Las Positas Soccer Star Makes All State

The awards are rolling in for freshman Saul Tecle, a Las Positas men’s soccer scoring sensation.

Tecle, who finished the season tied atop the state with 27 goals, was picked to the All State team and North Regional team.The Hawks, as the 17th seed, had a strong finish in the Regional Playoffs with a 5-1 win over No. 16 San Joaquin Delta and a blockbuster 2-0 upset of No. 1 Evergreen Valley. The season ended with a loss to No. 8 Merced, 3-1, in Round 3.

Las Positas was no one-man band.“Saul had tons of support from his teammates and coaches on and off the field this year,” Hawks head coach Andy Cumbo said. “While he was almost clinical in front of the goal, I know he shares all the recognition he’s getting right now with his teammates because he knew they were always there for him.”

Tecle, who played for Ballistic United, was Coast-South Conference Forward of the Year. Sophomore midfielder Frank Hinostroza, a hero with two goals against Evergreen Valley, was First Team all-conference.

“Frank was magic in the postseason, probably led the State, or close to, in goal production in the playoffs,” Cumbo said.

Sophomore defender Connor McGinley was Second Team all conference, and sophomore forward Lenni Hertwig was Honorable Mention.

The Hawks finished the season 13-8-4 and 5-5-3 in conference.The Hawks’ back line and midfield also stepped up.

“Jayden (Nguyen), Connor (McGinley) and Hoops (Ryan Hoopes) were key players in the background for us, while Saul, Frank and Lenni were key figures up top,” Cumbo said. “Both Monir (Gardizi) and Isaac (Nawabi) had a steady hand in the midfield for us as well.

“It was a long but fun and positive season for us, and while we were happy with how far we went in the postseason, we were a bit unsatisfied to not get through the bracket,” Cumbo continued.