It was an exciting season on the pitch for local high school soccer squads this spring, with most of the teams staying in contention for the playoffs until the very end. And with plenty of talent on those teams, we once again take a look at some of the top players with our All-City Boys Soccer Team.
The group is headlined by a dynamic set of forwards which earned notice from every opposing coach. Stadium senior Max Harvey garnered the Narrows 4A most valuable player award after using his crafty moves to score 14 goals and dish out 14 assists, helping lead the Tigers to the state playoffs. Foss senior Pablo Santos grabbed a share of the Narrows 3A MVP award, displaying incredible range on a couple of his 12 goals on the year, while he added nine assists. Wilson junior forward Oswald Ramos earned the other half of the Narrows 3A MVP, leading the Rams to the state playoffs with 11 goals and six assists while displaying great speed. Stadium senior Andrew Foreman was another of the many threats for the Tigers, scoring nine goals and adding two assists in becoming a dominant force up front. Mount Tahoma’s cause this season was aided by lightning fast Kenyan senior forward Brian Wambaa and junior forward Ian Karanja. The duo had a keen connection on the pitch and always seemed to find each other, as Wambaa scored nine goals and added seven assists while Karanja had seven goals and nine assists to lead the Thunderbirds to the district playoffs.
The midfielders are headed by Stadium senior Jacob Beardemphl, who showed both his selflessness and goal-scoring ability by putting up seven goals and 18 assists in dominating the middle. Teammate Garrett Harp was an underrated asset for the Tigers, scoring in key moments and tallying nine goals on the year. Bellarmine Prep junior Drew Barker was one of the more promising players for the Lions, showing phenomenal ball skills and striking for 11 goals and 10 assists. Wilson sophomore Munassar Saleh continued to amaze as well with his pace, scoring seven goals – including two against Auburn Mountainview in the district playoffs – while adding eight assists for the Rams. Foss’ Rene Ramos was a steady presence in the middle for the Falcons, scoring five goals and adding seven assists. Lincoln senior Juan Vicente showed his versatility by scoring seven goals, including a hat trick against Foss, while also being able to drop back on the defensive side for the Abes.
Not to be overlooked, a solid list of defenders this year is led by Stadium senior Tyler Foster, who anchored the Tigers’ defense and helped limit league foes to 14 total goals. Sophomore teammate Bryce Ikeda not only dominated the outside defensively, but showed the ability to bring the ball up the field and be a threat offensively. Mount Tahoma senior Adolfo Sandoval helped lead an enormous defensive turnaround in the T-Birds' inaugural season in the Narrows 3A, as they limited opponents to 14 goals in the 12 league matches.
Wilson junior Scott Scheerer was a dynamic defender for the Rams as well, locking down the middle while also getting up field to score two goals and create scoring chances with a powerful long throw-in. Wilson sophomore Pedro Ramos was another key part of the unit that allowed just 15 goals in league play. Bellarmine Prep sophomore Connor Thompson anchored the defensive front for the Lions, using his height to thwart off attacks while also providing an offensive threat with two goals.
Wilson senior Matvey Shitik earns a nod at goalkeeper after putting up five shutouts on the season and providing a solid last line of defense for the Rams’ stingy unit. Stadium senior Ian Fry gets the other nod at keeper as he was also credited with five shutouts.
2013 TACOMA WEEKLY ALL-CITY BOYS SOCCER TEAM
GK – IAN FRY – SR – STADIUM
GK – MATVEY SHITIK – SR – WILSON
DEF – TYLER FOSTER – SR – STADIUM
DEF – BRYCE IKEDA – SO – STADIUM
DEF – PEDRO RAMOS – SO – WILSON
DEF – ADOLFO SANDOVAL – SR – MOUNT TAHOMA
DEF – SCOTT SCHEERER – JR – WILSON
DEF – CONNOR THOMPSON – SO – BELLARMINE PREP
MID – DREW BARKER – JR – BELLARMINE PREP
MID – JACOB BEARDEMPHL – SR – STADIUM
MID – GARRETT HARP – SR – STADIUM
MID – RENE RAMOS – JR – FOSS
MID – MUNASSAR SALEH – SO – WILSON
MID – JUAN VICENTE – SR – LINCOLN
FWD – ANDREW FOREMAN – SR – STADIUM
FWD – MAX HARVEY – SR – STADIUM
FWD – IAN KARANJA – JR – MOUNT TAHOMA
FWD – OSWALD RAMOS – JR – WILSON
FWD – PABLO SANTOS – SR – FOSS
FWD – BRIAN WAMBAA – SR – MOUNT TAHOMA