Simi Valley’s Hampton Voted Top 4-A Defensive Soccer Player

Simi Valley High midfielder Craig Hampton, a Parade magazine All-American, has been named Southern Section 4-A Division Defensive Player of the Year in a vote of coaches.

In addition, Simi Valley’s Andy Silva was named the division’s coach of the year. Simi Valley compiled a 28-2 record under Silva and was ranked No. 1 for most of the season. The Pioneers defeated defending 4-A champion Palos Verdes, 3-0, in a tournament match in December before falling, 1-0, to the Sea Kings in the 4-A title match.

Hampton, who also earned All-American honors from the National Soccer Coaches’ Assn. of America, opted to play in an international match against a Mexican national team at the Santa Ana Bowl rather than in the 4-A championship March 2.

Other Simi Valley players selected to the first team were midfielder Andre Markarian, defender Sean Kieldrup and forward Brian Weaver. Royal forward Matt Brinkman also was a first-team selection.