Calexico’s Lopez snags IVL honor

Calexico High School boys’ soccer enjoyed another winning season this year, and Roberto Lopez was of big part of it.

Lopez frustrated his opponents all year with his speed and precision, and in the postseason, he scored in three of the Bulldogs’ five games, including the CIF final. The senior’s efforts were noted around the league as Lopez picked up All-Imperial Valley League Player of the Year honors this season.

Joining Lopez on the All-IVL First Team are his fellow teammates, seniors and captains including Andres Barraza and Eduardo Nuñez.

The second-place Eagles had two athletes named to the first team including Ivan Carrillo and Sergio Silva as did the Spartans, who had Ketzalli Rodriguez and Jose Torres named to the team.

As it has for the last few seasons, the Imperial Valley League boys’ soccer title was decided during the final week of action earlier this year.

The crown was shared between Southwest and Calexico highs in 2017, and those same two teams battled it out once again for the top spot in the local standings.

In the end, Calexico High was able to get it done as the squad posted 10 wins, no losses and two draws against local teams, while Southwest finished in the No. 2 spot a few games back with an IVL record of 8-1-3.

Central Union High jumped from the No. 5 spot in 2017 to the No. 3 spot this year, as the Spartans went 8-3-1 on the IVL season.

Calexico and Central each advanced to the CIFSan Diego Section postseason, with the Bulldogs reaching the Div. II final and the Spartans reaching the Div. IV final.

While both of the local teams were ultimately defeated in their respective championship games, it made for a memorable year for both programs.

Central finished with a Valley-best overall record of 18-7-1, while the Bulldogs closed with an overall mark of 17-7-3.

2018 All-Imperial Valley Boys’ Soccer First Team

Ivan Jauregui, Brawley Union High Andres Barraza, Calexico High Roberto Lopez, Calexico High Eduardo Nuñez, Calexico High Ketzalli Rodriguez, Central Union High Jose Berlin Torres, Central Union High Christian Queriapa, Holtville High Alberto Aleman, Imperial High Hector Martinez, Palo Verde Valley Ivan Carrillo, Southwest High Sergio Silva, Southwest High

2018 All-Imperial Valley League Boys’ Soccer Second Team

Alfredo Alvarado, Brawley Union High Rafael Cabrera, Calexico High Daniel Serrano, Calexico High Manuel Ortiz, Central Union High Carlos Osuna, Central Union High Edward Quintero, Holtville High Elias Lara-Vasquez, Imperial High Anthony Gonzales, Palo Verde Valley Jared Arredondo, Southwest High Jose Bernal, Southwest High Omar Jimenez, Southwest High

Calexico High’s Robert Lopez (right) looks to get around a Del Norte defender during the CIF-SDS Div. II boys’ soccer final played at La Jolla High last month. Lopez took home IVL Player of the Year honors after helping his team to the IVL crown this...

Central Union High’s Jose Torres rushes past a La Jolla defender during a home playoff game earlier this year. Torres helped the Spartans to the CIFSDS Div. IV final and also earned All-IVL First Team honors. KARINA LOPEZ PHOTO

Imperial High’s Elias Lara (left) controls a pass as Holtville High’s Jose Sierra looks to defend during an IVL game earlier this year. Lara earned All-IVL Second Team honors. KARINA LOPEZ PHOTO