A late addition to Central Valley’s boys soccer team, Osvaldo Cisneros earned a major award despite playing in just seven of 14 Western Athletic Conference games this season.

The senior was voted the WAC’s Goalkeeper of the Year at the league’s year-end head coaches’ meeting on Feb. 23 at the Dust Bowl in Ceres.

“I was confident he might get it because of how talented he is,” Hawks’ head coach Horacio Garcia said. “He was a difference-maker. He did an awesome job for us.”

Central Valley teammates Jayden Pires, Jayden Rodriguez, Miguel Gutierrez, Willy Camarena, Elias Godinez and Isaiah Ruiz, and Ceres High’s Leo Baez, Jayson Trevino, Fernando Galvan, David Tapia and Johan Lopez were also recognized for their outstanding play during conference play.

The Hawks finished fourth overall in the WAC standings with a 7-4-3 record.

The Bulldogs (6-5-3) placed fifth.

“They were my top team leaders,” Ceres High head coach Gilbert Zamora said. “They had really good attitudes. They pushed the younger players to play better.”

“It’s a good feeling knowing we were able to get recognition for some of our players,” Garcia added. “They deserved it. They were big contributors to our success.”

Cisneros was named WAC Goalkeeper of the Year in a 4-3 vote.

He allowed just five goals, totaled 21 saves and posted three shutouts in seven games.

“You got to give credit to a player that plays at a top level,” Zamora said. He was the least scored on goalie in the league. He reads the game well.”

“He was a big contributor to how well we closed out the season,” Garcia added. “He gave us confidence. He was a really good leader.”

Cisneros totaled nine saves in Central Valley’s 2-0 win at first-place Lathrop on Feb. 5.

Cisneros didn’t play during the Hawks’ 4-1 loss to the Spartans on Jan. 13.

“He showed how good he was,” Garcia said. “He made some beautiful saves.”

Cisneros was also named to the WAC First Team this year, along with Pires, Rodriguez, Gutierrez, Baez and Trevino.

Pires, a sophomore defensive midfielder and team captain, finished second in voting (4-3) for WAC Defensive Player of the Year.

“He deserved to be Defensive Player of the Year based on how well he played,” Garcia said. “Unfortunately, because of his grade, they (four other coaches) decided not to recognize him. They told me it was based on the other player being a senior.”

Pires collected a team-high 117 steals in 14 games.

He also had three goals and four assists.

“He’s been a key player on the team the past two seasons,” Garcia said.

Pires was selected to the WAC Second Team as a freshman.

“He’s very talented,” Garcia said. “He’s technical on the ball. He has great decision making. He knows how to position himself to intercept the ball from other players. He’s very smart on and off the field.”

Rodriguez, a 6-foot-1 sophomore and team captain, starred at center back on defense.

He totaled 81 steals, which ranked second on the team.

He scored twice.

“He’s very smart and physical, which is needed back there,” Garcia said.

Gutierrez, a junior midfielder, totaled three goals and two assists.

He also had 80 steals.

“He was double-teamed most of the time,” Garcia said. “The opposing coaches knew he was talented with the ball at his feet. He’s a very technical player.”

Baez, a senior striker and team captain, tallied 12 goals and one assist in nine games.

“He’s an unstoppable forward,” Zamora said. “He gave teams a lot of problems. He’s fast with the ball. The (other) coaches recognized him for that. 

Baez’s presence on the field will be missed next season.

“He brought confidence to our whole team,” Zamora said. “As a player, he’s very disciplined. He shows up to every practice. He’s a team player. He wants to win all of the time.”

Trevino, a senior team captain, shined at center back.

He had one goal and eight steals.

“He was nominated for Defensive Player of the Year by a different coach,” Zamora said. “He played for me for four years. He was the heart of the team.”

Camarena and Galvan were both selected to the WAC Second Team.

Camarena, a junior, contributed at center back.

He had 66 steals and two goals.

“He’s a player that surprised me,” Zamora said. “He wasn’t a starter for our first five to six games. I decided to trust him. He did an awesome job against some of the best strikers in league.”

Galvan, a senior, contributed at left defensive back.

“He was very fast and physical for his size,” Zamora said. “He had a good attitude. He listened. He brought a lot of discipline and leadership to the team.”

Godinez, Ruiz, Tapia and Lopez were honorable-mention selections.

Godinez, a sophomore team captain, logged playing time at left back and right and left wing.

He had 74 steals, one goal and one assist.

“He’s able to playing different positions, which is a positive,” Garcia said. 

Ruiz, a sophomore, contributed at right back.

He had 72 steals and one assist.

“He defended well against some of the better players in league,” Garcia said.

Tapia, a senior forward, collected one goal and three assists.

“He was our most improved player,” Zamora said. “He’s athletic. He’s fast. He’s smart.”

Lopez, a freshman goalkeeper, allowed just four goals and totaled 31 saves in eight games.

“I haven’t had a freshman play goalie that’s as good as Johan,” Zamora said. “He’s very athletic. He knows the game. He’s really good with the ball at his feet. He had a lot of one-on-one saves. I could always count on him.”