Truckee Meadows Community College Men’s and Women’s Soccer held their end-of-season banquet on Nov. 17 in the Sports and Fitness Center, and celebrated one of their best years in school history. Twenty-one outgoing second-year athletes received celebrations for their commitment to the program, awarding additional Mighty Lizards for their hard work and commitment toward athletic and academic success.
Following the opening statements by Coaches Geoff Hawkins and Kyle Kelly, the Men's and Women's Soccer teams received their 2023 Silver State Champions Trophy for their play against CSN. This award marks the first time in school history that Men's Soccer won the Silver State Championship and the second time in two years for Women's Soccer. Further in the evening, each coach presented their outgoing sophomores with a commemorative plaque and their sophomore posters to cut down and take home. There was a presentation of awards to the most valuable player, best offensive/defensive player, most inspirational, most improved, and the individual who exemplified what it means to be a Mighty Lizard on the pitch and in the classroom.
Outgoing Women’s Soccer Student-Athletes
Heidi Anavisca: Heidi’s favorite memory as a Mighty Lizard would be going to regions and playing with a concussion, in addition to the sing-off in the bus against the men’s team on the trip to Oregon. She plans to continue school for Sonography and receive her Spanish degree.
Rylee Husted: Rylee’s favorite memory as a Mighty Lizard was going to Yellowstone with her teammates, including the haunted house in Salt Lake. She plans to continue playing soccer and her academic dream of becoming a nurse.
Rachel Radow: Rachel’s favorite memory as a Mighty Lizard was going to Yellowstone during one of the team trips. Her plans for the future are to pursue a degree in Nursing.
Allison Tullis: Allison’s favorite memory as a Lizard was doing the singing battles on the bus with the girls. She plans to get into the dental hygienist program at TMCC and continue her studies to one day become a dentist.
Taylor Honea: Taylor’s favorite memory as a Mighty Lizard was her multitude of conversations with different people on the long bus rides to and from matches. Her plans include continuing her education to receive her Bachelor’s in Finance.
Mia Sappenfield: Mia’s favorite memory as a Mighty Lizard was attending a haunted house with the team. Her plans include continuing her education at a four-year university while having fun.
Michelle Suria: Michelle's favorite memory from TMCC was bonding with teammates, heading to new places, and spending hotel nights with her best people during travel trips. Her plans include graduating with her associate's degree in the spring and applying to the TMCC nursing program in the fall.
Aaliyah Enciso: Aaliyah’s favorite memory as a Mighty Lizard was doing flying changes at practice, where everyone was relaxed, having fun, and simply playing the game. Her plans include continuing her education here at TMCC, with hopes of acceptance into the radiology program.
Alex Rutherford: Alex’s favorite memory as a Mighty Lizard was going to the haunted house in Salt Lake as a team bonding activity. Her plans include transferring to UNR to continue studying to become a traveling nurse.
Outgoing Men’s Soccer Student-Athletes
Ryan Soto: Ryan’s favorite memory as a Mighty Lizard was all the away trips with the boys and playing FIFA late at night. He plans to continue his pursuit of receiving his physical therapy degree.
Alan Gutierrez: Alan’s favorite memory as a Mighty Lizard was improving the leadership skills he’s grown with his teammates during his soccer career. His plans include working toward a career in the medical field.
Connor Friesen: Connor’s favorite memory as a Mighty Lizard was enjoying football with his brothers every day. He plans to take a job in law enforcement and one day become a detective.
Landon Allen: Landon’s favorite memory as a Mighty Lizard was making his college debut under the lights. His plans include continuing his soccer career in a 4-year program and pursuing an MBA.
Jose Martinez: Jose’s favorite memory at TMCC was sharing this beautiful sport with his teammates, as most were with him during high school. He plans to continue his studies to become a mechanic and the best at his craft.
Alex Barbosa: Alex’s favorite memory as a Mighty Lizard was the night in Idaho when the team jumped into the pool. He plans to continue playing soccer at the collegiate level.
Ricky Cortes: Ricky’s favorite memory as a Mighty Lizard was playing alongside all his brothers that he grew up playing with at the collegiate level to represent Reno. His plans include one day opening his barbershop.
Diego Lopez: Diego’s favorite memory as a Mighty Lizard was playing with childhood teammates at the college level. His plans include pursuing his education and making as much money as possible.
Bryan Avila: Bryan’s favorite memory as a Mighty Lizard was making a brotherhood here while playing ball with old teammates and new friends. His plans for the future are to pursue a career in firefighting and play his final two years of eligibility at the next level.
Jonathan Garcia: Jonathan’s favorite memory as a Mighty Lizard was being able to play on the field with the boys he went to high school with. He plans to start his welding rig truck and play soccer at a higher level.
Antonio Oregel: Antonio’s favorite memory as a Mighty Lizard was the trip to Wyoming, which brought him closer to his teammates and visiting Yellowstone National Park. His plans include attending UNR and studying Kinesiology.
Isaac Poole: Isaac’s favorite memory as a Mighty Lizard was the first players’ talk in Wyoming. He plans to help deliver a title to this school and then look for opportunities to chase his dream of playing professional soccer.
Additional Award Winners
Most Valuable Player: Rylee Husted, Alan Gutierrez
Best Offensive Player: Rylee Husted, Alex Barbosa
Best Defensive Player: Allison Tullis, Diego Lopez
Most Inspirational: Rachel Radow, Isaac Poole
Most Improved: Aaliyah Enciso, Vision Adhikari
Mighty Lizard Award: Alex Rutherford, Landon Allen
For more information, please visit the Athletics website.