WNC men's soccer program signs five more players
Western Nevada College soccer coach Ian Hill continued to add more firepower to the men's premier Carson City program when five new student athletes were introduced during a press conference on Wednesday.
Between first-team all-conference players Ryan Galvan and Santiago Martinez, the Wildcats are receiving two student athletes who combined for nearly 50 goals during their senior years at Carson and Hug high schools, respectively.
Joining that high-scoring duo on the premier team are defender Cristian Villa Partida of Hug, midfielder Jonathan Lima of Carson and forward/midfielder Jaime Avila of Dayton.
They follow Carson High graduates Abel Sanchez and Salvador Rodriguez and former Lake Tahoe Community College student-athlete Christopher Garcia, who committed to the program at the end of March.
Hill raved about the addition of Avila.
"He has calves like trees and his potential is endless," Hill said.
Being from a small Northern Nevada school, Avila is proud to continue playing soccer at the collegiate level.
"It shows that if you work hard and make yourself better, anything is possible," he said.
Partida, a 2015 graduate of Hug High School in Reno, brings defensive skills to the team.
"Cristian is an outstanding defender and will add a great deal to the WNC program," Hill said.
Many of the student athletes have played against one another in high school. Now, they have the unique opportunity to become teammates at WNC.
"This is a great experience and I'm excited and looking forward to playing with these players," Partida said.
After high school, Galvan played for Lake Tahoe Community College, highlighted by a two-goal output against the University of Nevada. He is grateful to have another opportunity to play soccer.
"It's been a bumpy ride, you know; I haven't had all of the support, then I met coach Hill and that changed," Galvan said. "I'm glad to be here and want to do special things while we're here."
Soccer participation is encouraged for any WNC student enrolled in at least six units. Students who are interested in playing the sport need to fill out an interest form at http://wildcats.wnc.edu/sb_output.aspx?form=4. In addition to a premier team, WNC has a competitive team and an intramural league.
The WNC men's premier team opens its season against William Jessup University on Thursday, Aug. 18 in Sacramento, followed by a Saturday, Aug. 20 clash with Folsom Lake Community College at WNC. The Wildcats will play their home games on campus at John L. Harvey Field.
Other men's matches for the premier team are Friday, Sept. 9 vs. Utah State University Eastern in Las Vegas, Saturday, Sept. 10 vs. College of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas and Saturday, Sept. 10 vs. Snow College in Las Vegas. Additional matches will be added before the season opens.
WNC's premier teams will compete in the 67-team Western States Soccer Association. Hill plans to schedule home-and-away matches against Stanford, California, Nevada, St Mary's, UC Davis, Sacramento State and Sonoma State. The Wildcats' premier teams will have the opportunity to contend for the National Intercollegiate Recreational Sports Association national championship in November.
For more information, contact coach Hill at 775-350-0276.
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