LA GRANDE, Ore. – Following a record-breaking season that saw them just shy of a conference title, the Evergreen Geoducks picked up several individual awards, as well as being well represented on the All-Cascade Conference men’s soccer teams, as announced by the conference office on Tuesday morning.
Junior Brady Espinoza (Pasco, Wash./Walla Walla CC) was named Cascade Conference Defensive Player of the Year after anchoring the Geoduck defense that led the CCC with nine shutouts on the year. He also was dangerous on free kicks, scoring four times and assisting on another.
Freshman Willie Spurr (Seattle, Wash./Roosevelt HS) earned Newcomer of the Year honors after having a breakout season with 10 goals and 23 points in 17 games played. His 23 points was second-best in the conference, trailing only Septi Danciu of Concordia, who was named CCC Player of the Year.
The final individual award also went to Evergreen as head coach John Purtteman was named Coach of the Year by his peers. Under his leadership, the Geoducks with 13-6 overall and 12-2 in conference play. Having completed his seventh season leading his alma mater, his 44 career wins tie him for second all-time in school history with Tom Boatright.
In addition to the individual awards, both Espinoza and Spurr were named First Team All-CCC. The Geoducks also placed four on the Second Team All-CCC. Senior forward Mirza Memic (Bellevue, Wash./Whatcom CC), senior midfielder George Bundy (Enumclaw, Wash./Enumclaw HS), junior midfielder Jeff Roland (Tacoma, Wash./South Puget Sound CC) and junior goalkeeper Mauricio Sanchez (Wenatchee, Wash./Wenatchee Valley CC) all earned honors as they helped lead Evergreen this season.
Senior defender Brandon Wood (Coeur d’Alene, Idaho/North Idaho College) wrapped up the Geoducks recognized, earning Honorable Mention honors in his final collegiate season. The seven players honored is the most ever recognized by the conference in school history.