Abel Pacheco

VENTURA

Striker

The top scorer in Ventura County stepped to the forefront for the 2007 season. The 5-foot-9, 175-pound senior tallied 23 goals, and finishing as the Cougars' all-team leading scorer with 53 for his career. He also notched seven assists this season, and finished with 36 assists in his career. Pacheco closes out his high school career with a number of honors. He was selected as the Channel League's Most Valuable Player on offense. He is also a first-team member of the all-CIF-SS Division II squad. He plans to continue playing soccer at the University of Connecticut.

Alex Almaraz

PACIFICA

Midfielder

Among the niftiest playmakers in the region, the 5-foot-7, 155-pound midfielder is a three-time, all-league player who helped his team win back-to-back Pacific View League championships in 2004 and 2005. This season, the Tritons finished second in the league race and advanced to the quarterfinals in the Division IV playoffs. He voted the team's MVP the past two seasons. Almaraz finishes his high school career as a first-team member of the all-league team and second-team choice for the all-CIF-SS Division IV squad. He will play at a community college next season.

Johnny Avina

ROYAL

Sweeper

Arguably the top defensive player in Ventura County, Avina was a key reason why Royal High won the Marmonte League championship and advanced to the second round in the CIF-Southern Section Division I playoffs. With the senior anchoring the defense, Royal posted a streak of four shutouts in five league games. In his junior season, Avina helped Royal rack up eight consecutive shutouts. Avina closes out his high school career as the defensive Most Valuable Player in the Marmonte League, and as a first-team selection to the all-CIF-SS Division I squad.

Brandon Cuthbertson

CAMARILLO

Goalkeeper

Not only is he a standout goalie, but the senior also excels on the other end of the field. As the Scorpions' goalie, Cuthbertson started 22 games and posted an impressive goals-against average of 1.50. Then, when the Scorpions needed his skills on the other end of the field, the senior delivered. He posted three game-winning goals as the team's striker. The 5-6, 140-pounder earns a variety of post-season honors. He is the team's co-Most Valuable Player, and the Defensive Player of the Year in the Pacific View League. He is undecided on his college choice.

Brian Gershater

CAMARILLO

Striker

Despite battling injuries, the senior striker played a key role in the program's first league championship since 1982, and the first league title captured in the Pacific View League. The Scorpions also advanced to the second round in the CIF-SS Division IV. Gershater ended up as the Scorpions leading scorer with 12 goals, and earned a variety of post-season laurels. He was selected as Camarillo's Offensive Player of the Year, and is a second-team selection to the all-Pacific View League squad. Gershater intends to play collegiately at Arizona.

Jonathan Martinez

FILLMORE

Midfielder

The gifted playmaker was a catalyst in the Fillmore attack. The 5-11, 160-pounder helped his team finish second in the Tri-Valley League, and advance to the quarterfinals in Division V. Martinez triggered his team's offense with 12 goals and seven assists. He was also a key member of the Fillmore team than won a CIF-SS crown in 2005 and finished as the runnerup in 2006. The senior earned honors as a first-team choice on the all-Tri-Valley League team and a second-team selection to the all-CIF-SS Division V team. He will next attend Cal State Northridge.

Danny Rodriguez

PACIFICA

Midfielder

Among the most skilled players in the county, Rodriguez helped lift his team to second place in the tough Pacific View League and into the quarterfinals of the CIF-SS Division IV playoffs. It marked the second successive season that Pacifica had reached the third round in postseason. With Rodriguez on the field, the Tritons won back-to-back PVL crowns in 2004 and 2005. The 5-foot-4, 145-pound center midfielder ends his high school career as the MVP on offensive in the Pacific View League, and is a first-team member of the all-CIF-SS Division IV team.

Norby Rodriguez

THOUSAND OAKS

Forward

The region's most prolific program in recent seasons, with back to back CIF-SS Division I titles in 2004 and 2005, always boasts a gifted playmaker. Rodriguez filled that role this season is scoring 16 goals and collecting eight assists. The best news for the Lancers is that Rodriguez accomplished all that as a junior. The accomplished club player has played on consecutive national champions in 2005 and 2006. He finished up his junior season as the offensive MVP in the Marmonte League, and is a first-team choice for the all-CIF-SS Division I squad.

Anthony Silvestri

THOUSAND OAKS

Goalkeeper

The accomplished keeper helped his team finish second in the tough Marmonte League and advance to the second round in the CIF-SS Division I playoffs. Silvestri played a crucial part in his team's success, finishing with nine shutouts on the season. The 6-foot, 185-pound senior was picked as the top goalkeeper in the Marmonte League for the second successive year. He is also a third-team selection for the all-CIF-SS Division I team. Silvestri, also a Scholar-Athlete with a 3.8 GPA, will choose between Cal Lutheran and Valparaiso as his college selection.

Brett Taylor

Oaks Christian

Forward

In their short history, the Lions have made it a habit of turning out at least one go-to player every season. This year, it was Taylor leading Oaks Christian to a championship in the ultra-competitive Tri-Valley League.

The 5-11, 155-pound senior led his team in scoring with 15 goals and 10 assists. Taylor, who will next play collegiately at Azusa Pacific University, earns a number of post-season honors. He is a first-team choice for the all-Tri-Valley League team, and a first-team selection to the all-CIF-SS Division V team.

Luis Vaca

SANTA PAULA

Defender

The multi-dimensional senior was a key factor in establishing the Cardinals among the top programs in the region. The gifted defender played a large part in limiting opponents to 35 goals this season. He also tallied seven goals, including his role in the pressure spot in taking the penalty kicks for Santa Paula. Vaca closed out his career as a first-team member of the all-Tri-Valley League team and a second-team selected for the all-CIF-Southern Section Division V team. Vaca has applied for entrance to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where he will focus on his education.