Soquel High’s water polo goalie, Rafael Suarez-Abraham, has made headlines by being named the 2025 SCCAL MVP, a rare honor for a goalkeeper in the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League. His exceptional performance throughout the season propelled the Knights to a league title and a place in the CCS Open Division playoffs.
Suarez-Abraham, standing at an impressive 6 feet 4 inches, showcased his talent by averaging 8.5 saves per match. Over the course of the season, he recorded a total of 238 saves, maintaining an average goals-against total of 8.5. His ability to perform under pressure was particularly evident in critical matches against top teams like Sacred Heart Prep and Campolindo, where he successfully stopped two penalty shots and made several crucial saves.
Recognition and Achievements
Knights coach Ryan Chapatte, who was also awarded Coach of the Year by his peers, praised Suarez-Abraham’s skills, stating, “He blocks the shots he’s supposed to and he blocks a lot he shouldn’t.” Chapatte highlighted that it is rare for a goalie to earn such recognition, emphasizing how Suarez-Abraham’s talent stands out among his peers.
Under his guidance, the Knights finished with an overall record of 23-6 and a perfect league record of 4-0. Their performance secured them a spot in the semifinals of the CCS Open Division, which is reserved for the eight best teams in the region, as well as a place in the CIF Division I NorCal Regional playoffs.
Suarez-Abraham’s journey in water polo began at a young age, having started club polo at the age of 12. He and his brother, Gabe Suarez-Abraham, who was also recognized as a first-team All-SCCAL selection, have been described by Chapatte as “water polo junkies.” Their early start in the sport laid the foundation for their impressive high school careers, which began at Aptos High School before transferring to Soquel.
Team Contributions and Honors
The accolades for the Soquel Knights did not end with Suarez-Abraham. Senior utility player Stryder Stelck joined the duo on the All-SCCAL first team. Stelck led the Knights with 81 goals, complemented by 27 assists and 28 steals. Gabe Suarez-Abraham contributed significantly as well, scoring 50 goals, providing a team-high 57 assists, and leading the team with 78 steals.
In addition to Soquel’s strong representation, the Santa Cruz Cardinals also had three players named to the first team: senior attacker Hayden Johnson, senior utility player Nikolaus Kay, and junior goalie Laird Bowser. Johnson led the Cardinals with 95 goals, while Kay recorded 53 goals and made a team-high 69 assists. Bowser made 169 saves over the season, averaging 7.3 saves per game.
The first-team selections highlight the competitive spirit of the SCCAL and the caliber of talent within the league, showcasing a blend of established players and emerging stars, all contributing to the vibrant landscape of high school water polo in the region.
