Meet the top midfielders in Minnesota high school boys soccer

Senior

Hennen was a first-team all-state member last season and a Great Lakes regional All-American.

“Jake is a playmaking midfielder,” coach Mike Rogers said. “He is incredibly fast with exceptional ball skills and vision. He is most certainly one of the top players in Minnesota and hopefully becomes a candidate for Mr. Soccer.”

Sophomore

Kropp is a center attacking mid. As a freshman, he led the Tigers in assists (6) and was second in goals (3).

Now in his third season as a varsity player, Kropp has become dominant, often being double- and triple-teamed in the middle third.

Through the first nine matches of the season, Kropp has scored eight goals and assisted on three all

while helping to lead Stewartville to its best start in nearly a decade.

Senior

Feneis is a returning starter from a 2022 Class AA State Tournament team. Through the season’s first 13 games, Feneis leads his team with nine goals and six assists — both team highs.

“Noah is often double-teamed and still finds ways to get to the net or make a pass to teammates,” coach Jason Senne said. “He is the key to our offensive sets. His maturity as a player is witnessed by other coaches and players throughout the Mississippi 8 conference and Section 6AA.”

Senior

After being named to the all-state teams as a sophomore, Kyle missed last season due to injury, but has returned to form here in 2023.

Kyle leads his team in both goals and assists and coach Lev Buslovich called him the “best holding midfield in the state at this level,” adding, “His play is not always reflected in stats, but he is the ball winner and playmaker for the team. He is a man among boys when it comes to soccer impact.”

Junior

Dimitrov scored 10 goals and assisted on eight others through his team’s first 11 games of the year. Last season, he was an all-conference and all-state tournament team member.

“Jaydon is a prolific left-fitted playmaker and scoring threat,” coach Adi Bilani said. “Additionally, his game IQ, leadership, and technical skills are critical to our team’s ability to gain and maintain possession in the midfield.”

Senior

Through the first 10 games of the season, Washburn netted 42 goals and the midfielder Mortenson had plenty to do with that.

“Nels is our playmaker,” coach Aaron Percy said. “Our offense runs through him… One of the best midfielders I have coached in my 27 years.”

Junior

Last season, Abdulrahman scored four goals to go along with eight assists in an all-conference honorable mention season.

“Mohammed is a versatile player who plays a crucial role in our team,” coach Marcus Anthony said. “He possesses excellent technical skills. He’s tactically aware, has great vision, and good decision-making. His box-to-box style of play ensures that he contributes both on the defensive and the offensive side of the ball.”

Senior

Ore scored a goal and contributed three assists last year, but the captain has seen an uptick in production this year.

“Nathan is a player who contributes to the team,” Anthony said, “from his goal contributions to his playmaking ability. He’s a player who possesses technical skills that help us on the attacking third of the field, while also being able to play multiple positions on the field.”

Senior

Kiage is Farmington’s leader, both on and off the field, as his positive attitude lifts his teammates.

“He continues to show his aerial prowess, scoring a fantastic diving header along with connecting with almost any ball that ends up in the box,” coach Thomas Macmillan said. 

Senior

Ooga has grown into a plug-and-play piece across the board for coach Macmillan and the 7-3-3 Farmington program.

“Stanley's willingness to adjust across the field to fill the needs of the team is unmatched,” Macmillan said. “I can trust him to stay focused, work hard, and learn quickly, no matter the position he's required to play.” 

Sophomore

Oliver, a central midfielder, scored 17 goals and notched seven assists through his team’s first 10 games after scoring 10 goals and tallying eight assists in 14 games as a freshman.

The 2022 all-conference honorable mention has good size, allowing him to physically control the middle of the field.

"He can use both feet to switch the ball which is crucial in our attack,” coach Alex Hess said. “He is not afraid to take shots from distance and get into the danger areas to put a head on the ball. When playing a more defensive role, he is responsible and can dispossess any attack and help out our defenders. He is a weapon in freekicks around the 18 and also as a target for distance freekicks.”

