One of Orange County’s best soccer coaches is now part of a national Hall of Fame.

Retired Sunny Hills girls soccer coach Jeff Gordon was inducted into the National High School Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame earlier this summer in Lincoln, Neb.

The association honored a large class of coaches from across the nation.

“What an incredible honor,” said Gordon, who attended the event with his wife Soon-Ya and children Aaron and Adrienne. “You knew you were in the presence of greatness.”

Gordon guided the Lancers to three CIF-SS titles during a 32-year run that ended in the spring of 2022.

He also led the program to four section runner-up finishes, 19 Freeway League titles, 22 tournament crowns and more than 600 victories.

Sunny Hills made the playoffs in 31 of Gordon’s 32 seasons, and saw him send more than 80 players into the collegiate ranks.

Gordon was The Register’s coach of the year in 2012-13.

“Our phrase is tradition never graduates,” he told The Register in January 2022. “You build a tradition, and it’s a great challenge to try to keep it going from year to year. I’m a competitor and I enjoy the competition. I like to help my players become champions.”

Gordon, a history teacher at Sunny Hills, also extended his family legacy at Sunny Hills. His late father Kenn began teaching at the school in 1962 and started the girls and boys soccer programs.

Gordon rose the coaching ranks after playing at Brea Olinda. His son is now a freshman at Brea Olinda while his daughter attends Brea Junior High.

Please send girls soccer news to Dan Albano at dalbano@scng.com or @ocvarsityguy

Brinkley was an All-CIF goalkeeper at Sunny Hills and was named the school’s athlete of the year in 2013.

He has coached in the Sunny Hills program and also at Cypress College.

He replaces Schade, who resigned after the 2022-23 season, his 35th as the school’s coach. Sunny Hills won CIF Southern Section championships in 2016 and ’22.

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  Sunny Hills head coach Mike Schade gives instructions to his players in the halftime during a Freeway League match against Fullerton at Sunny Hills in Fullerton on Friday, January 20, 2023. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Contributing Photographer)

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  Sunny Hills head coach Mike Schade talks with his players during halftime of their 4-1 loss to La Habra in a Freeway League boys soccer game at La Habra High School in La Habra on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2020. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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  Sunny Hills head coach Mike Schade smiles after the team defeated Fullerton in a Freeway League match at Sunny Hills in Fullerton on Friday, January 20, 2023. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Contributing Photographer)

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  Sunny Hills head coach Mike Schade talks with his players during halftime of their 4-1 loss to La Habra in a Freeway League boys soccer game at La Habra High School in La Habra on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2020. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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  Mike Schade is retiring as boys soccer coach at Sunny Hillss, where he led the Lancers for 35 seasons. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Mike Schade is retiring as the boys soccer coach at Sunny Hills, the school announced Thursday.

Schade coached the Lancers for 35 years as head coach and three years as an assistant coach. During his tenure as head coach, Sunny Hills won 17 league championships and CIF Southern Section titles in 2016 and ’22.

This season the Lancers advanced to the CIF-SS finals for the sixth time under Schade. They lost to JSerra 2-0 in the Division 1 championship game. 

Schade was Orange County coach of the year in 2016 and was a CIF-SS coach of the year in 2016 and ’22.

Today Sunny Hills High School says THANK YOU to Head Coach Mike Schade, who is retiring after 38 years of LEGENDARY leadership in the Lancer Boys Soccer program! @ocvarsityguy @ocvarsity @SteveFryer @latsondheimer @OCSportsZone @fjuhsd @sunnyhillshs @_lancersoccer @CIFSS pic.twitter.com/zWFL7CkY18

— SH_AD (@SunnyHillsAD) April 20, 2023

Reagan Heslin, JSerra

JSerra’s boys soccer team won everything it could win this season.

The Lions won the Trinity League championship, the CIF Southern Section Division 1 championship and the CIF Southern California Regional Division I championship.

The best player on Orange County’s best team was Reagan Heslin, and he is the Register’s Orange County boys soccer player of the year.

Heslin, a 6-foot-2, 175-pound senior forward, scored 17 goals with eight assists in 21 games.

He was chosen the CIF Southern Section Division 1 player of the year and MaxPreps.com’s state player of the year.

