Orange Coast soccer teams open in regionals today
sports briefs packageThe Orange Coast College men’s and women’s soccer teams will open the Southern California Regional playoffs today.
The OCC men (13-6-5) are the No. 6 seed and play host to No. 11-seeded East Los Angeles (9-7-8) at 7 p.m. at LeBard Stadium.
The OCC women (11-6-4) are the No. 11 seed and visit No. 6-seeded Cerritos (19-3-2) at 2 p.m.
Three ‘Eaters first team
UC Irvine men’s soccer players Brad Evans, Anthony Hamilton and Cameron Dunn were named to the All-Big West Conference first team. Evans -- who scored 11 goals for the Anteaters -- also won Offensive Player of the Year honors.
UCI’s Chris Klotz was named to the second team, as was Cal State Northridge’s Matt Tracy -- a Newport Harbor High alumnus.
Doug Franco, Brandon Foster and Ryan Mathy each received honorable mention selections for UCI.
In addition, Evans was named Big West Conference Co-Player of the Week and a member of the College Soccer News National Team of the Week. He scored both goals in a 2-1 conference victory over No. 11 Cal State Northridge on Nov. 9.
UCI finished 11-6-3, 7-2-1 in conference.
OCC football stars shine
The Orange Coast College football team was represented by 10 players on the All-Mission Conference National Division team.
Defensive end Justin Williams, linebackers Aaron Miller and Dave Ronning, cornerback Cory Nicol and defensive tackle Winter Welz were first-team selections on defense. Safety Mordy Ornguze was a second-team pick.
Kick returner Shane Hoffman was the team’s lone first-team pick on offense. Running back Robert Aoki, wide receiver Damola Adeniji and center Luke Sapolu were second-team selections for the Pirates (6-4).
Williams, who was nominated for Defensive Player of the Year, was a first-team pick for the second time. He had 10.5 sacks, 95 tackles and recovered three fumbles this season.
Hoffman returned two kickoffs for touchdowns in one game, setting a school record.
OCC’s Winkler is MVP
Orange Coast College freshman outside hitter Kiwi Winkler topped seven Pirates’ women’s volleyball players named All-Orange Empire Conference, earning Most Valuable Player honors.
Winkler, who led the Pirates (20-0) to the conference title, finished the regular season with a team-high 289 kills and a .422 hitting percentage.
The Pirates’ Chuck Cutenese was named Coach of the Year.
OCC’s Samantha Connor, Brittney Ray and Ashlee Moon were first-team picks. Caitlin Parker, Joanna Johnson and Jennifer Schiffer represented the Pirates on the second team. Aabria Lipscomb received honorable mention.
OCC opens the Southern California Regional playoffs Nov. 30 against an opponent to be determined.
Meyer Lion of Week
Vanguard University senior men’s cross country runner Matthew Meyer has been named Lion of the Week.
Meyer qualified for the NAIA National Championships by finishing sixth at the Region II Championships on Nov. 5 at Woodward Park in Fresno.
Meyer completed the 8,000-meter course in 25 minutes, 33 seconds to help the Lions finish fifth as a team.
Meyer will join junior teammate Humberto Rojas at the national championships Saturday at Tom Sawyer Park in Louisville, Ky.
It will be Meyer’s first trip to the nationals.
Reynolds finishes strong
Estancia High product Arlis Reynolds, a senior outside hitter and libero at MIT, completed her collegiate career Friday when the Engineers lost in the first round of the NCAA Division III women’s volleyball championships at No. 1-seeded Colby College in Waterville, Maine.
Reynolds had 26 digs in the four-game setback, which finalized MIT’s record at 29-9.
Reynolds, a co-captain, finishes with the school career record with 313 service aces. She also set school records for career and single-season digs.
She earned second-team All-New England Athletic Conference laurels this fall and received honorable mention for American Volleyball Coaches Assn. Division III All-American honors.
Reynolds was named MIT Tournament MVP earlier in the season.
OCC Athletes of the Week
Sophomore men’s basketball player Lance Ortiz and sophomore women’s volleyball player Caitlin Parker have been named Orange Coast College Athletes of the Week.
Ortiz, a 6-foot guard, was named MVP of the County Commerce Bank Classic, completed Sunday at Ventura College. In three victories, Ortiz combined for 28 points, 19 assists, 16 rebounds and eight steals. He hit the game-winning shot with four seconds left in a 61-59 semifinal triumph over Mount SAC.
In a 74-64 title-game victory over Ventura, he had eight points, nine assists, seven rebounds and six steals.
Parker, a 5-7 setter, had a combined 71 assists to help the Pirates sweep Orange Empire Conference foes Golden West on Nov. 9 and Irvine Valley on Friday.
The Pirates earned their first conference title since 2001.
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