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.

Email newsletter signup

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.