Among Heslin’s many highlights were scoring three goals in a 4-2 win over Fullerton in the CIF-SS Division 1 quarterfinals and scoring twice in a 3-0 win over Birmingham in the SoCal Regional Division I final.

During his four years at JSerra he played center-midfielder before settling in at forward on the left side. Heslin said playing different positions was beneficial to his success at forward.

“It sounds simple,” he said, “but paying attention in practice helps you play any position where you might be needed. If I have to play goalkeeper I have the confidence I could do it because I pay attention.”

JSerra coach Erik Kirsch said Heslin was at his best in the biggest moments.

“The way Reagan played in CIF and at the state level was at another level,” Kirsch said. “And at the same time, he was getting players around him to respond and work hard with him.”

Heslin said the season highlight was winning the CIF-SS Division 1 title after losing to Servite by one goal in the Division 1 final in 2022.

“The best achievement of the season was redeeming ourselves in CIF,” he said. “That was one part of the journey that was winning league, CIF and state. We were looking at winning those three the whole time. We were focused on each game individually but we were determined to win all three.”

COACH OF THE YEAR

Erik Kirsch, JSerra

A league championship, a CIF Southern Section championship and a CIF Southern California Regional championship. JSerra won all of those titles this season.

Erik Kirsch coached the Lions to that triple crown, and he has been chosen the Orange County boys soccer coach of the year by the Register.

The Lions finished 20-1-1, including an 8-1-1 record in the Trinity League.

Kirsch, 55, has coached at JSerra since the 2016-17 season. He also is an assistant coach for Concordia University men’s soccer.

JSerra senior forward Reagan Heslin said Kirsch is an expert communicator

“He makes it simple to understand what he’s trying to explain,” Heslin said. “There also is his passion and his belief in what he has to say. He’s not telling you something just to say it, he’s telling you something because he knows it’s the right thing to say and do.”

ALL-COUNTY FIRST TEAM

Keenai Braun, JSerra, Sr., D

Brown was the Trinity League most valuable player and was selected to the All-CIF Southern Section Division 1 team.

Mathias Brown, Sunny Hills, Sr., F

He was the Freeway League player of the year and an All-CIF Southern Section Division 1 selection.

Sidney Dina, JSerra, Sr., M

Dina was the Trinity League’s defensive MVP and was chosen to the All-CIF Southern Section Division 1 team.

Kenneth Flores, Fullerton, Sr., F

Flores made All-CIF Southern Section Division 1 and was named Freeway League offensive player of the year.

Dylan Graham, Servite, Sr., F

Graham was chosen for the All-Trinity League team and All-CIF Southern Section Division 1 team.

Reagan Heslin, JSerra, Sr., F

The Orange County player of the year.

Ryan Mann, Aliso Niguel, Sr., D

He was the South Coast League most valuable player and is on the All-CIF Southern Section Division 1 team.

Jordi Pineda, Orange Lutheran, Jr., F

Pineda was named CIF-SS Division 4 player of the year and helped the Lancers win the CIF-SS Division 4 championship.

Jake Poole, San Clemente, So., D

Poole was named CIF Southern Section Division 2 player of the year after leading the Tritons to the division championship. He scored 12 goals.

Ethan Sullivan, Aliso Niguel, Jr., GK

Sullivan was 10-1-1 with a 0.38 goals-against average. He was All-South Coast League first team.

ALL-COUNTY SECOND TEAM

Gianluca D’Amato, El Toro, Fr., F

Finn Linas, San Clemente, Jr., D

Carson Hammond, Valencia, Sr., F

Anthony Hernandez, Godinez, Sr., F

Logan Mahoney, JSerra, Jr., D

Isaac Morales, Sunny Hills, Jr., M

Sonny Mosdri, Santa Ana Valley, Sr., M

Daniel Park, Sunny Hills, Sr., D

Ryan Savoie, San Clemente, Sr., GK

Hayden Snyder, Orange Lutheran, Sr., F

ORANGE COUNTY PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Faith George, Santa Margarita, Jr.

Santa Margarita girls soccer player Faith George considers herself a goal-oriented person. And by goal, she means a team objective, not her finishing boots into the net.

The junior forward wanted the Eagles this season to capture Division 1 titles in the CIF-SS and CIF Southern California Regional playoffs and then seize a national title.

