Christ The King’s Drew Hanson, Myers Park’s James Anderson headline All-Observer boys’ soccer team
Christ the King senior Drew Hansen is the Charlotte Observer boys’ soccer offensive player of the year after leading the Crusaders (19-3-5) to their second straight 1A state title with 38 goals and 16 assists this season.
Hansen, a University of Central Florida commit, finished his career as the 1A state championship’s most valuable player. He had an outstanding career at Christ the King with 107 goals and 42 assists.
Myers Park senior James Anderson is the defensive player of the year after leading the Mustangs (18-4) to a SoMeck 4A conference title and 4A state quarterfinal run this year.
Anderson, a three-year starter who played on the 4A state runner-up as a sophomore, led a Myers Park defense that allowed just 11 goals in 22 games this season.
Anderson also had three goals and two assists for the Myers Park offense this season.
Hickory’s Brian Jillings is the coach of the year after leading the Red Tornadoes (22-2-3) to a 3A state championship. Hickory beat Jacksonville 2-1 in the 3A state finals to claim their first state championship since 2000.
Offensive Player of the Year: Drew Hansen, Christ the King, Sr.
Defensive Player of the Year: James Anderson, Myers Park, Sr.
Coach of the Year: Brian Jillings, Hickory
FIRST TEAM
Forwards
Orlando Almanza, Hickory: The Red Tornadoes’ all-state pick was the Western Foothills’ Athletic conference offensive player of the year. He had 21 goals, 10 assists for the 3A state champions.
Jackson Kirila, Concord: The Spiders’ all-state performer, a two-time South Piedmont 3A conference player of the year, had 46 goals and 22 assists.
Jesus “Chucho” Mejia, Newton Conover: The Red Devils’ all-state forward, a two-time Catawba Valley 2A conference player of the year, scored 36 goals and had 11 assists.
Eli Petko, Weddington: The Warriors’ all-state junior was the Southern Carolinas’ conference player of the year. He led a high-powered Weddington offense with 24 goals and seven assists for a 4A state runner-up finish.
Dylan Swinehart, Charlotte Country Day: The Buccaneers’ all-state forward was CISAA conference player of the year. He had 21 goals and 13 assists for the NCISAA 4A state semifinalists.
Marco Wright, Gaston Day: The all-state forward scored 34 goals and had 13 assists to lead Gaston Day to its third NCISAA 2A state title in the past four years.
Forward/Midfielders
Elijah Orren, Jay M. Robinson: The all-state pick poured in 58 goals for the Bulldogs.
Patrik Burling, South Mecklenburg: The SoMeck 4A conference player of the year and all-state selection had 18 goals to lead the Sabres.
Gerardo Rodriguez, Hibriten: The Panthers’ all-state performer and Northwestern 3A/4A conference player of the year had 29 goals and 20 assists.
Midfielders
Brock Gramann, Providence: The Panthers’ all-state center midfielder was Southwestern 4A and Region 9 player of the year. The Queens University commit had 20 goals and 11 assists.
Drew Hansen, Christ the King: The Crusaders’ all-state performer, a two-time Region 9 player of the year, capped his career with 38 goals, 16 assists and another state title.
Valentina Lira, Concord Academy: The Eagles’ four-time, all-state performer scored 23 goals and had 19 assists for the NCISAA 3A state semifinalists.
Gus Mendieta, Carmel Christian: The Cougars’ all-state center midfielder and captain was a key playmaker with 10 goals and eight assists.
Logan Story, Langtree Charter: The Lions’ all-state senior was a major playmaker with 31 goals and 30 assists for a team that advanced to the 1A state semifinals.
Blake Swanson, East Lincoln: The Western Foothills’ Athletic 3A conference player of the year scored 24 goals and had 16 assists.
Defenders
James Anderson, Myers Park: The Mustangs’ all-state defender, is three-year starter who led a Myers Park defense that allowed just 11 goals.
Ewan Gath, Providence: The Panthers’ all-state performer moved back into the center back role (from midfield) to lead a defense that surrendered only 11 goals in 24 games for the Southwestern 4A champions.
Mattthew Goodale, Carmel Christian: The Cougars’ left outside back and all-state pick led the defense while also scoring eight goals and seven assists for the NCISAA 4A state runner-up.
Edward Guggenheimer, Charlotte Latin: The Hawks’ all-state defender scored four goals and had five assists for the CISAA conference champions.
Jacob Rase, Lake Norman: The Wildcats’ all-state defender also scored four goals and had four assists for the Greater Metro 4A conference champions.
Goalkeepers
Will Bowers, Concord: The Spiders’ all-state goalkeeper, an East Tennessee State commit, was South Piedmont conference goalkeeper of the year. He allowed 0.8 goals per game this season.
Cole Freeman, Ardrey Kell: The Knights’ all-state goalkeeper led a defense that allowed only 12 goals in 23 games, advanced to 4A state semifinals.
SECOND TEAM
Forwards
Antoni Ceciliano, Lincoln Charter, Jr.
Ethan Grasso, Bradford Prep, Sr.
Ben Howard, Hickory, Sr.
Jack Ramanata, Pine Lake Prep, So.
Christian Tyler, Forestview, Sr.
Drew Waller, West Cabarrus, Sr.
Forward/Midfielders
Noah Eberhart, Hough, Sr.
Brock Frasier, Weddington, Sr.
Aadi Singh, Cox Mill, Sr.
Alex Trosken, Queens Grant, Sr.
Midfielders
Desmond Bullard, Gray Stone Day, Jr.
Ross Butler, Community School of Davidson, Sr.
Corbin Esquivel, Union Academy, Sr.
Landen Graden, East Lincoln, Sr.
Aiden Morrison, East Lincoln, Sr.
Dylan Steeves, Shelby, Sr.
Lucas Wheeler, West Stanly, Sr.
Defenders
Pat Cormier, Cox Mill, Sr.
Roman Edmond, Gaston Day, Sr. (also midfielder)
Chase Perry, Davidson Day, Jr. (also midfielder)
Nik Sequin, Christ the King, Sr. (also midfielder/forward)
Daniel Wallis, Covenant Day, Sr.
Goalkeepers
Gavin Banks, Charlotte Catholic, Sr.
Kyle Painter, Watauga, Jr.