The Santa Barbara Soccer Club, a well-regarded institution in Goleta, California, is celebrating a significant achievement as 21 of its players are set to advance to college-level soccer this fall. This milestone was marked by a ceremony at the club’s office, honoring the hard work and dedication of these young athletes and their families.
Among the players, Donovan Espino will be attending Westmont College, while Brandon Montalvo and David Magana are headed to Santa Barbara City College. Keean Elliott has secured a spot at Harvard, and George Marin will join the University of Chicago. These players, along with their peers, have spent years honing their skills at the Santa Barbara Soccer Club, with some having been part of the club for over a decade.
The club’s success in nurturing talent is evident as players like Isaac Bakwira head to Boston College and Mohammed Kamil Suhuyini Abdul Nafeo to Georgetown. The list of colleges includes prestigious institutions across various divisions, showcasing the diverse opportunities available to these athletes.
For many families, the journey with the Santa Barbara Soccer Club has been a significant part of their lives, fostering not only athletic skills but also values such as teamwork and perseverance. The club’s commitment to developing young talent continues to be a cornerstone of its mission, providing a supportive environment for players to thrive both on and off the field.
List of Advancing Players
- Donovan Espino – Westmont College
- Brandon Montalvo – Santa Barbara CC
- George Marin – University of Chicago
- Keean Elliott – Harvard
- David Magana – Santa Barbara CC
- Charlie Dorion – Pomona Pitzer
- Bryan Antov – Chapman
- Dimash Anaurbek – Amherst
- Quincy Thorne – Colorado College
- Isaac Bakwira – Boston College
- Isaac Jimenez – Westmont College
- Joseph ‘Chofas’ Ramirez – Westmont College
- Mohammed Kamil Suhuyini Abdul Nafeo – Georgetown
- Nathan Riner – UCSB
- Andres Gonsales – Santa Barbara CC
- Kieran Buell – Pacific University, Oregon
- Lainey Lajoie – Augustana College
- Amy Rosas – Ventura CC
- Amy Corona – Santa Barbara CC
- Isabella Rubio – Santa Barbara CC
- Harlyn Griffin – Santa Barbara CC
This achievement underscores the club’s role in the community as a beacon for aspiring athletes, providing them with the foundation to pursue their dreams in higher education and beyond.
Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.
