News Courier 2016 Best XI Boys Soccer Team
Published 5:28 pm Friday, June 24, 2016
2016 was a landmark season for soccer in Limestone County as it marked the first time for county schools to hold an organized soccer tournament.
A year after every high school in the county fielded a soccer team for the first time, the Limestone County Tournament was held at East Limestone High School in April.
East Limestone cruised through the girls bracket and beat Tanner 4-0 in the championship game to win the first girls title. The boys tournament was far more competitive, with Tanner outlasting East Limestone 2-1 in double-overtime to become the first boys champion.
Also for the first time, Tanner advanced to the state soccer tournament in Huntsville to give the Athens-Limestone area a representative at the tournament for the 10th consecutive season.
The News Courier’s 2016 Best XI Boys Soccer team is:
Tyler Vanhoozer Athens Bible — Vanhoozer was one of 10 seniors on Athens Bible School this year and was a two-year starter at goalkeeper for the Trojans. He finished with 166 saves, allowing 49 goals in 20 games in 2016.
Daniel Valencia, Elkmont — Valencia lit up the scoreboard for 35 goals for the Red Devils, which hosted a first-round playoff game for the first time in school history. Valencia added 11 assists for Elkmont.
Alex Alvarado, Elkmont — Alvarado set up Valencia on many of those goals, leading the team with 12 assists while scoring seven goals.
Sabian James, East Limestone — James led the Indians in scoring with 11 goals this season and added 10 assists.
Erick Reyes, East Limestone — Reyes scored nine goals and a had a team-high five assists for East Limestone.
Will Reaves, Athens — Athens’ captain scored six goals and had four assists after representing the Golden Eagles in the North-South All-Star Game over the summer.
Sean O’Connor, Athens — Sophomore midfielder scored eight goals and had eight assists for Athens.
Jose Moreno, Tanner — The News Courier’s Most Valuable Player was one of the state’s leading goal scorers with 40 goals in 2016. Moreno was the area’s only All-State selection and was also the only player from the area to be represented on the North-South All-Star Team.
David Pizano, Tanner — Pizano scored 19 goals and had 10 assists for the Rattlers.
Reed Walker, West Limestone — Walker led West Limestone with 13 goals. The junior midfielder also had four assists.
Tanner Walker, West Limestone — Reed Walker’s twin brother scored nine goals for West Limestone and added five assists for the Wildcats.