MOST VALUABLE
Nieto grabs 5A MVP award for state final performance
FAYETTEVILLE — Devin Nieto proved to a packed crowd at the Class 5A state soccer finals at Razorback Field in Fayetteville that he was one of the top keepers in the state if not, as a teammate exclaimed following Lakeside’s 4-3 victory over Valley View, “the best goalie in the state.”
The junior had big shoes to fill, stepping up after not playing last season in hopes of filling in for 2017 keeper Ryan Viscardis, especially with 2017 backup Anthony Herrera returning for his junior season.
Nieto found his niche on the team, earning the starting role for the Rams near the midway point of the season.
His hard work paid off as he was named the Most Valuable Player in the Class 5A boys soccer state final.
“It feels amazing,” he said of winning the award. “As soon as I saw the MVP award and I heard everyone saying ‘Devin,’ I couldn’t believe it. Tears just kept coming down. It’s such an amazing feeling. I never thought I’d get this. Never. And I love it.”
Immediately after the horn sounded following the game, his
teammates dogpiled on top of him in celebration.
Head coach Craig Moses agreed with the choice of Nieto as the MVP.
“It feels great to me because he kept us in the game early,” he said. “When they were attacking us and attacking us and we really couldn’t do anything about it at that time, he kept us in the game and made some big saves.
“He just played well back there today. He was one of the guys that kept us in the game. If they had some early goals go in, this whole atmosphere would be different right now.”
Nieto finished with eight saves and eight blocks for the Rams in the match, coming out several more times to grab passes in front of the net or misplayed balls in the box.
A level-headed leader on the defense, Nieto explained he was able to stay focused because of how much the game meant to the team.
“I just kept my mind right,” he said. “Nothing changed. I just had to stay focused on this thing because I knew how much it means to everybody — how much it means to our coach and every teammate on this team.”