Men’s Soccer: OCC’s Brown named OEC Co-MVP

Orange Coast College sophomore goalkeeper Nathan Brown has been named Orange Empire Conference Co-Most Valuable Player to highlight eight Orange Coast College players recognized on the coaches’ all-conference selections in men’s soccer.

Brown, who helped lead the Pirates (10-4-4, 9-2-3 in conference) to their first conference title since 1991, is joined on the first team by sophomore repeat honoree Jorge Sanchez, sophomore Thales Serra, as well as freshmen defenders Blake Mooney and Josh Madrid.

OCC sophomores Connor Thaete and Tyler Rios are second-team honorees, as is freshman Pedro Etchechury.

Kevin Smith, the Pirates director of soccer who allows Glenn Strachan to guide the men’s team, while he focuses on the OCC women’s team, was named Coach of the Year.

The 6-foot-5 Brown, who shared the top honor with Santa Ana College’s Leonardo Contreras, was 8-0-3 in conference play for the Pirates. In 970 minutes against OEC foes, Brown allowed just six goals (an 0.56 goals-against average) and posted a .913 save percentage with six shutouts. In the regular-season, Brown allowed just 10 goals (an 0.78 average), in 1,150 minutes.

Madrid and Mooney helped anchor an OCC defense that allowed just 11 goals in 14 matches, the fewest among all conference teams.

Sanchez, a product of Costa Mesa High, had a team-best eight goals and six assists in the regular season, while Serra, from Brazil, added seven goals and five assists.

Rios, a midfielder, had six goals and two assists while Etchechury, also a midfielder, had three goals and three assists.

Thaete, a defender, contributed as a member of the solid back line.

— From staff reports