The high school soccer season is officially underway, as several of the area’s top programs had the opportunity to face off during preseason exhibitions the second weekend of August. Last year, two local teams made their respective state championship games, with Christ the King capping a dominant run to win the 1A title.
Here’s a breakdown of some of the teams to watch on the pitch this fall.
4A
Lake Norman High
Last year’s results: 16-4-3; reached 2nd round
Lake Norman shined brightly in its first year in the Greater Metro 4 conference, winning the league with a tiebreaker over Cox Mill. The Wildcats aren’t flashy, but would always seemingly find a way to win. They lost GM4 Offensive Player of the Year Luis Tuttle, but will return four others from the all-conference team. An experienced back end includes seniors Miller Brannon and Ethan Whittington, plus Sam Ter Linde and Jacob Whittington.
Although a few guys will need to step up on the attack, the Wildcats used a big rotation a year ago, meaning plenty have experience in key games.
Hough
Last year’s results: 22-4-1; reached 4A title game
Hough lost some serious firepower off the team that reached the 4A championship game. The electric scoring duo Nic Patrignani and Eugenio de la Parra Polina will be a tough act to follow, and the Huskies only return two of 10 starters. However, they’re the type of program that won’t necessarily be having a traditional “rebuilding year.”
Among a group being thrust into a large role will be senior midfielder Derek Wells.
There are key faces gone on the back end, most notably goalkeeper Eric Kniple, who transferred to Davidson Day. Fortunately for Hough, they have two experienced keepers who filled in for Kniple when he was injured last season. Head coach David Smith said for now, Diego Padilla and Cole Kennedy will rotate in net. And Cole Skovira has stepped up as a leader of defense.
3A
East Lincoln
Last year’s results: 14-9-2; reached regional semifinals
East Lincoln has found themselves in a similar situation as the program’s greatest team. In 2019, the Mustangs were coming off of a long playoff run and had a host of seniors on the roster. The same can be said this fall.
The Mustangs return their top six scorers and three all-conference players. Jackson Thrap was the leading scorer in 2021 with 21 goals, but it’s far from a one-man show offensively. Two of the seniors, Landen Graden and Blake Swanson, were freshmen on the squad that ended as 2A runners-up.
Christopher Mileta has moved from a defender to midfield. And Braxton Reeves is back at goalkeeper.
2A
Lincoln Charter
Last year’s results: 10-12-1; reached third round
Lincoln Charter was a classic case of a record not telling the whole story. The Eagles were three games below .500 in the regular, then won their first two playoff games on the road. Last year’s leading scorer Ethan Walker (18 goals) is back as a junior, and should get plenty of assistance from all-conference midfielder Zachary Salgado and senior Carson Montgomery.
The Eagles will have experience in goal, too, with junior Kevin Kim.
1A
Christ the King
Last year’s results: 22-1; won 1A championship
Christ the King will make wholesale changes to its patented defense, but has plenty of goal-scores to go around. The Crusaders lost 10 seniors from its state title team, including all of its defensive starters. Coach Mark DiPietro said despite the personnel loss, he’s sticking to his base scheme.
“My personal philosophy is that it’s tough when you change,” he said. “I feel like the guys who have been here, they know what we do. Like Vince Lombardi, we just keep rolling with it.”
DiPietro expects big things on the new-look back end from senior John Bonilla and sophomore Cristian Garcia.
Offensively, striker Drew Hanson is coming off Conference Player of the Year honors, while Marcos Frias won title game MVP honors. Then there’s Nik Seguin, who had a productive playoff run himself.
With the inexperienced defense, goalkeeper Liam Santschi will assume a bigger role.
Other Players to Watch
Kyle MacGowan, D, Pine Lake Prep
Landon Metzler, F Langtree Charter
Austin Tinucci, D, Mooresville
Christian Flores, North Meck
Riley Hall, GK, Community School of Davidson
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