MEN’S SOCCER BACK ON SOLID GROUND

n just two seasons leading the program, Chabot men's soccer coach Geoff Aguiar has turned the Gladiators into a formidable force bubbling with energy and ambition.
The tenacious Glads came within a whisker of advancing to the 3C2A Northern Regional playoffs this season. They finished 7-8-5 overall and missed the postseason by tenths of a point, basically one tie.
"At our best, we were right there competing with the best teams in the state this year," Aguiar said.
Some notable results included a big win at Fresno City, seeded No. 6 for the playoffs; a close loss to No. 1 seed Evergreen Valley; and ties with De Anza (No. 3 seed) and with other playoff teams.
The Chabot soccer turnaround — the program didn't field a team the season  before Aguiar was hired — is surely no surprise to those familiar with Aguiar's career. His track record includes turning around programs at Merritt and Marin, and he starred as a player at Las Positas. Success follows him because he puts in the work as a recruiter, tactician and motivator.
Almost every game this season was close, save the Glads' blowout 4-0 win over Monterey Peninsula. Only in a 3-2 loss to Skyline did the Glads allow as many as three goals.
"We continued to establish our Gladiator identity of team-first, defensive intensity, and battling every moment," Aguiar said. "Even to the last minute of the season at CCSF, we were pushing for it together. As a collective, we are proud of the way we represented the college and looking forward to building on this during the Spring for next season."

Awards from the season:
* Goalkeeper of the Year for the Coast Conference - Colin Nestor: Finished with 96 saves, leading the conference. Conference assist leader for goalkeepers. Played 1790 of a possible 1800 minutes.
* First team all Coast Conference
    * Colin Nestor
    * Eloy Sierra
    * Alejandro Juarez
* Second team all Coast Conference
    * Juan Carlos Gonzalez
    * Sebastian Rivadeneyra