The News Tribune’s 2021 All-Area boys soccer team
Even during a shortened season, the best high school soccer players in the South Sound rose to the top. Here are the first- and second-team selections for The News Tribune’s 2021 All-Area high school boys soccer team.
Player of the year
Christian Pineda, Emerald Ridge, sr. — Central attacking midfielder was the heartbeat of the 4A South Puget Sound League champion Jaguars squad, which won the south division, and also won a crossover game, beating North Division champion Gig Harbor, 2-1. Tallied four goals and six assists in the nine game season. Served as the connecting piece between the back line and the attack. Named the 4A SPSL South offensive player of the year. Plans to move to Mexico after high school to try to break into a Liga MX Academy.
Coach of the year
Steve Aguilar, Emerald Ridge — Coached Emerald Ridge to an 8-1 record and its first ever league title in the 4A SPSL, racking up wins over Puyallup, Olympia, Rogers and Gig Harbor along the way. Named the 4A SPSL coach of the year.
Forwards
Zane May, Emerald Ridge, jr. — First-team 4A SPSL selection led the league-champion Jaguars in goals this season with 11. Added three assists, too.
Abdullah Mousa, Wilson, sr. — The 3A Pierce County League offensive MVP scored 11 goals and had eight assists on the year, using his blazing speed and off-ball movement to beat defenders. Signed to Tacoma Community College, where he’ll continue to play for coach Jason Gjertsen.
Peter Radovich, Bellarmine Prep, jr. — 4A South Puget Sound League North Division co-MVP scored eight goals and tallied six assists on the season for the Lions, leading Bellarmine to an 8-1-2 record.
Mark Rivera, Kennedy Catholic, sr. — 4A North Puget Sound League MVP had 11 goals in seven matches, despite missing three of the team’s ten games due to injury. Coach John Gavino calls him a dynamic forward with a nose for the goal, who can score from anywhere on the field.
Trevor Thompson, River Ridge, sr. — Scored 10 goals and added 18 assists for the 3A South Sound Conference champion Hawks. The SSC did not name a player of the year, but Thompson was acknowledged as the conference’s top player by several coaches.
Midfielders
Oliver Dickson, Olympia, sr. — First-team 4A SPSL selection had three goals and five assists for the Bears in his final high school season. Played half the season injured and still made an impact for Olympia. Whitman commit.
Conner Louden, Gig Harbor, jr. — The 4A SPSL North co-Offensive player of the year scored 10 goals and tallied five assists, leading Gig Harbor to the division title and the league championship game against Emerald Ridge.
Ryan Rotter, Auburn Mountainview, jr. — 3A NPSL co-MVP scored eight goals and had four assists for the Lions. Coach Joey West says the center defensive midfielder was a key factor in the team going 6-0 in league play, as he controlled the midfield and the game.
Christian Senestrari, White River, sr. — 2A South Puget Sound League MVP tallied seven goals and four assists for the Hornets, who went 7-3 this season. Coach TJ Suek calls him a tricky left-footer who sparked the offense and set the tone defensively.
Yeider Zuluaga, Kent Meridian, sr. — Over 10 games, the 3A NPSL co-Athlete of the Year scored eight goals and tallied six assists. Led the team to an 8-1-1 finish in the NPSL, and a league-leading 45 team goals. Played all over the field where needed.
Connor Tollan, Wilson, jr. — First-team 3A PCL midfielder was a constant playmaker for the league-champion Rams, racking up nine goals and 15 assists for Wilson.
Defenders
Jack Armour, Tumwater, sr. — 2A EvCo MVP and four-time all-league selection may be the best center back in school history, according to coach Brett Bartlett. Leader of a defense that allowed only four goals in 12 games for Southwest District champion Tumwater.
Connor Barnes, Olympia, jr. — Coach Ty Johnson calls the first-team 4A SPSL South selection the best center back in the league and one of the best center backs in the past two decades at Olympia High, praising his smart positioning and lack of mistakes in the back.
James Del Carmen, Emerald Ridge, sr. — Center back was the general in the back for the 4A SPSL champs, in the words of coach Steve Aguilar. Diagnosed attacking movements with ease and knocked forwards off the ball with his strength. Named the 4A SPSL defensive player of the year. Committed to Tacoma Community College.
Jett Manglona, Gig Harbor, jr. — 4A SPSL North defensive player of the year tallied a goal and an assist, but coach Joe Ross said his toughness jumps out above all else; Manglona immediately asked to return to a game this season after suffering a broken nose.
Chester March, Fife, jr. — 2A SPSL defensive player of the year was strong in defense, and also strong pushing forward in attack for the Trojans, who went 6-2-3 on the season.
Goalkeeper
Hayden Flynn, Stadium, sr. — At goalkeeper, he was named the 3A Pierce County League’s defensive MVP. Three-year starter recorded seven clean sheets and conceded just two goals during the regular season.
SECOND TEAM
Forwards — Caleb Lea, Orting, sr; Wyatt Lopez, Mount Rainier, sr; David Castellanos, Curtis, sr; Braven Baxer, Olympia, sr; Alex Coope, Stadium, sr; Patrick Chapman, River Ridge, sr;
Midfielders — Kolton Lerwick, Mount Rainier, sr; Austin Lee, Peninsula, sr; Oliver Torres, Puyallup, soph; Eli Boatright, Olympia, sr; Erick Arvizu, Stadium, sr; Zack Schmidt, Tumwater, jr.
Defenders — Tino Colello, Mount Rainier, sr; Conner Prenovost, Sumner, sr; Joey Lumsden, Stadium, sr; Silas Brunner, Wilson, jr.; Anthony Ehle, Graham-Kapowsin, sr.
Goalkeepers — Dylan James, Enumclaw, jr; Deven Dixon, Puyallup, sr.
This story was originally published June 10, 2021 at 5:00 AM.
