Cate’s Boateng named CIF Player of the Year; 5 Rams on first team

Ema Boateng spreads the ball and joy on a soccer field.

With his great ball-handling skills, speed and playmaking ability, the Cate School sophomore midfielder made it a point to get all of his teammates involved in every game.

He was the catalyst behind the Rams’ unbeaten run to their first CIF boys soccer championship, scoring 26 goals and handing out 18 assists.

Boateng was recognized for his outstanding play by being named the CIF Division 7 Player of the Year.

Cate’s strength was in the spine of its lineup, and all those players were honored as first-team All-CIF selections. They are junior goalkeeper Blake Wands (0.35 goals-against average), sophomore central defender Joshua Yaro (9 goals, 5 assists), senior defensive midfielder Jackson Mauze, Boateng and junior forward Avery Schwartz (38 goals, 15 assists for a CIF-best 91 points).

Cate coach Dave Mochel, who guided the Rams to a 22-0-0 record, was named the Division 7 Coach of the Year.