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

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 fourth list focuses on the midfielders.

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.

—

M Marlon Acevedo, Newport, Sr.

Acevedo played club soccer during the offseason and came back this fall a different player, said Cubs coach Ollie Richardson. “He has increased his soccer IQ, technical ability on the ball and movement on the field by becoming a physical player that is contributing to our overall team goals.”

M Kenneth Bae, Lincoln, Sr.

Bae has provided stellar midfield play for the Cardinals, who started the season 8-1-2. “He is a high academic achiever and is versatile positionally,” said first-year coach Brandon McNeil.

M Grayson Barker, Summit, Sr.

Barker plays center defensive midfielder for the Storm and was an all-Mountain Valley second-team pick for last fall’s 6A state champions. “Grayson is a very mature and responsible kid with great leadership qualities,” said assistant coach Everett Adams.

M Renato Beltran, Century, Jr.

While Sergio Varela supplied the offense in the early going for the Jaguars, Beltran (a second-team all-Pacific selection as a sophomore) fed the attack with a team-high seven assists. Coach Michael Wall described him as “an engine in the midfield with the technical capabilities to unlock defenses. A true leader on the field.”

M Vladimir Bernal-Lopez, Canby, Sr.

Bernal-Lopez is a three-year starter for the Cougars, making the all-Three Rivers second team last season. His brother, David, served as team captain the season before Vladimir's arrival, and Vlad took over the captain's armband soon thereafter. “Vlad is the unquestioned leader on the team, and when he is at his best, he's controlling the field and the game for us,” coach Ryan McCormack said. “He's helped to build a strong foundation, not only for his senior year squad, but for the younger players coming up through the program.”

M Porter Boersma, Grants Pass, Sr.

Boersma plays on the left wing for the Cavemen and has a team-high five assists through six games along with a goal. In his spare time, he and teammate Jake Hulst have created PBJ, a business that makes wakesurf boards. “Porter is an important part of the attack with his unselfish play,” said his coach and father, Travis Boersma. “He is a great leader, works hard, and is passionate about the game.”

M Hudson Brunk, McNary, Sr.

Brunk is a two-time all-Mountain Valley first-team selection for the Celtics, scoring 11 goals with seven assists and a junior and matching those totals with 11 goals and six assists during their 7-0 start. The Gonzaga commit and avid comic book reader also plays for the Capital FC Timbers, who won the Elite Academy League U17 national championship in June. “Hudson’s vision, speed, strength and tactical awareness are the best,” coach Miguel Camarena-Corzo said. “He is an experienced player now who leads this team by example.”

M Aden Carrillo, North Marion, Jr.

Carrillo was a second-team all-Tri-Valley selection during the spring 2021 season, then followed up with 12 goals and four assists last fall to help the Huskies reach the 4A semifinals. His fancy footwork on the soccer pitch comes from his mastery of El Baile Folklorico, a traditional Mexican dance. “Aden is a hard worker both defensively and offensively,” coach Carlos Perez said. “He is a goal scorer and he is always ready for a challenge.”

M Jordan Castillo, Riverside, So.

The Pirates graduated nine seniors from a team that reached the 3A/2A/1A state semifinals last season, but Castillo has played a key role in leading them to an 8-3-1 start to this season. “He is very coachable and cares for his teammates,” coach Jose Duenas said.

M/F Alex Chen, Oregon Episcopal, Sr.

Chen was a second-team all-district selection last year, when he had eight goals and eight assists to lead the Aardvarks back to the 3A/2A/1A state semifinals. This fall, he led OES with six goals and four assists in its first seven games, during which it went 6-1. “He has excellent vision, is an incredible distributor, and has the technical ability to consistently create space and opportunities out of pressure,” coach David Rosenberg said.

M Jackson Coffman, Marist Catholic, Sr.

First-year coach Jonathan Rea called Coffman, an all-Sky Em honorable mention selection last fall, “a quick, smart, courageous and versatile player who can win the ball and start our quick counterattack.”

M Joey Cooper, Marist Catholic, Jr.

Cooper has stepped into an attacking midfielder role this fall and solidified the Spartans’ attack. “A ball winner with size and speed, he is always dangerous in our attack,” coach Jonathan Rea said.

M/F Cash Cota, Ashland, Jr.

Grizzlies coach Abdiaziz Guled can deploy Cota either in the midfield or at striker depending on his needs. “Cash is a great ball distributor and has fantastic skillful moves to finish,” Guled said.

M Aldo Duran, Baker, So.

