First- and second-team selections for The Olympian’s 2022 All-Area boys soccer team.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Connor Barnes, Olympia defender, sr. – Barnes, the 4A South Puget Sound League’s defensive player of the year, may be one of the best defenders ever in Thurston County, starting every game for the Bears since his freshman year, despite a relatively unimposing 5-foot-9 build. “He doesn’t make mistakes and frustrates the opposing teams with his innate ability to make the right decision every time. He wins every tackle, every ball in the air and passes well out of the back,” said Olympia coach Ty Johnson. Bound for Trinity University in Texas, Barnes led an Oly defense that recorded eight shutouts and only allowed more than two goals once.

COACH OF THE YEAR

Ty Johnson, Olympia – Johnson was named coach of the year in the 4A South Puget Sound League. He guided the Bears to a 12-6-1 overall record and 10-3-1 in the rugged 4A SPSL. Olympia came within a tough loss to Camas of reaching its fourth state tournament in the most recent six played.

FIRST TEAM

FORWARDS

Alexis Castillo-Corona, Rochester, sr. — The 2A Evergreen Conference offensive player of the year, Castilo-Corona, a returning first team choice, scored 15 goals and contributed four assists. “He was by far the best player on our team,” said Rochester coach Matt Ashton. “He has the ability to score, possess, pass. He’s also a solid defender, never gives up on a ball.”

Gabe Crawford, Olympia, sr. — Crawford used his gift of speed to produce 14 goals and eight assists to lead the high level 4A SPSL. Despite often seeing double teams, Crawford would, according to Johnson, “consistently get behind back lines and create opportunities for both himself and teammates. Gabe would have had 30-plus goals in any other league.” Crawford will walk on at Western Washington.

Romeo Brown, Timberline, soph. – Brown scored nine goals, assisted five times and drew 14 penalties in the box. “Romeo caused problems for every defense,” said Blazers’ coach Nick Boatright. “He likes to square up defenders and use changes in his speed and direction to blow past them. He is also a very good finisher, always finding the corner or slotting it past the keeper.”

Zack Schmidt, Tumwater, sr. – The 2A EvCo MVP scored 20 goals and had eight assists. “Zack was the most dangerous and unpredictable attacker on the field,” said T-Birds coach Brett Bartlett. “He scored nearly 50% of our goals and was involved in almost 75% of the scoring plays. He lives for the big moment. He’s strong with either foot, in the air and on the dribble.” Schmidt, whose accomplishments all come in the face of an auto-immune disease that limits his practice time, is expected to play in college but has yet to commit.

Canon Seaberg, Elma, sr. – Named the 1A Evergreen Conference offensive MVP after scoring 28 goals. A team captain.

MIDFIELDERS

Levi Jennings, Rochester, sr. — First team All-2A EvCo, Jennings “had the ability to distribute the ball from central midfield and get our attack going,” said coach Matt Ashton, who added, “Levi wasn’t afraid to continue in the attack even though he’s more of a defensive mid. He was the workhorse of our team.”

Cory Killip, Olympia, sr. – Killip, an All-4A SPSL selection, totaled six goals and eight assists. “Cory’s big, strong and fast,” said coach Ty Johnson. “He had a very successful season penetrating the back lines of opposing teams.”

Will Lower, Tumwater, sr. – A defensive midfielder for 2A state participant Tumwater and first team All-2A EvCo selection, Lower had four assists and 10 “hockey assist” passes leading to a teammate’s assist. He took most of the T-Birds longer free kicks. “He serves an excellent ball,” said Bartlett. “His primary duty was to control the pace of play. His knowledge, vision and range of passes made him vital for our possession and attacking play.”

Cason Seaberg, Elma, soph. – The 1A EvCo MVP scored 12 goals and added 19 assists. “Cason was complimented throughout the season for his work rate and ground he can cover,” Elma head coach Carson Seaberg told the Daily World.

Sam Southworth, Tumwater, sr. – Southworth tallied five goals and had eight assists in earning first team All-2A EvCo honors. “Sam is the smartest, craftiest and hardest working player on the field,” said Bartlett. “He is unselfish. There were many times he passed up a good shot to create an easy goal for a teammate.”

DEFENDERS

Adam Al-Mobdy, Tumwater, sr. – A two-time first team All-2A EvCo defender and four-year varsity player, Bartlett calls Al-Mobdy “an amazing leader. He’s very responsible, mature and accountable. He’s fast, strong, good with both feet and a very intelligent player.” Al-Mobdy assisted on the goal that propelled Tumwater to the state 2A quarterfinals.

Drew Carlson, Olympia, soph. – A first team All-4A SPSL South choice. “Drew’s a very competitive player,” said Johnson. “He played almost every position on defense and in the midfield. He won a lot of balls in the air. He did his job wherever he was put on the field.”

Rene Duran, Elma, sr. – Duran was selected first team All-1A Evergreen Conference for the champion Eagles.

Cameron Kunz, W.F. West, jr. – The 2A EvCo defensive player of the year, Kunz led a Bearcat defense that shut out 11 opponents. “Cameron’s an extremely intelligent player,” said coach Allen Anderson. “He reads the game very well. Great with his distribution. He always plays calm, even under heavy pressure.”

Jace Poston, Elma, sr. – A team captain and another first team All-1A EvCo choice as a key part of an Elma defense that helped the Eagles win the conference championship.

GOALKEEPER

Landon Gordon, Timberline, soph. – The 3A SSC’s first team goalkeeper, Gordon recorded nine clean sheets. Said Timberline coach Nick Boatright, “With his long wingspan and courage, he could come out and get dangerous crosses. Landon made incredible saves this year to keep us in games against very good teams.”

SECOND TEAM

Forwards: Tyler Minerich, Tenino, fr.. Alonzo Ogaldez, North Thurston, jr., Luis Olivas, Shelton, so., Brayan Orellana-Gamez, Centralia, fr., Jose Valencia Mendoza, Elma, sr.

Midfielders: Manny Hernandez, Elma, sr., Brady Mitchell, Black Hills, jr., Skyler Perrotti, Capital, sr., Jacob Reeves, Olympia, sr. Landen Sexton, North Thurston, jr.

Defenders: Zach Byer, Tenino, sr., Hunter Cayford, Yelm, sr., Declan Line, Timberline, sr.

Goalkeepers: Andy Salvatierra, Elma, jr., Hayden Sciera, W.F. West, jr.