All-Sierra Nevada soccer teams

(Editor's note: The All-Sierra Nevada Soccer teams are comprised of area players covered by the following newspapers: Nevada Appeal, Record-Courer, Lahontan Valley News, Tahoe World, Tahoe Daily Tribune, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza and Sierra Sun.)

GIRLS SOCCER

Forwards

Kayla Sanchez, jr., Carson: There's simply no faster player in the state - Sanchez reigned as 4A state champion in the 100 and 200-meter dashes and 300 low hurdles each of the last two years - and has only improved her understanding of soccer. This fall, she led Carson in goals and assists 16 goals and 11 assists and earned first-team all-league honors.

Monica Ceragioli, sr., forward, Incline: Only 5-foot-1, Ceragioli used her speed, intelligence and endurance (she ran 3:35:42 in the San Francisco Marathon on July 30) to emerge as a first-team all-league and all-state pick. She led the 3A state champion Highlanders (20-5) in scoring with 31 goals and 11 assists and as the team MVP. As for the future, her goal is to attend Yale.

Samantha Deen, sr., Truckee: A first-team all-league and all-state selection, Deen had a team-high 17 goals and nine assists this season for the Northern 3A champion and state runner-up Wolverines. Deen, who missed all of last season because of a knee injury, scored each of Truckee's two goals at the Galena preseason tournament in a shootout loss against eventual Northern 4A champion Reed.

Midfield

Libby Walker, jr., Galena: Now a three-time High Desert League Offensive Player of the Year, Walker helped Galena win back-to-back Northern 4A titles in 2004-05 and to a runner-up finish this season. She had 12 goals and six assists this season for a team that featured balance (10 different players scored). Walker has scored 46 goals in three seasons.

Brandi Vega, so., Carson: For the second straight year honored as Sierra League Offensive Player of the Year for the league champion Senators. She switched to midfield this season and had 14 goals and eight assists (23 goals, 23 assists in two seasons total). Vega is a playmaker who sees the field well, handles the ball well, and makes things happen.

Morgan Lefever, sr., Douglas: Sierra League Midfielder of the Year who came on strong late to set the school single-season scoring record with 26 goals - including 15 goals in six contests during the month of October - to go with five assists. She had 56 goals and 28 assists for her career at Douglas and was an All-Sierra pick last year.

Rebecca Kane, jr., Carson: Center midfielder who was named first-team all-league pick and team MVP. Statistically, Kane had four goals and six assists this season. More important, she was the quarterback who set plays up. According to coach Randy Roser, Kane was a composed player and good communicator, the player who "holds everything together ... the one who could it on in the middle."

Kati Bell, sr., midfield, Incline: Incline's center midfielder who missed 10 games in September due to an injury, but came back to earn first-team all-league and all-state honors. Bell scored five regional tournament goals and scored both goals for Incline in its state final 2-0 victory against Truckee. Bell is looking to play at Biola University in Southern California next year.

Karli Vath, jr., South Tahoe: A vital player for the Vikings who earned first-team all-league recognition and finished as the team's leading scorer with 18 goals this season. An all-league performer the past two seasons and an all-around athlete who also starts in basketball.

Defense

Belle Fleming, jr., Carson: She was named Sierra League Defender Player of the Year - for good reason. The Senators traditionally use four players in the back, but with Fleming's speed and strength in the middle, they were able to switch to a three-player back line. The result? Carson allowed 10 goals during its league season and during the playoffs.

Nicole Panziera, sr., Truckee: It's not often that a defensive player receives Player of the Year recognition, however, Panziera achieved that distinction this season for her play as Truckee's sweeper, as she was honored as MVP on both the 3A all-state and All-Sierra Division teams.

Hannah Ewing, sr., North Tahoe: A four-year sweeper for the Lakers who received first-team all-league and all-state honors this season - and was a factor in North Tahoe's run of three straight state titles that ended this year. Her vision, ability to run an inexperienced defense, distribution skills and her flawless tackling ability made her one of the best in the Northern 3A.

Amy Leggett, sr., Galena: A three-year starter at sweeper who earned High Desert League Defender of the Year honors this season. Team co-captain and tremendous leader on the fiekd, a great competitor and defender, according to coach Ron Jones.

Janelle Perasso, jr., South Tahoe: A sweeper who anchored the Vikings' young defense this season. She played well enough to repeat as a first-team all-league selection and as a repeat All-Sierra Nevada selection.

Mikeala "Mikki" Rice, sr., Incline: Began the season in the midfield, then after Bell returned from her injury, moved to play defense for the first time and became a key factor for the 3A state champs.

