The Reporter/Times Herald/Montgomery Media 2020 Boys Soccer All-Area Team
A challenging 2020 fall off the field didn’t subdue area boys’ soccer team performances.
North Penn (Colonial), Abington (Liberty) and William Tennent (Freedom) won SOL conference titles while Pennridge reached the District 1-4A final and Upper Moreland took home District 1-3A gold before making the PIAA semifinals. While the PCL didn’t play a formal season, La Salle proved itself, claimed the District 12-4A title and made states.
On top of team success, there was a deep well of individual standout efforts. Even with COVID-19 cutting into how many games teams could play, there were more than enough worthy candidates to fill out The Reporter/Times Herald/Montgomery Media Boys’ Soccer All-Area teams.
Player of the Year Josh Jones of North Penn finds himself a first-team pick for the second straight year.
Starting up top, La Salle boasts a pair of forwards in senior Brandon Curran and sophomore Seth Michalak . The duo, both selected first team All-PCL, were key figures in a productive Explorers offense that scored four or more goals on eight occasions.
Rounding out the front three is Upper Dublin senior Sean Seabrook. A first team All-SOL Liberty pick and All-Southeastern PA selection, Seabrook helped spur a late-season surge by the Cardinals that saw them reach the second round of the District 1-4A tournament.
In the midfield, Abington’s senior co-captain duo of Bryce Lexow and Gavin O’Neill get the call. Both were first team All-SOL Liberty picks, with O’Neill playing the role of top facilitator for the conference champion Ghosts both from the run of play and on his set pieces.
Lexow, who thrived in a move to center mid, earned conference player of the year honors, granting him an all-state bid and was a key ball-winning presence with a knack for clutch goals in SOL play.
Finishing off the midfield is Pennridge’s technical senior Carlos Erazo. The first team All-SOL Colonial selection may not tower over foes, but he’s adept at taking a quick touch right by them while looking to keep the ball moving. A selection to the All-Southeastern team, Erazo had a foot in plenty of chances for the Rams this fall.
Moving to the back line, the Rams chalk up another selection in sophomore Shane Velez, one of their co-captains. Velez, a first team All-SOL Colonial pick, is a smooth, solid defender at center back but also a threat on set pieces, notably scoring the goal that got Pennridge into the district playoffs.
William Tennent thrived in the new SOL Freedom conference, posting an undefeated regular season behind a stout defense. Senior co-captain Ben Weir was the anchor in the back, leading a defense that allowed just six goals in 11 regular season games and earning first team All-SOL honors.
Senior Jake Weiss gave Hatboro-Horsham the perfect blend of attack and defense at fullback during a first-team All-SOL Liberty campaign. The Hatters posted five shutouts with Weiss locking down the flank but also providing a spark with his ability to get forward, serve in crosses and create chances.
While CB West didn’t have a lot of experienced players back, the Bucks did have senior James Lutz to rely on. A four-year fixture in the varsity lineup, Lutz spent time in the midfield, but earned first team All-SOL Colonial honors as a defender for a group that allowed just 11 goals.
Protecting the goal is Souderton junior Aidan McClure. A second team All-SOL Colonial pick, the Indians’ first year starter was a key factor in their District 1 playoff appearance and posted four shutouts during the season. A skilled shot-stopped, McClure tallied close to 70 saves in 12 matches including a season-best 11 in an early season win over North Penn.
The Reporter/Times Herald/Montgomery Media Boys Soccer All-Area Team
FIRST TEAM
F: Brandon Curran (Senior), La Salle
F: Sean Seabrook (Senior), Upper Dublin
F: Seth Michalak (Sophomore), La Salle
M: Josh Jones (Senior), North Penn
M: Bryce Lexow (Senior), Abington
M: Carlos Erazo (Senior), Pennridge
M: Gavin O’Neill (Senior), Abington
D: Shane Velez (Sophomore), Pennridge
D: James Lutz (Senior), CB West
D: Jake Weiss (Senior), Hatboro-Horsham
D: Ben Weir (Senior), William Tennent
GK: Aidan McClure (Junior), Souderton
SECOND TEAM
F: Dillon Barbieri (Junior), Souderton
F: Christian Vorchhiemer (Senior), Wissahickon
M: Ben Scary (Senior), Pennridge
M: Roman Ilvoski (Senior), North Penn
M: Sean Jennings (Junior), La Salle
M: Mateo Infante (Senior), Upper Moreland
D: Thomas Smith (Junior), Souderton
D: Owen Webster (Senior), Lansdale Catholic
D: Caleb Hudson (Junior) Hatboro-Horsham
D: Luke Perreault (Senior), Faith Christian Academy
GK: Kellan Ward (Senior), Lansdale Catholic
HONORABLE MENTION
Abington: Liam Hartman (Sophomore/Forward), Steve Fajardo (Junior/Defender)
Archbishop Carroll: Sean Bruce (Senior/Midfield)
Archbishop Wood: Shane Collier (Senior/Forward), Matthew Haub (Senior/Midfield)
Central Bucks West: Jayden Morris (Senior/Midfield), Vince Cavanaugh (Senior/Defender)
Dock Mennonite Academy: Reynaldo Ramos (Senior/GK), Ben Lare (Junior/Forward), Aidan Kelly (Senior/Midfield)
Faith Christian Academy: Kieran Rea (Junior/Midfield), JR Roberts (Junior/GK)
Hatboro-Horsham: Jake Freedman (Sophomore/Midfield), Tommy Harmon (Junior/Midfield)
La Salle: Ben Herron (Senior/Defender), Lucho Narcisi (Senior/Forward), Derek Campo (Senior/GK)
Lansdale Catholic: Matt McDougal (Senior/Midfield), CJ McNally (Senior/Midfield), Eric Fernandez (Junior/Forward)
Lower Moreland: Ian Alicea (Sophomore/Midfield), Braden Alicea (Junior/Midfield)
Methacton: Zach Stevenson (Senior/Forward)
North Penn: Ryan Mindick (Senior/Defender), Nate Kim (Sophomore/Defender), Dominik Gedek (Senior/Forward)
Pennridge: Colin Monahan (Senior/Defender), Dalton Guthrie (Senior/Defender), Kevin Link (Senior/Midfielder)
Pope John Paul II: Ben Bosio (Midfield)
Plymouth Whitemarsh: Brendan Corpus (Junior/Midfield)
Souderton: TJ Hibsman (Junior/Forward), Tyler Bovell (Junior/Defender)
Springfield-Montco: Ian Short (Senior/Defender)
Upper Dublin: Zach Berman (Junior/Defender), Sam Moss (Senior/Midfield)
Upper Merion: Patryk Rojeck (Sophomore/Forward), Sam Schwartz (Senior/Forward)
Upper Moreland: Michael Kane (Senior/Forward), Travis Slear (Senior/Defender), Josh Henderson (Senior/Defender), Logan Taylor (Junior/Defender)
William Tennent: Sean Metz (Senior/Forward), Pat Corley (Senior/GK), Damian Dangler (Senior/Midfield)
Wissahickon: Jack Schmidt (Senior/Midfield), Jake Slackman (Senior/Forward)
