The Effingham Hearts had three players selected to the All-Apollo Conference soccer teams.

Freshman Osvaldo Angel was named to the first team, while senior Deryl Pleasant and junior Bryan Angel were both selected to the second team.

There were 11 players on both the first and second teams.

All-Apollo First Team – Ben Tresslar, Charleston; Osvaldo Angel, Effingham; A.J. Beard, Lincoln; Eli Warren, Kadyn Jones and Jacob Janda, Mahomet-Seymour; Shane Ghere and Mason Wright, Mattoon; and Jonathan Oliger, Jake Shumaker and Derek Austin, Mt. Zion.

All-Apollo Second Team – Blake Garrett and William Carrillo, Charleston; Deryl Pleasant and Bryan Angel, Effingham; Payton Lanning, Lincoln; Colten Brunner and Nate Lundstrom, Mahomet-Seymour; Jakob Weder and Gavin Gonzalez, Mattoon; Brock Kennell, Mt. Zion; and Preston Good, Taylorville.

Mahomet-Seymour won the conference with a 10-0-2 record. Mt. Zion was runner-up at 9-2-1, followed by Mattoon 6-2-4, Charleston 6-5-1, Lincoln 4-7-1, Effingham 2-9-1 and Taylorville 0-12-0.

The Effingham soccer team is getting closer to full strength and it showed Monday night.

The Hearts got two goals from Osvaldo Angel, Bryan Angel and Parker Siner, en route to a 7-0 shutout at home over Olney. Armando Estrada had the other goal for EHS. Goalie Brandon Duncan had five saves.

“We have worked through the large amount of injuries and have people back and ready to play,” said EHS coach Weston Peno. “This allows our bench to grow in depth, with equally talented individuals. I was able to keep fresh legs in the game.

“The team showed just how much we have grown, both in skill and in being teammates,” Peno added. “I look forward to the rest of the season, and just as importantly, the postseason. I think it will be a challenge that our players are ready to rise to.”

Effingham will play at home Thursday against Charleston.

Effingham scored two second-half goals Thursday, but it wasn’t enough as the Hearts dropped a 3-2 decision at home to Lincoln on Senior Night.

“We fought hard and made them work for every goal, but it wasn’t enough early on,” said EHS coach Weston Peno. “The second half came with some big changes. We pulled two of our midfields down and controlled the ball with our defensive line, which created lots of opportunities. From there, we played very well.”

Victor Carillo and Armando Estrada scored the goals for Effingham. Goalie Brandon Duncan had 10 saves.

Lincoln also won the junior varsity contest 3-1.

The Hearts will open postseason play Saturday in the Mattoon Regional. They will face Taylorville at 9:30 a.m. The winner of that match will face top-seeded Chatham-Glenwood at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The Effingham Hearts dropped a 4-2 soccer decision Thursday at home against Mt. Zion.

“The second half was a bit disappointing,” said EHS coach Weston Peno. “Our kids did not approach the second half with the same ferocity as Mt. Zion. We controlled the ball and had numerous opportunities in the first half, but our control wasn’t there in the second half. I’m proud of our boys and girls and their work ethic, but we still have a long way to go.”

Tucker Moeller and Osvaldo Angel both scored goals for the Hearts and goalie Brandon Duncan had 11 saves.

Effingham will play at home Monday against Olney.