Goalkeepers

Austen Voorhees, fr., Galena: A quick-learner with solid physical tools, Voorhees stepped in to replace two-time all-league goalkeeper Caitlin Anderson and continued Galena's tradition by earning first-team all-league honors as a rookie. Aided by a sterling back line, Voorhees and the Grizzlies allowed less than one goal per game.

Annamarie Jones, sr., Incline: In 25 games, Jones logged 15 shutouts, the last coming in the state final against Truckee. The Highlanders only allowed 15 goals all season and Jones wound up as a first-team all-league and all-state selection.

Utility

Ashley Winter, sr., Dayton: A fourth-year varsity veteran who was named 3A Sierra Division MVP and first-team all-state this season. A total team player, Winter had 11 goals and five assists while playing halfback before being moved to defense and helping solidify an improved Dayton team that eventually lost to North Tahoe 2-1 in the Northern 3A Regionals.

Gwen Swift, Bishop Manogue: A second-team pick on High Desert League list. Born and raised in Carson City, this marks the third straight season Swift has received all league. She has served a as team captain each of the last two season for the Miners, who were 2-6-4 during their league season.

Honorable mention

Cassidy Iverson, North Tahoe (all-state); Lauren O'Neil, Truckee (all-state); Sara Grossman, Truckee; Morgan Cook, South Tahoe; Kristina Dantin, Douglas; Joelle Lazzareschi, North Tahoe; Ally Freitas, Douglas; Jamie Greer, Douglas; Hannah Day, Whittell; Leah Kennedy, Dayton; Alesha Stoffel, Fernley; Natasha Olivera, Dayton; Amy Gardner, Dayton; Dominique Romero, Fernley; Mimi Precit, Truckee; Marissa McKool, Whittell; Emily Bedell, Galena; Jenna Burnside, North Tahoe; Michelle Zarick, North Tahoe; Kaitlin McMillan, North Tahoe; Bernie Nelson, Truckee; Casssidy Berg, South Tahoe; Katie Nalder, Douglas; Amanda Osborne, Carson; Delaney Battista, Douglas; Brittany McKinnon, South Tahoe; Anna Macquarie, Carson; Chelsea Keating Carson, Galena; Sarah Nemeth, Fallon; Carly Marsh, Galena.

BOYS SOCCER

Forwards

Michael Gransbery, sr., Douglas: Sierra League Offensive Player of the Year who broke the school record for varsity career goals with 50 and came just short of the school and state records for goals with 29 this season. He also had nine assists on the year - and played the final two weeks of the season with a broken toe. A three-year varsity player and team captain this season.

Al Virrey, jr., Truckee: His speed and ball handling skills make him a tough opponent to deal with. Capable of scoring from anywhere on the field, he had 13 goals and four assists during the regular season. Virrey scored five goals in the Northern 3A Tournament for regional champion Wolverines. He earned first-team all-league and all-state recognition.

Fred Eisenacher, jr., Galena: High Desert League Offensive Player of the Year for the second-place Grizzlies.

Scott Wardwell, sr., Fallon: A repeat All-Sierra selection who was even better this season. Wardwell scored a school record 17 goals this season and wound up as a first-team High Desert League selection.

Micah Laack, forward, sr., Carson: Came back after missing most of last season due to a knee injury to earn first-team all-league honors and Carson's co-Offensive Player of the Year. Laack received the team's Golden Boot award for leading the team with 21 goals to go with 11 assists. Laack, another of the team's co-captains, is an honors student who helped Carson win the Academic State Championship.

Midfield

Enrique "Cheeks" Mendoza, sr., Carson: A repeat All-Sierra selection and Sierra League Midfielder of the Year this season. The left-side midfielder had 14 goals and 14 assists. "Cheeks" had 26 goals and 24 assists in three varsity seasons. He was a leader, co-captain and co-Offensive Player of the Year for the Senators.

Paco Delgado, sr., North Tahoe: A four-year varsity veteran, Delgado was honored as Sierra Division MVP and 3A all-state MVP. The forward/midfielder scored 23 goals, including four in the regional tournament. "He is more than just an MVP," coach Beto Alcaraz said. North Tahoe won the Sierra Division regular season title and then won the 3A state tournament in Las Vegas.

David Muñoz, jr., North Tahoe: Muñoz is a first-team all-state performer, a great ball mover whose flawless goal in the state final helped the Lakers defeat Truckee for the state championship.

Michael Barnes, sr., Douglas: A hard-working player who was key in drawing defensive pressure away from Gransbery. Barnes had 16 goals and 10 assists on the season. Significantly, he delivered four game-winning goals, including a shot against Reno to put Douglas in the playoffs. Was named first-team all-league.

