Lockdown defenders in Vermont high school boys soccer? Here are 17 players to headline.

They don't usually show up in the scorebook. If they are doing their job well, they don't usually get the notoriety. And mistakes, however slight, are magnified in the moment and could result in deciding outcomes in games.

But playing defense — whether on the back line or as a holding midfielder — is as critical to a team's success as any position on the field.

To give defenders their proper due, we reached out to almost 20 boys soccer coaches and identified 17 players who've made their mark so far during the 2023 high school season. One qualifier: We limited our list to just one player per team. And while this endeavor will undoubtedly not recognize all of Vermont's standout defenders, it has a nice representation of deserving players from schools like Brattleboro and Winooski.

More: Lockdown defenders in Vermont high school girls soccer? Here are 17 players to headline.

Enjoy!

(Editor's note: Players listed in alphabetical order. Any team stats included are through Friday, Oct. 6).

Freddie Bacon, Colchester High School

An outside back as a freshman last year when Colchester reached the Division I title game, Bacon made the natural transition to a central defender's role due to his skillset, leadership and confidence with the ball. The Lakers (7-1-1) have posted three shutouts this fall.

"It was an easy decision to move him over," Colchester coach Ty Pratt said. "He's very mature and, even as a sophomore, you can see the guys are listening to him and following his direction out there. He's able to read the play and jump right in at the right moment."

More: Colchester nips South Burlington in D-I boys soccer championship rematch

Hunter Bowen, Rice Memorial High School

The junior center back uses his speed, vision and communication skills to anchor and lead Rice's defense. Bowen also whips in crosses from 40 yards out on free kicks.

"He directs the boys well back there in getting organized and staying organized throughout the match," Rice coach DeGraff-Murphy said. "He shuts down (opposing attacking players) and he tends to win the ball well in that center back position."

Caleb Brookens, Harwood Union High School

After injuries slowed his playing time as a freshman last year, during Harwood's run to the Division II final, Brookens quickly emerged this fall as a commanding presence at center back. The Highlanders (5-1-2) have only conceded five goals in 2023.

"He's a ball-winner and he has the ability to play simple, short passes and can also put the ball on the foot of our forwards, too," Harwood coach Joe Yalicki said. "He has good body control and he's comfortable as a decision-maker. He has more pressure and he's stepped up and played really well in a lot of our games."

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Evan Chicoine, Mount Mansfield Union School

The senior outside back and captain is a high-energy, no-quit player who has also become more comfortable with the ball at his feet. Chicoine also figures into MMU's attack by making overlapping runs.

"He's a warrior and goes full speed the entire game. It's rare when he has an off moment," MMU coach Dustin Hess said. "He's become more technical and he reads the game really well, which allows him to intercept passes."

Ben Clark, U-32 High School

The defensive midfielder, who missed the start of the season due to injury, runs the middle of the pitch for the Raiders (7-1-1), who sport four clean sheets. Clark is strong, quick, technical and good in the air, according to U-32 coach Mike Noyes. Clark is a four-year varsity player.

"Ben uses his size and strength to keep attackers from getting through the midfield," U-32 coach Mike Noyes said.  "And his ability to distribute with his vision makes him dangerous in the attack."

Austin Cox, Burr and Burton Academy

A three-year varsity player and two-year captain, Cox switched from forward to the back line in the middle of the 2022 season. Cox is smart and fast and a leader on and off the field, BBA coach Patrick Zilkha said.

"His timing and ability to anticipate passes is impressive. He’s good in the air. Courageous. He never quits," Zilkha said. "Finally, he possesses the technicality that makes him dangerous on the ball as well."

Garrett Cunningham, Twin Valley High School

A defensive midfielder who will also play sweeper, Cunningham plays low to the ground, uses his body well and is quick, according to Twin Valley coach Buddy Hayford. The undefeated Wildcats have three clean sheets in their last five games.

"He's probably the toughest defender I've had over the last couple of years. He's an incredible tackler of the ball and he very rarely if ever gets beat," Hayford said. He's a rock back there."

Ajak Dau, Champlain Valley Union High School

The 6-foot-2 Dau is CVU's fittest player, based on preseason training tests, and is a smart, communicative outside back who plays with a lot of maturity, according to Redhawks coach Rob Cole. CVU has yielded just one goal in the run of play through nine games.

"He's very solid both with the ball and when we don't have the ball. He sees everything really well," Cole said. "He can play out of pressure and enjoys the physical aspect of it. He's a pretty complete player."

