The Observer’s 2020 private boys high school soccer preview
Last week, the N.C. Independent Schools Board of Trustees voted to move ahead with fall sports.
High school football practice will begin next week and games will begin Sept. 25.
Cross-country, girls tennis and girls golf will begin the week of Sept. 8. The following week, field hockey, volleyball and boys soccer return.
We continue today with girls field hockey.
Boys’ Soccer Teams to Watch
Carmel Christian: The Cougars have established themselves as a consistent winner, averaging 16 victories per season over the last five years. This year, Carmel Christian returns eight starters from an 18-1 squad that finished as NCISAA 3A state runner-up with their only loss coming to Coastal Christian in the state finals. The Cougars have plenty of weapons on offense with seniors Jackson Dresser, Ty Morgan and junior Noah Behrman (Charlotte Christian transfer). Meanwhile, the Cougars’ defense should be a strength again with seniors Luke Foster, Jayce Shirley and sophomores Matthew Goodale and Gus Mendieta returning from a unit that allowed only eight goals a year ago.
Charlotte Country Day: The Buccaneers have a veteran team returning with five starters, including a quartet of seniors in Harrison Gillespie, Taylor Lafar, Patrick Moore and Tyler Swinehart, as well as junior, Parrish Gosney. Charlotte Country Day has the experience to contend for the CISAA title, which will have them more than ready to make a deep, NCISAA 4A state playoff run.
Charlotte Latin: Charlotte Latin lost 85 percent of its offense to graduate, but return senior center midfielders Julian Evans and Luke Morgan as well as both center backs -- Andrew Cowan and Walker Mermans -- to provide a solid core in the middle of the field.
Concord Academy: The Eagles return nine starters from a team that won 14 games, the Metrolina Athletic Conference (MAC) tournament title, and advanced to the NCISAA 3A state quarterfinals last year. This season, all-state sophomore midfielder Valentino Lira (12 goals), all-MAC senior centers midfielders, Ricky Garcia (five goals, nine assists) and Kevin Reyes return.
Gaston Day: The NCISAA defending 2A state champions have plenty of talent with six starters returning. This year’s team is led by sophomore forwards Ben Spencer (11 goals last year), Marco Wright (nine goals) and junior midfielder, Jack Dee on offense, and juniors defenders Jack D’Amore, Ethan Horkey and goalkeeper, Payne Fulghum on defense.
Hickory Christian: The Knights have won 52 games in the last three years with state runner-up finishes in 2017 (NCISAA 1A) and 2019 (NCISAA 2A). This year, with nine starters back in the lineup, including seven seniors.Hickory Christian will be the favorite to repeat as Foothills’ Athletic Conference champions.
Providence Day: The Chargers earned their first winning record since 2014, going 10-8-1. Providence Day has 15 seniors returning from that team, including eight starters. Senior midfielder Alex Cook (six goals) and forward, John Morris Bryne (five goals) will lead the offense. Meanwhile, seniors Davis Fagan and Kade White headline a defense that allowed 1.5 goals per game.
Boys’ Soccer Players to Watch
Alex Cook, Providence Day, Sr.: The all-CISAA midfielder, co-captain back to power the Chargers’ offense look to improve on a six-goal, five assist season from a year ago.
Luke Engstrom, Covenant Day, Sr.: The all-state midfielder had 12 goals and four assists last year, and will have to be more productive for Covenant Day to challenge for the CISAA conference title and more into the postseason.
Julian Evans, Charlotte Latin, Sr.: The Hawks’ senior will team with center midfielder Luke Morgan to organize and lead a Charlotte Latin offense that must replace 85 percent of its scoring (due to graduation).
Carter Laatsch, Davidson Day, Jr.: The 6-foot-3 center midfielder led the Patriots in both goals (12) and assists (nine) last year.
Valentino Lira, Concord Academy, So.: The all-state midfielder is playmaker with and without the ball, and will look to be even stronger than his 12 goals and 10 assists from a year ago.
Ty Morgan, Carmel Christian, Sr.: All-state midfielder had 12 goals and six assists last year.
Braden Runyon, Hickory Christian, Jr.: All-state center midfielder (21 goals last year) was part of a dynamic Knights’ offense with seniors Dylan Morrison (eight goals), Garrison Mullis (19 goals) and Braden Whitford (eight goals) that puts constant pressure on opposing defenses.
Matthew Sheley, Westminster Catawba, Sr..: All-state center back also an offensive weapon with seven goals, two assists last year.
Ben Spencer, Gaston Day, So.: The Spartans’ sophomore forward (11 goals, five assists last year) will form a dynamic duo up top with Marco Wright (nine goals, three assists).
Tyler Swinehart, Charlotte Country Day, Sr.: The all-CISAA performer will be a key player for both the Bucs’ offense (four goals and four assists last year) and defense.
Boys’ Soccer Players on the Rise
Noah Behrmann, Carmel Christian: Charlotte Christian transfer is an all-state performer who will immediately add talent to a state finalist.
Connor Clark, Providence Day, So.: The Chargers’ goalkeeper allowed 17 goals in 12 starts as a freshman.
Parrish Gosney, Charlotte Country Day, Jr.: The Bucs’ leading returning goal scorer (11 goals) from the 2019 season.
Mark Tutton, Covenant Day, Sr.: The Lions’ goalkeeper is a game-changing playmaker for his team, averaging nine saves per game last year.
Jake Wood, Cannon School, Jr.: Cougars’ all-region forward emerged as threat for the Cannon School offense with 11 goals, five assists as a sophomore.
Tripp Woody, Charlotte Christian, Fr.: The former Cuthbertson Middle School standout (six goals, 11 assists last year) will be a strong addition to the Knights’ midfield.
Interesting Notes
Combine Academy will field its first boys’ soccer team this year, with 40-year veteran coach Bob Reasso. Reasso has spent the last four decades as a college coach, including stops at Pfeiffer University and Rutgers.
The Gaston Day boys’ soccer team is 33-6 in the last two years with an NCISAA state championship (2019) and state runner-up (2018) finish.
The Hickory Christian boys’ soccer team senior class has now played together for eight consecutive years, according to Knights’ assistant coach Daryl Carter.
The Metrolina Christian boys’ soccer team has struggled with 13 wins in the last three years combined, but with eight players returning (four starters), led by seniors Blake Harold and Aron Yusief, the Warriors should be able to get in the win column more often this season.
Conference Predictions
CISAA Conference
Providence Day; 2. Charlotte Latin; 3. Charlotte Country Day; 4. Covenant Day; 5. Cannon School; 6. Charlotte Christian.
NCISAA Foothills’ Athletic Conference
Hickory Christian; 2. Davidson Day; 3. University Christian; 4. Statesville Christian.
Metrolina Athletic Conference (MAC)
Gaston Day; 2. Concord Academy; 3. Gaston Christian; 4. Westminster Catawba; 5. Hickory Grove; 6. SouthLake Christian; 7. Metrolina Christian.