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 look at some of the top players in Oregon high school boys soccer. Our second list focuses on the defenders.
How the lists were compiled: Coaches were contacted and encouraged to nominate players for these lists. Many coaches declined to respond; thus, these lists are not comprehensive. Let us know about any other players you think should be added.
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D Roy Arroyo, Willamette, So.
Arroyo, a second-team all-Midwestern selection as a freshman, has anchored a defense that allowed just seven goals and posted five clean sheets during the Wolverines’ 8-3 start this season. “Roy is the hardest-working kid in our program,” coach Jason Burke said.
D Cade Brandes, Grants Pass, Sr.
Brandes made the all-Southwest first team and finished second in the player of the year voting last fall, helping the Cavemen reach the 6A state playoffs. Coach Travis Boersma considers Brandes “a lockdown defender and great player you can count on. He is calm, cool, collected and reserved, but super funny.”
D Braden Carter, Oregon Episcopal, Sr.
Carter has scored one goal in each of the past two seasons, but the team captain’s primary task is stopping other teams from finding the back of the net. Through seven games this season, he’d helped the Aardvarks post four shutouts and allow just five goals in a 6-1 start. “Braden’s a calm, strong, capable defender who can both organize the back line as well as be the initiator of our attack,” coach David Rosenberg said.
D Dominick Crenshaw, Phoenix, Jr.
Crenshaw considered playing football for the Pirates but eventually turned to his true passion, cracking the starting lineup as a sophomore and making the all-Skyline second team. Phoenix coach Chris Gallegos called him “a strong and fast player and a great team leader.”
D Anders Davidson, South Eugene, Sr.
The second-team all-Southwest selection at center back anchored a defense that allowed just nine goals last season (fewest in 6A) and had given up five goals through 11 games this season. “Anders has an excellent ability to organize and provide stability to our defense, while building out of the back or instigating a counterattack,” Axe coach Pete Peterson said. “His range and precision of distribution is excellent. He can control the pace and tempo of the game.”
D/M Ben Evans, Summit, Sr.
Evans teamed with Aiden MacLennan at center back last season to lead a defense that allowed just 11 goals in 18 games en route to a 6A state championship. While MacLennan has moved to midfield, Evans remains an anchor for the back line, although he occasionally moves to defensive midfielder. Storm assistant coach Everett Adams said the staff knows that “Ben will always bring good energy to the pitch.”
D Hayden Galas, South Eugene, Jr.
Galas made the varsity for the first time last season, then spent the summer training with Lane United FC of the semi-pro USL League Two, making his debut in the season finale. “Hayden has a very high level of game intelligence and awareness,” coach Pete Peterson said. “His technique is impeccable. His timing and work rate result in great production in attack and defense. His ability to cover ground, combine or provide service into the box, balance our defense and to organize is exceptional.”
D Omar Garcia, Stayton, Sr.
Garcia is a four-year starter for the Eagles who made the 4A all-state second team last fall. Coach Chris Shields called him “the heart of our defense” — a back line that allowed three goals through nine games this season.
D/M Henry Gewecke, Oregon Episcopal, Sr.
Aardvarks coach David Rosenberg can use Gewecke (one assist through seven games) at several positions, looking to exploit matchups and deploy him against an opponent’s best attacker. “Henry’s a strong, athletic player who covers a huge amount of ground,” Rosenberg said. “His versatility provides immense possibilities.”
D Gabe Hernandez, Ashland, Sr.
Grizzlies coach Abdiaziz Guled called Hernandez “a well-rounded player who has the size, quickness and vision to see the full field.”
D Dominic Hoar Weiler, Jesuit, Sr.
Weiler has come into his own this season, sharing the team lead with six assists to go with two goals as the Crusaders opened 7-1-3. “Dominic is a defender that is not afraid to go forward and is very dangerous coming out of the back,” coach Geoff Skipper said.
D Ben Lammers, Westside Christian, Sr.
Lammers anchors an Eagles defense that posted three clean sheets and allowed just 14 goals during an 8-2-1 start. “Ben wins everything in the air,” coach Jason Housley said. “Ben knows exactly how to time his pressure.”
D Cameron Little, Wilsonville, Sr.
Little is a three-year starter for the Wildcats who made the all-NWOC first team as a midfielder last fall but has transitioned full-time to defender this season. “We will rely heavily on Cameron’s leadership to help the team to continue to grow and improve each game,” coach Ian Reschke said.
D/M Christian Martinez Trejo, Glencoe, Jr.
The second-team all-Pacific selection a year ago has blossomed this season into the Crimson Tide’s most dynamic player, according to coach Tom Stephens. Martinez Trejo has scored or assisted on three game-winning goals this season. “He has changed the pace of play through the middle of the field,” Stephens said.
D Finbar O’Brien, La Salle Prep, Sr.
