ALISO VIEJO, CA- Soka University's Noah Alexander, Josh Lee, and Bryan Palpallatoc have been named to the All-California Pacific Conference Second and Honorable Mention Teams for their performances on the pitch during the 2022 season.

Alexander, a junior from Corona, CA, earned Second Team All-Conference honors for playing an essential role in the Lions' midfield and back line throughout the year. Earlier in the season, Alexander was recognized by the conference on October 3, 2022, earning Cal Pac Defensive Player of the Week honors. He started and played in 16 matches fo the Lions, scoring one goal and assisting in two for four points. As a versatile and dynamic player, Alexander's work rate, ability to thread passes, play dangerous balls in behind the opposition's defense, and switch the point of the attack were stellar. The above-mentioned, combined with his consistency, composure on and off the ball, capacity to win aerial and one vs. one duals, and overall defensive dominance, positively influenced every match he played in. Additionally, his leadership and character on and off the field as one of the Lions' team captains were pivotal to the team's success and deserving of All-Conference recognition.

Lee, a senior from North Bend, WA, earned Honorable Mention recognition for playing a vital role as the team's holding central midfielder and for his leadership and character on and off the pitch as a team captain. His creativity on the ball and technical and tactical proficiency helped Soka maintain possession and dictate the momentum of matches. Additionally, his activity rate, movement off the ball, and ability to read the game, are all factors leading to Lee receiving All-Conference honors. This season, Lee played in all 17 matches and started in 16. As a PK specialist for the Lions, he finished two key goals from the spot. He also scored two goals during the run of play, including a game-winner in the last seconds against Park-Gilbert and an insurance goal in his final match donning Soka's Blue and Gold against Saint Katherine. Lee also assisted in two goals this season combining for a total of 10 points on the year.

Palpallatoc, a junior from San Diego, CA, earned Honorable Mention recognition for his performance at outside back and for playing an integral part of Soka's lineup. As a team captain, he led with his actions and through his play and was a force both offensively and defensively the entire season. He started and played in all 17 matches, scored one goal, and assisted in seven for nine points on the season. Palpallatoc's ability to whip in crosses, serve dangerous deep penetrating balls into the box from the middle-third of the field, and beat players one vs. one on the dribble was top-notch. The above-mentioned is in addition to his work rate game in and out, stellar flank play, vision on and off the ball, and his knack for winning tackles and thwarting his opponents' attacking efforts—all of which are reasons why he has been recognized by the conference this season.  

"We are delighted that the Cal Pac has selected Noah, Bryan, and Josh for All-Conference teams," said Head Coach Shawn Beyer. "Each of these players were key contributors in our team's successes this season. Inside our program, we are well aware of the impact and abilities of these three, so to have the conference also acknowledge them is absolutely wonderful. We believe that when the team succeeds, the individual accolades will follow. So, in some ways, the All-Cal Pac Conference selections need some credit given to the team altogether. But, take nothing away from the hard work and achievements these three student-athletes have had; we are very proud of them."

For the full Cal Pac Conference press release, please visit: https://www.calpacathletics.com/article/4452.
 
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
 
PLAYER OF THE YEAR:  Anthony Garcia (La Sierra)
 
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR:  Lucas Garcia (Embry-Riddle)
 
DEFENDER OF THE YEAR:  Anthoni Martin (UC Merced)
 
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR:  Alex Frances (Embry-Riddle)
 
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR:  Caleb Christner (Park-Gilbert)
           
COACH OF THE YEAR:  Dan Balaguero (Embry-Riddle)
   
ALL-CONFERENCE TEAMS
 
First Team

Player	School	Year	Pos	Hometown
Elias Ammon	Embry-Riddle	SO	GK	Bremen, Germany
Xavier Barajas	UC Merced	SO	MF	Turlock, Calif.
Alex Frances	Embry-Riddle	GR	F	Valencia, Spain
Anthony Garcia	La Sierra	SO	F	Riverside, Calif.
Lucas Garcia	Embry-Riddle	SR	CM	Barcelona, Spain
Aviad Golan	Embry-Riddle	SR	CB	Tel Aviv, Israel
Janis Hinterleitner	Westcliff	SO	D	Eckernforde, Germany
Andres Lua	UC Merced	SR	F	Le Grand, Calif.
Anthoni Martin	UC Merced	SR	LB	Tulare, Calif.
Djougher Oliveira	Embry-Riddle	SR	CM	Belo Horizonte, Brazil
David Ramos	Embry-Riddle	SR	CB	Madrid, Spain

   
Second Team

Player	School	Year	Pos	Hometown
Noah Alexander	Soka	JR	D	Corona, Calif.
Issay Bravo	Pacific Union	SO	CM	Stockton, Calif.
Vincenzo Centrella	Westcliff	GR	D	Rome, Italy
Caleb Christner	Park-Gilbert	FR	F	Lebanon, Ore.
Agustin Guerrero	UC Merced	SR	CB	Stockton, Calif.
Erik Herrera	Saint Katherine	JR	CF	Watsonville, Calif.
Felix Kogler	Westcliff	SO	F	Klagenfurt, Austria
Silva Mosue	Westcliff	GR	M	Liedekerke, Belgium
Mohammad Salaymeh	Simpson	JR	CB	Fresno, Calif.
Noah Schwengeler	Westcliff	FR	GK	Thun, Switzerland
Jonathan Sotelo	La Sierra	FR	M	Lake Elsinore, Calif.

   
Honorable Mention
Antelope Valley:  Vitor Nunes, Edwardo De Los Santos.  Benedictine-Mesa:  Edwin Arias, Jason Almanza, Pelaelo Mahloko, Logan Haricombe.  Cal Maritime:  Noah Anderson.  Embry-Riddle:  Nicco Rudisill.  Park-Gilbert:  Johnny Perez.  Saint Katherine:  Andy Valencia.  Simpson:  Daniel Morales, Diego Alvarez, Brenno Rosselli.  Soka University:  Bryan Palpallatoc, Josh Lee.  UC Merced:  Kevin Capetillo, Ernesto Velazquez, Marco Sobrevilla.