The Olympian’s 2021 All-Area high school boys soccer team

Even during a shortened season, the best high school soccer players in the Olympia area rose to the top. Here are the first- and second-team selections for The Olympian’s 2021 All-Area high school boys soccer team.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Jack Armour, Tumwater, sr. – Armour was the 2A Evergreen Conference Player of the Year and, according to Thunderbirds coach Brett Bartlett, might be the best center back in school history. Leader of a defense that allowed only four goals in 12 games for Southwest District champion Tumwater. “Jack has a great blend of size, pace and skill,” said Bartlett of the 6-foot-2 senior. “He’s a leader in every sense of the word – he speaks, works and plays with honesty and passion.”

COACH OF THE YEAR

Kristin Liukkonen, River Ridge – Liukkonen has coached the Hawks’ girls for six years. When the boys job came open at the same moment the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic came around, the school asked her to add another team to her duties. Installing a more aggressive 3-5-2 formation than the returning players were used to implementing, Liukkonen led her team to the 3A South Sound Conference championship with a perfect 9-0 record, racking up 40 goals offensively and allow just nine defensively, posting four shutouts.

FORWARDS

Alexis Castillo-Corona, Rochester, jr. The Warriors high-scoring attacker was named the 2A Evergreen Conference Offensive Player of the Year.

Patrick Chapman, River Ridge, sr. Led the 3A SSC champion Hawks with 14 goals. Named first team all-league.

Paco Lucatero, Yelm, sr. – Moving on to play for Peninsula Community College next season, Lucatero scored seven goals for the Tornados. First team All-3A SSC. “Paco is a dynamic player on the ball with outstanding touch, skill and speed,” said coach Jay Dorhauer.

Alonzo Olgaldez, North Thurston, jr. – The Rams’ first team All-3A SSC choice was singled out by opposing coaches as one of the league’s toughest players to stop.

Trevor Thompson, River Ridge, sr. – Scored 10 goals and added 18 assists for the 3A SSC champion Hawks. The SSC did not name a player of the year, but Thompson was acknowledged as the conference’s top player by several coaches.

MIDFIELDERS

Eli Boatright, Olympia, sr. – First team All-4A SPSL selection led the Bears in a competitive 4A SPSL this season.

Oliver Dickson, Olympia, sr. – The Whitman University commit overcame injuries to be first team All-4A South Puget Sound League. He scored three goals and added five assists. Said Bears coach Ty Johnson, “Oliver is a natural leader who makes every player around him better. He’s smooth on the ball and calms the game down.”

Zack Schmidt, Tumwater, jr. – Voted the T-Birds best player by his teammates after scoring 14 goals for the 2A Southwest District and EvCo champions. “He’s fast, flexible and relentless,” said Bartlett. “He works tirelessly with and without the ball to put his team in winning situations.”

Alex Vidal, Shelton, sr. – Vidal drew the attention of rival 2A Evergreen Conference coaches who pointed to his versatility in playing a variety of positions.

DEFENDERS

Connor Barnes, Olympia, jr. – First team All-4A SPSL, Johnson says he’s the top center back in the league and the best at Olympia in 20 years. “He’s always in the right position and fails to make mistakes.”

Adrian Forde-Nihipali, Yelm, sr. – Playing center back and holding midfielder, Forde-Nihipali also scored a goal and had four assists. First team All-3A SSC. “Adrian has a very good vision of the field,” said Dorhauer. “He always plays the ball in the right spots.”

Lorence Hamilton, North Thurston, jr. – The Rams captain was a first team selection in the 3A South Sound Conference.

Declan Line, Timberline, jr. – A co-captain, Line displayed communication skills for the Blazers, in addition to strong defending and tacking, said coach Nick Boatright. First team All-3A SSC.

GOALKEEPER

Alex Jarvis, Timberline, sr. – A Blazers’ co-captain, the 5-11 Jarvis showed strong decision-making and shot-stopping, Boatright said. “He catches shots other keepers might parry.”

SECOND TEAM

Forwards: Braven Baxter, Olympia, sr., Romeo Brown, Timberline, fr., Antheny Leal, W.F. West, sr, Salvador Ontiveros, Tenino, jr., Zack Russell, Tenino, sr., Canon Seaberg, Elma, jr.

Midfielders: Caleb Anderson, Capital, sr., Will Lower, Tumwater, jr., Chris Ramez, Tenino, sr., Zaid Tekle, Centralia, sr.

Defenders: Jameson Cody, Rochester, sr., Rene Duran, Elma, Adam El-Mobdy, Tumwater, jr., Levin Jennings, Rochester, jr., Yates Pearce, Tumwater, soph., Mason Poynor, Capital, sr.

Goalkeeper: Victor Rojas, Centralia, sr., Andy Salvatierra, Elma, soph.