Spartans Season Ends in Sweet Sixteen

Men's Soccer team picture after first round playoff win.

December 1, 2025

The MiraCosta College men's soccer team put together an outstanding 2025 campaign, finishing second in the PCAC standings, earning 13 wins, and advancing all the way to the Sweet 16 of the 3C2A State Tournament. The Spartans' 13-4-7 record and 10-3-1 conference mark reflect a team that steadily grew stronger as the season went on—and proved it against some of the toughest opponents in Southern California.

A Midseason Surge That Set the Tone

After navigating a competitive non-conference schedule loaded with playoff-caliber programs, MiraCosta caught fire once league play began. The Spartans opened PCAC action with a dominant 3–1 win over San Diego Miramar, then erupted for nine goals in a 9–0 rout of Imperial Valley.

From there, MiraCosta went on one of the longest unbeaten stretches in the conference—nine straight matches without a loss, including victories over Mesa (2–0), Southwestern (2–1), San Diego City (2–0), and a clutch 1–0 road win at Miramar. During that stretch, the Spartans outscored opponents 22–6, showcasing both efficiency in the attack and discipline in the back line.

A Strong Finish to Secure Second Place

With playoff position on the line late in the season, MiraCosta showed its resilience. The Spartans responded to an October setback with back-to-back convincing wins: a 4–1 victory at San Diego Mesa and a 3–1 home win over Southwestern. They closed the regular season with a key 2–0 win over Golden West and a gritty 3–2 road upset of #4 El Camino, a signature performance that sent them into the postseason with momentum.

Playoff Run to the Sweet 16

The Spartans opened the postseason with a confident 2–0 win over Golden West, controlling possession and never allowing the Rustlers to find rhythm. In Round 2, they delivered one of the most dramatic victories in program history, defeating #4 El Camino 3–2—a match where MiraCosta showed composure, toughness, and belief down the stretch.

The Sweet 16 matchup with Santa Barbara became an instant classic. The teams battled to a 2–2 draw through regulation and two overtimes, with MiraCosta again pushing the pace and generating quality chances. The Spartans ultimately fell in penalty kicks, ending a run that reflected the program's competitive rise.

All-Conference Honors and Standout Performers

MiraCosta's strong season was recognized across the PCAC with five All-Conference selections, highlighting the team's balance and depth:

Cesar Cruz – One of the league's most dynamic players, finishing with 10 goals and 8 assists, impacting every phase of the game.
Dominik Wicks – A defensive anchor and scoring weapon, posting 9 goals and 5 assists while starting all 21 matches.
Lincoln Newcomer – A steady, productive forward with 4 goals and 4 assists, always threatening the back line.
Danny Barbosa – A relentless attacking presence, adding 6 goals and 2 assists and starting all 24 matches.
Jiovanni Ramirez – A box-to-box midfielder who influenced tempo, defended with discipline, and chipped in 2 goals and an assist.

Other major contributors fueled the Spartans' success as well.

Charaboy Iniestra (5 goals, 2 assists) and Silas Tackaberry (6 goals, 4 assists) provided key scoring depth.
Steven Renner, Jack Vazquez, and Joaquin Valadez delivered clutch goals throughout league play.
On the defensive end, Omar Garcia Velez and Jesse Carlos combined for one of the lowest goals-against totals in the conference, with multiple shutouts that kept MiraCosta in every match.
A young back line led by Wicks, Alejandro Colina, Kellen Love, and Thierry McElroy formed one of the most cohesive units in the region.
Key minutes by Maika Beristain, Jeremiah Yolemi, Joshua Yolemi, Jonathan Colin, Gian Luca Fajardo Benitez, Ricky Toxtle, and Alexander Oregon helped the Spartans push for the strong second place finish in the PCAC and the post season run to the Sweet 16.

A Team Built for What's Next

With a mix of experienced sophomores and freshmen who gained major minutes, MiraCosta's roster is built to keep the momentum going. A second-place conference finish, a deep playoff run, and postseason recognition across the board signal that the program is trending upward—and the Spartans enter the offseason with confidence and expectation.