Presenting 2016 All-Main Line boys’ soccer teams
Leading the way on the Main Line high school boys’ soccer scene this fall was PIAA Class AAAA state champion Conestoga (25-1), which was ranked fifth in the United States by Top Drawer Soccer at the end of the season (and was ranked first at times during the season).
Conestoga was undefeated in the Central League, which featured three other strong Main Line teams – Lower Merion (15-4-4 overall), Radnor (13-7-3 overall, 8-3 Central League) and Haverford High (11-6 overall).
Episcopal Academy (15-7-3, 6-3-1) was a force in the Inter-Ac and featured the Inter-Ac MVP as well as the All-Delco Player of the Year. Malvern Prep finished third in the Inter-Ac.
Friends’ Central (12-6, 7-2-1) tied for first place in the Friends Schools League during the regular season. Barrack Hebrew Academy (13-3) also had a strong season in its leagues.
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 fall 2016 All-Main Line high school boys’ soccer teams:
FIRST TEAM
Nick Jennings, Conestoga – Junior captain was one of only four players in Pennsylvania to receive NSCAA All-American honors. Was extremely verstaile for the state champions, playing center back, attacking and defending midfield, as well as the lone striker up top, scoring eight goals and dishing out 11 assists. Was unanimously selected first team All-Central League, and was an all-state and All-Region selection as well.
Chris Donovan, Conestoga – Junior right wing, a unanimous selection as first team All-Central League, led the PIAA state champions in scoring with 15 goals and seven assists. Played the right wing, and up top as the lone striker, during the season, and scored the game-winning goal for the Pioneers in their 1-0 victory in the PIAA Class AAAA state championship finals.
Blaise Milanek, Conestoga – Senior defensive midfielder and captain, a two-time first team All-Central League selection, was a key factor in the Pioneers’ airtight defense (less than 0.5 goals per game), and delivered some offensive punch as well (three goals, five assist). Has committed to play soccer at Lehigh University next fall.
Quinn Dudek, Episcopal Academy – Senior center midfielder/center forward was Inter-AC Most Valuable Player, tallying 12 goals in 25 games and dishing out five assists. Valued for his clutch goal-scoring, work ethic and leadership. Is headed to Davidson.
Matt Freese, Episcopal Academy – Senior goalie, the All-Delco Player of the Year, helped EA post 12 shutouts on the season and was considered an outstanding netminder and leader for EA. A multiple first team All-InterAc selection, he gave up two goals during the InterAc campaign this fall. Also provided offensive punch when asked to move from goalie. Going to Harvard.
Matt Blackman, Friends’ Central – Senior midfielder, an all-state selection and a first team All-Friends Schools League pick, was the Phoenix’s MOst Valuable Player, scoring 13 goals in 19 games and dishing out 11 assists.
Alex Kades, Harriton – Sophomore striker and center midfielder, a first team All-Central League pick and the Rams’ MVP, scored 14 goals in 19 games and dished out five assists. Has 20 career goals for Harriton, and will be a team captain as a junior.
Sean Cannon, Haverford High – Senior midfielder, a first team All-Central League selection and first team All-Delco pick, led the Central League with 12 assists, and finished with 13 overall. Provided plenty of scoring punch as well, tallying six goals.
Caleb Clothier, Haverford School – Senior midfielder was a first team All-Inter-Ac pick and the Fords’ Most Valuable Player. Dished out eight assists in 23 games, and scored several goals. The Fords’ entire attack ran through him.
Tim O’Hare, Lower Merion – Sophomore midfielder, a first team All-Central League selection, was the leading scorer on a strong Aces’ team, and led Lower Merion in assists as well. Had a knack for scoring goals at particularly opportune times.
Sebastian Jenkins, Lower Merion – Senior goalie, a first team All-Central League selection, posted 11 shutouts during the season and was a key factor behind Lower Merion’s success this fall. A seasoned goalie who also is a netminder with the nationally-ranked FC Europa U17 Crunch team.
Billy Coyle, Malvern Prep – Senior forward, a first team All-InterAc selection, was third in the league’s Player of the Year voting. Friars’ MVP led team in goals (10 in 20 games) and assists (five), and scored five game-winning or game-tying goals during the season.
Ben Toomey, Radnor – Senior goalie and tri-captain posted a 1.04 goals-against average in 20 games, and per head coach Joe Carouolo, “he averaged one amazing save per game to keep us in games.” Was Red Raiders’ co-MVP and a second team All-Central Leasgue pick.
Jack Miller, Radnor – Senior forward and tri-captain, a first team All-Central League pick, led strong Red Raiders’ squad in points (16) and assists (nine). Also scored seven goals, many of them timely, during the season.
Ronan Higgins, Shipley – Junior attacking midfielder and captain, a first team All-Friends School League pick and the Gators’ MVP. Scored eight goals and dished out four assists, and has finished as the Gators’ second-highest goal scorer in every season since his freshman year (now has 30 career goals).
SECOND TEAM
Archbishop Carroll – Sam Frederick, senior defensive center mid/center back.
Barrack Hebrew Academy – Ben Jacobson, senior center attacking midfielder; Simon Gordon, senior goalie; Lev Cohen, senior center defensive midfielder.
Conestoga – Mason Miller, senior attacking midfielder/right wing; Gabe Harms, senior defender; Micahel McCarthy, junior defender.
Devon Prep – Nick Bello, sophomore forward; Frank Byrd, junior center back.
Episcopal Academy – Johnny Cunningham, junior center mid; Nick Wallick, junior right back; Ramon Gallegos, senior forward.
Friends’ Central – Nolan McGrann, senior goalie; Matt Nguyen, senior midfielder.
Harriton – Emil Andersen, junior defender.
Haverford High – Josh Cunningham, senior midfielder; Cam Morse, sophomore forward; Wilson Dodds, junior defender.
Haverford School – Josh Ridenhour, senior back; Will Baltrus, junior goalie.
Lower Merion – Ryan Tillman, senior forward; David Smith, senior center defender; David Novacich, senior left midfielder.
Malvern Prep – Nathan Albergo, senior left back; Cullen Pina, senior center back/outside back/center mid.
Radnor – Ryan Peter, junior forward; Cal Congleton, senior center back.
Shipley – Ashkon Ashrafion, senior striker; Ian McGrath, junior center back,
HONORABLE MENTION
Barrack Hebrew Academy – Zach Lipstein, senior striker.
Conestoga – Logan Schwartz, junior left wing; Will Klein, senior defender; Luke Smith, senior goalie.
Friends’ Central – Carson Lonner, sophomore midfielder; Chris Annas, senior center back; Max Valenci, senior center back.
Harriton – Evan Tracy, sophomore midfielder; Serhat Sakarcan, junior striker.
Haverford School – Griffin Wada, sophomore center back.
Lower Merion – Max Shapiro, junior center midfielder; Alex Moureaud, senior center midfielder; Thomas Podrasky, junior center defender.
Radnor – Ben Verbofsky, sophomore outside back; Andrew Boujoukos, senior midfielder; Phil Regan, senior center back.
Shipley – Johnny Lenart, sophomore center defensive mid; Emlyn Thorogod, junior outside left back; Jesse Haines, senior goalie.
