Oregon’s top high school boys soccer players: Meet the state’s best defenders

By René Ferrán 

This week, we’re taking a position-by-position have a look at a number of the high gamers in Oregon highschool boys soccer. Our second record focuses on the defenders.

How the lists had been compiled: Coaches had been contacted and inspired to appoint gamers for these lists. Many coaches declined to reply; thus, these lists will not be complete. Tell us about every other gamers you assume must be added.

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D Roy Arroyo, Willamette, So. 

Arroyo, a second-team all-Midwestern choice as a freshman, has anchored a protection that allowed simply seven objectives and posted 5 clear sheets in the course of the Wolverines’ 8-3 begin this season. “Roy is the hardest-working child in our program,” coach Jason Burke stated. 

D Cade Brandes, Grants Go, Sr.

Brandes made the all-Southwest first staff and completed second within the participant of the yr voting final fall, serving to the Cavemen attain the 6A state playoffs. Coach Travis Boersma considers Brandes “a lockdown defender and nice participant you may depend on. He’s calm, cool, collected and reserved, however tremendous humorous.”

D Braden Carter, Oregon Episcopal, Sr.

Carter has scored one purpose in every of the previous two seasons, however the staff captain’s major job is stopping different groups from discovering the again of the web. By seven video games this season, he’d helped the Aardvarks publish 4 shutouts and permit simply 5 objectives in a 6-1 begin. “Braden’s a relaxed, robust, succesful defender who can each set up the again line in addition to be the initiator of our assault,” coach David Rosenberg stated.

D Dominick Crenshaw, Phoenix, Jr.

Crenshaw thought of enjoying soccer for the Pirates however finally turned to his true ardour, cracking the beginning lineup as a sophomore and making the all-Skyline second staff. Phoenix coach Chris Gallegos referred to as him “a robust and quick participant and an ideal staff chief.” 

D Anders Davidson, South Eugene, Sr.

The second-team all-Southwest choice at middle again anchored a protection that allowed simply 9 objectives final season (fewest in 6A) and had given up 5 objectives by 11 video games this season. “Anders has a wonderful means to arrange and supply stability to our protection, whereas constructing out of the again or instigating a counterattack,” Axe coach Pete Peterson stated. “His vary and precision of distribution is superb. He can management the tempo and tempo of the sport.” 

D/M Ben Evans, Summit, Sr.

Evans teamed with Aiden MacLennan at middle again final season to steer a protection that allowed simply 11 objectives in 18 video games en path to a 6A state championship. Whereas MacLennan has moved to midfield, Evans stays an anchor for the again line, though he sometimes strikes to defensive midfielder. Storm assistant coach Everett Adams stated the workers is aware of that “Ben will all the time convey good vitality to the pitch.”

D Hayden Galas, South Eugene, Jr.

Galas made the varsity for the primary time final season, then spent the summer time coaching with Lane United FC of the semi-pro USL League Two, making his debut within the season finale. “Hayden has a really excessive degree of recreation intelligence and consciousness,” coach Pete Peterson stated. “His approach is impeccable. His timing and work fee lead to nice manufacturing in assault and protection. His means to cowl floor, mix or present service into the field, stability our protection and to arrange is outstanding.”

D Omar Garcia, Stayton, Sr.

Garcia is a four-year starter for the Eagles who made the 4A all-state second staff final fall. Coach Chris Shields referred to as him “the center of our protection” — a again line that allowed three objectives by 9 video games this season. 

D/M Henry Gewecke, Oregon Episcopal, Sr.

Aardvarks coach David Rosenberg can use Gewecke (one help by seven video games) at a number of positions, trying to exploit matchups and deploy him in opposition to an opponent’s finest attacker. “Henry’s a robust, athletic participant who covers an enormous quantity of floor,” Rosenberg stated. “His versatility offers immense potentialities.”

D Gabe Hernandez, Ashland, Sr.

Grizzlies coach Abdiaziz Guled referred to as Hernandez “a well-rounded participant who has the dimensions, quickness and imaginative and prescient to see the total discipline.” 

D Dominic Hoar Weiler, Jesuit, Sr.

Weiler has come into his personal this season, sharing the staff lead with six assists to go along with two objectives because the Crusaders opened 7-1-3. “Dominic is a defender that’s not afraid to go ahead and may be very harmful popping out of the again,” coach Geoff Skipper stated. 

D Ben Lammers, Westside Christian, Sr.

Lammers anchors an Eagles protection that posted three clear sheets and allowed simply 14 objectives throughout an 8-2-1 begin. “Ben wins the whole lot within the air,” coach Jason Housley stated. “Ben is aware of precisely methods to time his stress.” 

D Cameron Little, Wilsonville, Sr.

Little is a three-year starter for the Wildcats who made the all-NWOC first staff as a midfielder final fall however has transitioned full-time to defender this season. “We are going to rely closely on Cameron’s management to assist the staff to proceed to develop and enhance every recreation,” coach Ian Reschke stated.

D/M Christian Martinez Trejo, Glencoe, Jr.

The second-team all-Pacific choice a yr in the past has blossomed this season into the Crimson Tide’s most dynamic participant, in line with coach Tom Stephens. Martinez Trejo has scored or assisted on three game-winning objectives this season. “He has modified the tempo of play by the center of the sphere,” Stephens stated. 

D Finbar O’Brien, La Salle Prep, Sr.

