A year ago, none of the three Hawks’ sophomores — forward Arteen Arianmanesh, goalie Sahib Sandhu and midfielder Angel Rondan — could’ve imagined they’d go from newcomers to the core of a nationally recognized team.
What started as a season of uncertainty turned into an unexpected rise, with all three players stepping into roles they never saw coming and finishing among the top junior college athletes in the country.
Three Hawks players were recognized on Monday, 12/8, when United Soccer Coaches announced the 2025 Junior College Division III All-America Team. Sophomores Arianmanesh, Sandhu and Rondan, all captains on the Hawks, earned national honors after strong seasons that helped lead the team on both sides of the field.
Arianmanesh made the First Team after finishing as the Hawks’ top scorer, while Sandhu and Rondan landed on the Second Team for their consistency in goal and on the back line. Their selections place them among the best junior college players in the country this year.
It provides another tangible example of the success achieved by this year’s group. For Arianmanesh, Sandhu and Rondan, earning All-America honors highlights all the work they’ve put in and the important roles they played this season. Their accomplishments continue to add to LPC’s soccer program’s resume as a top-end product.
The Hawks finished the year with a 13-5-5 record, after battling through one of the toughest schedules in the Coast Conference while showing steady improvement throughout the season. The team posted 11 shutouts and scored 55 goals overall.
They went 10-2-3 at home and picked up key wins late in the year, including a 1-0 victory over Butte that helped earn home-field advantage in the first round of the playoffs. Even though the season ended earlier than they hoped, the Hawks’ balance of strong defense, steady goalkeeping and creative attacking play helped push three of their sophomores into All-America territory.
For the players honored, the awards reflect months of work, moments where they had to respond to setbacks, and the pressure of tight conference matches.
Head Coach Andrew Cumbo didn’t shy away from sharing what makes each player special. He began with Rondan: “He’s a silent leader. Always works very hard and kind of leads by example, doesn’t say a lot, but I’ll grab him just right, whatever. And so he’s super consistent like that,” said Cumbo
Sandhu ended the season with a 12-5-4 record with a .500 save percentage. He also managed seven shutouts. Cumbo describes his role clearly.
“He’s kind of like, I don’t know, the older brother slash grandfather type figure of the group, where he’s just super steady, super consistent, really intense, but also just like a little bit more thoughtful,” he said.
Arianmanesh, who led the Hawks in points and earned First Team All-America, said the award is something he’ll remember long after his time at Las Positas.
“It feels great to see all my hard work throughout my playing career result in an award that I can look back on and be proud about for the rest of my life,” he said.
But the recognition also comes far from within; “What makes Arteen special is he’s a little bit more vocal with the group. He had a little bit more emotion,” said coach Cumbo.
Arianmanesh also credited the people around him for helping him reach this level. From coaches, teammates, friends and family, he recognizes that without that support, he likely wouldn’t have earned the honor.
“They were constantly supporting me and are very proud to see I have been recognized as an All-American,” Arianmanesh said. “It meant the world seeing family and friends watching every game they could this season.”
Their success is a reminder of how far the program has come and how much potential still lies ahead. For players like Arianmanesh, Sandhu and Rondan, the recognition marks the end of one chapter and the start of even bigger opportunities waiting beyond Las Positas for them. Coach Cumbo shares what this award really means.
“No matter what happens with the rest of your career or your life, you’ll always be All-American, and that’s a special privilege.”
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TOP PHOTO: Forward Arteen Arianmanesh, goalie Sahib Sandhu and midfielder Angel Rondan were role players on last year’s playoff team. Now, they’re All-Americans. (Photos courtesy of LPC Athletics)
Annie Moore is the Sports Editor of The Express. Follow her on X @SanJosAnnie.
