Royal's Michael Rojas named Gatorade Washington State Boys Soccer Player of the Year

Royal senior midfielder Michael Rojas was named the Gatorade Washington State Boys Soccer Player of the Year on Monday.

Rojas, who led the Knights to third in state, totaled 19 goals and seven assists his senior season. In addition to South Central Athletic Conference East MVP honors, Rojas earned an athletic scholarship to play soccer for the University of Washington.

Rojas finished high school with a 3.41 GPA and was also a community beautification volunteer.

Rojas was the focal point for a Royal team that won league and district titles en route to the state semifinals and third-place finish, triggering the attack from the midfield. Rojas scored both goals during Royal’s 2-1 win over Seattle Academy in the consolation final.

“He (Rojas) finally found the space to work and had the Seattle boys chasing his shadow,” head coach Jens Jensen said. “He endured another match of being hammered at every turn, but in his typical way, he stayed fully composed and focused on the job and he got his rewards.

It was an east side sweep as Chiawana’s Summer Yates was the Gatorade Washington State Girls Player of the Year. Yates racked up 30 goals and eight assists for the Riverhawks.

— Staff report