South Meck’s Marco Garcia Observer’s boys soccer player of year
The South Mecklenburg boys’ soccer team had a historic season going unbeaten (23-0-2) on their way to their first state championship since 1971.
The Sabres beat Laney High 2-0 in the state finals.
All-state forward and the 4A state championship’s most valuable player, Marco Garcia, is the Charlotte Observer player of the year. Garcia led his team with 39 goals this season, and also had 20 assists. South Mecklenburg coach Eric White shares Charlotte Observer coach of the year honors with Weddington’s Powell Williams.
Williams led his Warriors (20-1-2) to their first 3A state championship in school history.
All Charlotte Observer Boys Soccer Team
FIRST TEAM
Forwards
Marco Garcia, South Mecklenburg, Sr.: All-state forward, 4A state championship MVP had 39 goals, 20 assists on way to 4A state title.
Nick Aparicio, Providence, Sr.: All-state forward had a school-record 37 goals as he led Panthers to 4A state semifinals.
Evan Ashbrook, Hough, Jr.: MECKA 4A conference player of the year, all-state performer had 19 goals, 11 assists to help lead Huskies to 4A state quarterfinals.
Mason Peeler, Weddington, Sr.: All-state performer key for state champion Warriors with 15 goals, 10 assists.
Jordy Briceno, Ashbrook, Jr.: Big South player of the year, all-state pick had 46 goals, led Green to 3A state quarterfinals.
Francisco Prado, Community School of Davidson, Sr.: All-state pick, South Piedmont 1A conference player of the year had 43 goals, 16 assists for his 1A state runner-up team.
Midfielders
Reed Hunnicut, South Mecklenburg, Jr.: All-state playmaker led the Sabres with 22 assists, also had 10 goals.
Logan Frey, Lake Norman, Sr.: Two-time all-state performer, North Piedmont conference player of the year set the all-time school record assists with 42 in his Wildcat career.
Giovani Fannara, Charlotte Country Day, Jr.: CISAA conference player of the year, all-state pick led Bucs to 4A state runner-up finish.
Hunter Faust, Statesville, Sr.: All-state pick, a four-time all-region, all-conference pick had 19 goals, 11 assists.
Defenders
Brad Scharf, South Mecklenburg, Sr.: Sabres’ co-captain, all-region pick was a rock in the back for a defense that allowed only 12 goals in 25 games, including 17 shutouts.
Shalom Duty, Garinger, Sr.: Liberty University commit an all-state defender who also earned Top Drawer soccer, All-American honors.
Matt Allison, Weddington, Sr.: All-state defender led a Warrior defense that recorded nine shutouts, allowing only 16 goals all season.
Cade McCurry, Hough, Sr.: All-state defender was the anchor of a stingy, Husky defense that allowed 20 goals in 25 games.
Goalkeeper
Harish Amatya, South Mecklenburg, Sr.: All-region goalkeeper was a rock in the Sabres’ net with a school-record 17 shutouts in 25 games this season (26 career shutouts also a school-record).
SECOND TEAM
Forwards
Bailey Frederick, Marvin Ridge, Sr.; Ernad Masic, Lake Norman, Sr.; Charles Baase, East Mecklenburg, Sr.; Michael Davidson, Weddington, Jr.; Christian Bejerano, Mooresville, Sr.; Zach Allen, Lincoln Charter, So.
Midfielders
Fernando Garcia, South Mecklenburg, Jr.; Jason Coggins, Community School of Davidson, Sr.; Carlos Rios, Mallard Creek, Sr.; Danny Marban, Union Academy, Jr./Nick Raymond, Union Academy, Jr.; Paxton Laurie, Charlotte Catholic, Sr.; Brett Shanklin, East Lincoln, Sr.
Defenders
Zain Blackwood, Ardrey Kell, Sr.; Ethan DeSilva, South Mecklenburg, Jr.; Davis Hammond, Myers Park, Sr.; Jason Rosales, Statesville, Sr.; Michael Mosk, Ashbrook, Sr.
Goalkeeper
Ian Rushton, Statesville, Sr.
This story was originally published December 19, 2015 at 11:29 PM with the headline "South Meck’s Marco Garcia Observer’s boys soccer player of year."