Impressive inaugural season for LTCC soccer teams; State playoffs for both

The LTCC men's soccer team holds the top spot in the Golden Valley Conference with a 7-0-1 league record and an overall 13-4-3 record in their inaugural season. They will take their five game winning streak into the post-season on Saturday as they try to make their way to a state title.

The team is currently ranked #9 among the community colleges in California, #13 nationally.

LTCC Coyotes play in the first round of the CCCAA (California Community College Athletic Association) playoffs on November 22. They host Santa Rosa Junior College at the Community Fields in South Lake Tahoe with a 2 p.m. match start time. League rules require an admission price of $10 for general admission, $7 for seniors and students with valid school I.D., and kids 6 and under are free. Thanks to a generous donation, the LTCC Foundation will provide free hot beverages and snacks to all attendees at the game, and will also offer free tickets through an LTCC Facebook page contest. There will also be a fun halftime activity, giving Coyote fans in attendance a chance to win free gear.

“We won the Golden Valley conference, which is a great accomplishment, especially for a first-year team," said coach Ben Wade. "But we’ve got our eyes on the playoffs and the state championship. We want to win the whole thing, and we’ve got a team that’s capable of doing it.”

Captain Josh Jirbandey, a defender from Hastings, England, is the #10 ranked player in the state with eight goals, nine assists, and 25 points. Coyote Carlos Trujeque, a forward from South Lake Tahoe, is ranked #15 in the state with eight goals, five assists, and 21 points. Both of the team’s goalkeepers are also on the state list as well, with Kyle Clark from Santa Cruz ranked #9, and Cameron McConnachie from Stromness, Scotland ranked #25.

The complete championship bracket is available on line. The final round will be played December 5 and 7 at the highest seed's home field.

On the girls side, they too are playoff bound after ending the regular season in second place with a 6-1-3 league record and 10-5-5 overall. Feather River, Lassen, Butte, Shasta and Redwoods play in their conference.

The women travel to Mendocino College for their first round playoff game on Saturday, November 22.

Several Coyote women are on the state’s “Best Of” list. Midfielder Tianna Carrington from London, England is ranked #20 with 13 goals, five assists, and 31 points. Midfielder Keely Martin from Adelaide, Australia is #36 with nine goals, five assists and 23 points. Forward Tori Smith from South Lake Tahoe is #39 with eight goals, six assists, and 22 points. Coyote goalkeeper Alejandra “AO” Orozco is the #19 ranked keeper in the state.

Head women’s coach Christian DeLeon says, “It’s a great time to be a Coyote coach, and to be affiliated with LTCC. So many great things are happening here right now, with the bond going through and a generous private donation bringing a University Center to campus, and of course, our women Coyote team making it into the playoffs in a first-year program. It’s an exciting time to be at LTCC!”