High school boys soccer preview: Top teams, players in South Sound in 2023

Jon Manley, Lauren Smith
Updated ·11 min read

The high school boys soccer season is underway, and as usual, there’s plenty of talent in the South Sound this spring.

Here’s what to watch for this season, some teams to keep an eye on before the postseason approaches and some of the area’s top players to watch.

4A NPSL

Tahoma is the favorite, off to an 9-0 start that includes nonleague wins over Mount Si and Skyline and a victory over Auburn Riverside, the 3A NPSL favorite. Kentwood, Mount Rainier and Kennedy Catholic are also in the hunt. Tahoma features dominant midfield play, led by Ignacio “Nacho” Brandan and Zeth Lucero, as well as 4A NPSL first-team forward Owen Harned and defender Cole Daley. Mount Rainier features one of the league’s top forwards in Joel Wollin, a dynamic goal scorer. Forward/midfielder Harrison Emert, defenders Simon Mehari and Kay Wray and goalie Nickolas Barton are returning starters. Kennedy Catholic lost TNT All-Area selection and constant chance creator Jose Pineda-Anguiano to graduation, but returns 4A NPSL first-team selection Logan O’Neil, a defender. The Lancers also bring back midfielders Henry Heater, Oscar Castillo and Christian Herrera Ortiz. Kentwood returns junior twins Logan and Dylan Hastings — Logan, a first-team all-league forward last season and Dylan, an all-league honorable mention selection. Forward Armani Albert is a threat in front of the net and Kentwood’s defense is well organized.

Bellarmine Prep’s Jaggar Judkins attempts a shot on goal during the first half of a 4A State tournament first-round game against Eastmont on Wednesday, May 18, 2022, at Bellarmine Prep High School in Tacoma, Wash.
Bellarmine Prep’s Jaggar Judkins attempts a shot on goal during the first half of a 4A State tournament first-round game against Eastmont on Wednesday, May 18, 2022, at Bellarmine Prep High School in Tacoma, Wash.

4A SPSL

Always one of the state’s deepest leagues top to bottom, this year is no expectation. In the North Division, Curtis, Puyallup, Sumner and defending 4A state champion Bellarmine Prep are all contenders. In the South Division, it figures to come down to Emerald Ridge and Olympia. Curtis has experience on its side, returning 13 players who started in games last season. The Vikings have a strong midfield and back line, led by center back Ethan Bell — a dominant aerial threat and offensive set piece matchup problem — and midfielder Javi Luevanos, a Northwest Nazarene commit who can control a game. Winger Julian Valencia and midfielder Cole Barry round out a balanced Curtis roster and scoring attack. Goals won’t be easy to come by against Puyallup, either. The Vikings return a strong core from last year’s young team, including TNT All-Area selections Dean Williams, a midfielder, and center back Brady Anderson, a pure 1v1 defender. Sophomore forward Zack Robertson is looking for a breakout campaign. Sumner also returns a strong group of players, led by junior midfielder Ty Bruner, a three-year starter who has a knack for finding the back of the net. Forward Luke Peterson, midfielders Juan Vega and Arya Alijani and goalkeeper Kyle Goodrow are also players to watch. Bellarmine will have an uphill climb, as the reigning state champions lost a ton of talent from last year’s team, including forward Peter Radovich, midfielder Cael Tackett and defender Jack Radovich — all TNT All-Area selections — graduated, while TNT All-Area player of the year and defender Liam Miller transferred. The Lions do return forward Jaggar Judkins, an all-league selection from last season. Midfielders Dane Price, Zak Kahn, Henry Marlow and goalkeeper Jayson Baldwin are impact players for the Lions. Olympia is paced by Calvin Boyal, a creative, technically-skilled midfielder. Forwards Micah Wilhelm and Johnah Sutch and defender Ryan Merchant are players to watch for the Bears. Emerald Ridge returns seven starters, highlighted by forwards Zach Jordan and Aron De La Cuba, defensive midfielder Mason Abdella and senior transfer defender E.J. Sablan. South Kitsap doesn’t have the depth of the league’s top teams, but features perhaps the league’s best player in junior midfielder Gabe Fernandez, a former Sounders Academy player.

3A NPSL

The league is gearing up to begin the 3A side of the schedule after matching up against 4A NPSL teams early on. Auburn Riverside found the most success during that stretch, posting four wins in those seven contests and narrowly losing to 4A NPSL favorite and undefeated Tahoma, 1-0, last week. The Ravens are the only 3A NPSL team that advanced past the 3A West Central/Southwest district tournament last spring, reaching the 3A state play-in round before losing to eventual fourth-place finisher O’Dea, and return six starters from that group, while also adding some key newcomers. Auburn Mountainview is the defending league champion, and advanced to the district playoffs last season. The Lions graduated last season’s 3A NPSL co-athletes of the year in midfielder Ryan Rotter — a two-time 3A NPSL co-athlete of the year and TNT All-Area pick — and forward Zach Bartlett, but bring back six starters, including two-time 3A NPSL first-team defender Collin Lane. Kent Meridian returns five starters from the group that ended the 2022 season one win short of advancing to the state playoffs. Thomas Jefferson also reached the district tournament last season, and brings back two-time 3A NPSL first-team selection Pedro Monge-Munoz, a Cal State Bakersfield signee.

