SDA Alumni

My name is Lucas Beltran, and I was a part of the senior class of 2023. I played on the varsity team for 3 years and am currently playing soccer at Davidson College.

My favorite part of being a part of the SDA soccer program was being able to practice and play with my friends every day. I made some of my best friends through the soccer program and had the privilege of growing as people and players with them until our senior year when we were ranked #1 in San Diego. My favorite memory was winning against Poway to make it to the CIF Finals. 

SDA has a place for all levels of players, and the coaches do a great job of trying to make sure that there’s a spot for as many players as possible to have the experience. My advice to any player looking to play high school soccer is to focus on what you can do and the attitude that you have. There are a lot of things out of your control which can be frustrating  so all that you can do is try to be the best player and teammate that you can be.

I’d also like to give a huge thank you to all the SDA coaches and liaisons, and to Duff Pickering for helping me get where I am today!

My name is Jackson D’Alessandro, and I was a part of the class of 2023. I played two years on the SDA Varsity team which led to two of the most fun seasons in my career. I am currently on the Men’s Soccer Team at UC Riverside.

Playing at SDA exposed me to different groups of kids that I was able to build many new relationships with. I was also playing with some of my closest friends which brought new memories that I will cherish forever.

Whether you are looking to play for a team at a high level, or a team to have fun with, SDA does a very good job of making sure each player receives the best experience possible. The most important thing is to make sure you are always having fun, and if you need help the coaching staff will always be there when you need it.

I would like to thank the whole coaching staff, parent helpers, my teammates, and our fans that came to all of our games. I would also like to thank Duff Pickering for making highlights for every single game to help make my SDA soccer experience so much better than I was expecting.

My name is Nico Quanbeck, and I am continuing to play soccer in college at Davidson College. I enjoyed being a part of the SDA program because of how close the team was. The team was like a family and we were really close outside of practice and games as well.

One of my favorite moments was my sophomore year when the team made it to the CIF finals, but my favorite time was my whole senior year with an amazing team that made it to the CIF finals and State semis. My advice for incoming players is to keep on working and enjoy the process of improvement.

My name is Gavin Culley, and I was a part of the 2023 senior class at SDA. I played for two seasons on the SDA varsity team. Those two years were easily the best times playing soccer in my youth career. The pleasure of playing, scoring goals, and celebrating with my best friends is an unbeatable feeling. I miss it already, although I am currently enjoying continuing my career at Alfred University. 

I would recommend high school soccer at SDA to anybody who is interested. The environment, coaches, and experience is one not to miss out on.  The program has only continued to improve, and I hope more than anything to see future teams achieve what my senior class and I couldn’t. I am so excited to see the program grow more than it already has!

I would like to say a huge thanks to all the coaches at SDA; you have taught me and many others so much on and off the field. A special thank you to Duff Pickering, for attending and filming every game, we truly appreciate you. And finally thank you to everyone else involved at SDA, it was truly a memorable and perfect experience for me!

My name is Lucas Casazza, and I was part of the 2022 senior class at SDA. During my 4 years at SDA, I spent 3 playing soccer for the varsity team and had the honor of being the captain my senior year. During these years, I made the best memories of my soccer career. Playing with your best friends and kids you see in the halls creates one of the best experiences of your life. I am currently continuing my academic and soccer career at UC Davis.

SDA has a wide variety of levels and ideally, there is a spot for everyone, so if you’re considering going out for tryouts, I’d highly recommend you do and give yourself the opportunity to create memories and form bonds you’ll never forget. The program and environment holds a very healthy balance, always prioritizing the players and their academics first. It has been great watching the program grow from D2 to Open Division over my years at SDA and look forward to seeing what they’ll accomplish. 

I’d like to give a big thank you to Coach Mike, Coach Kyle, Coach Eddie, and Guillermo for helping me develop not only as a player, but also as a person. Still waiting on those Next Gen keeper drills though! Lastly I’d like to say thank you to Duff Pickering for always showing up and filming no matter the circumstances. Go Mustangs! 

My name is Hudson Delorme, and I graduated from SDA in 2022. I played for the varsity team 3 out of my 4 years at SDA, and it was an amazing experience. I am currently attending Boston College and I play for the club soccer team here, which is a great way to keep soccer a part of your life while also attending a top university.

