Soccer stars recognized at all-state banquet

    BANGOR — On Sunday, Dec. 7 at the Spectacular Event Center the best soccer players in the state of Maine came together to honor the best of the best. The Maine Soccer Coaches All-State Banquet recognized the Maine Soccer Senior Bowl MVP, Eastern and Western Maine All-Regional Teams, the East and West All-State Teams, the Maine Soccer Coach of the Year, the Maine Soccer Coaches Service Awards, the Class Players of the Years, the All-New England Team and the All-American Award. The event was well attended by the soccer players and families to recognize commitment, dedication and hard work in soccer on this past season.

Photos courtesy of Angela Ayala

    ALL-REGIONAL SOCCER STANDOUTS — Honored at the Maine Soccer Coaches All-State Banquet Dec. 7 in Bangor were, from left, Foxcroft Academy junior Antonio Ayala and senior Julian Zepeda and Central High School of Corinth senior Joe Nawojczyk and sophomore Andrew Speed. The two Ponies were selected for the Class B East All-Regional Team while the Central duo were chosen for the Class C squad. Penquis Valley High School’s Michael Vachon was another of the Class C team honorees.

    Among the honorees were Foxcroft Academy junior midfielder Antonio Ayala and senior midfielder Julian Zepeda, who helped lead the Ponies to a 9-6-1 record and the Class B quarterfinals. For their efforts this year the two were both nominated to the Class B East All-Regional Team. The duo combined for 14 goals and 17 assists.
    “I am so proud of these two individuals,” said Foxcroft soccer coach Luis Ayala. “They have worked so hard to get here. They have definitely have put their time to work on their skills to be better soccer players, but what I am most impressed about is that they do it because they want to make their team better. They do it for their teammates, and this is how they lead by example. They don’t do it for the accolades and awards, but it is nice when their hard work does get recognized.”
Also recognized on Dec. 7 was Penquis Valley High School senior fullback Michael Vachon, who was selected for the Class C East All-Regional Team.

Zepeda, left and Ayala