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Locals garner all-star soccer acclaim By RANDY HAMMERICKSEN Three members of Phoenix High's District 6 Conference championship boys soccer team have been named first-team all-stars in voting by conference coaches. Center forward Jesse Shorland, sweeper Al Albright and goalkeeper Anthony Machado were first-team selections from coach Dennis Flenner's second District 6 championship team in five years. Third-year St. Mary's coach Eric Wolff was named coach of the year, while junior forward Matt Johnson of Hidden Valley, who led the conference in scoring with 31 goals, was named player of the year. Shorland scored 16 goals and had 10 assists for Phoenix, while Albright and Machado shored up an imposing Pirate defense. "He had a great season," says Flenner of Shorland. "He played very well and improved his leadership. "What can I say about Anthony (Machado)? He's the goalkeeper of the year in the league, and he had some real good company in that voting for goalie." Wolff, 28, who took over a losing St. Mary's program two years ago, coached the Crusaders to a 12-3 season record and a 7-2 District 6 mark, placing St. Mary's second in the final league standings. St. Mary's advanced to win two Class 3A/2A/1A state playoff games before losing to Catlin Gabel of Portland in the quarterfinals. In the season prior to Wolff's guidance, the St. Mary's program won just three matches. `A big thing in developing the program has been giving the kids confidence in themselves," says Wolff, who grew up playing soccer in Munich, West Germany. "We don't have as much talent as you find at a big school, but I think we did a good job of bringing the kids along that we have." Stopper Peter Staver was a first-team selection from St. Mary's. Other players named to the first team were Jared Wiersma and Danny Harless of Bonanza; Peter Isaacson of Henley; Matt Johnson and Scott Palmer of Hidden Valley; Oshia Snitkin of Illinois Valley; and Casey Shaw of North Valley. Staver, a sophomore, made major improvements in his game for the Crusaders, Wolff says. "He's the most amazing all-around player," says Wolff. "He has great ball skills and getting past him on defense is almost impossible. "If he was a little bit faster, he would have everything. He's by far our best defender in terms of skills." Named to the second team from Phoenix were Carlos Corona and Sean Cowley. Second-team picks from St. Mary's were Brian Staver, Brandon Frankel, Gabe Shonerd and Andrew Lunt. Flenner says Johnson's award as player of the year was well-deserved. "He's a pretty dynamic player," says Flenner. "I don't know if he's the best athlete out there when he's playing, but he's pretty smart. Against us, he showed up twice around the goal when the ball got there and he scored both times." Flenner says Wolff was a solid choice for the top coaching nod. "He's a great guy and he's really turned that program around," says Flenner. "We went over there and beat them in double-overtime and he reacted with total class." FIRST TEAM Bonanza -- Jared Wiersma, Danny Harless. Henley -- Peter Isaacson. Hidden Valley -- Matt Johnson, Scott Palmer. Illinois Valley -- Oshia Snitkin. North Valley -- Casey Shaw. Phoenix -- Jesse Shorland, Al Albright, Anthony Machado. St. Mary's -- Peter Staver. COACH OF THE YEAR -- Eric Wolff, St. Mary's. PLAYER OF THE YEAR -- Matt Johnson, Hidden Valley. SECOND TEAM Cascade Christian -- Josh Jordan. Henley -- Joe Jertberg. Hidden Valley -- Jonathon Wright, Trevor Novak. Mazama -- Greg Murdock. North Valley -- Brendan Phillips. Phoenix -- Carlos Corona, Sean Conley. St. Mary's -- Brian Staver, Brandon Frankel, Gabe Shonerd, Andrew Lunt. HONORABLE MENTION Bonanza -- Joes Vargas, Shawn Earp, Reggie Vargas, Marlowe Olson. Cascade Christian -- Dan Big Ham. Rogue River -- Jason Luchterhand, Jesse O'Gara, Mark Bradford. Henley -- Brad Bailey, Jake Watterberg, Stuart Ward. Hidden Valley -- Tim Vanderstoel, Garret Drummond, Kenny Pipher, Seth GaRey. Illinois Valley -- Tom Fairbanks, Sawyer Christenson, Jason Nelson-Elting. Mazama -- Keith Kilgore, Joseph Pitts. North Valley -- Lee Manes, Luke Gentry, Jeff Denniston, John Handley. Phoenix -- Masaya Yano, John Hendricks, Jaime Bugarin. St. Mary's -- Zack Rote, Will Kongma, Jordan Frankel. Today's Sports Index Mail Tribune Copyright� The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, OR U.S.A.