All-Delco Boys Soccer: Radnor’s Hayes, Majercak headline senior-heavy team

In addition to Player of the Year Nate Perrins of Strath Haven, the All-Delco team includes:

Trevor Manion, Episcopal Academy: The junior goalkeeper owned the job, emerging to help the Churchmen start the season on a 16-game unbeaten streak en route to 13 wins. Manion averaged one goal allowed per game, keeping six shutouts, including four in 10 Inter-Ac outings for runner-up EA. He made eight saves in a blanking of Lawrenceville, then stopped eight to beat Penn Charter. He impressed with seven saves in a 2-1 win over Haverford School in the teams’ first meeting and added a seven-save clean sheet against Springside Chestnut Hill.

Evan Majercak, Radnor: Paired with Bennett Mueller, the senior center back forged a sturdy pairing in the middle of the field that powered the Raiders to the PIAA Class 4A final. Along the way, the Raiders kept 12 clean sheets and allowed 19 goals in 26 games while deploying rotating goalkeepers in a 20-win campaign. In eight postseason games, the Raiders posted three clean sheets and allowed just seven goals (six-and-a-half, depending on how you regard the Wilson goal that just barely squeaked over the line with 17 seconds left in the state final). Majercak added a goal and an assist, setting up fellow All-Delco Eliot Hayes in the regular-season finale.

Jared Scheffler, Garnet Valley: The senior center back found a way to make his presence felt on both ends of the pitch for the Jaguars, putting out fires at the back and using his long strides to bound into the attack. He scored a goal and an assist in a 3-2 win over Springfield, tallied the game-winner in overtime against Marple Newtown and produced a wonder strike from outside the box on a mazy run from central defense in a victory over Penncrest.

READ: The full list of All-Delco Boys Soccer honorees

Griffin Wada, Haverford School: The senior midfielder led the Fords to the Inter-Ac title, earning league MVP and all-state honors along the way. Wada did it all for the Fords. He was an attacking asset with six goals and three assists. He asserted control over the middle of the pitch, helping the Fords to 13 wins and national recognition against one of the toughest schedules in the area. The Fords’ defense kept seven shutouts in 19 games and outscored opponents 44-15. Wada scored in the first meeting with Episcopal and added a goal in a PAISAA quarterfinal setback in PKs to Kiski School. Wada’s career will continue at the University of Chicago.

Eliot Hayes, Radnor: The 6-4 central midfielder saved his biggest contributions for last, consistently one of the steadiest players on the Raiders’ run to the PIAA Class 4A final. Hayes formed a formidable spine to the team with Mueller and Majercak, his aerial presence key to the Raiders’ 20-win campaign. Hayes provided five goals and five assists, a large share of them in the postseason. He scored in the regular-season finale against Wissahickon and set up Ben Engstrom’s goal in the district-opening vicotry over Henderson. Hayes scored twice, including the game-winner in the 76th minute, to complete a two-goal comeback and oust Cumberland Valley in the states opener, and he set up Ben Engstrom’s goal in the state semifinal triumph over Seneca Valley.

Harrison Malone, Episcopal Academy: The senior midfielder orchestrated the Churchmen’s offense on the way to 13 wins and a runner-up finish in the Inter-Ac. Malone finished with five goals and 11 assists for the season. He dished three assists in a win over Peddie School, added two assists vs. Parkwood (N.C.) and a goal and two helpers against Shipley. His goal and assist in the second half against Penn Charter powered a come-from-behind win, while he also scored the game-winning goal against Springside Chestnut Hill. The two-time All-Delco selection and first-team All-Inter-Ac pick is weighing his college options.

Andrew Markopoulos, Bonner & Prendergast: The Friars required Markopoulos to play in central defense this season, and he obliged. Markopoulos also scored three goals to go with two assists. He netted the only goal in a win over Archbishop Ryan and also found the net in victories over Conwell-Egan and Bishop McDevitt, the last in overtime in the season finale to earn the Friars the 10th and final berth to the league playoffs. The All-Catholic first-teamer will continue his career at West Chester.

Will Gardner, Haverford: With the Fords missing two key seniors pieces (Alex Reardon and All-Delco Cam Morse) for most of the season due to injuries, Gardner’s steadfast play propped the Fords up and led them to the District 1 Class 4A playoffs. Gardner led the team with nine goals and added four assists. He tallied game-winning goals in overtime against Strath Haven and Ridley as the Fords won 11 games and earned the 20th seed in the District 1 field. Gardner earned first-team All-Central recognition.

Sam Wilson, Episcopal Academy: The senior forward was one of the Inter-Ac’s premier hitmen, burying 21 goals for the Churchmen and earning first-team all-league honors. He had six multiple-goal games, including hat tricks against Shipley and Hill School. Eight of his goals came in league play, helping the Churchmen finish second in the standings. He hit Haverford School for two markers to decide their first collision and added a brace against Malvern Prep. Wilson has signed a letter of intent to play at Colby College.

Romario Sterling, Penn Wood: The Del Val League MVP paced the Patriots to the league title, earning top league honors from Del Val coaches. He garnered that title via 21 goals and 22 assists, remarkable production even for the wide-open nature of the Del Val. Sterling bagged four goals in a win over Glen Mills and hat tricks over Bonner & Prendergast and Strath Haven as well as a goal and two assists to get by Interboro late in the season. The Patriots made another appearance in the District 1 Class 4A tournament, losing to eventual states qualifier Unionville in the opening round.

Will Micheletti, Haverford School: The senior forward was the goal-scoring engine that made the Fords go all the way to an Inter-Ac title. An all-league pick, he scored 12 goals to go with 11 assists. Micheletti had a goal and an assist in a crucial league win over Malvern Prep, the only marker in a draw with Penn Charter and capped the season with a rivalry-day brace against Episcopal Academy to clinch the title. Micheletti will play next year at Franklin & Marshall.