By James Oliden, Feb. 7, 2023
After the Broncos men’s soccer team finished their season last fall with a total record of 11-3-6, eight members of the roster earned All-CCAA honors.
Players selected for the All-CCAA first team were sophomore defender Cesar Ruvalcaba, junior midfielder Melvyn Perez Cortez and junior forward Paul Roger Henschke
.Senior forward Jerry Ramirez, senior midfielder Oscar Griehsel Facey and sophomore goalkeeper CJ Walker made the All-CCAA second team.
Sophomore midfielder Mike Moser and senior defender Pele Martinez earned All-CCAA honorable mentions to close out the list.
Though the result of the season was not what the team had strived for, head coach Matt O’Sullivan was ecstatic for all of his players that were awarded the honor.
“We had a lot of growth, like Cesar who really came a long way and made the All-American team,” said O’Sullivan.
Ruvalcaba started 19 games and over 1,607 minutes as a huge defensive presence for the Broncos, crediting his success to the hard work that he put in when no one is watching him.
“You know, because it’s not only the work that’s done during the season; it’s the work that’s done in the off season and those long days, those long nights,” said Ruvalcaba.
Ruvalcaba credited his work ethic to the pandemic in 2020, where he was able to sit down and think about how seriously he wants to take his sport. Inspired by the honor, Ruvalcaba aspires to continue his soccer career after his time at CPP ends.
“I’m trying to look out for what I want to do afterwards as well. I have aspirations to continue to grow and play at the next level,” said Ruvalcaba. “And, you know, that’s pretty much what keeps me going. I haven’t got that taste of that final four or that national championship, and I’m dying for it,”
O’Sullivan has led the team to a successful record of 35-13-13 in his four years as coach since taking the position.
“We don’t take our success for granted, but our goal at the beginning of the year is to win things,” said O’Sullivan.
Although the Broncos are grateful for the success that they have had, the team craves more than just their individual success. Championships and the desire to win has not left the team’s spirit.
“I have that winning mentality in my mind, and I feel like that’s what fires me up,” said Perez Cortez. “I don’t set goals for myself. I mainly set goals as a team. No, I’m fighting. I go out there to, you know, fight for the whole team.”
Perez Cortez, who started 16 games for the Broncos while tallying five assists on the season, discussed the team’s perspective on their season.
“People see us and they think we play good and all this, but it’s like, at the end of the road, we did come out short,” said Perez Cortez.
The Broncos fell to Colorado State University Pueblo by a score of 2-1 in the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs, abruptly ending a promising season. After going up 1-0 going into halftime, Pueblo scored two in the second half to take the victory.
The team is still on the chase for its illustrious title with high hopes due to the pool of talent at the Broncos’ disposal.
“Everybody thinks we had a good year from outside,” said O’Sullivan. “Everybody on the inside thinks it was a bad year. We got knocked out in the quarter finals, but we want to win things.”
Feature image courtesy of CPP Athletics