Zach Weismann, midfield, sr., Carson: A first-team all-league pick who finished second on the team in scoring with 16 goals to go with 10 assists. Voted MVP of the team by teammates. Weismann, who was injured much of last season, came back for his third varsity season and emerged as the "backbone" in the middle.

Anthony DeMarta, South Tahoe: A key player - the lynchpin in the middle of the field - for the Northern 4A Regional Tournament champion Vikings who always brings intensity and aggressiveness to the field. An honorable mention all-league pick, DeMarta scored the winning goal for South Tahoe in its 2-1 regional tournament opening win against Reed.

Bryan "Chino" Garcia, forward, South Tahoe: Second-leading scorer this season for the regional tournament champion Vikings with 13 goals.

Eddie Vega, jr., Douglas: Described by coach Milko Vasquez as a high-leverl performer who led the team and North in assists (13), Vega was a first-team all-league pick.

Abel Johnson, jr., Fallon: Named High Desert League Midfielder of the Year. "He is one of the most complete players on the field. Abel is a fierce competitor," said Fallon coach Nathan Waite.

Defense

Ian Rice, sr., South Tahoe: Sierra League Defender of the Year. The Vikings were 14-3-1. Rice has been part of two state championship teams in the past four years. The Vikings allowed one goal in three regional tournament victories. The 6-foot-4 Rice is a physical player. Defender in the air, good speed.

Mats Boehnke, sr., Carson: First-team all-league. A 4.0 student. Team's Best Defensive Player. One goal and seven assists. Center defender. He anchored our defense. Three years. In 2004 and '05 outside defender, moved to the middle early in the season. Good with head, good skills. Co-captain.

Ricardo Cervantes, jr., North Tahoe: State championship sweeper, leads defense, distributes ball anywhere on the field and capable of playing or starting anywhere on the field.

Emmanuel Sarabia, sr., Truckee: Sweeper for Truckee's Nothern 3A regional championship and state runner-up squad. Sarabia is a masterful free kick taker and great leader on the field.

Goalkeeper

Brandon Briggs, so., Carson: Emerged as a first-team all-league performer in his first full season as a varsity starter. Carson only allowed 18 goals this season - a 0.9 per game average. Briggs went to Ireland to play in the prestigious Milk Cup this summer and is an ODP veteran goalkeeper.

Daniel Winston, sr., Galena: Twice honored as High Desert League first-team goalkeeper.

Alfredo Solorio, South Tahoe: Though only an honorable mention all-league selection, Solorio came up big when it counted, as he posted shutouts in Northern 4A Regional Tournament semifinal and final wins against Douglas and South Tahoe. It was the same last year when Solorio and the Vikings won four of five postseason games by shutout en route to the state title. Solorio logged 105 saves this season.

Honorable mention: Max Brixey, Truckee (first-team all-state); Gerry Bolaños, North Tahoe; Oscar Gonzalez, Douglas; Juan Herrera, Incline; Ivan Sanchez, Incline; Brian Perkins, Fallon (had a school record 12 assists); Cristian Hernandez, Whittell; Jesus Franco, Incline; Michele Basile, North Tahoe; Eric Holman, North Tahoe; Luis Melgarejo, Dayton; Mario Cruz, Yerington; Hector Juarez, Yerington ; Kevin Martinez, Fernley; Jose Hernandez, Fernley; Tony Hertado, Yerington; Christian Volker, Carson; Paulo Caetano, South Tahoe (exchange student from Brazil); Ian Chandler, South Tahoe; Josh Boles, South Tahoe; Edgard Arceo, Douglas; Jon Nuthall, Carson; Ross Gardner, Douglas; Gil Navarro, South Tahoe; Drew Good, Carson; Andres Munoz, South Tahoe; Derik Cantley, Douglas; Jose Alcaraz, Douglas; Eric Duhon, Galena; Alfredo Gonzalez, Fallon; Ben Baxter, Galena; Robert LaRovere, Galena; Braden DeLong, Galena; Sterling Jones, Fallon; Kyle O'Donnell, Galena; John McLennan, Galena; David Pinto, Galena; Collin Hockenberry, Fallon; Salvado Tejeda, Truckee; Marty Rohbeck, Whittell; Scott Kelly, Truckee; Fernando Estrada, North Tahoe; Michael Ceragioli, Incline; Todd Hayes, Whittell; Sean Higgins, Incline; Paul Waite, Whittell; Cole Froelich, Truckee; Cristian Armas, Dayton; Zach Monohan, Yerington; Darik Gutierrez, Yerington; David Gomez, Dayton; Jose Escalante, Fernley; Kyle Swan, Dayton; Julian Ballatore, Dayton; Matt LaBlanc, Fernley; Juan Rodriguez, Yerington.