Men's soccer sends seven to All-Region teams

The Western Iowa Tech men's soccer team followed its Region 11 semifinal appearance with the third-most players named to the All-Region teams.

The Iowa Community College Athletic Conference released its three-team, 51-player list on Wednesday. The Comets placed two on the first team, three on the second team and had two honorable mentions. 

Only ICCAC champion Iowa Lakes and runner-up Northeast placed more players on the postseason lists. Southeastern also had seven.

WIT head coach Alex Scheuler said the abundance of individual accolades is a credit to the overall strength and depth of the program.

"It's good to have that many guys recognized because it shows we played well in conference as a team," Scheuler said.

The second-year coach pointed out that many of the Comets listed played multiple positions and adapted well to change.

Comets Matias Garcia Castilla and Ryder Delport made first team, Aran Hernandez Vivar, Jake Watt and Ben Shields were named to the second team while Yannick Hategekimana and Angel Diaz were honorable mentions. Hategikimana is the lone Comets freshman and one of only 15 to be named All-Region.

Castilla finished first on the team with seven assists, and fourth with 11 points. WIT's captain was the only Comet to start all 20 matches this season.

Delport scored three goals and had one assist in 18 games for the Comets. His game-winning goal in the 82nd minute at North Iowa Area on September 21 finished a second-half comeback that was the Comets overcome a 2-0 halftime deficit. He also scored a goal and an assist in WIT's 5-0 postseason victory on October 26 against Dakota County.

Hernandez Vivar finished tied for the team lead with 22 points. His eight goals and six assists each ranked second, respectively. The Spanish forward scored a hat trick at Minnesota West on September 6.

Watt, from Banff, Scotland, rebounded after missing significant time to injury during his freshman year to be an integral part of the Comets year-two campaign. He scored three goals and two assists while displaying a willingness to do whatever was needed for the program.

"Earlier in the year it was harder for him to get on the field," Scheuler said. "He really grew into a very key piece this year ... one of the first names I'd write into a lineup every day."

Shields was often lightning in a bottle for WIT, tying Hernandez Vivar's 22 points in just 15 games played. The English forward scored a team-high 10 goals, including two on sophomore day and three in the Comets' quarterfinal win.

Hategikimana scored three goals and excelled playing on the wing after inititally playing defense. The freshman from Belgium was one of many Comets whose talent and versatility set the program up for continuted success.

"Yannick was one of those players who had to completely change positions," Scheuler said. "That bodes well for our future."

Diaz, a right-back from Lexington, Nebraska, provided steady defense and possession for the Comets. Diaz played all 20 matches and was tied for third with 17 games started, scoring two assists.

"I'm excited for these guys, excited to see all the sophomores make their next move," Scheuler said. "And looking forward to the younger guys stepping into these big roles."

For a complete list of the All-Region teams, visit the ICCAC website.