Chavez, Wilkinson, Huerta sign with four-year schools

Victor Chavez, the WSC North co-Player of the Year, signed a national letter-of-intent to play soccer for UCSB on Tuesday at the SBCC Sports Pavilion.

Chavez, a sophomore forward from Garden Street Academy, was fifth in the state with 16 goals and 38 points for the WSC North champion Vaqueros. He was named All-West Region and second-team All-American.

"This is my home, I've lived here for many years and I've always wanted to play for the Gauchos," said Chavez. "I've been going to their games since I was 11 or 12 years old."

The Vaqueros went unbeaten (17-0-4) in their first 21 games last fall and finished with a 17-1-4 record, losing to Mt. SAC 1-0 in the Southern Cal Finals.

Matthew Wilkinson, a 6-4 sophomore from Croyden, England, was a two-year starter at forward. He committed to Hawaii-Hilo and Francisco Huerta signed with Cal Lutheran.

"This is a better system over here for sports and education," stated Wilkinson. "Back in England, you have to choose one or the other. There's great focus and help here at SBCC with people like (academic counselor) JoAnn Graham who help make you better."