Duran might be better known for his prowess on the wrestling mat, where he placed third at 113 pounds as a freshman last winter. However, he was a second-team all-Greater Oregon selection last fall (two goals, three assists) who’s already scored four goals through Oct. 6 this season. “Aldo is known for his excellent footwork, his ability to cover lots of ground, and his proficiency as both an attacker and defender,” said Bulldogs assistant John Quintela.

M Timur Evrenosoglu, Sunset, Sr.

Evrenosoglu transformed over the summer from a part-time starter as a junior into a dominant field presence in the center of the pitch. He also has compiled an impressive collection of World Cup and Euro 2022 stickers. “Timi worked all summer to turn himself into a complete center midfielder,” Apollos coach Conrad Buck said. “On the ball, Timi is creative and dynamic, while defensively, he is physical and quick to shut down opposing attacks with a hard tackle.”

M Francisco Feraj, Gold Beach, Sr.

Feraj arrived at Gold Beach from Switzerland by way of Italy and has quickly made an impact for the Panthers. Through Oct. 5, he was second in the state with 17 goals.

M Julio Gasca, Woodburn, Jr.

Gasca turned out for the Bulldogs for the first time this fall and made a quick impression on coach Leroy Sanchez. “Julio is a very talented soccer player who has a knack for creativity, ball movement, and is a very smart player,” Sanchez said. “He will be a surprise this year.”

M Alexis Gonzales, Westside Christian, Fr.

Gonzales has taken over the starting holding midfielder spot in the middle of the Eagles defense. “Alexis has a great vision for the field,” coach Jason Housley said. “He has become an important facilitator in the midfield.”

M Pedro Gonzales, Grants Pass, Sr.

Gonzales is the Cavemen’s top attacking threat coming out of the midfield, leading the team with seven goals and three assists in its first six games. He didn’t receive any all-conference honors a year ago, but that oversight should be rectified this fall. “Pedro is arguably the best player on our team,” coach Travis Boersma said. “His work rate is second to none. He has an infectious smile and a magnetic personality.”

M Tony Gonzalez, Newport, Jr.

Gonzalez made the all-Oregon West second team as a sophomore and has scored two goals with two assists during the Cubs’ 4-2-3 start to the season. “Calm, cool, and never panics under pressure,” coach Ollie Richardson said. “He’s a very creative player on the field.”

M Jose Guzman, Woodburn, Jr.

Guzman made the all-Mid-Willamette second team last season, scoring eight goals as a sophomore to help the Bulldogs reach the 5A quarterfinals. “Jose is a skilled midfield player with great vision, change of speed, and an ability to score goals,” coach Leroy Sanchez said.

M Ben Haefs, Estacada, Sr.

Haefs won first-team all-Tri-Valley honors last season, when he had 10 goals and nine assists to lift the Rangers to a second-place finish in the conference standings and their most wins since 2010. He had six goals and five assists as the Rangers started the year 6-1-1. “Ben is passion and composure together when he plays,” coach Jack Carroll said.

M Danny Hernandez Davila, Glencoe, Sr.

Hernandez Davila is an energy player on the right wing who runs at top speed for all 80 minutes. “Unbelievable speed and agility,” said Tide coach Tom Stephens.

M Nico Hidalgo, Jesuit, Sr.

Hidalgo not only contributes on the pitch for the Crusaders with a pair of goals, but he also has been named referee of the week twice by the Oregon Soccer Referee Association. “Nico is our energy guy,” coach Geoff Skipper said. “His work ethic sets the standard for our team.”

M Cy Isabell, Grants Pass, Sr.

Cavemen coach Travis Boersma called Isabell “our team’s heartbeat” who does so much more than what his modest stats (one goal, one assist in their first six games) suggest. “He plays with a relentless approach to defense, is tougher than nails, and is fearless with his play,” Boersma said.

M/F Tobias Karl, Oregon Episcopal, So.

Karl has only begun to scratch the surface of his potential this season, scoring three goals and three assists in his first seven games. Aardvarks coach David Rosenberg called him “a fantastically technical player (and) a big part of the identity of our attack this year. He is only going to become more integral and dangerous over the next couple seasons.”

M Stephen Lauby, North Valley, Jr.

Lauby saved his goals for special moments last season for the Knights, scoring a goal and assisting on another in their 2-1 win over 4A finalist Hidden Valley. He finished with three goals — including a game-winner and a tying goal — and four assists to make the all-Skyline first team. “Stephen is the hardest-working, passionate, and respectful player on the field,” coach Tyler Goens said.

M Miguel Lopez, Glencoe, Sr.

