Presenting 2018 All-Main Line boys’ soccer teams

The Main Line high school boys’ soccer scene featured many noteworthy teams this fall, particularly Inter-Ac champion Haverford School during the regular season, and PIAA 4A state runnerup Radnor in the post-season.
Radnor (20-4-2), the seventh seed in the PIAA District 1 4A tournament this fall (Conestoga was ranked No. 1), edged fifth seed Lower Merion for the fifth and final spot in the PIAA state tourney. At States, Radnor relied on airtight defense, holding opponents to one goal in a stretch of 292 minutes in the tourney, all the way to the final seconds of the championship final.
Two-time defending PIAA 4A state champion Conestoga (16-1), undefeated during the regular season and the top seed in the PIAA District 1 4A tournament, shockingly lost its district opener, ending its post-season abruptly.
Other strong Central League teams were Harriton (13-3-1, 8-2-1), led by Central League MVP Alex Kades; Lower Merion (18-4, 9-2); and Haverford High (11-7, 7-4).
Haverford School (13-2-4, 6-1-3), led by Inter-Ac MVP Griffin Wada, was the Inter-Ac champion and was nationally ranked as high as 12th. Episcopal Academy (13-4-3, 5-3-2) finished third in the Inter-Ac loop.
The All-Main Line high school boys’ soccer teams are selected by the coaches. Because Main Line Media News covers 19 high schools, the Main Line Media News sports staff limits the number of spots available to first team, second team and honorable mention — but follows the priority of coaches’ selections.
What follows are the 2018 All-Main Line high school boys’ soccer teams:

FIRST TEAM
Luke Smith, Conestoga – Senior goalie, a first team All-Central League selection and the Pioneers’ MVP, surrendered just four goals in 17 games, posting 12 shutouts.
Matt Rossi, Conestoga – Senior striker, a first team All-Central League selection, was the top scorer of the Central League champions, tallying seven goals in 17 games.
Nick Bello, Devon Prep – Senior forward, a first team All-Catholic League selection, finished his Tide career with a school-record 61 career goals. Noted for his speed, ability to control the ball and mental toughness.
Samuel Wilson, Episcopal Academy – Senior forward, a first team All-Inter-Ac selection for the second consecutive year, was a potent scorer for the Churchmen, scoring 21 goals in 18 games (eight Inter-Ac goals).
Harrison Malone, Episcopal Academy – Senior midfielder and captain, a first team All-InterAc selection, was a fine all-around player, dishing out 11 assists and scoring five goals as well as providing strength in the midfield.
Alex Kades, Harriton – Senior striker, the Central League MVP and an all-state selection for the second consecutive year, scored 21 goals, finishing his Ram career with 70 goals and 29 assists. Will be playing for University of Pennsylvania next fall.
Mikkel Anderson, Harriton – Junior forward, a first team All-Central League selection, scored 12 goals and dished out eight assists this fall (has 22 goals for his career).
Will Gardner, Haverford High – Senior forward and captain, a first team All-Central selection, scored nine goals, including overtime game-winners twice. Also dished out four assists and provided strong leadership.
Griffin Wada, Haverford School – Senior midfielder, the Inter-Ac Most Valuable Player and an all-state selection, will play soccer at the University of Chicago next fall.
Will Micheletti, Haverford School – Senior striker, a first team All-Inter-Ac selection, scored 12 goals and dished out 11 assists for the Inter-Ac champions. Will play soccer for Franklin & Marshall next fall.
Isaac Brainsky, Lower Merion – Senior midfielder, a first team All-Central League selection, scored 11 goals and dished out 14 assists.
Harrison Bloch, Lower Merion – Senior forward, a first team All-Central League selection for the second consecutive year, tallied 15 goals and dished out four assists.
Zach Hurchalla, Malvern Prep – Senior midfielder/defender, a first team All-Inter-Ac selection, was the Friars’ MVP. Noted for his excellent ball winning, 1v1 defensive skills, leadership and versatility, the Bucknell commit tallied five goals and three assists.
Henry Cooke, Radnor – Senior goalie, a second team All-Delco and All-Central selection, allowed 0.7 goals per game this season to lead the Raiders’ red-hot post-season run. Noted for his consistent composure, excellent positioning and standout ability to read the game.
Ben Verbofsky, Radnor – Senior defender, the Raiders’ co-MVP and a second team All-Delco selection, was considered a lockdown defender, consistently shutting down the opponent’s best attacking threat.
Johnny Lenart, Shipley – Senior midfielder, a Friends’ School League co-MVP as well as a three-time first team All-FSL selection, was an all-state selection this fall. Noted for his versatility and leadership, he was the Gators’ MVP for the second consecutive year.

SECOND TEAM
Archbishop Carroll – Nick Frederick, senior forward; Dom Massi, senior defender.
Conestoga – Nate Xu, junior midfielder; Jason Ivey, senior midfielder; Jack Murphy, senior defender.
Episcopal Academy – Trevor Manion, junior goalkeeper.
Friends’ Central – Ingram Dillingham, senior center mid; Mason Davis, senior center back.
Harriton – Evan Tracy, senior defensive center midfielder; Justin Nachman, senior center midfielder.
Haverford High – Aidan Tripler, junior midfielder.
Haverford School – Nick Pippis, senior midfielder; Mitchell Hark, junior defender; Luke Macione, junior midfielder.
Lower Merion – Ethan Blouin, senior center back; Wyatt Joseph, senior midfielder; Cole Sanchez senior midfielder.
Malvern Prep – Kellen Fitzgerald, senior defender; Matt Lamond, junior forward.
Radnor – Evan Majercak, senior defender; Eliot Hayes, senior midfielder.
Shipley –Brian McDaid, junior center back; Jimmy Fallon, junior holding midfielder.

HONORABLE MENTION
Archbishop Carroll – Jake Langley, senior goalie.
Conestoga – Jack Davis, senior defender.
Devon Prep – Connor Kelly, senior forward; Alex Furtek, senior defender.
Episcopal Academy – Rowan Brumbaugh, senior midfielder; Jack Pacera, senior forward; Gabriel Furey, senior midfielder.
Harriton –Filip Barun, senior center back; Robert Fleming, senior center back; Zach Shulman, senior goalie.
Haverford High – Alex Reardon, senior midfielder; Zach Signorello, senior defender; Duncan Riegler, sophomore midfielder; Cam Morse, senior forward.
Lower Merion – Shane Brown, sophomore midfielder; Andrew Weitz, senior goalie.
Malvern Prep – Logan Cattie, senior defender.
Radnor – Ben Engstrom, junior forward; Jackson Birtwistle, junior forward; Bobby Hydrisko, junior forward.
Shipley – Jude Corr, senior midfielder.

– Eddie Levin contributed to this article.