Faraja Diedonne, Burlington High School

Called up to varsity in the second half of his freshman year in 2022, Diedonne has taken on more responsibility this fall in his starter's role at left back for the Seahorses (8-2), who have compiled six clean sheets. Diedonne also joins the attack, when needed, and is good on service with his weaker foot.

"I don't care who you have, he's locking them down," Mukhtar Abdulahi said. "He takes feedback very well. He doesn't get upset. He listens and he comes to me to asks how he can get better."

Oakley Francis, Vergennes Union High School

The co-captain previously played at center back, but made the move to holding midfielder this fall to become an even bigger piece of Vergennes' plans and style. The athletic Francis is also 5-for-5 from the penalty spot and leads the Commodores in scoring.

"He's the heart and soul," of the team, Vergennes coach Kevin Hayes said. "He can break up the play, win tackles and be available to go forward. He also has great vision for passing. We like to build from the back and we play through him."

Preseason: The top returning Vermont high school boys soccer players? Our 2023 watchlist.

Kaidyn Jarvis, Brattleboro Union High School

A three-year varsity player and two-year starter, Jarvis has grown into his role as a vocal presence and leader in the back. Jarvis is a good 1-on-1 defender and puts his body on the line, according to Brattleboro coach Ben Brewer.

"As a senior, he has the ability to say and do whatever he needs to get his point across. He's one of the defenders who's kept us connected back there," Brewer said. "Anyone coming down the wing, he shuts down. He's a tenacious pit bull."

Henry Kinney, Essex High School

Traditionally a center back, the senior Kinney has patrolled from a holding midfielder spot in recent games for the Hornets. A captain, Kinney plays out of pressure effortlessly and has good short-distance quickness to make up ground on attackers, according to Essex coach Jake Orr.

"He's a great player and no matter where you put him on the field, he's going to be successful," Orr said. "He's really composed and deceptive with the ball and he does a good job containing guys and knowing when to step in. I think he's one of the best players in our state right now."

Aaron Lepikko, Stowe High School

With size, speed and experience, Lepikko makes his impact on the pitch from multiple positions. Lepikko has also started and played more games than any other current player on the Raiders, who have allowed just five goals in nine games.

"Aaron is a versatile player who causes matchup problems on offense or defense," Stowe coach Shane Bufano said. "He has a cannon and can boot the ball three-fourths of the field. He can start the offense back there and can put the ball on a forward's foot. He's good at releasing and clearing while under pressure."

Milo Rees, Middlebury Union High School

Previously an attacking midfielder, Rees made the move to center back this fall to fill a void on defense. Rees is athletic, wins the aerial game and covers a lot of ground with his speed. Middlebury is allowing just over a goal per game through nine contests.

"The kid's energy is just unmatched. After winning the ball, he can put a 65-yard ball right onto the foot of the forward," Middlebury coach Chris George said. "He's always really positive, lifting guys up. He's great team player and he's confident on the ball."

Biladi Tresor, Winooski High School

The sophomore holding midfielder has bought into Winooski's disciplined defensive shape and shows up in the right places at the right times.

"He's so tenacious and also good on the attacking side, good on the ball," Winooski coach Brad Agoos said. "He's the reference point for breaking up plays and beginning ours. He's not a big guy, but he's very quick."

Connor Watson, South Burlington High School

South Burlington's 2022 championship season turned when Watson switched to defense and solidified the left back position. This fall, the hard-working and skillful Watson has taken on added responsibilities and is junior captain for the 8-1 Wolves.

"Whenever we need to shut down a player, we put (Watson) on that player," South Burlington coach Adolphe Lumumba said. "We've played him in every position this year except goalie. His leadership and work ethic is just amazing."

Ben Wetherell, Montpelier High School

A three-year varsity player, the outside back had a breakout campaign in 2022 during the Solons' run to the Division II championship. This fall, Wetherell has helped Montpelier (8-0) remain one of the toughest defenses, a unit that has conceded just one goal in eight games.

"You won't find a harder-working defender. He's very determined and he won't stop until he stops his direct opponent," Montpelier coach Eric Bagley said. "He understands when to close and when to give the attacker space. If he gets beat, he has the speed to recovery and make a challenge."

2022 rewind: Defense, Riby-Williams' header push Montpelier to D-II boys soccer title

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Contact Alex Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on Twitter: @aabrami5.

This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Vermont high school boys soccer: 17 standout defenders of 2023