Five Bobcats tabbed all-conference

The Saddleback men's soccer team had a sensational inaugural season when they finished four games above .500 and right in the mix for a playoff spot.  The Bobcats received more good news when it was announced that five of the players had made the All-Orange Empire Conference Team.

Not many knew what to expect when the season started.  Most new programs will struggle to pick up a couple of wins, and the thought of playoffs usually doesn't occur for a couple of seasons.  The 2023 Saddleback men's soccer team broke the mold by going 9-5-5 and coming within an eyelash of a playoff spot.

The Saddleback program was recognized at the OEC Coaches Meeting when the coaches agreed that five players from the squad were going to be named all-conference.  Joel Smith, Ryan Mann and Dominic DiFrenna were named to the first team while Alex Martinez and Spencer Simis were named to the second team.

Smith finished tied for the team lead with 10 goals on the season.  He had two goals on three separate occasions, and had a season-best two goals and an assist against Los Angeles Pierce College on September 22.

Mann was part of a Bobcat defense that surrendered just 28 goals all season.  Offensively he led the squad with seven assists, including two in the aforementioned Los Angeles Pierce game.

DiFrenna was a consistent force in goal, leading the team with a 7-3-3 overall record.  He played in 15 games throughout the season, finishing with a 1.37 goals-against average.

Joining Smith, Mann and DiFrenna on the all-conference team was Alex Martinez and Spencer Simis.  Both players were named to the All-Orange Empire Conference Second Team.