Senior

Piller is Wayzata’s (12-0-2) “best player,” according to coach Dominic Duenas. He’s got eight goals and five assists on the year and is the key to the team’s attack.

“His ability to create scoring chances for himself and others is top notch,” Duenas said. “His vision and distribution is the heart of our attack.”

Senior

Redmond plays alongside Piller in the middle of the field and is a “fantastic one-on-one attacker.” On the year, Redmond has four goals and five assists.

“His ability to attack players out wide has led to numerous scoring chances for our team,” Duenas said. “He creates chances with his services into the box and he also gets us set pieces because he is so dangerous out wide.”

Senior

In West’s second year as a captain, his influence is starting to wear off on the rest of the roster.

“Joe's love and knowledge of the game come through in everything he does for our program on and off the field,” coach Cole Conlin said.

Conlin added: “He is consistently the hardest working player on the field, he approaches everything he does at practice with purpose and demonstrates both the form and determination that it takes to improve as a player.” 

Senior

Strom is a captain and the anchor of Big Lake’s midfield — the team’s toughest unit. He’s an aggressive defender as well as an “accurate passer under pressure.”

“He has been one of the best players on our team since he was in middle school,” assistant coach Brennen Baldwin said of the team’s reigning MVP. “He is crucial to the way our team plays. He is significant in both his defensive work and his build up play.”

Senior

Lange joins Strom in the middle as another of the team’s longest serving members. The team’s leading goal scorer last season, he is a “dynamic” player.

“His attacking runs into the box have created numerous chances for us…,” Baldwin said. “He attacks the ball in the air better than any of his teammates. There aren’t many high school players that can score off of a bicycle kick — Andrew is one of those players.”

Junior

Acosta rounds out the midfield group that has played in nearly every minute of every game for Big Lake this season.

Last year, his season was cut short due to injury, but he has quickly re-established himself as one of the team’s premiere playmakers, tallying three goals and four assists through nine games.

“Tamren creates more chances for his teammates than anyone else,” Baldwin said. “He also serves as one of our chief set piece specialists. His first touch and ability to control the ball in tight spaces are second to none on our team. Tamren’s vision, on and off the ball helps him link up play with his teammates. His ability to play long passes through to our forwards is crucial in the build up of a majority of our offensive plays.”

Eighth grade

Despite his standing as an eighth grader, Carrion has appeared in every game at center midfielder for Winona this season.

“Even though he is only 12 and he is playing with kids that are 17 and 18 years old, he does not shy away from anybody,” coach Oscar Uribe said. “He plays with passion and an intensity. He hates losing and you can see it. You can see at the end of the games that it is his will that is driving him to keep running and challenging other players. He is a very skilled player that I have high hopes he can compete for Mr. Soccer one day.”

Senior

Ali is a captain and center midfielder who plays a “quick one touch style” and good knowledge of the game.

“He dictates our team's ability to circulate through the midfield and leads us to consistently out possess our opponents,” coach Daniel Stoterau said. “Omar has great field vision and often finds openings in our opponents back line to lead us into the attacking third.”

Senior

A three-year varsity player, Zhao has been a “force” in the midfield, often marking up the best players on opposing teams. He was an all-conference player last season and was named a captain this fall.

“He has a deep understanding of the game, asks questions and helps bring some stability and organization to our match ups,” coach Hal Houghton said. “He plays well with both feet to the point I am not sure which foot is his stronger foot.”

Senior

A co-captain and center attacking midfielder, Sanchez has five goals (third on team) and eight assists (team leader) on the season. Last year, he was an all-conference player.”

“Tito is very comfortable with the ball, and he makes a lot of highlight-caliber plays,” coach Sean Jensen. 

Junior

Espinoza Lopez was named to the 2022 All-Metro team last season and led Apple Valley with 12 goals.

Senior

Aultman was named the 2022 All-Area boys soccer player of the year by the Duluth News Tribune last season. Aultman has 13 goals and two assists in six games played this season.