Silas forward Joseph Nicholas attempts to dribble around Lakes goalkeeper Jonathan Bieber during the second half of a Pierce County League game on Thursday, March 31, 2022, at Silas High School in Tacoma, Wash.
Silas forward Joseph Nicholas attempts to dribble around Lakes goalkeeper Jonathan Bieber during the second half of a Pierce County League game on Thursday, March 31, 2022, at Silas High School in Tacoma, Wash.

3A PCL

Silas is the defending 3A PCL champion after sweeping the league last season, but perennial league power Stadium played the Rams to a draw in the 3A PCL opener for both teams last month. Tuesday night’s second meeting between the two programs could be pivotal in the league standings. Silas is undefeated through nine matches, including a nonleague win over defending 4A state champion Bellarmine Prep, and is looking to return to the state playoffs after a season-ending loss to Kent Meridian in the 3A West Central/Southwest district tournament last spring. The Rams graduated last season’s offensive MVP in Connor Tollan and defensive MVP in Silas Bruner — both TNT All-Area picks in 2022 — but bring back much of last season’s group, including two-time 3A PCL first-team center back Ethan Kelly. Stadium has advanced to each of the past four 3A state brackets, and won a 3A West Central/Southwest district title last season before losing to eventual 3A state champion Mercer Island in the first round. The Tigers loaded up their nonleague schedule early this spring, playing 3A NPSL contender Auburn Riverside and 4A SPSL powers Puyallup and Curtis in March. They bring back nine players from the 2022 state playoffs run, including 3A PCL first-team defender Ryan Vu. Tigers goalkeeper Levi Bieber is a UW commit. Bonney Lake and Lakes were also district qualifiers last spring, and the Panthers advanced to a state play-in game. Lincoln — which has four league wins early, including a victory over Stadium — Mount Tahoma and Spanaway Lake round out the league’s top five through the first set of league matches.

3A SSC

Peninsula is the defending league champion — and posted the best finish of any South Sound program in 3A last spring, advancing to the state quarterfinals before losing to eventual state runner-up Lakeside of Seattle — but graduated last year’s 3A SSC co-MVP in midfielder Cory Burbridge, a TNT All-Area pick, and two more all-league first-teamers. The Seahawks still return a handful of starters, including second-team selections Sam Sutherland and Frankie Cross. Gig Harbor is undefeated and currently atop the league standings, having swept the first set of matches outscoring 3A SSC opponents, 39-5, with three shutouts. Midfielder Tyler Dull is a returning 3A SSC first-teamer, while defender Owen Ghent and forward Matt Ludlow were second-team selections in 2022 for a Tides team that advanced to the 3A state first round. Central Kitsap is another contender, bringing back forward Jake Mackenzie, who earned 3A SSC co-MVP honors and was a TNT All-Area selection last season and scored a program-record 32 goals. Five more starters also return for the Cougars, who reached the 3A state play-in round last spring. Central Kitsap’s only loss to this point is a 2-1 defeat to Gig Harbor on the road last month. The Cougars otherwise outscored their other six 3A SSC opponents, 37-2, with four shutouts the first round of league matches. Timberline — a district qualifier last season — and North Thurston also have winning league records through one set of games.

Franklin Pierce High School sophomore twin brothers Preston Soeum, left, and Marvin Soeum pose for a portrait on the soccer field at Franklin Pierce High School in Tacoma, Wash. on Monday, April 11, 2022. The brothers have the Cardinals sitting in first place in the 2A SPSL.
Franklin Pierce High School sophomore twin brothers Preston Soeum, left, and Marvin Soeum pose for a portrait on the soccer field at Franklin Pierce High School in Tacoma, Wash. on Monday, April 11, 2022. The brothers have the Cardinals sitting in first place in the 2A SPSL.

2A SPSL

It should come down to Franklin Pierce, White River and Fife this spring. Franklin Pierce, which reached the 2A state quarterfinals a season ago, features TNT All-Area selection and last year’s 2A SPSL defensive player of the year Jacob Railean. The Cardinals can score goals in a hurry, led by first-team all-league forwards Marvin Soeum (15 goals, 14 assists in 2022) and Ethan Shoemaker (17 goals, 12 assists). Defender Preston Soeum, Marvin’s twin, is a high-level defender for Franklin Pierce. Fife, which reached the first round of the 2A state tournament last spring, returns nine starters from last year’s team, including reigning league MVP and TNT All-Area selection Edgar De La Cruz, who scored 18 goals and tallied 18 assists for the Trojans last spring. He’s complemented in the Trojans’ attack by Lance Nelson, an explosive winger and chance creator. Midfielders Joshua Yinger, Mykah Harris and Joel Garcia Avalos are players to watch for the Trojans. White River also brings back plenty of experience, returning eight starters from last year’s team. The Hornets are dangerous up top, led by forwards Denver Mollett and Elijah Wagner, the team’s leading goal scorer the past two seasons.

