto, Sean Palena, and Isaac Pineda were the Honorable Mentions awarded to La Sierra. The Golden Eagles Champion of Character is Masaya Nitta.
Carroll appeared in 11 games for the Golden Eagles with 11 starts. He scored one goal against Park University Gilbert. Robert took command of the back field with high game IQ and outstanding leadership. His ability to control the defense and offense proved in many ways throughout the season. He looks calm and relaxed when guiding his team through the 90 minutes of game play.
Freshman Jordy Verde made his mark as a Golden Eagle by earning a Second Team All Conference honor early on in his career. Jordy appeared in 12 games with 10 starts for the Golden Eagles. He has five goals and two game winners. He scored a goal against Stanton University, two goals against Pacific Union College, and two goals in their last regular season game of the year against Providence Christian College. The young star looks to have a promising career as a Golden Eagle.
Jose Alcala earned a spot on the Second Team All Conference as a midfielder. Jose appeared in 14 games with 14 starts this season. He's scored two goals against Simpson University and Pacific Union College. In his career, he has a total of five goals with one assist. Returning for another season next year, Jose will continue on to dominate on the field.
Cristian Prieto is a first time Golden Eagle, and earns an Honorable Mention nomination. Cris' ability to hustle on the field has aided in setting up different plays for the men's soccer offense. He has adept ability to track the ball down the field, as well as, his opponents. He offers toughness that anyone would be proud to call his teammate.
Sean Palena earns an Honorable Mention nomination during his first run as a Golden Eagle. Sean appeared in nine games with four starts. He has one goal against Bethesda University. Palena's toughness and experience on the field aided in the Golden Eagles aggressiveness in scoring goals.
Junior Isaac Pineda picks up an Honorable Mention nomination. The first year Golden Eagle has appeared in twelve games with ten starts. He picked up one goal against Cal Maritime, and has two assists against Park University Gilbert and Pacific Union College. His lone goal proved to be the game winner. Pineda leads by example with his quietness on the field, but his high game knowledge assists in executing crucial plays.
Masaya Nitta earns the Champion of Character award given to the individual who are the best examples of Integrity, Respect, Responsibility, Sportsmanship, and Servant-Leadership during the 2024 season. Masaya appeared in the goal for the Golden Eagles for ten games with ten an equal number of starts. He's totaled 29 saves with one win and two shutouts. Masaya's attitude and dedication to the team is a direct reflection of why he received the highest honor based on his character.
Congratulations to our Men's Soccer team!