The team came close to reaching all of those lofty goals.

With the high-scoring George leading the way, Santa Margarita (22-2-1) swept the first two championships and finished second in MaxPreps’ national rankings.

“It’s OK,” she said of the near sweep. “Just another goal for next year.”

George is the Register’s Orange County player of the year.

The speedy USC commit erupted for 28 goals — 26 more than last season — as she moved from a defensive midfielder to a center forward under first-year coach Craig Bull.

George scored off a free kick in a 1-0 victory against Los Alamitos in the regional final, capping a season full of critical goals.

She netted both goals in a 2-1 victory against San Clemente in the Division 1 quarterfinals. She set up the goal in a 1-0 triumph against Villa Park in the semifinals.

“Big moments,” Bull said during the season of George’s productivity, which included several assists. “You don’t have that many goals if you don’t have a nose for it.”

George said Bull’s confidence in her play was critical in her success but also credited her teammates.

She worked at forward with Jastel David, Cora Fry, Emily Davey and Sydney Osborn. Midfielders Angelina Moschetti, MacMillan, Ruby Casey and Kendall Memoly each found different ways to pass her the ball or create scoring chances. Even defenders helped George score, she said.

“It was a whole team effort for me to score,” said George, selected the Trinity League MVP and All-CIF. “I just wanted my team to win everything.”

COACH OF THE YEAR

Erland Jones, Magnolia

Erland Jones guided the Magnolia girls soccer team for more than two decades before experiencing a season as magical as the one this winter.

Magnolia High, which opened in 1961, never witnessed a season like it either — in any team sport. Football, baseball, you name it.

The Sentinels won the CIF-SS Division 7 title in a sudden-death overtime amid heavy rain and wind to claim the school’s first CIF-SS team championship.

For his steady leadership and perseverance, Jones is the Register’s Orange County girls coach of the year.

“We brought it home!” Jones, in his 21st season, told his players after a 1-0 win against La Quinta in the final. “What a season!”

Jones, assisted by Alyssa Garcia and Wilfredo Velasco, also led Magnolia (17-10-1) to the Orange League title and a trip to CIF Southern California Regional playoffs.

FIRST TEAM

Faith George, Santa Margarita, Jr., forward (Player of the year)

Jaiden Anderson, Huntington Beach, Jr., forward

The Surf League MVP and USC commit scored 29 goals to lead the Oilers to the CIF-SS Division 1 playoffs.

Skylar Cano, Mater Dei, Sr., forward

The Trinity League offensive player of the year scored 16 goals and added six assists to help the Monarchs reach the CIF-SS Division 1 playoffs.

Kaylee Noble, Los Alamitos, Sr., forward

The Surf League co-offensive MVP scored a team-high 16 goals to help the Griffins finish as the runner-up in the CIF-SS Division 1 and regional playoffs.

Isis Salazar, Ocean View, Jr., forward

The Golden West League MVP scored 45 goals to lead the Seahawks to an undefeated league title.

Cindy Conner, Villa Park, Sr., midfielder

The Crestview League MVP contributed offensively and defensively to help the Spartans reach the semifinals in the CIF-SS and regional playoffs.

Molly MacMillan, Santa Margarita, Jr., midfielder

She scored the game-winning goal in a 1-0 victory against Villa Park in the CIF-SS Division 1 semifinals and scored in penalty kicks in a dramatic win in the final.

Viviana Zacarias, Los Alamitos, So., midfielder

The dynamic playmaker scored 10 goals and added six assists for Griffins.

Christa Hayden, Santa Margarita, Sr., defender

The center back was the Trinity League defensive player of the year.

Peyton Leonard, San Juan Hills, Sr., defender

She anchored the defense and sparked the offense, especially with her long throw-ins, to help the Stallions reach the CIF-SS Division 1 playoffs.

Malia McMahon, San Clemente, Sr., defender

The Cal-bound center back anchored a defense that helped the Tritons capture the South Coast League title.

Peyton Trayer, Santa Margarita, Fr., GK

The CIF-SS Division 1 player of the year blocked three shots in penalty kicks against Los Alamitos to help the Eagles claim their first section crown since 2016.

