PORT ANGELES —Johnny Martinez selection as North Division MVP highlighted a string of honors for the Peninsula College men’s and women’s soccer teams, in voting announced by the Northwest Athletic Conference.
The Pirates placed 11 soccer players on the North Division men’s and women’s All-Star teams and women’s head coach Kanyon Anderson received Coach of the Year honors.
Myu Ban, Karen Corral, Lexi Krieger, Kai Mahuka and Ellie Small were named to the North Division Women’s Soccer All-Star Team,.
MVP Martinez was joined by Eddie Benito, Trevan Estrellado, Santiago Sierra, Jose Soto and Jonathan Vasquez on the North Men’s All-Star Team.
The annual NWAC All-Star Games are one of the feature attractions of the Final Four weekend at the Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila.
The women’s match will feature the North/South All-Stars taking on the West/East All-Stars at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, while the men’s match follows at 12:30 p.m.
Should the Pirate women and men win semifinal matches on Saturday, their players will be recognized, but will not participate in the All-Star Games.
The Final Four championship matches are set Sunday with the women kicking off at 3 p.m. and the men at 5:30 p.m.
Anderson’s honor marked the fourth time he was named as a division Coach of the Year.
He earning that title in the West Division in 2011 and 2012 as women’s coach, and then last year as Peninsula’s men’s coach as well.
He also was the NWAC Coach of the Year in 2011.
Anderson, who will help coach the North/South All-Stars, is pleased to have five of his players named to the team.
“These five players deserve all of the accolades they get,” Anderson said.
“We wouldn’t be where we are without their contributions. Karen [Corral] and Kai [Mahuka] have been very steady in the center back. They are smart, organized and athletic.
“Myu [Ban] leads the league in assists and has been a key to our creativity. Ellie [Small] and Lexi [Krieger] have scored big goals for us all season.”
First-year men’s coach Cale Rodriguez also is excited by his teams’ recognition with six of the 12 All-Stars representing Peninsula College.
“All six players are very well deserving of being named All Stars for the 2015 season,” Rodriguez said.
“Santi [Sierra] and Jose [Soto] are a huge part of why, defensively, we have been excellent all year. Eddie [Benito], Johnny Vasquez and Trevan [Estrellado] all have specific roles in our midfield and have been consistent in their performances from start to finish.
“Johnny Martinez has had a fantastic year statistically and is a threat every time he touches the ball.”
And while the Pirates dominated the All-Star balloting, the two North Division championship coaches shared disappointment about those who missed making the team.
“I am a split about the all-star vote though,” Anderson said.
“While I’m happy for those who were recognized, we had so many talented, wonderful players left off.”
Rodriguez echoed his thoughts.
“There are other players around these guys who have contributed to their success who have been just as important this season,” he said.