2A EvCo

Aberdeen is the favorite this year and is off to a blistering start, collecting wins over W.F. West and Tumwater already this season. The Bobcats are deep and experienced, with 13 seniors this season, including first-team all-league selection Edwin Quintana, a midfielder and the team’s top assist player. The defense is led by Alan Avalos and up top, forward Evan Cone, winger Colby Mendoza and forward/midfielder Carlos Mendoza are all goal scoring threats. Tumwater is once again a contender, as well. The T-Birds advanced to the 2A state quarterfinals last spring, losing to eventual state runner-up Burlington-Edison on penalty kicks. Tumwater lost last year’s league MVP Zach Schmidt, a forward, to graduation, but returns an experienced defense. Senior defenders Pierce Yates and Lukas Stuart are both three-year starters for the T-Birds, as is senior goalkeeper/midfielder AJ Heichelbech, who boasts a high soccer IQ and a lethal left foot. Yates and Stuart are physical tone-setters and Yates can push forward in the attack. Pacey sophomore forward Gavin Cuoio, who was played by injuries his freshman season, is looking for a breakout campaign.

Vashon Island High School midfielder Moses Trundle-Strachan brings the ball upfield in the first half of the Class 1A West Central District championship game on Thursday, May 12, 2022 at Stadium Bowl in Tacoma, Wash.
Vashon Island High School midfielder Moses Trundle-Strachan brings the ball upfield in the first half of the Class 1A West Central District championship game on Thursday, May 12, 2022 at Stadium Bowl in Tacoma, Wash.

SMALL SCHOOLS

Vashon Island is seeking a fifth consecutive 1A Nisqually League championship this spring, and another trip to the state playoffs. The Pirates won a 1A state play-in game last spring before their season eventually ended in the first round. They won a state title back in 2019 in the program’s first appearance in the championship game. Vashon Island returns five starters from last season’s squad, including the reigning 1A Nisqually League MVP in midfielder Moses Trundle-Strachan, who scored 22 goals last spring, and first-team midfielder Nick Zuckerman. Life Christian — the 2B/1B state runner-up in 2019 before moving up to 1A — finished one win short of the bracket last season, losing to the Pirates in a winner-to-state game in the 1A West Central District tournament. The 2B and 1B classifications play in the fall. South Sound programs Auburn Adventist and Evergreen Lutheran reached the 2B/1B state playoffs, both advancing to the first round.

40 PLAYERS TO WATCH

M Mason Abdella, Emerald Ridge, sr.

D Brady Anderson, Puyallup, sr.

D Ethan Bell, Curtis, soph.

GK Levi Bieber, Stadium, sr.

M Calvin Boyal, Olympia, jr.

M Ignacio Brandan, Tahoma, sr.

M Ty Brunner, Sumner, jr.

F Edgar De La Cruz, Fife, sr.

M Tyler Dull, Gig Harbor, jr.

M Gabe Fernandez, South Kitsap, jr.

M Joel Garcia Avalos, Fife, sr.

D Owen Ghent, Gig Harbor, sr.

F Owen Harned, Tahoma, sr.

F Logan Hastings, Kentwood, jr.

GK/M AJ Heichelbech, Tumwater, sr.

F Zach Jordan, Emerald Ridge, sr.

M Kolby Juarez, Central Kitsap, sr.

F Jaggar Judkins, Bellarmine Prep, jr.

D Ethan Kelly, Silas, jr.

D Collin Lane, Auburn Mountainview, sr.

F Matt Ludlow, Gig Harbor, sr.

M Javi Luevanos, Curtis, sr.

F Jake Mackenzie, Central Kitsap, sr.

D Raef MacNeill, Auburn Riverside, soph.

M Cameron Mitchell, Silas, jr.

D Pedro Monge-Munoz, Thomas Jefferson, sr.

D Logan O’Neill, Kennedy Catholic, sr.

F David Perez, Auburn Riverside, sr.

F Luke Peterson, Sumner, sr.

D Jacob Railean, Franklin Pierce, jr.

F Marvin Soeum, Franklin Pierce, jr.

D Lukas Stuart, Tumwater, sr.

M Sam Sutherland, Peninsula, sr.

M Moses Trundle-Strachan, Vashon Island, sr.

D Ryan Vu, Stadium, sr.

F Elijah Wagner, White River, jr.

F Micah Wilhelm, Olympia, jr.

M Dean Williams, Puyallup, sr.

F Joel Wollin, Mount Rainier, sr.

D Pierce Yates, Tumwater, sr.