SECOND TEAM

Abbie Campos, Pacifica, Sr., forward

Sanaa Guyness, Los Alamitos, Sr., forward/midfielder

Peyton Marinos, JSerra, Fr., forward

Ariana Markey, Troy, So., forward/midfielder

Rylie Whittaker, Villa Park, So., forward

Kate Kubiak, Newport Harbor, Jr., midfielder

Zamorah Malinoski, Los Alamitos, Fr., midfielder

Angelina Moschetti, Santa Margarita, Sr., midfielder

Emma Song, Portola, Sr., forward/midfielder

Kiera Miskelly, Marina, Sr., defender

Brooklynn Acevedo, Crean Lutheran, Sr., GK

Avarie Gonzalez, Los Alamitos, Fr., GK

Name: Noah Nesson

School: JSerra

Sport: Soccer

Year: Junior

Noteworthy: The JSerra goaltender came up with big stops Saturday as the Lions defeated Birmingham of Van Nuys 3-0 in the CIF Southern California Regional Division I championship game. Nesson had nine saves. “Noah is an integral part of so many special moments for us,” JSerra coach Erik Kirsch said. “From our first CIF playoff game to the last state championship game, he made plays that kept us in games.” The Lions (21-1-1) finished the season No. 1 overall in the MaxPreps 2022-23 national rankings.

The third-seeded Vikings scored late in regulation to force overtime before falling 11-10 in an epic shootout at Moorpark High.

Emma Ott saves Marina’s 15th and final PK attempt as the Moorpark High girls soccer team wins the @CIFState D-III SoCal regional championship 12-11 on PKs after a 1-1 tie with Huntington Beach-Marina. Emma Ott saved four PKs and even converted one in the epic shootout https://t.co/KjTNjBQeLC pic.twitter.com/8v3jlATe0k

— VCS Preps (@vcspreps) March 5, 2023

Marina (13-7-6) scored on a free kick from 30 yards to tie the score at 1-1 and send the match into overtime.

The Vikings were seeking revenge after falling to Moorpark 2-1 in overtime in the CIF-SS Division 3 final on Feb. 25.

In another final:

In Division IV

Hemet 2, Crean Lutheran 0: Senior goalie Brooklyn Acevedo made four saves but the host Saints (21-4-3) fell in the finals to the Bulldogs, who they defeated 1-0 in CIF-SS Division 5 for their first title.

The Eagles got another stellar performance from their back line and goalkeeper Peyton Trayer, plus a set-piece goal from Faith George that proved to be the difference in a 1-0 triumph over Los Alamitos in the CIF SoCal Division I Regional championship game at Tesoro High.

The same two teams met in the CIF-SS Division 1 final on Feb. 25, with the Eagles (22-2-2) beating the Griffins by edging them in penalty kicks, 2-1, after a scoreless regulation and overtime.

George’s set-piece goal from 20-yards out in the 25th minute Saturday proved to be enough for the Eagles, who earned their second regional championship.

George’s sisters, Michaela and Gwyneth, were members of the 2015-16 squad that won the Eagles’ first regional title.

“The last time it was done, it was my sisters that won it both, so it’s just really emotional for my family and I,” George said, “and I knew that stepping on this field that I wanted to follow in their footsteps and win this for them, for my family and for this team.”

Santa Margarita coach Craig Bull concluded his first season in charge with a memorable double, a CIF-SS title and a regional title. He was quick to give all of the credit to his players.

“To play three games in one week, well three games in five days — Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday — and against very good opposition in Los Al,” Bull said recounting what his team faced in the regional playoffs. “So what these girls have done and the sacrifices they’ve made is incredible, it’s still sinking in.

“We help guide them, but ultimately the players are what win soccer games and these kids are next-level talented. We’re thrilled for them.”

Bull said the free-kick goal could’ve come from captain Angelina Moschetti, but it was Moschetti who told George about a one-foot gap between the Los Alamitos wall and the far post.

“We let them figure it out,” Bull said. “They can both hit a ball very well, but it was Faith’s turn today and she helped win us a state title.”

“Last weekend and today were both challenging games and sometimes soccer comes down to one play and that’s what it did tonight …,” Los Alamitos coach Pat Rossi said.

