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45 °F Forecast | Road Cams Saturday, November 13, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend November 11, 2004 Garcia-Flores receives SOC’s top honor By FRANK SILOW Mail Tribune Fabian Garcia-Flores has been a fixture in Southern Oregon Conference boys soccer since his freshman season. The 18-year-old Ashland senior capped a stellar career — including back-to-back conference titles — by being selected the 2004 SOC player-of-the-year. Ashland coach Eisa Tiaa TouTou picked up his third coach of the year award in his seven years with the Grizzlies. "I’m so lucky the city of Ashland and the school district have given me the resources," says the Sudanese native. Not only did Ashland garner the top two all conference honors, but the Grizzlies had four other players — Corey Costantino, Cory Fisher, Thomas Golding and Cory Lesher — chosen to the all-star first team. Advertisement Garcia-Flores moved to Ashland from his native Mexico when he was 4-years-old and began playing soccer through the YMCA programs. "I feel privileged," says Garcia about being picked as the conference’s best player. "I accomplished something not only for myself but my team. I see my team as a family with everybody treating each other with respect." Tiaa Toutou recognized Garcia-Flores’ on-the-field talents right away, but the veteran coach has been impressed with his humble demeanor as much as his soccer skills. "(Garcia-Flores) has good personal characteristics," says Tiaa Toutou. "He’s a good listener and very cacheable." North Medford coach Rich Garcia has seen plenty of Garcia-Flores over the past four years. "His one-one-one skills rank up there with some of the best kids in the state," says the Black Tornado coach. "He’s got good moves and is very aggressive. It’s always a challenge to defend him." In addition to being an offensive force with 20 goals and 10 assists, Garcia-Flores demonstrated the ability to make his teammates better. Golfing, who had a team-high 21 goals and 10 assists, was a major beneficiary of having Garcia-Flores closely marked by opponents. Golfing returned to Ashland after spending his junior year in France. The explosive forward made an impact in his first varsity season. Contention and Fisher provided the Grizzlies a formidable combination at midfield. Contention is a physical workhorse who played from end-to-end, while Fisher — the only junior on the first team — provided a quick-strike capability. Lecher was the power of the Grizzlies defense and constantly attacked the offensive end. North Medford placed three players on the first team including goal keeper Oscar Benitez, who recorded seven shutouts this season. Benitez edged out South Medford’s Mikey Belzberg in a very close ballot. "Benitez is really aggressive out of the box," said coach Garcia. "He was good in one-on-one situations and he helped direct the defense." Midfielder Max Brown and defenseman Devin Torrey were the other Black Tornado selections. Brown, a three-year varsity player, led North in scoring with seven goals and eight assists. He was a tireless performer. "What made (Brown) so dangerous this year was he could go in the air and win balls and score," said the North Medford coach. Torrey was the Black Tornado starting goalie as a sophomore and began this season as a sweeper. But when North needed more offensive push, the senior’s role was changed. "He’s such an aggressive defender, he led the attack from the defensive midfield," said Rich Garcia. "He’s an all-around athlete. You could put him at any position." South Medford placed two players on the first unit —senior midfielder Scotty Marlow and defenseman Kevin Potter. Marlow and Potter along with second-teamer Shane Holiday tied as the Panthers points leaders. "Scotty has a natural passion for the game," South coach Dave Potter says. "He lives and breathes it. He’s a finesse player who turns dribbling into an art form." Kevin Potter, the coaches is son, is a power player who demonstrated unselfishness by filling several important roles. "He’ll do anything he had to for the team," said coach Potter. "We moved him around. Wherever he played, he got the job done." Rounding out the first team were Klamath Union’s Matt Cornachione and Merlin Plagge of Roseburg. FIRST TEAM Player School Yr. Pos. Oscar Benitez No Medford Sr GK Max Brown No Medford Sr Mdf Corey Costantino Ashland Sr Mdf Matt Cornachione Kla Union Sr Def Cory Fisher Ashland Jr Mdf F. Garcia-Flores Ashland Sr Fwd Thomas Golding Ashland Sr Fwd Cory Lescher Ashland Sr Def Scotty Marlow So Medford Sr Mdf Merlin Plagge Roseburg Sr Mdf Kevin Potter So Medford Sr Def Devin Torrey No Medford Sr Def PLAYER OF THE YEAR — Fabian Garcia-Flores, Ashland. COACH OF THE YEAR — Eisa Tiaa TouTou, Ashland. SECOND TEAM Mikey Belzberg So Medford Sr GK Luis Cabrera No Medford Sr Fwd Quentin Clark Roseburg Sr Fwd Mark Ellis So Medford Sr Def Brad Erbe Grants Pass Sr Def Shane Holiday So Medford Sr Fwd Francisco Irazogui Roseburg Sr Mdf Eric Lillegren Crater Sr Def Aiden Morrell No Medford Sr Fwd Scott Reid No Medford Sr Def Josh Smith Crater Sr Mdf C. Sderberg-Chase Roseburg Sr Mdf Bryan Waggener So Medford Sr Mdf Nico Walker Ashland Jr Def HONORABLE MENTION — Travis Bille, Grants Pass, sr., goalie; Adam Cornachione, Klamath Union, jr., midfield; Chad Farber, Grants Pass, jr., defense; Salvador Garcia, Klamath Union, sr., forward; Dane Happeny, South Medford, jr., defense; James Kidwell, North Medford, sr., defense; James Kidwell, North Medford, sr., midfield; Garret Steely, North Medford, sr., defense. Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. 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