Solano College Athletes Signing Event
Solano Celebrates Four Student-Athletes on Signing Day
The Solano Community College athletic department celebrated a special Signing Day as four student-athletes were recognized for continuing their academic and athletic careers at the next level. Family, friends, teammates, coaches, and support staff gathered to honor the accomplishments of women’s soccer standouts Kalina Osorio and Mattea Cortez, along with men’s basketball standout Nicko Ignacio, and Natalia Sanchez from womens basketball.
Kalina Osorio to Dominican University
The first student-athlete recognized was Kalina Osorio, who signed to continue her soccer career at Dominican University of California at the NCAA Division II level while majoring in Biology.
Osorio leaves Solano as one of the top players in program history. A two-year team captain, she earned 2024 Bay Valley Conference MVP honors and was named the 2025 Bay Valley Conference Midfielder of the Year. Playing primarily as a defensive midfielder, Osorio totaled eight goals and 10 assists over two seasons while serving as the anchor of the Falcons’ midfield.
Her impact extended beyond the field as she completed the season with a perfect 4.0 GPA, demonstrating excellence both academically and athletically.
Cortez Headed to Pacific Union College
Next recognized was Mattea Cortez, who signed with Pacific Union College to compete at the NAIA level while majoring in Psychology.
A transfer from Feather River College, Cortez quickly became a key contributor in the Falcons’ defense as a center back. Her aggressive style of play and leadership helped Solano secure two conference clean sheets during the season.
Cortez also excelled in the classroom, finishing the year with a 3.8 GPA while balancing the demands of collegiate athletics and academics.
Ignacio Signs with Stanton University
The celebration also honored Nicko Ignacio, who signed with Stanton University to continue his basketball career in the NAIA’s Cal Pac Conference.
Ignacio graduates from Solano with a degree in General Business and leaves behind one of the most exciting basketball careers in recent Falcon history. A graduate of Fairfield High School, Ignacio became known for his elite athleticism, highlight-reel dunks, and chase-down blocks.
Over his career, Ignacio averaged 14.1 points per game and scored more than 700 career points in a Solano uniform. He scored 20 or more points on 10 occasions, highlighted by a 31-point performance against Folsom Lake College during his freshman season and a 26-point outing on Sophomore Night against Merritt College.
He also averaged 1.2 made three-pointers per game while shooting 83 percent from the free-throw line and started 31 games during his career.
Off the court, Ignacio represented the Falcons with distinction as a Dean’s List recipient, member of the Student Athlete Leadership Council, and team captain. Coaches praised his willingness to embrace any role while setting the standard for what it means to be a Solano Falcon.
At Stanton, Ignacio will join a program that competed in the postseason conference tournament after finishing tied for fourth in the Cal Pac Conference. The program also faced a highly competitive schedule that included NCAA Division II and Division I opponents during the season.
Sanchez Signs with San Francisco State
Natalia Sanchez, one of the top all-around players in the Bay Valley Conference and a true leader on and off the court. Natalia led the team in points per game, total points, rebounds, steals, assists, and blocked shots, averaging an impressive 17 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game while shooting 39% from the field. She finished 4th in the conference in scoring and earned Bay Valley All-Conference honors for her outstanding season.
In the classroom, Natalia continued to excel as an Academic All-State and Academic All-Conference selection, maintaining a 3.74 GPA while earning her Associate in Science for Transfer degree in Administration of Justice. Natalia’s work ethic, competitiveness, and commitment to excellence have made a lasting impact on our program, and we are excited to celebrate this next step in her basketball and academic journey.