The memories I made playing soccer at SDA were definitely some of my favorite in high school. Being able to play with your closest friends and having that sense of pride in your school is an amazing feeling. The level of competition is continuing to increase, and watching the program go from division 2 all the way to open division during my time at SDA was incredible. High school soccer is also all about balance, and the coaches know that academics come first. They create the best possible environment for the players to succeed and have fun while doing it. 

I’d like to thank all the coaches, the fans, my teammates, and of course Duff Pickering, for making my experience playing at SDA so worthwhile. I developed a lot as a player and a person throughout my time here, and it was thanks to the environment they created. Go Mustangs!

My name is Ethan Davis, and I played for the boys soccer team three of my four years at SDA. During those three years, I made some of my fondest memories and got to be a part of a program that fosters success on and off the field. I graduated this past year (Class of 2021) after a great senior season and am attending the University of Oregon this fall. 

To anyone reading this that isn’t certain whether they want to try out or not, go for it! Playing soccer for my high school team was a different experience than any other team I’ve ever played on. The team camaraderie is so strong, and it’s fun to see your teammates on the field and in the classroom. Playing for a school like SDA, you’ll find a healthy balance between academics and athletics supported by great teachers and a motivated coaching staff. 

Thank you so much to the coaching staff, the dedicated players, fans, and Duff Pickering for always putting their best foot forward to help this team get to the next level. I’m so grateful to have had this experience, and I can’t recommend it enough. Looking forward to seeing what this program goes on to achieve! Go Mustangs!

My name is Ben Fraser, and I played three of my four years with the Varsity team at SDA.  I’m very thankful for this program and honored that I could be a two-time captain and lead the team to a CIF Final my senior year. I graduated with the class of 2021, and I’m continuing my academic and athletic career at Chapman University in Orange, California. 

I am very grateful for the opportunity that the soccer program has given me. All of my best memories from high school have all come from representing SDA on the soccer field and getting to play alongside my best friends. Seeing the growth that the program has gone through since I was a freshman is amazing to see. Every year, new and talented players would come out and play for the team, improving the level of play at our school. 

A special thank you to the coaches, players, fans, and videographer for always pushing the team in the right direction. I have high hopes that SDA will continue to grow and improve athletically and encourage any students who are interested to try out because of how much fun it is to play for your school alongside an amazing group of teammates.

My name is Derek Sando, and I was a part of the senior class of 2021 at SDA. I am continuing my education as well as my soccer career at Vassar College in New York. I played soccer for SDA since freshman year, and every year just got better and better. I enjoyed playing alongside other students and some of my closest friends.

I think SDA is a great spot for a wide variety of people to attend. It helps students maintain a high academic standard while also pushing for success in athletics. My favorite part about SDA is its fast paced, flexible schedule. Being able to take 8 classes each year and also many electives that have helped me form a career path has been amazing.

I want to thank Coach Mike, Kyle, and Eddie for believing in me as a player. I would never be where I am today without their help. I also want to thank Phil, who would stay after practice with me almost every night to do sprints and give advice. I really appreciate Duff Pickering for filming all the games, sending footage to me, and also explaining the recruiting process in depth. Many teachers throughout high school were very helpful, but Mrs. Leonard, Mr. Brice, Mr. Anderson, and Mrs. Koda were especially so. All these teachers helped me outside of class time to succeed academically as well as pushed me the extra mile to become a better person. Thank you to all my friends and family who have been there for me since day one.

My name is Sam Daitch, and I was a part of the senior class of 2021 at SDA. I am continuing my soccer career and academics at Humboldt State University in the CCAA conference. I have played SDA soccer since my freshman year and it has honestly been one of the greatest experiences of my life. I have been lucky enough to share these experiences with my best friends, many who I met through playing SDA soccer.

SDA is an amazing school for many different people. It has something for everybody which is a trait that not many high schools have. I really liked having the ability to take 8 classes a year. It allowed me to experience many cool classes as well as have a supportive system that allowed me to thrive academically.

SDA soccer is a very special program that has so many people who care about your academic and athletic development. I would like to thank Coach Mike and Coach Kyle for helping me become a better teammate and college player. I would also like to thank Coach Eddie for spending many hours helping me perfect my skill as a goalkeeper. And a huge thanks to the parent volunteers who consistently go above and beyond to create an amazing soccer experience that any kid would be lucky to be a part of. Some of my greatest memories of my high school years are from the amazing soccer program we have at SDA.

Lastly, I would like to thank all my friends, family, and other parents for making my SDA soccer career something I will remember and cherish for the rest of my life.