The Griffins (20-8-5) had a pair of opportunities early in the second half. Viviana Zacarias’ curved shot went wide of the post and then Trayer saved Kaylee Noble’s attempt on goal in the 48th minute.

Trayer also had a kick-save on Sanaa Guyness’ shot in the 61st minute.

“In the second half we changed things around, went a little more offensive, more aggressive,” Rossi said, “and we had more chances but in soccer if you don’t put them away, that’s how it goes.”

The Griffins had a handful of corner kicks in the second half but every opportunity was thwarted by Trayer and the Eagles defense.

Bull said the win wouldn’t have been possible without the team’s back line of Charlotte Memoly, Christa Hayden, Skylar Regan and Kaylee McKeegan.

“Defensively, they give us a chance to win every game,” Bull said.

CIF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REGIONAL FINALS

BOYS SOCCER

DIVISION I

JSerra 3, Birmingham 0

Division II

San Pasqual 1, San Clemente 0

Division III

San Diego Point Loma 3, El Dorado 2

Division IV

Orange Lutheran 2, Littlerock 0

GIRLS SOCCER

Division I

Santa Margarita 1, Los Alamitos 0

Division III

Moorpark 1, Marina 1 (Moorpark wins in PKs, 11-10)

Division IV

Hemet 2, Crean Lutheran 0

Heslin, a senior, scored the first two goals of the match to lead the Lions to a 3-0 victory over Birmingham in the CIF Southern California Division I Regional final at JSerra High.

The victory gave the Lions (20-1-1) their first SoCal Regional title. Last week, they won the CIF-SS Division 1 title.

The win also avenged JSerra’s 3-2 loss in last season’s regional playoffs to Birmingham (22-2-3).

“I couldn’t ask for anything more,” JSerra coach Erik Kirsch said of his players. “They basically have taken the program over with championship leadership. Reagan is the MaxPreps player of the Year, CIF Player of the Year. That’s why he is that guy.”

The Lions’ goal was to stop Birmingham’s strong duo of Jerry Ramos and Oscar Vargas and their defense did that, keeping them away from the net and with Noah Nesson’s nine saves.

Postgame interview with Reagan Heslin of JSerra. 2 goals for Heslin as the Lions take the CIF SoCal Regional title! @ocvarsity @JSerraAthletics @JSerraBSoccer @JSCHS_Lions pic.twitter.com/iPdeH0UEAd

— Manny Alvarez (@MAlvarez02) March 5, 2023

JSerra, which is ranked No. 2 in the nation by MaxPreps, scored its first goal in the 38th minute. Heslin scored and Nathan Aquino had the assist.

The Lions held a 1-0 lead at halftime.

Heslin scored the second goal in the 58th minute with Jake Tatch on the assist.

“That first goal was a team goal,” Heslin said. “It wasn’t just me, everyone helped out. Thankfully Nate gave me a great cross and I was able to finish it. The second goal, we worked hard defensively. Defense was clutch. We were able to get out of the press and thankfully I was able to finish it on a free-kick, which is something I do practice a lot. I’m really happy to finally see it come to fruition.”

JSerra came close to a third goal, but the Patriots defense battled near the net with much help from goalie Josh Guerrero, who had five saves.

Postgame interview with Noah Nesson as he records the shutout in JSerra CIF SoCal Regional victory!@ocvarsity @JSerraAthletics @JSerraBSoccer @JSCHS_Lions pic.twitter.com/YtzGen7Qfx

— Manny Alvarez (@MAlvarez02) March 5, 2023

The Lions eventually got their third goal in the 72nd minute, from Noah Pechuls with Noah Parks on the assist.

“JSerra deserved the win,” Birmingham coach E.B. Madha said. “They outworked us, they had a great game plan. The result was fair today. Our boys carried a lot of weight on their shoulders. I’m proud of our boys, especially the ones going on to college.”

The Patriots battled in the final minutes to prevent a shutout, but Nesson and the JSerra defense kept the clean sheet.

“They definitely had my back today,” Nesson said of the team’s defense. “I had a lot of communication with them. We made sure we were organized. I had to finish up a little bit, but they made it easy for me. It just comes down to culture with our team. We’ve had great culture across the whole season. These guys are like family to me. It’s the backbone of our team.”