O’Brien anchors a stellar again line that gave up simply 12 objectives in 18 video games in the course of the Falcons’ 5A state championship 2021 season and had allowed simply seven objectives throughout an 8-1-2 begin to this marketing campaign. He was an honorable point out all-NWOC choose final fall and hit 87 mph along with his fastball for the baseball staff within the spring. “He’s a frontrunner that involves play each recreation,” coach Monty Hawkins stated. “He is a superb particular person defender and units the tone for our build-up along with his calmness on the ball and crisp passing. He’s additionally a fierce competitor who’s unmatched in aerial duels.” 

D Damian Palominos, Glencoe, Sr.

Palominos was a first-team all-Pacific choice for the Crimson Tide final season, directing a protection that allowed the second-fewest objectives in Class 6A (10 in 16 video games). His membership coach at Santos FC, Lisa Harings (additionally the top coach at Nelson), recalled that when he arrived there, “he was the weakest participant on the staff, however his drive and energy developed him into the strongest defender within the state.” Glencoe coach Tom Stephens was equally effusive in his reward, calling him “a dynamic defender who has performed an important half to main the staff to the convention championship.” 

D Theron Patridge, Ashland, Sr.

Grizzlies coach Abdiaziz Guled applauded Patridge’s understanding of the sport and the way nicely he reads when an opponent is increase an assault and breaks it up.

D Alexander Perez Hernandez, North Marion, Sr.

Perez Hernandez made the all-Tri-Valley first staff final season in main the Huskies to the convention title and the 4A semifinals, ending with three objectives and 9 assists. They moved this yr to the Oregon West, the place his versatility — he additionally performs holding and attacking middle midfielder and fullback — has proved priceless to teach Carlos Perez. “Alex all the time likes to compete and brings the perfect out of his fellow teammates,” Perez stated. “He’s the senior class president and likes to have a voice in his group.” 

D Jairo Perez Santiago, Woodburn, Sr.

Perez Santiago is the final remaining hyperlink to the Bulldogs’ four-time state championship run that ended when he was a freshman reserve in 2019. He is a dominating middle again who made the 5A all-state second staff final fall. “Jairo is without doubt one of the finest middle backs within the state,” coach Leroy Sanchez stated. “He’s an clever, expert and quick participant.” 

D/F Alex Peterman, Marist Catholic, So.

Whether or not at proper again or proper wing, Peterman added a jolt of vitality to the Spartans upon his arrival this season. “He’s an clever participant with nice imaginative and prescient and vary,” coach Jonathan Rea stated. “He’s a technically sound defender who wins the ball within the again, then makes performs from the skin within the attacking half.”

D Mason Pyne, Wilsonville, Sr.

The commencement of Northwest Oregon Convention participant of the yr Joseph Friedman has thrust Pyne, a second-team all-NWOC choice a yr in the past, into an even bigger position this season. “Mason is our greatest 1v1 defender and performs nicely out of the again line,” coach Ian Reschke stated. 

D Raul Rendon Benitez, Catlin Gabel, Jr.

Rendon Benitez began for the Eagles as a freshman and contributed 5 assists from the again line final season and made the all-district second staff in serving to them win a 3rd consecutive OSAA 3A/2A/1A state title. “Raul thrives in large video games and might take the staff on his again,” coach Peter Shulman stated, pointing to a play in final yr’s semifinal win over archrival Oregon Episcopal, when he created the tiebreaking purpose with a future and superbly weighted move to Felipe Rueda Duran. 

D Martin Reyes, Tigard, Sr. 

The Tigers are present process a transition this yr below first-year coach Rene Lopez, and Reyes has been a frontrunner alongside the again line following the commencement of two all-Three Rivers defenders. Lopez likened Reyes to former Spanish star Carles Puyol and referred to as Reyes “our hardest defender.”

D/M Ruben Tapia-Rodriguez, Glencoe, Sr.

The previous Timbers Academy participant is a two-time all-Pacific first-team choice whom Crimson Tide coach Tom Stephens described as “the smoothest participant on the sphere. He effortlessly runs the center of the park whereas creating a number of scoring alternatives.”

D Byron Velazquez-Olivera, Newport, Sr.

Velazquez-Olivera anchors a Cubs protection that posted two shutouts and allowed simply 11 objectives throughout a 4-2-3 begin this season. Coach Ollie Richardson referred to as him “an enormous, robust, bodily defender, robust to dribble round and nice within the air. If Byron performs stable and constant within the again all yr, good issues will occur for him and our staff. He’s all about taking good care of enterprise.” 

D Luke Warner, La Salle Prep, Sr. 

Warner had a purpose and 11 assists at proper again for the Falcons final season throughout their run to the 5A state championship. He scored twice and assisted on 13 objectives this season as they opened 8-1-2. Coach Monty Hawkins referred to as his lengthy throw-ins within the attacking third “a deadly weapon” and added that “Luke is a workhorse on the flanks. His means to overlap and get to the tip line and provide high quality service into the field is excellent.” 

D Lincoln Weiler, Oregon Episcopal, Fr.

Weiler is the uncommon freshman who will get substantial enjoying time for a state championship contender, enjoying almost 80 minutes in each recreation for a again line that posted six clear sheets and allowed simply six objectives by 10 video games. Aardvarks coach David Rosenberg praised “his means to learn the sport and play out of stress … he’s going to be an anchor of the OES protection for years to return.”