Rupp named Coast-North's top defender, as seven Vikings land postseason awards

Daniel Rodriguez fires a shot in WVC's 1-0 win over CCSF
Daniel Rodriguez fires a shot in WVC's 1-0 win over CCSF

Stefano Rupp was named the Cost-North Defensive Player of the Year, the CCCAA recently announced. Rupp was joined on the All-Coast/North First Team by Luis Covarrubias, Abel Flores and Pablo Ramirez Belmont. Angel Avalos, Kevin Javier and Daniel Rodriguez all earned Second Team spots. 

Ramirez Belmont led the Viking offense with nine goals, five assists and 23 total points. Salomon Kendaya finished the season with four goals, two assists and ten points, while Andy Nunez handed out a team-high six assists. Irvin Cardoza, who recorded 37 saves and compiled a 0.62 goals-against average, split time in goal with Jeron Rojas, who finished with 40 saves and a 1.40GAA.

The Vikings faced one of the state's toughest schedules, as 11 out 19 opponents were playoff qualifiers. Their final 10-7-3 record, 8-3-1 in the rugged Coast-North, featured a 3-0 home win over rival Evergreen Valley and a 1-1 derby tie with Highway 85 neighbor De Anza. A 1-0 win over perrenial NorCal power City College of San Francisco on Nov. 1 was a season highlight and a preview of the CCCAA NorCal opening round playoff matchup between the Vikings and the Rams at CCSF 11/23. 

WVC hit the crossbar three times in the 1-0 loss in San Francisco in a physical, evenly-played battle. The teams were scoreless until Armando Sandria netted the game-winner in the 81st minute. The Vikings hit the bar twice in a three-shot flurry in the ninth minute and then Mario Larios found metal with a spectacular header just before time expired.

With six of the All-Coast players returning for the 2020 season - only Ramirez-Belmont was a sophomore - the future looks bright for coach Gaspar Silviera and his Vikings.

Rupp Covarrubias Flores Pablo Avalos Javier  Rodriguez