San Juan boys soccer season ends in state first round, but team sets a new mark for most season wins

by Rhett Sifford
Sports Editor
The San Juan High School boys soccer season came to an end on Friday, April 28 with a 7-0 loss to Draper APA in the first round of the 2A state tournament. The Broncos were the #18 seed entering the tournament and the Eagles were #15.
Prior to the state tournament game San Juan ended their regular season with five games in eight days, all losses to Millard, Beaver, and Gunnison Valley.
The Broncos finish the year with a 3-11 record. Their three wins were the most in a season for a San Juan boys soccer team in program history.
Statistics on MaxPreps are incomplete but of the eight Bronco goals reported on the site this season Shawn Black scored four, Parkar Sopena scored two, and Dakota Long and Cole Duke tallied one apiece.
Goalkeeper Javin Montella averaged almost 11 saves per game in the eight games recorded on MaxPreps. He made an astounding 23 saves in the final game of the year.
Following the conclusion of the season Bronco Head Coach Jay Jones said, “This was our most successful season during the course of building this program.
“The boys are gaining more confidence in themselves and their team and that will be key to our success in the future. It has been amazing to see their growth through the past couple years.
“The greatest success of the season is seeing each individual improve,” he continued. “Every one of them is better than they started both mentally and physically. To me that is true success.”
Coach Jones stated that it was a great pleasure for him working with all of his players this season. When asked about the future of the team and his future as head coach he said, “We have many great athletes coming in as freshmen next year.
“The future looks very bright as they’ve been practicing for many years on their own knowing now that soccer is an option at San Juan. We have good things in the future and I plan on coaching for many years to come if they will keep me.”

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