50 Wilmington-area high school boys soccer players to watch in 2023

The high school soccer season in the Wilmington area is about to kick off as teams begin play on Tuesday, Aug. 15.

With plenty of drama in the Mideastern Conference last fall, Hoggard emerged on top to claim its first conference title since 2018. The Vikings benefitted from a sizable senior class that returned after sitting out the year prior.

That's the case for several of the area's teams, as Laney and Trask also graduated more than 16 seniors.

While there might be some new faces on the field this fall, there are also two new head coaches in New Hanover's William Page and South Brunswick's Edward Arce.

Here are 50 high school boys soccer players to watch in 2023.

2023 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL 32 Wilmington-area offensive high school football players to watch in 2023

FIRST WEEK BACK First impressions: Wilmington-area high school football teams begin 2023 practice

TRANSFER BUZZ Former Ashley football star Tyjhere Crudup explains transfer to Laney

Nick Cenatiempo, Jr., forward, Ashley

Ashley is looking to turn the corner in 2023 after finishing fifth in the MEC and being sent home in a first-round, double-overtime playoff loss to Topsail last fall.

The Screaming Eagles graduated their top two goal scorers and will look to Cenatiempo to provide action up top.

Senior Joshua Jernigan and sophomore Cameron Berry feature as two of the team's most experienced defenders.

Finally, junior Kingston Hroncich will become a more significant piece of the puzzle in the midfield after scoring four goals in 2022.

Chris Patsalos, Sr., forward, Hoggard

The Vikings were one game away from a state championship appearance last fall and should maintain their competitive edge in 2023.

Patsalos will lead that charge up top after scoring seven goals last fall.

Junior Jesus Juarez is due for a big year after flashing his skills in the midfield and scoring eight goals in 2022.

Senior Conley Preston returns as one of the Vikings best defenders, while Clark Beery is coming off a seven-goal season last fall.

Sophomore Isaiah Jumansingh will look to start strong in his first season with Hoggard.

Addison Woodcock, Jr., forward, Laney

The Buccaneers had one of their best seasons in recent memory, as they came just one game short of a MEC title in 2022. n

However, 2023 will provide hefty challenges as Laney graduated 16 seniors, accounting for nearly 80% of the team's 117 goals in 2022.

Junior Addison Woodcock is coming off a solid year and should see an uptick in production with a more prominent role this fall.

Junior midfielders Mason Israel and Alan Acree are also returning and should see more production this season.

Newcomers Gavin Tarrant and James Hurley will look to make a splash on a Laney team that features less than 10 seniors.

John Franck, Sr., Forward, New Hanover

Just three games removed from first place in the MEC last fall, New Hanover is under new leadership for the first time in a decade.

Luckily for the Wildcats, Franck returns after leading the Wildcats with 28 goals in 2022.

Senior Henry Hicks is also back after a productive season that included eight goals and four assists.

Fellow senior Jhonny De Paz brings plenty of experience to the net as he returns as the Wildcats starting goalkeeper in 2023.

Eric Dyer, Sr., midfielder, Cape Fear Academy

The Hurricanes will compete in the Coastal Plains Independent Conference (CPIC) this season after winning their last 17 conference games.

Dyer is back after scoring four goals and dishing out four assists from the midfield last season. Junior Council Lancaster played in all 19 of Cape Fear Academy's games last season and should provide experience in the midfield.

Junior Adam Politi is hoping to see more action in 2023 after scoring three goals in 11 games in 2022. Sophomore Currin Gaskill will hold down a Hurricanes back line that allowed just 27 goals last season.

Zane Finley, senior, Coastal Christian

The Centurians will also join the CPIC and will look to improve on last season's 8-14-1 record.

Finley returns as the team's leading scorer from a season ago. Sophomores Brody Wilson and Jackson Baker are also back after impressive freshman seasons in 2022.

Holland Miller, Jr., midfielder, North Brunswick

Miller will look to help the Scorpions improve on their seventh-place finish in the Mideastern Conference last season. The junior scored four goals while providing three assists in 2022.

Seniors Diego Dominguez and Kevin Manzanares will offer experience and depth to a young North Brunswick team.

Aiden Murray, Jr., midfielder, Pender

The Patriots had one of their best seasons in recent memory as they went 18-5-1 and won the Waccamaw Conference title.

After losing nine seniors, junior Aiden Murray will see an even more significant workload after scoring 22 goals last fall.

Joining Murray in the midfield are juniors Hayden Beaver, Owen Davis, and Aaron Santiago, a trio that combined for 17 goals in 2022.

Crayton Dail, Jr., forward, South Brunswick

The Cougars went 4-11-2 last fall and have a new coach in Edward Arce.

Returning to the team in 2023 are juniors Crayton Dail, Gannon Herring, and Gavin Sessoms.

Despite their young makeup, South Brunswick is optimistic that it can increase its winning percentage in 2023.

Maddox Kelly, Jr., midfielder, Topsail

Topsail returns to the field after a solid 2022 season that saw the team finish fourth in the MEC.

With a strong class of juniors like Maddox Kelly, Ethan Bartelson, and Tyler McVeigh, the Pirates will combine experience with youth this fall.

Junior Braedy Schuerger returns as the team's starting goalkeeper after making 109 saves in 21 appearances in 2022.

Nicholas Rodriguez, Sr., defender, Trask

The Titans fared well in the Waccamaw Conference, winning eight of their 11 through conference opponents in 2022.

However, this season brings new challenges as the team graduated 18 seniors.

Coach Caleb Fearing is still confident that his young squad can get the job done as players like defender Nicholas Rodriguez and midfielder Diego Rivera provide senior experience.

Senior center back Eliezer Juarez also returns in 2023 and will spend some time up top.

Olser Aguilar, Sr., forward, West Brunswick

The Trojans are hoping for a brighter 2023 after conceding a conference-high 97 goals last fall.

Aguilar returns as the team's leading goalscorer from a season ago, as he found the back of the net eight times in 2022.

Junior Tyler Harbin and senior defender Juan Torres also return as some of West Brunswick's more experienced players.

Jake Errett, Jr., forward, Wilmington Christian

The Patriots went a perfect 10-0 in conference play last fall and advanced to the second round of the NCISAA state playoffs.

Errett returns as one of the team's top goalscorers, putting away four shots last season. Fellow forward Alex Taylor is just a freshman, but he'll look to make an impact all over the field as he'll also play along the backline.

Senior goalkeeper Calloway Upchurch is back after making 192 saves in 2022.

Other players to watch 

Cape Fear Academy junior Cam Steven; Topsail midfielder Fisher Batts.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: 50 Wilmington-area high school boys soccer players to watch in 2023