West Cabarrus’ Drew Waller leads All-Observer high school boys’ soccer honorees
West Cabarrus senior Drew Waller is the Charlotte Observer boys’ soccer player of the year after the 4A state player of the year scored 43 goals and had 16 goals this season.
The University of North Carolina commit, all-state and All-American pick led the Wolverines to their best season in school history. West Cabarrus finished 17-7-1.
Waller, a two-time Greater Metro 4A conference player of the year, finished his high school career with 102 goals and 32 assists.
▪ South Mecklenburg’s Eric White is the coach of the year after guiding the Sabres (17-6-3) to a 4A state championship after entering the playoffs as the No. 24-seed and not playing a home game in their title run.
White guided South Mecklenburg to road wins at Watauga, at Hopewell, at Porter Ridge, at Ardrey Kell and at Hickory Ridge, before it beat Apex Friendship in 4A state final on penalty kicks.
South Mecklenburg became the lowest-seeded team ever to win an N.C. boys’ state soccer championship.
First Team
FORWARDS
Preston Cock, Community School of Davidson: The all-state senior forward led the 2A state runner-up with 39 goals. He also had nine assists.
Chase Perry, Davidson Day: The University of Chicago commit, an all-state forward, led the the NCISAA 2A state champions with 23 goals, 15 assists.
Dylan Swinehart, Charlotte Country Day: The Buccaneers’ all-state forward, a Liberty University commit, had 23 goals and 10 assists for the NCISAA 4A state semifinalists.
Jack Soares, Cuthbertson: The Cavaliers’ all-state forward led Cuthbertson with 18 goals this season.
Drew Waller, West Cabarrus: The Wolverines’ All-American and all-state selection, a University of North Carolina commit, had 43 goals this season.
Aaron Zhu, Independence: The Patriots’ senior tied a school-record with 31 goals for the Patriots this season.
MIDFIELDERS
Sam Elhani, Hickory Ridge: The Ragin’ Bulls’ all-state senior was a force on offense and defense as a holding center midfielder. He had two goals, seven assists this season.
Callen Ferguson, South Mecklenburg: The Sabres’ all-state senior led the state champions with 12 goals and he also had six assists.
Sam Howe, Independence: The Patriots’ all-state senior, the Southwestern 4A player of the year, had 18 goals, 16 assists this season.
Tucker Kern, Weddington: The Warriors’ all-state and All-American pick, the Southern Carolinas’ conference player of the year, led Weddington with 18 assists. He also had eight goals.
Amro Shibeika, Ardrey Kell: The SoMeck 4A player of the year, an all-state senior, led the Knights with 14 goals this season.
DEFENDERS
Kyle Blake, Hickory Ridge: The Ragin’ Bulls’ all-state defender anchored a unit that allowed just three goals in five playoff games.
Andrew Boythe, Charlotte Christian: The Knights’ all-state junior defender was a leader on one of the most improved teams in the state that went from 3-14 in 2022 to 12-5 this year, where they were also co-CISAA conference champions.
Daniel Martin, Cox Mill: The Chargers’ all-state senior defender anchored a back line that had seven clean sheets.
Bennett Skinner, Community School of Davidson: The Spartans’ all-state senior defender anchored the defense for a 2A state runner-up team that allowed 24 goals in 26 games this season.
Cole Skovira, Hough: The all-state senior defender was co-Queen City Athletic conference defensive player of the year.
GOALKEEPERS
Cole Freeman, Ardrey Kell: The Knights’ all-state junior allowed just 10 goals in 22 games this season.
Paul Northcutt, South Mecklenburg: The Lee University (TN) commit, a senior, was the most valuable player of the 4A state championship game, allowed just two goals in six playoff games, with four save in extra time (penalty kicks).
Second team
FORWARDS
Bennett Ackerman, Gaston Day, So.
Antoni Ceciliano, Lincoln Charter, Sr.
Drew Crotts, Stuart Cramer, Sr.
Hever Delgado, Piedmont, Sr.
Noah Guggenheimer, Charlotte Latin, Sr.
Ty Fritts, Hickory Ridge, Sr.
Jack Ramanata, Pine Lake Prep, Sr.
MIDFIELDERS
Carlos Brinez, Providence, Sr.
Cuicui Gonzalez-Alvarado, Concord Academy, Sr.
Will Goodling, Covenant Day, Sr.
Ben Heiar, Hopewell, Sr.
Troy Perdue, Porter Ridge, Sr.
Aaron Lail, Lincolnton, Sr.
Jeffrey Zabala, Garinger, Sr.
DEFENDERS
Christian Defenbaugh, Christ the King, Sr.
Connor Green, Hickory Ridge, Sr.
Elijah Guercio, Queens Grant, Sr.
Zayne Martin, Concord, Sr.
Jacob Rase, Lake Norman, Sr.
GOALKEEPERS
Judah Heis, Pine Lake Prep, So.
Ayden Scharf, Lake Norman, Sr.
