The News Tribune’s 2024 All-Area boys soccer team
First- and second-team selections for The News Tribune’s 2024 All-Area boys soccer team.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Preston Soeum, Franklin Pierce, sr. — Commanding and communicative defender powered the Cardinals to first 2A soccer title in program history, named the 2A SPSL’s co-MVP. Versatile, plug-and-enjoy playmaker netted Franklin Pierce’s title-clinching penalty kick in a shootout over No. 1 Sehome. “It means a lot to me. It means so much to me and my family,” Soeum said. PLU commit.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Sammy Tafolla, Franklin Pierce — First-year head coach directed Franklin Pierce’s title run through the 2A tournament, capped by a 2-1 win over top-seed Sehome in a shootout. Unbeaten Cardinals (21-0-2) scored in every game and captured the triple crown of SPSL, District 2/3, and 2A state titles. “It’s all of their work, man,” he said. “They work so hard.”
FORWARDS
Ty Brunner, Sumner, sr. — His scoring prowess and offensive creativity speaks for itself, but head coach Craig Johnson pegs Brunner’s leadership as Sumner captain equally influential. “Ty can make something out of nothing,” Johnson said. First-team All-SPSL forward notched 17 goals and 20 assists. Western Oregon University commit.
Davyd Fedina, Auburn Mountainview, sr. — The league MVP who can “single-handedly win a game for a team,” Fedina guided the No. 17 Lions on a Cinderella run to the 3A semifinals and eventual fourth-place state finish last month. Scoring is effortless for the 3A NPSL player of the year, who scored 29 goals with 13 assists as a senior.
Logan Hasting, Kentwood, sr. — Conquerors senior scored 17 goals with seven assists en route to 4A NPSL MVP honors.
Jaggar Judkins, Bellarmine Prep, sr. — Unstoppable in the open field, the back-to-back 4A SPSL offensive player of the year netted 21 goals with four assists as a senior, considered one of the South Sound’s elite one-on-one players.
Zack Robertson, Puyallup, jr. — The hiccup in every opponent’s game plan, Robertson managed 19 goals and routinely found the open man for a dozen assists, despite constant double teams from Puyallup’s opposition. 4A SPSL first-team selection.
Logan Sams, Franklin Pierce, sr. — 2A SPSL co-MVP netted 20 goals and tallied 15 assists, helping direct the Cardinals to the 2A state title in his senior campaign. Tacoma Community College commit.
MIDFIELDERS
Calvin Boyal, Olympia, sr. — 4A SPSL first-team selection was a four-year varsity player for the Bears, praised by coach Ty Johnson for his technical ability, soccer IQ, quick feet and team-first mindset. Tallied three goals and had 14 assists. Saint Martin’s commit.
Tyler Dull, Gig Harbor, sr. — 3A SSC co-MVP was attack minded for 3A state tournament-appearing Tides, scoring nine goals and adding nine assists for Gig Harbor this spring.
Roby Hooper, Puyallup, sr. — What could’ve been for Puyallup’s senior central midfielder. Despite missing about half the team’s games due to injury, still racked up eight goals and eight assists for Vikings, earning 4A SPSL first-team honors for Puyallup’s state tournament squad.
Cameron Mitchell, Silas, sr. — Defensive midfielder and 3A PCL first-team selection was an integral part of Silas’ 3A state tournament team, a leader on the field and gifted passer who did a lot of little things that don’t show up on the stat sheet.
Dane Price, Bellarmine Prep, jr. — 4A SPSL first-team selection was key part of Bellarmine’s state tournament team, praised by coach Jim Dempsey for his second-to-none work ethic, soccer IQ and field vision. Tallied two goals and had 10 assists for the Lions.
DEFENDERS
Aiden Vannoy, Sumner, soph. — Figures to be a piece Sumner’s 4A District 3/4 champion and state tournament quarterfinal squad can build around the next two years, a master of reading the game and winning balls in the air. 4A SPSL first-team selection has the technical skill of a midfielder at center back and helped Sumner to seven shutouts. Also tallied a pair of goals and three assists.
Ethan Bell, Curtis, jr. — The two-time 4A SPSL Defensive Player of the Year was again a feared presence, widely considered the league’s best defender throughout his Curtis tenure. Aerially dominant center back’s led Curtis to a league-high eight shutouts. “Very few forwards (find) success against Ethan,” Vikings coach Eddie Na said.
Porter Herbig, Central Kitsap, sr. — First-team 3A SSC selection led the Cougars to the 3A District 3/4 title and a state tournament appearance. Central defender will continue his soccer career at Tacoma Community College.
Ethan Kelly, Silas, sr. — Four-team all-league player, three-time 3A PCL defensive MVP and captain of one of the state’s top back lines was strong again this spring, a steady presence on the ball and elite passer out of the back.
GOALKEEPER
Landon Gordon, Timberline, sr. — 3A SSC co-MVP kept Timberline in the hunt all season with great saves as part of one of the league’s best defenses. PLU commit.
SECOND TEAM
Forwards — Diego Barton, Bonney Lake, sr.; Dylan Cruz, Todd Beamer, sr.; Taylor Duffek, Silas, sr.; Silas Gholston, Central Kitsap, jr.; Mykah Harris, Fife, sr.; Braulio Navarette, Bethel, jr.; Marvin Soeum, Franklin Pierce, sr.; Dylan Stevens, Tumwater, jr.; Micah Wilhelm, Olympia, sr.
Midfielders — Landon Breidenbach, Enumclaw, jr.; Nicholas Coope, Stadium, jr.; Zeth Lucero, Tahoma, jr.; Liam Stoner, Puyallup, sr.
Defenders — Landon Lee, Curtis, soph.; Jace Luinstra, Stadium, soph.; Raef MacNeill, Auburn Riverside, jr.; Josh Yinger, Fife, sr.; Andres Zuluaga, Kent Meridian, sr.
Goalkeepers — Giovannie Aguilar Gutierrez, Spanaway Lake, sr.; Kyle Goodrow, Sumner, jr.; Hunter Thompson, Franklin Pierce, sr.; Jose (Manny) Zuniga, Curtis, sr.
