Soccer players receive All-CIF honors

Several local prep soccer players have received All CIF honors in their respective divisions.

Santa Barbara High senior goalkeeper Angel Cervantes was selected to the Division 1 boys team, while seniors Ryan Bickett, Cooper Farrell and Thomas Sloan of Laguna Blanca were chosen to the Division 7 squad. The Owls reached the CIF Final and lost to Condor League rival Dunn, 2-1. Bickett and Farrell play in the midfield and Sloan is a defender.

Cate senior midfielders Geoffrey Acheampong and Iman Fardghussemi were named All CIF in Division 4. Acheampong, one of the top goal scorers in the area, has signed with UCSB.

CIF Division 7 champion Dunn had three players and its coach recognized. Junior forward Sahid Conteh was name the Player of the Year and sophomores Dennis Cole and Peter Kargho were picked to the All-CIF team. Mark Geriak was named Coach of the Year.

Three local girls earned All-CIF honors. Dos Pueblos sophomore defender Kiara Pickett was named to the Division 3 team. Alexa Benitez and Kelsie Bryant of Carpinteria were picked to the Division 7 elite squad.

Benitez, Bryant and Carpinteria teammates Monica Garcia and Lesly Zapata were selected to play in the Senior All-Star game on Saturday at La Mirada High. They’ll play for the Division 7 team against squad representing Division 6 schools