Lopez, a former Timbers Academy player who is a two-time selection to the all-Pacific first team, has drawn interest from several colleges as a dangerous wing player in the Crimson Tide attack. “He has been instrumental in the three years of success in the program,” said coach Tom Stephens.

M Aiden MacLennan, Summit, Sr.

MacLennan moved from center back, where he started for the Storm in almost every game of their 6A state championship run in 2021 (scoring a goal in the 6-0 victory over West Linn in the final), to midfielder this fall. He had three goals and nine assists through Sept. 29, helping them get off to a 7-1-1 start.

M Jesus Medina-Cortez, Marist Catholic, Sr.

Medina-Cortez is the Spartans’ Swiss Army knife, a multifaceted player who can play anywhere from center forward to center back, but his primary position is as a holding midfielder. “A workhorse and a solid player who brings strength and stability to our team,” coach Jonathan Rea said of the all-Sky Em second-teamer.

M Yaseen Mubishir, Wilsonville, Sr.

Mubishir has gotten more opportunities to shine this fall with the graduation of Toshi Kondo, a second-team all-NWOC selection a year ago. “Yaseen has a deft touch and helps control the midfield for us,” Wildcats coach Ian Reschke said.

M Yazly Nazarov, Wilsonville, Jr.

As the Wildcats transition into NWOC play, coach Ian Reschke said the team will count on Nazarov’s quick distribution even more. “Yazly is a big presence in the midfield,” Reschke added.

M/F Ergar Ojeda, Canby, Jr.

Ojeda joined his older brother, Alan, on the varsity last season and quickly joined the Cougars’ starting lineup. Coach Ryan McCormack said that Ojeda “is coming into his own and really becoming a star on the field. His command of the midfield and being able to hold the ball for us is second to none.”

M Josh Pallesen, Estacada, Jr.

Pallesen made the all-Tri-Valley second team last season as a defender, but he’s moved into a defensive midfield role this fall, leading a defense that allowed 10 goals and posted three shutouts during a 6-1-1 start. He’s also chipped in two goals and an assist. “Josh is a machine who does not stop running and can score absolute stunners from outside the box,” coach Jack Carroll said.

M Danny Palomino, Phoenix, Sr.

Palomino has received all-Skyline recognition each of the past two seasons, making the second team as a sophomore and the first team last fall, when he had six goals and five assists, growing up from the little kid who’d show up at Pirates games with a red Gatorade lip into “one of the best players in Southern Oregon at all levels,” coach Chris Gallegos said.

M Antuan Peterson, Molalla, Sr.

Peterson was a first-team 4A all-state selection and the Tri-Valley player of the year last fall, when he sparked Molalla to a surprise run to the state semifinals as a No. 12 seed. He had six goals and four assists through Sept. 28 this season. “Antuan is one of the best players I have had the pleasure of coaching,” coach Ryan Gates said. “He is like a coach on the field, and when he is out there, he makes every player around him better.”

M Fernando Piedras, Tigard, Jr.

First-year Tigers coach Rene Lopez described Piedras as “the muscle of the team. He is a player who never gives up and supercharges the team with positive energy.”

M George Pritchard, Catlin Gabel, Sr.

Pritchard is the team’s resident sports trivia guru and defensive midfielder, a second-team all-district selection last fall who links with the back line to form a formidable defense that has posted six clean sheets during a 10-2 start to the season. Eagles coach Peter Shulman called him “pound-for-pound, as good of a tackler as I've seen in high school soccer. Tough-minded, with an excellent break on the ball and quick feet, George shut down the league's best midfielders while kicking last year's high-octane offense into gear.”

M Giacomo Rigueiro, Baker, Jr.

Rigueiro returned from a foot injury that sidelined him all last season to become a critical member of an attack that has scored 26 goals in 10 games. “Giacomo is hands down one of the best midfielders in our league, if not the entire state,” said assistant coach John Quintela. “He’s a player with a keen sense of spatial awareness that can move and pass into open spaces with ease and is a menace on defense.”

M/D Grey Roetcisoender, The Dalles, Sr.

Roetcisoender plays both center holding midfielder and center back for the Riverhawks, receiving all-Intermountain honorable mention last season and chipping in a goal and an assist this year through Sept. 28. He also was the school’s top finisher in the slalom and giant slalom at the state high school skiing championships in March.

M Emi Rojo, Willamette, Jr.

Rojo plays defensive midfielder for the Wolverines, making the all-Midwestern second team as a sophomore and helping them get off to an 8-3 start in their return to the 6A ranks this fall. “Emi is a great leader and the quarterback of our soccer team,” coach Jason Burke said.

M Owen Samuell, Stayton, Sr.

