Garcia odd man out in MVP debate

Danskin, Olson also earn All-Oly League honors.

Despite scoring 17 goals, notching 40 points and finishing the season responsible for almost half his team’s offensive output, Bremerton’s Francisco Garcia was one of two runners-up for the Olympic League boys soccer MVP award.

Garcia and Olympic’s Cody Clark each received two votes for the league’s top honor, while Kingston’s John Troka won the award with four votes.

“I’ve been around this sport for a long time,” BHS boys soccer coach Randy Lund said, who refers to his scoring machine as Franco. “I might be a little biased being his coach, but I don’t see how the other coaches could deny him.”

With 17 goals and six assists, Garcia’s, 40 points led the entire West Sound region. Still, Troka, one of the top defenders in the league for a Kingston defense that allowed just eight goals all season and grabbed the MVP. He also scored five goals and dished out three assists himself.

“I like that in a way because they gave it to a defender,” Lund said of the oft-overlooked position. “(Kingston) had a great season. ... The only time we played them, Franco was double- and triple- teamed and he still scored two goals against them.”

Regardless, Garcia is poised for success at the next level. Lund remembers a game last year in which he invited Peninsula College (Port Angeles) coach Andrew Chapman to take a look at Garcia.

Orginally slated to watch just the first half (Chapman was supposed to scout a Sequim-Kingston game for another potential signee). he stayed to watch Garcia score three second-half goals and life Bremerton to a win.

“He made him an offer right after the game,” Lund said.

Garcia is currently weighing his options between Peninsula and Olympic College.

“His biggest asset is he’s got an incredible work rate,” Lund said. “The guy is just nonstop. He’s just fun to watch.”

Despite missing out on the MVP award, Garcia was still the lone Knight on the All-Olympic League First Team.

Matt Olson and Richie Danskin earned second-team honors, with Olson scoring five goals and six assists in just 11 games.

“Matt, he was kind of the set-up guy,” Lund said. “He was definitely a player for us.”

Danskin made the second team after twice and dishing out three assists. The senior four-year letterman was also a team captain.

“As far as numbers go, it could have been better,” Lund said. “But he was our leader on the field.”

Olson, a sophomore, will lead a strong core of returners also including honorable mention honorees Kevin Farber, Alex Membrere and Eli Chastain.

Lund said he was particularly impressed by his sophomore defender.

“(Eli) stepped up to the plate and did his job really well this year,” Lund said.

All-Olympic League Boys Soccer Team

MVP — John Troka, Kingston

Coach of the year — Craig Smith, Kingston

First team

F: Josh Gilson (King), Cody Clark (Oly), Daniel Berg (PT), Kai Antrim (Seq), Francisco Garcia (Brem), Tyler Owens (PA), Darryn Reinertson (Kla). Mid: Derek Conway-Newton (Oly), Josh Marzano (Pen), Ross Bringgold (Pen), Alex Duke (NM). D: Peter Barry (Pen), Matt Johnson (Pen). GK: Devin Langaker (King), Thomas Bryan (Oly).

Second team

F: Matt Olson (Brem). Richie Danskin (Brem). Mid: Chris Hall (King), Ben Vankleeck (King), Arturo Urquieta (Oly), Joel Fandel (Pen), Jeff Catton (Seq), Sean Keegan (PA), Jeremy Hoesche (NM), Tucker Moran (Kla), Scott Stone (Pen), Rio Sabella (PT), Ryan Charrier (PT), John McLaughlin (Kla). GK: Alex Baebler (Pen).

Honorable mention

Kingston — Fredy Salgato, D; Chance Pruiett, MF; Bobby Catania, MF/F. Olympic — Paul Brumm, F; Jeff LaGranduer, D; Scott Breeding, D. Peninsula — Nick Lemmons, F; Spencer Baebler, F; Evan Mitchell, MF. Port Townsend — Alex Lockwood, F; Mike Thielk, D; Ethan Berg, GK. Sequim — Greg Dunbar, MF; Austin Sanford, D; Keller Batson, D. Bremerton — Kevin Farber, MF: Alex Membrere MF: Eli Chastain D. Port Angeles — James McKee, D; Gabriel Carey, D; Mitch Lindstrand, D. North Mason — Mitchell Kissler, D; Sebastian Gasper, MF/F; Miguel Francisco, MF. Klahowya — Justin Shaputis, GK.

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