Montanez, Dominguez named MVPs in H-DNL boys soccer

By barstoolfanatics on December 1, 2023 • ( Leave a comment )

Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – Isidro Montanez

By Ray Hamill — Fortuna’s Hector Dominguez has been named Outfield MVP of the H-DNL in boys soccer after an outstanding year for the Huskies.

Also honored was Del Norte’s Isidro Montanez, who was named MVP Goalkeeper after leading the Warriors to their first league championship since 1995.

Dominguez led the way on a Fortuna team that went further than any other league team in the North Coast Section playoffs, reaching the Division-1 semifinals.

And it was his mental game and vision that really set the standout defender apart.

“Hector is a great leader, good ball distributor and is able to read the game well,” Fortuna head coach Daniel Holmes said. “He anticipates plays right before they happen.”

Dominguez anchored the Fortuna defense and helped set some team attacks in motion.

“He organizes his back line, put himself in the right position to win balls and pass simply out of the back,” the coach added. “He’s a great kid.”

Montanez, meanwhile, was outstanding between the posts for a Del Norte team that did not give up a goal for more than 520 minutes on the way to securing the league championship.

He was also a big team leader.

“In addition to being great shot stopper who commands his area effectively, Isidro is also a candidly-outspoken team leader,” Del Norte head coach David Sanyaolu said. “His performance as part of our defensive unit this season played a large part in our achievement.”

Even more impressive, the senior net minder, who started for the Warriors as a freshman and sophomore, returned with a bang this fall after missing his junior year through injury.

“We are proud of him and wish him the best post high school,” the coach added.

Montanez was one of 10 del Norte players to receive all-league recognition.

Teammates Alex Ortiz, Greyson Franklin, Jacob Ramsey and Deken Hanks were also all named to the all-league team, with five other Del Norte players listed as honorable mentions.

Two other Fortuna players are also named to the all-league team, with Adrian Magana and Jesus Herrera joining Dominguez.

Eureka’s Kaleb Green and Will Mooney also were named all-league, as was Arcata’s Izaiah Grosveld and Daniel Hernandez and McKinleyville’s Rylee Collart and South Fork’s Makani Buck-Zulim.