5 Woodland High School boys soccer players receive Golden Empire League accolades

By Shaun Holkko on June 23, 2024

Despite the season coming to a heartbreaking end with a penalty shootout loss, the Woodland High School boys varsity soccer team made its triumphant return to the postseason this year.

The Wolves finished third in the Golden Empire League with a 9-5-2 overall record and 8-3-1 against GEL competition. Following the conclusion of the campaign, five individuals were honored by the league with awards.

"Our priority is always to win league and make playoffs. Unfortunately we had a couple games where they didn't quite go the way we planned them out. We weren't able to get first or second place in our league but we were still able to make playoffs," head coach Admin Araiza recalled. "That's an accomplishment for our seniors that were going away, we had a bunch. It was a good way to finish the season. Unfortunately we didn't go past the first round, but I'm glad they were able to experience that."

Twenty players were selected to the All-GEL first team, featuring three Wolves: sophomore midfielder Johan Olmedo, freshman MF Mateo Araiza Olmedo and junior defender Osvaldo Ramos. Twelve GEL student-athletes were chosen for the second squad, which included two Woodland seniors: MF Julian Elias and goalkeeper Alejandro Navarro.

Additionally, Araiza picked Olmedo as the team's Most Valuable Player. Olmedo ranked in the Top 10 of three GEL statistical categories by totaling 14 points (7th), 5 goals (tied 6th) and 4 assists (T7).

"Johan is the player that everyone looks for. He is the one who distributes the ball and helps our other players create those scoring opportunities. He's someone who brings energy to the team. When the team is down, he'll step it up and is someone who is always going 110%," Araiza said. "Especially in his position as a 10, you want someone that wants to get the ball, read opportunities to challenge and then members of the team create spaces so our players can have opportunities to create plays.

"He is our playmaker."

Woodland sophomore midfielder Johan Olmedo breaks the ankles of a Mira Loma defender during a 4-0 win at the Matadors on Jan. 11 in Sacramento. (Shaun Holkko/Daily Democrat)

Woodland freshman midfielder Mateo Araiza Olmedo dribbles into Casa Roble territory during a 4-1 win against the Rams on Jan. 30 in Orangevale. (Shaun Holkko/Daily Democrat)

Woodland junior defender Osvaldo Ramos and Pioneer junior forward Rafael Lopez battle for possession during a 3-0 Wolves win against the Patriots on Dec. 7 at the Woodland Community & Senior Center. (Shaun Holkko/Daily Democrat)

Woodland senior midfielder Julian Elias advances the ball during a 4-0 win at Mira Loma on Jan. 11 in Sacramento. (Shaun Holkko/Daily Democrat)

After battling some early jitters as a freshman on the varsity pitch, Araiza Olmedo settled into his role to tally 15 points (T5) and 7 goals (5th).

"Mateo at the beginning was a bit nervous. I remember his first game, he was upset because of his performance but it was his first varsity game and he was able to adapt," Araiza recalled. "As a freshman, he was our top scorer and had the second most assists behind Johan. That says a lot. We made sure that he felt confident enough to demonstrate his ability on the field."

With 36 goals for and 21 against, the Wolves outscored their opponents by 15 over 16 contests. Ramos served as a valuable piece of Woodland's backline, preventing opportunities for opposing teams versus Navarro.

"He was one of our captains so his leadership on the field was first and foremost the main reason why he was selected for that first team. His ability to play that position is the second reason why," Araiza explained. "You have to have someone that is disciplined and strong in the back so he can predict the way the game is being played and tell his teammates where we're leaving gaps, which players to cover and so on. He took on that responsibility."

On the rare occasion that opponents broke through the Wolves' defense, Navarro served as a brick wall in the box, stopping countless shots.

"The fact that he was confident, that gave our backline peace of mind," Araiza said. "If for some reason something happened to our defense and the ball would go through, he would provide that confidence for our players. Like, 'You know what? Don't worry about me back here!' He would talk to our defenders as well as the last player on the field who could watch the whole game. He told our players, 'Hey, this is what we need to work on," and he communicated directly to Osvaldo. He was definitely an asset."

Elias was often like a coach on the field for Araiza and assistant coach Andres Olmedo.

"He was one of our other captains. He also was a leader on the field," Araiza recalled. "He mentored our freshman Martin Navarro and told him how and where to play, because like Mateo, it took Martin a little bit to get use to it. His leadership helped our younger players. He always welcomed other players and helped them out."

Elias, Navarro and seven more Wolves graduated earlier this month. Other departures include: Josue Cardenas, Raul Gonzalez, Cristopher Lomeli, Emmanuel Marquez, Julian Navarro, Alejandro Negrete and Edgar Rodriguez Jr.

"They were definitely the core of our team," Araiza proclaimed. "Next year will be a rebuilding year. The good thing is that we have a couple good, young players that played varsity. We have Johan, who will be a junior. Mateo and Martin will be sophomores next year. We'll have players from JV that can definitely help the team out to build the strong core that we had last season."

The GEL will look very different next season due to realignment but Woodland will remain. However, before crosstown rival Pioneer departed for the Monticello Empire League, the Wolves swept the final season series with respective victories on Dec. 7 (3-0) and Jan. 23 (2-1).

"It'll be kind of tough at first because I've been trying to find players who have played. It'll be a learning process for us as coaches and the team," Araiza foretold. "We'll adapt and do the best that we can."