O’Brien anchors a stellar back line that gave up just 12 goals in 18 games during the Falcons’ 5A state championship 2021 season and had allowed just seven goals during an 8-1-2 start to this campaign. He was an honorable mention all-NWOC pick last fall and hit 87 mph with his fastball for the baseball team in the spring. “He’s a leader that comes to play every game,” coach Monty Hawkins said. “He is a great individual defender and sets the tone for our build-up with his calmness on the ball and crisp passing. He’s also a fierce competitor who is unmatched in aerial duels.”
D Damian Palominos, Glencoe, Sr.
Palominos was a first-team all-Pacific selection for the Crimson Tide last season, directing a defense that allowed the second-fewest goals in Class 6A (10 in 16 games). His club coach at Santos FC, Lisa Harings (also the head coach at Nelson), recalled that when he arrived there, “he was the weakest player on the team, but his drive and effort developed him into the strongest defender in the state.” Glencoe coach Tom Stephens was similarly effusive in his praise, calling him “a dynamic defender who has played a vital part to leading the team to the conference championship.”
D Theron Patridge, Ashland, Sr.
Grizzlies coach Abdiaziz Guled applauded Patridge’s understanding of the game and how well he reads when an opponent is building up an attack and breaks it up.
D Alexander Perez Hernandez, North Marion, Sr.
Perez Hernandez made the all-Tri-Valley first team last season in leading the Huskies to the conference title and the 4A semifinals, finishing with three goals and nine assists. They moved this year to the Oregon West, where his versatility — he also plays holding and attacking center midfielder and fullback — has proved valuable to coach Carlos Perez. “Alex always loves to compete and brings the best out of his fellow teammates,” Perez said. “He is the senior class president and loves to have a voice in his community.”
D Jairo Perez Santiago, Woodburn, Sr.
Perez Santiago is the last remaining link to the Bulldogs’ four-time state championship run that ended when he was a freshman reserve in 2019. He's a dominating center back who made the 5A all-state second team last fall. “Jairo is one of the best center backs in the state,” coach Leroy Sanchez said. “He is an intelligent, skilled and fast player.”
D/F Alex Peterman, Marist Catholic, So.
Whether at right back or right wing, Peterman added a jolt of energy to the Spartans upon his arrival this season. “He’s an intelligent player with great vision and range,” coach Jonathan Rea said. “He’s a technically sound defender who wins the ball in the back, then makes plays from the outside in the attacking half.”
D Mason Pyne, Wilsonville, Sr.
The graduation of Northwest Oregon Conference player of the year Joseph Friedman has thrust Pyne, a second-team all-NWOC selection a year ago, into a bigger role this season. “Mason is our best 1v1 defender and plays well out of the back line,” coach Ian Reschke said.
D Raul Rendon Benitez, Catlin Gabel, Jr.
Rendon Benitez started for the Eagles as a freshman and contributed five assists from the back line last season and made the all-district second team in helping them win a third consecutive OSAA 3A/2A/1A state title. “Raul thrives in big games and can take the team on his back,” coach Peter Shulman said, pointing to a play in last year’s semifinal win over archrival Oregon Episcopal, when he created the tiebreaking goal with a long run and beautifully weighted pass to Felipe Rueda Duran.
D Martin Reyes, Tigard, Sr.
The Tigers are undergoing a transition this year under first-year coach Rene Lopez, and Reyes has been a leader along the back line following the graduation of two all-Three Rivers defenders. Lopez likened Reyes to former Spanish star Carles Puyol and called Reyes “our toughest defender.”
D/M Ruben Tapia-Rodriguez, Glencoe, Sr.
The former Timbers Academy player is a two-time all-Pacific first-team selection whom Crimson Tide coach Tom Stephens described as “the smoothest player on the field. He effortlessly runs the middle of the park while creating multiple scoring opportunities.”
D Byron Velazquez-Olivera, Newport, Sr.
Velazquez-Olivera anchors a Cubs defense that posted two shutouts and allowed just 11 goals during a 4-2-3 start this season. Coach Ollie Richardson called him “a big, strong, physical defender, tough to dribble around and great in the air. If Byron plays solid and consistent in the back all year, good things will happen for him and our team. He is all about taking care of business.”
D Luke Warner, La Salle Prep, Sr.
Warner had a goal and 11 assists at right back for the Falcons last season during their run to the 5A state championship. He scored twice and assisted on 13 goals this season as they opened 8-1-2. Coach Monty Hawkins called his long throw-ins in the attacking third “a lethal weapon” and added that “Luke is a workhorse on the flanks. His ability to overlap and get to the end line and supply quality service into the box is outstanding.”
D Lincoln Weiler, Oregon Episcopal, Fr.
Weiler is the rare freshman who gets substantial playing time for a state championship contender, playing nearly 80 minutes in every game for a back line that posted six clean sheets and allowed just six goals through 10 games. Aardvarks coach David Rosenberg praised “his ability to read the game and play out of pressure … he is going to be an anchor of the OES defense for years to come.”
