The Republic's 2023-24 All-Arizona high school boys soccer team, Coach of the Year
It was one of the best years ever for Arizona high school boys soccer, with Gilbert Perry once against beating San Luis in the 6A state championship, Glendale Ironwood taking the 5A crown, Tucson Salpointe Catholic's dynasty staying intact in 4A and Tucson Pusch Ridge escaping Gilbert Christian for the 3A title.
Now it's time to honor the best of the best in Arizona with The Republic's All-Arizona team. The team was chosen with input from coaches throughout the state. The 12 players represent nominees for The Republic's boys high school soccer player of the year, which will be announced at the Arizona High School Sports Awards, sponsored by Diamond Kitchen & Bath, on June 17 at Arizona Financial Theater in downtown Phoenix. The show is produced in partnership with Western States Home Services. (Players are listed alphabetically, followed by honorable mentions.)
The Republic's All-Arizona 2023-24 Boys HS Soccer Team
Joaquin Acosta, Chandler Hamilton, D, Sr.: He was the Premier Region and the Chandler Unified School District Defensive Player of the Year. He had four goals and an assist and locked down some of the state's top offensive threats in 6A.
Sebastian Barrios, Sunnyside, D, Sr.: A three-star prospect, he was the backbone of one of the best defenses in the state.
Angel Bracamontes Pulido, Tucson Sunnyside, MF, Jr.: He had 104 total points, the most in the state for any player in any conference. Had 36 goals and 33 assists for a 6A team ranked among the top 25 in the nation all season.
Leo Gutierrez, Tucson Salpointe Catholic, F, Jr.: He has 111 goals in 74 career varsity games and three 4A state championships already in his brilliant career. This year, he had 45 goals and 10 assists, including three goals in the 4-1 state championship win over Tucson Mica Mountain.
Kale Howell, Peoria Sunrise Mountain, F, Jr.: He had 18 goals and seven assists. He had the winning goal in the 5A play-in, in the first round and in the semifinals.
Eddy Mbugua, Mesa, D, Sr.: He was a rock all season for one of the best teams in 6A, locking it down and getting the offense started. The team captain led the Jackrabbits to the state semifinals for the first time in 15 years.
Misael Meza, San Luis, MF, Sr.: He was the team's best overall player for the second straight year, again helping his team reach the 6A final. In 61 games in his varsity career, he scored 49 goals with 43 assists. He played in three state championship games in his career.
Sean Maguire, Tempe Corona del Sol, F, Sr.: He had 24 goals and six assists leading the Aztecs to the 6A playoffs, before falling to Surprise Shadow Ridge on penalty kicks in the first round.
Carson Pridie, Perry, GK, Sr.: He was sensational in stopping a penalty kick to save Perry's second straight state title over San Luis. He had 121 saves on the season that included 40 overtime minutes.
Bryan Romero, Glendale Ironwood, F, Jr.: He had 24 goals and 22 assists, a dominant force at the top, often drawing double and triple teams. He was the region Player of the Year.
Ben Rouse, Glendale Ironwood, D, Sr.: Defensive catalyst to Ironwood's 5A championship run. Coach Tim Beck called him the "heart of our defense, the best center-back I’ve seen all season." He was lethal on set pieces, scoring six goals and assisting on 17 others. He was his region's Defensive Player of the Year.
Alan Viveros, San Luis, D, So.: He was the team leader on defense, a big part of 12 shutouts this season, filling big shoes left by three-time All-Arizona defender Erick Quirate.
Honorable mention
Gibson Ulrich, Glendale Deer Valley, GK/D, Sr.; Jacob Ruiz, Chandler Arizona College Prep, F, Sr.; Conner Duffy, Arizona College Prep, F, Jr.; Landon Johnson, Arizona College Prep, GK, Sr.; Nelson Berrelleza, San Luis, GK, Jr.; Cory Panno, Vail Cienega, GK, Jr.; Owen Whitehead, Arete Prep, MF, Jr.; Luis Urias Garcia, Sunrise Mountain, D/MF, Sr.; Zach Lanman, Casteel, F, Sr.; Danny Pascanu, Anthem Boulder Creek, MF, Jr.; Kaleb Powell, Gilbert Christian, F, Sr.; Samuel Cavinder, Gilbert Christian, MF, Sr.; Jaxon Sauls, Buckeye Odyssey Institute, GK, Sr.; Zach Smith, Gilbert Highland, F, Sr.; Freddy Alvarez, Mesa, F, Jr.; Aidan Yen, Perry, MF, Sr.; Nerville Ntui, Mesa Mountain View, D, Sr.; Jacob Engwall, Shadow Ridge, F, Jr.; Tyler Haren, Perry, D, Sr.; Eli Anderson, Shadow Ridge, GK, Jr.; Luke Waller, Phoenix Desert Vista, MF, Sr.; Aaron Sullivan, Yuma Kofa, F, Sr.; Jace Rojas, Peoria Centennial, F, Sr.; Michael Nielsen, Flagstaff, D, Sr.; Landon McKendrick, Mica Mountain, F, So.; Evan Garelick, Tucson Pusch Ridge, F, Sr.; Caden Dosmann, Perry, F, Sr.
Coach of the Year
Wolfgang Weber, Salpointe Catholic
The longest-tenured (42 years) boys soccer coach in Arizona, he has led Salpointe to 11 state championships dating to 1985. The Lancers have won the past four 4A state championships and five of the past six under Weber, who was born and raised in Germany. He has won 761 of the 921 games he has coached in a career that began in 1982. He credits assistant Luis Gonzalez for his help over the last seven seasons. This might be one of Weber's most gratifying seasons, rebuilding around junior sensation Leo Gutierrez. The team came on strong late in the season, winning their last nine games to finish 19-5.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: The Republic's 2023-24 All-Arizona boys soccer team, COY
