SOCCER HONORS: Guiza drives Tech to successful season

Jose Guiza was all set to take a test to get his driver’s license on Sept. 15.

The Tech forward was going to play the first half of his team’s match against Silverado, then head to the Department of Motor Vehicles.

But with Guiza’s team tied 1-1 in an important Southeast League match, he couldn’t leave. And even though it meant waiting another three or four months to be able to drive, he stayed — and scored the winning goal.

“He made a lot of sacrifices for the team,” Tech coach Josh Jones said. “He knew he was our main front guy, and I left the decision up to him. He decided not to leave, even though he knew he’d have to wait a few months to take the test again.”

Guiza, who led Tech with 16 goals, was named the Southeast League’s boys soccer player of the year. He’s one of 38 players who earned All-Class 4A Southern Nevada honors.

“We played primarily with one forward and two what I called wingers,” Jones said. “Jose’s got a great shot, and he’s able to put himself in position to score.”

Joining Guiza on the All-Southern Nevada team from the Southeast are Roadrunners teammates Edgar Velazguez, Oscar Gonzalez and Jesus Herrera.

“We were well-rounded,” said Jones, who guided Tech to an 11-0-3 mark in Southeast play and was named the league coach of the year. “We had a lot of guys contribute. The guys really bonded together. It was a tough end to the year, but it was a very gratifying season.”

Also on the team from the Southeast are: Green Valley’s Alex Wonnaparhown, Tim Shue and Rodrigo Medina; Silverado’s Gary Diego and Kyle Mellies; and Coronado’s Jake LeClaire.

Eldorado’s Jonnathon Cabrera, a senior defender, is the Northeast League player of the year. The Sundevils allowed only 14 goals during the regular season.

Teammates Josh Cormier and Aldo Flores join Cabrera on the All-Southern Nevada team.

League champion Las Vegas has four representatives on the team — Chris Millette, Joaquiin Rivas, Jaime Toscano and Danny Farias.

Valley’s Jesus Chavez and Axel Gomez, and Chaparral’s Francisco Sanchez round out the Northeast representatives. Eldorado’s Gerald Pentsil is the Northeast coach of the year.

Centennial’s Kevin Rogge, who scored 33 regular-season goals, is the player of the year in the Northwest. The Bulldogs’ Alex Medel, Joe Mikulich and Matt Kurtz join Rogge on the All-Southern Nevada team.

Also on the squad from the Northwest are: Palo Verde’s Aaron Garfinkel, Josh Leiserowitz and Crew Naylor, Cimarron-Memorial’s Joe Garcia and Arnold Reyes; and Legacy’s Christian Rodriguez.

Centennial’s Tommy Porello, who led the Bulldogs to a 14-0 mark in league play, is the Northwest coach of the year.

Salavdor Bernal, who helped Clark to the regular-season title in the Southwest, is the league player of the year. The other half of the Chargers’ one-two punch, Angelo Soro, also earned All-Southern Nevada honors.

Four Bishop Gorman players — Sean Zaher, Cody Barnett, John Vaccaro and Nic Eary — are also on the squad, as are Durango’s Francisco Bautista and Spring Valley’s John Strand.

Clark’s Juan Chavez is the Southwest coach of the year.