Chiawana, Pasco dominate what would have been best of boys soccer in 2020

It would have been interesting this spring to see who would have ruled Pasco when it comes to boys soccer.

After all, Chiawana dominated the Mid-Columbia Conference regular season in 2019, running the table and finishing atop the standings. However, the Riverhawks stumbled in the district tournament, failing to get out of it and into the state tournament.

Meanwhile, Pasco High struggled a bit in the regular season, going 5-3 in the standings. But the Bulldogs caught fire in the district tournament, making it to the championship game for Class 4A, qualifying for the state tournament, and making it as far as the quarterfinals.

Many of those players on both Chiawana and Pasco rosters were scheduled to return this season before COVID-19 ended the season.

Thanks to the help from a number of coaches, who know better than me, here is a look at what we all missed this spring as far as the best area boys soccer talent is concerned.

The two Pasco schools have a combined 11 players on this list, including those on the honorable mention list.

Many of these guys will go on to the next level this fall.

As you’ll see, smaller schools such as Grandview, Connell and Wahluke also have good representation on this lineup. It proves that with the world’s most popular game, you can find talent no matter where you look — big school or small school.

Here they are, in alphabetical order:

▪ Brock Barajas, defender, senior, Chiawana.

Was a big cog in Riverhawks defense a year ago that helped his team win the MCC regular-season title. Headed to Seattle to pursue an art career.

▪ Alan Barragan, midfielder, senior, Pasco.

Barragan was an honorable mention selection last season for the Mid-Columbia Conference all-star squad. He’s headed to Columbia Basin College this fall, where he’ll play for the Hawks.

▪ Ivan Cortez, forward, senior, Pasco.

The first-team selection as a junior in 2019 is headed across town to play this play for Columbia Basin College.

▪ William Dominguez, midfielder, senior, Wahluke.

Helped get the Warriors to the state tournament last year. He was a first-team All-SCAC East player, and he’ll continue playing this fall for Blue Mountain Community College.

▪ Orlando Erazo, forward, sophomore, Wahluke.

As a freshman, he was named the MVP for the entire SCAC East.

▪ Aldo Feria, keeper, senior, Walla Walla.

An MCC honorable mention selection last season, Feria moves across town to play for Whitman College.

▪ Mauricio Flores, keeper, junior, Kennewick.

Named honorable mention All-MCC as a sophomore in 2019, the Lions backstop had some outstanding games against Pasco last season.

▪ Carter Giles, midfielder, senior, Chiawana.

Was a first-team MCC all-star as a junior defender in 2019, helping lead a stout Riverhawks defense. He also was a first-team all-state player as selected by the state coaches association. Chiawana coach Riley Dodson had plans this season to move Giles to midfield. Has signed to play for Whitman College this fall.

▪ Chris Gomez, midfielder, sophomore, Connell.

Outstanding youngster helped get the Eagles to the state quarterfinals, and was named first-team all-conference.

▪ Javier Gomez, defender, junior, Pasco.

He was second-team MCC last season as a soph. But he was a big reason that Bulldogs’ back line had eight shutouts and made it to the state quarterfinals. He was slated to be a 2020 team captain, and will be one for the 2021 season.

▪ Mario Jacobo, midfielder, senior, Grandview.

The impactful midfielder will play this fall at CBC. First-team All-CWAC as a junior.

▪ Shane Kieffer, defender, junior, Hanford.

Falcons struggled at 1-13 last year. But Kieffer impressed enough coaches that he was named to the MCC first team as a sophomore.

▪ Luis Lopez, midfielder, senior, Chiawana.

The speedy Lopez was a first-team All-MCC pick last season for the Riverhawks, and an honorable mention all-state pick. He plans to walk-on this fall while attending the University of Washington.

▪ Matt Mendez, defender, senior, Hermiston.

Mendez helped the Bulldogs advance to the state tournament in 2019 as a junior. He was named second-team all-MCC last season, and he’s headed Pendleton this fall to play for Blue Mountain Community College.

▪ Jodanni Osuna, defender, senior, Grandview.

Named as a first-team All-CWAC all-star in 2019, Osuna will play this fall for Eastern Oregon University in LaGrande.

▪ Rory St. Hilaire, midfielder, senior, Kennewick.

Was a second-team All-MCC player last season. Headed to Notre Dame in the fall, but won’t be playing soccer.

▪ Armando Morales, defender, senior, Mabton.

He was a three-time all SCAC selection as his position. Not yet sure where he is going.

▪ Coleman Solano, midfielder, senior, Hermiston.

Another first-team All-MCC player in 2019 who helped the Bulldogs get to the Class 3A state tournament. He’s headed to Walla Walla Community College in the fall.

▪ Julio Tapia, forward, senior, Walla Walla.

He was the MCC Player of the Year in 2019, after he scored 19 goals for the Blue Devils. Headed across town this fall to play for Walla Walla Community College.

▪ Vinicio Verduzco, midfielder, senior, Chiawana.

He was a first-team All-MCC pick last season, and will be playing this fall at CBC.

▪ Abraham Visoso, defender, junior, Connell.

Helped lead the Eagles to the Class 1A state quarterfinals in 2019 as just a sophomore. Named first-team SCAC East.

Honorable mention

Jorge Alvarez, sr., Prosser; Geovanni Carranza, sr., Connell; Jose Corona, jr., Grandview; Sandro Cruz, sr., Kennewick; Michael Cuevas, sr., Kennewick; Javier Dominguez, sr., Grandview; Jose Garcia, sr., Pasco; Garrett Grillo, sr., Kamiakin; Martin Hernandez, sr., Royal; Michael Kot, so., Chiawana; Luis Luna, sr., Othello; Steven Ndayishimie, jr., Chiawana; Omar Penaloza, so., Pasco; Carlos Saucedo, sr., Grandview; Carlos Zurita, sr., Walla Walla.