Samuell mans the center of the Eagles midfield, finishing with three goals last season in making the all-Oregon West second team. He had a goal and two assists in Stayton's first four games this fall. “Another hard-working guy who puts his ego aside for the betterment of the team,” coach Chris Shields said.

M/F Javier Sandoval Gongora, Marist Catholic, Jr.

Sandoval Gongora was a first-team all-Sky Em selection last season, helping the Spartans reach the play-in round of the 4A state playoffs. He has impressed first-year coach Jonathan Rea with his soccer acumen. “He’s a talented ball control player who can score and make plays,” Rea said. “He is a joy to watch and coach.”

M Eloy Saucedo, South Medford, Jr.

Saucedo led the Panthers in scoring last fall, scoring five goals with three assists during Southwest Conference play to make the all-conference first team while leading them to a fourth consecutive winning season. He broke a scoring drought with a pair of goals in a 2-1 win over crosstown rival North Medford on Sept. 20, then followed up with hat tricks against Sheldon and Roseburg.

M Warren Schwartz, South Eugene, Sr.

Schwartz is in his fourth season on the Axe varsity, manning one of the central midfield positions. Coach Pete Peterson called him “a vital player” last season when the Axe scored the second-most goals in 6A with 64 while allowing a 6A-low nine goals.

M Tomas Serrano, South Eugene, So.

The Axe are a senior-dominated team this fall, but Serrano has had an immediate impact in the attack as a center midfielder, keeping the offense humming this fall with 28 goals in 11 games (2.6 per game). “He has a consummate first touch, high level of mobility with the ball and excellent field vision under pressure,” coach Pete Peterson said. “Opponents cannot win the ball off Tomas.”

M Kevin Serrano-Maldonado, La Salle Prep, Jr.

Serrano-Maldonado, an avid cook in his free time, made the 5A all-state second team last season, when he had 11 goals and four assists in helping the Falcons win the state title. He has two goals and two assists this fall. Coach Monty Hawkins described him as “silky smooth on the fall with a polished left foot. Kevin is a constant threat to score. He has incredible ball-striking ability on crosses and shots from distance.”

M Johann Singh Sanchez, McNary, Sr.

Singh Sanchez plays clarinet for the school band, but on the soccer pitch, he makes sweet music playing alongside his club teammate Hudson Brunk, with whom they won the Elite Academy League U17 national championship in June. Singh Sanchez has made the all-Mountain Valley first team the past two seasons, finishing with five goals and eight assists as a junior and scoring four goals with eight assists through seven games this fall. “Johann’s talent and tactical awareness are amazing,” coach Miguel Camarena-Corzo said. “He set the pace of every game for us this season.”

M Quentin Strange, La Salle Prep, Sr.

Strange plays in the center of the Falcons attack, unlocking defenses with deft touches or pinpoint passes. He was a second-team all-state selection for the 5A state champion last fall and has seven goals and seven assists this season. “He is a very special player, a technical wizard on the ball blessed with creativity, quickness and vision to see openings no one else can,” coach Monty Hawkins said. “Q makes a very difficult game to master look easy.”

M Bowen Teuber, Summit, Jr.

Teuber started in last fall’s 6A state championship victory over West Linn and has become a key member of the attack as a midfielder and occasional winger, scoring six goals with two assists in the Storm’s first nine games (7-1-1). “Bowen is a very technical player who has a wide variety of skillful attributes,” said assistant coach Everett Adams.

M Felix Valenzuela, South Medford, Jr.

Valenzuela earned second-team all-Southwest honors as a sophomore when he led the Panthers in assists.

M Heladio Vera, Canby, Sr.

Vera is a four-year varsity player and three-year starter for the Cougars. He followed up a second-team all-Three Rivers campaign during the COVID spring 2021 season with honorable mention last fall. “Heladio is a rock for us at center defensive midfield,” coach Ryan McCormack said. “He's a very versatile player that has played on every line of the formation at one point.”

M Adrian Vidican, Westside Christian, Fr.

Vidican can play on either wing or as a central attacking midfielder for the Eagles, helping them average 3.8 goals during an 8-2-1 start to the season. “Adrian is very technical with the ball, can move right or left very quickly, and is dangerous in the attacking third,” coach Jason Housley said.

M Zac Walker, South Eugene, Sr.

Walker was the starting center midfielder and a first-team all-Southwest selection in an attack that scored the second-most goals among 6A schools last fall. A four-year starter for the Axe, he earned second-team all-conference as a freshman. “Zac is a dynamic midfielder who can lock down our defense in one moment and win games in the next,” coach Pete Peterson said. “He has an innate ability to create scoring opportunities.”