BOYS
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Caleb Vandergriff, sr., East View
A nominee for the Parade magazine All-America team, Vandergriff’s prowess as a defender helped East View reach the UIL Class 5A state tournament. He finished with nine goals and 10 assists for the Patriots, whose only loss this season came in the Class 5A final, a 3-1 setback against Lufkin. Voted the MVP of District 25-5A, Vandergriff has signed with Mary Hardin-Belton. He also was a firstteam all-state honoree of the Texas Association of Soccer Coaches.
DEFENDER OF THE YEAR: Parsa Kosari, sr., Round Rock
After helping Round Rock to its first district title in more than a decade, Kosari received the District 13-6A MVP award this spring. Boosted by his play as a center back, the Dragons totaled 12 shutouts, including eight in district matches. Kosari, a kicker for Round Rock’s football team in the fall, helped the Dragons advance to the area round of the Class 6A soccer playoffs.
GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR: Brendan Soto, sr., East View
Soto posted 16 shutouts in 28 matches as East View reached the Class 5A final before suffering its only loss of the season. A Texas Lutheran signee, he allowed 0.46 goals per match and was voted the goalie of the year in District 25-5A. This past fall, Soto was an all-district honoree in football, too. He was a three-year varsity starter for the Patriots as a cornerback and receiver.
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR: Ricardo Sesmas, fr., Cedar Creek
A unanimous choice as the District 26-5A newcomer of the year, Sesmas joined Cedar Creek’s varsity squad in advance of district play. With Sesmas scoring game-winning goals in three league matches, the Eagles won their first district title in any boys sport this spring. “The young man is a real talent and will be a collegiate or professional-level player if he keeps progressing, ”Eagles coach Eric Fisher said of Sesmas, who recorded six goals and three assists this season.
COACH OF THE YEAR: Darren Bauer, Liberty Hill
Under Bauer, Liberty Hill posted a 22-6 record and qualified for the UIL Class 4A state tournament in its first season as a varsity program. “We wanted to create a tradition in our first year, put Liberty Hill on the map and give future teams a goal to strive for,” said Bauer, whose team also won the District 25-4A championship. A four-year starter for the men’s soccer team at Lambuth University, Bauer also coaches the kickers in Liberty Hill’s football program.