All-Empire Small-School Boys Soccer: Kelseyville's Victor Cacho earns Player of the Year

Victor Cacho averaged more than a goal per game while leading Kelseyville to the NCL I soccer title, but coach Eduardo Ledesma said that stat is misleading.

“If he wasn’t so unselfish, he would’ve averaged two goals per game,” Ledesma said. “He always took pleasure in seeing his teammates score.”

For the record, Cacho scored 21 goals in 16 games and took only 66 shots.

The junior’s accomplishments earned him small schools All-Empire Player of the Year.

“The honor is well-deserved,” Ledesma said. “He’s a college-type athlete and a great person.

“He’s a phenomenal player and 100 percent unselfish. He loves the game and it rubs off on his teammates.”

As expected, Cacho caught the eye of rival coaches.

“He scored a couple of goals against us,” Middletown coach Luis Chairez said. “What I remember is his speed. He’s real fast and especially dangerous on fast breaks.”

Middletown finished second in league.

Cacho has been playing organized soccer since he was an 8-year-old when his family signed him up for a league.

“I loved it right away,” he said. “I like having teammates and being part of a team.”

Kelseyville took NCL I last season with a 10-1-1 record and made it to the second round of the North Coast Section playoffs. The Knights beat Lower Lake 6-1, then lost to Fortuna 3-2 in overtime.

This past year, the forward said he improved his speed and shooting accuracy.

Cacho hasn’t lost his love for the game. In fact, now he finds it a release.

“I get in the zone when I’m on the field,” he said. “I forget about everything.”

Ledesma is eagerly looking forward to next season.

“Victor is always working on improving his game,” the coach said. “He’s so good with his cuts and footwork and he’s going to get better his senior year.”