Aces of the pitch: Presenting the 2022 All-Main Line boys soccer teams

The Main Line high school boys’ soccer scene featured a number of strong teams this fall, led by Lower Merion. The Aces (23-2) were District 1 4A champions, and advanced to the PIAA state championship final for the first time since 1988.
Shipley (18-2) was an undefeated (10-0) Friends’ Schools League champion, posted 15 shutouts this fall, and its only two losses were to prep schools with post graduates.
Other top teams included District 1 4A runnerup Conestoga (19-4), Inter-Ac champion and PAISAA state semifinalist Haverford School (12-7-1 overall), Harriton (14-5), Radnor (14-4) and Episcopal Academy (12-7-1).
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 the coaches’ selections.
What follows are the 2022 All-Main Line high school boys’ soccer teams:
FIRST TEAM
Brady Costin, Conestoga – Junior center back, a first team All-Central League pick, was the Pioneers’ defensive MVP and anchored a defense that surrendered just 10 goals in 23 games. Took all of the Pioneers’ direct kicks and corner kicks, and tallied three goals and 10 assists.
Diego Ramirez, Conestoga – Junior midfielder, a first team All-Central League selection, was the Pioneers’ offensive MVP, tallying 15 goals and leading the Central League in scoring.
Tommy Barausky, Conestoga – Junior center back, an All-Central League selection, teamed with Brady Costin to anchor a Pioneers defense that allowed only 10 goals in 23 games.
Eddie Jones, Episcopal Academy – Senior forward, a first team All-Inter-Ac selection, scored 14 goals in 20 games. Noted as a workhorse up to who played every minute of every game.
Max Mattioni, Friends’ Central – Senior goalie and second-year captain, a first team All-Friends’ Schools League selection for the second year in a row, was a most valuable presence between the pipes for the Phoenix,
Eddie Wright, Harriton – Junior defender and second-year captain, a first team All-Central League selection, anchored a defense that allowed only 14 goals in 20 games. Was Rams’ MVP, and scored two goals as a defender.
Gugi Sola, Harriton – Senior center midfielder and captain, a first team All-Central League pick for the second year in a row, tallied seven goals, including the game-winner in the first round of the district playoffs. Won the Rams’ outstanding leadership award.
Sean Boyle, Haverford High – Senior forward was a first team All-Central League and all-state selection, scoring 15 goals this fall. As a junior, he tied the school record for goals in a season (22). Will play soccer for Bucknell University next year.
Joe Pariano, Haverford School – Senior foreward, a first team All-Inter-Ac selection, dished out 10 assists and scored six goals for the InterAc champions.
Connor Cresswell, Haverford School – Junior goalie, a first team All-InterAc selection for the second year in a row, posted four shutouts in league play for the 2022 Inter-Ac champions.
Sam Nyenka, Lower Merion – Senior attacking center mid was Central League Most Valuable Player, an all-state selection and a United Soccer Coaches Region II All-American. Will play soccer for the University of West Virginia next fall. The multi-talented senior was noted for his leadership, scoring ability, playmaking skill, defensive prowess and unselfish leadership for the PIAA 4A state runnerups.
Thanos Danilidis, Lower Merion – Senior center back was a key factor in the Aces posting 18 shutouts this fall en route to their first PIAA state championship final appearance since 1988.
Justin Poles, Lower Merion – Senior center midfielder and captain was the main player controlling the Aces’ entire midfield. Tallied four goals this season as defensive center mid, and was a key reason the Aces recorded 18 shutouts this fall.
Simon Rosen, Lower Merion – Senior striker/forward and captain, a first team All-Central League selection this fall, scored 16 goals for the PIAA state championship finalists.
Bryan Chavez Lopez, Radnor – Junior forward, a first team All-Central League selection, was a top scorer and a skilled performer for a strong Raptors squad this fall.
Jacob Shalev, Radnor – Senior outside mid, a first team All-Central League selection, was an effective player at outside forward or up top. Considered a work engine for a strong Raptors squad this fall.
Jack McDaid, Shipley – Senior midfielder and captain, a first team All-Friends Schools League and all-state selection, tallied 16 goals and dished out 17 assists. A University of Maryland commit, he was selected out of 40 seniors in country by Top Drawer & Prep Soccer to play in the High School All American Game in Florida.
Joe McDaid, Shipley – Senior center back and captain, a first team All-Friends Schools League and all-state selection, was a critical part in a stingy backline that had 15 shutouts this season. A University of Maryland commit, he was selected out of 40 seniors in country by Top Drawer & Prep Soccer to play in the High School All American Game in Florida.
Alexi Amanatidis, Shipley – Senior goalie and captain, a two-time first team All-Friends Schools League selection, posted 15 shutouts with a goals-against average of 0.47 and 28 shutouts in the last two seasons. The West Chester University commit is noted as a dominant force who commands the box and communicates effectively and organizes everything around him.

SECOND TEAM
Conestoga – Westin Fryberger, junior midfielder; Peter Miller, senior defender; Cole Frederick, sophomore midfielder.
Episcopal Academy – David Knox, senior midfielder; Jack Bonner, senior midfielder.
Friends’ Central – Mason McCrea, junior forward.
Harriton – Miles McNeary, senior goalie; Nico Leedy, junior outside back; Michael Sack, senior midfielder.
Haverford High – Okafor Norkeh, senior midfielder.
Haverford School – Thomas Kaplan, junior defender; Andrew Kirwan, senior midfielder; Papi Harris, senior defender.
Lower Merion – Crosby Johnson, junior goalie; Elliott Holl, senior left midfield.
Malvern Prep – JJ Guillaume, junior holding mid; James Mayo, junior central defender.
Radnor – Aidan Damiani, junior center back; Michael Savadove, junior center back/forward; Dean Moon, sophomore center mid/outside mid.
Shipley – Vance Yanney, senior center defensive mid; Noah Laackman, junior striker; Ethan Heyward, freshman winger/striker.

HONORABLE MENTION
Archbishop Carroll – Jack Gallagher, junior forward.
Barrack Hebrew Academy – Noah Erlbaum, senior central midfielder; Noah Rosenthal, senior central defender,
Conestoga – Kole Wintersteen, junior forward.
Devon Prep – Joshua Rick, freshman left wing.
Episcopal Academy – Cole Kline, senior defender; Evan MacFarland, sophomore defender.
Harriton – Bela Scullin, senior holding midfielder.
Lower Merion – Mori Rothman, senior center back; Joaquin Jenkins, senior center midfielder.
Malvern Prep – Joaquin Alban, senior forward/midfielder; Cole Watts, senior forward.
Shipley – Zach Anagnos, senior center back; Aidan McBrearty, senior left back; Christopher Nascimento, sophomore midfielder.

– Eddie Levin contributed to this article.