ROCHELLE — Four members of the Rochelle Hub varsity soccer team received All-Conference recognition from the Interstate 8 this season, with three members earning First-Team honors.

Senior forward Alberto Casillas was named an All-Conference First Team player for the first time. Casillas, who has started at forward over each of the last four years, led the Hubs with 28 goals while adding four assists. Casillas concludes his varsity career at RTHS with 93 goals and 14 assists.

“I tried hard to push myself and that showed during the season,” Casillas said. “I worked hard to be recognized and I tried my best for the team. I tried to be better this year than I was last year. I enjoyed playing with all of my friends on the team. My advice for the returning players is to work hard for what you want, try your best during each game and keep your head up.”

Senior midfielder Fernando Diaz was named an All-Conference First Team player for the first time as well. Diaz, who served as a team captain this season, finished with a career-high 16 goals while dishing out two assists on offense. Diaz, who has also played four years of varsity soccer at RTHS, took a noticeable step forward as a scorer from his junior season, when he totaled seven goals.

“It’s a confidence boost,” Diaz said. “My teammates allowed me to be successful. My advice for the returning players would be to not let things get to your head and keep your head up.”

Junior midfielder Heilly Zepeda joined Diaz and Casillas as an All-Conference First Team honoree in the Interstate 8 this season. A third-year starter for the Hubs, Zepeda tallied four assists and two goals, helping Rochelle to a 12-11-1 record this fall. Sophomore defender Eliud Lombardia received an Honorable Mention to round out Rochelle’s All-Conference foursome.

“It feels good that my hard work is paying off,” Zepeda said. “I was more calm on the ball and I did a better job of looking for my teammates so they could score more goals.”