Advertisement

Rouse's Carlos Manzano, Connally's Ryan Ford top our All-Central Texas boys soccer team

colby gordon, austin american-statesman
·5 min read
Lake Travis' Tre Wright drives the ball as Bowie defender Christian Ulloa challenges the goal kick during their District 26-6A matchup in March. Wright was picked for the All-Central Texas first team, and Ulloa made the second team.
Lake Travis' Tre Wright drives the ball as Bowie defender Christian Ulloa challenges the goal kick during their District 26-6A matchup in March. Wright was picked for the All-Central Texas first team, and Ulloa made the second team.

Player of the year

Carlos Manzano, senior, Rouse

A dynamic striker, Manzano put up mind-blowing numbers of 30 goals and 17 assists to help the Raiders to the District 25-5A title, a run to the regional final and a 22-3-2 record. Skilled with a quick touch and the ability to shoot from range, he was a nightmare for opposing defenses in both scoring and distributing. He holds all of Rouse's scoring records.

Newcomer of the year

Rahul Kuthiala, sophomore, Westwood

In his first year playing high school soccer, the left wing produced 10 goals and six assists while helping the Warriors to the District 25-6A title.

Coach of the year

Ryan Ford, Connally

Ford guided the Cougars to the District 23-5A championship, the program’s second state tournament appearance and a gaudy record of 23-3-4.

More: Westwood's Atlee Olofson headlines our Central Texas girls soccer team

First team

Lawrence Doe, jr., F, Connally: The District 23-5A MVP for the second straight year and a striker with track-type speed compiled 21 goals and seven assists to help the Cougars win district and reach the state tournament. He was a first-team all-state selection, too.

York Merrill, sr., F, Dripping Springs: An offensive machine with 20 goals and five assists, he was a big reason the Tigers made a run to the Class 6A state championship game.

Martin Valdez, jr., F, Georgetown: One of the area’s most dangerous offensive players tallied an astounding 28 goals and 15 assists and was the District 23-5A offensive MVP.

Ryan Clanton, sr., MF, Rouse: Someone who could score or distribute with preciseness, the District 25-5A midfielder of the year ended with 18 goals and 18 assists, pushing the Raiders to the district title and a run to the regional final.

Erick Rios, sr., MF, Hendrickson: A brilliant passer with vision, the District 23-5A co-MVP recorded 13 goals and 15 assists and was a four-year starter for the Hawks.

More: Lake Travis flashes promise at spring football scrimmage

Holden Rabb, sr., MF, Bowie: The center midfielder directed the offense, made everyone around him better and helped lead the Bulldogs to 20 wins and a share of the District 26-6A title.

Tre Wright, sr., MF, Lake Travis: The UCLA-bound left winger had 18 goals and eight assists and was a big reason the Cavaliers won a share of the 26-6A title, went to the second round of the playoffs and finished 20-2-2.

Kyle Thompson, sr., D, Lake Travis: The District 26-6A defender of the year was a four-year varsity player and a rock at center back for a defense that only yielded 16 goals all season. Helped Lake Travis to a share of the 26-6A title, the second round of the postseason and a 20-2-2 record.

Terry "Tan" Win, sr., D, Connally: The senior keyed the Cougars’ ability to play from out of the back. He started every game and was a captain for a squad that won District 23-5A and went to the state tournament.

Bienfait Yonyimiki, sr., D, Northeast: District 24-5A's co-defensive MVP was a rock at the back for the Raiders who could defend the box in all facets and play up the field effectively if needed.

Lalo Perez-Francis, sr., GK, Bowie: He recorded 17 shutouts and yielded only 10 goals all season for the District 26-6A co-champs.

Erick Rios was a four-year starter for Hendrickson and was a District 23-5A co-MVP after recording 13 goals and 15 assists.
Erick Rios was a four-year starter for Hendrickson and was a District 23-5A co-MVP after recording 13 goals and 15 assists.

Second team

Kawan Borba, sr., F, Westwood: A constant threat up top, the 25-6A MVP had 12 goals and 11 assists and will play at UT-Dallas.

Zach Faiq, sr., F, Stony Point: He had 15 goals and seven assists as the Tigers advanced to the Class 6A regional quarterfinals and went 18-5-3.

Mason Russell, sr., F, Dripping Springs: A player who could distribute and finish, he tallied 15 goals and 13 assists and was at his best when it mattered most as the Tigers played well down the stretch and went to the Class 6A title game.

Emmy Aranda, jr., MF, Vandegrift: He produced 12 goals and 12 assists for the Vipers while generating most of the team's attacks and played a key part in turning a 1-3-1 start into a nine-game unbeaten streak.

Ethan Brown, sr., MF, Round Rock: The true defensive midfielder was relentless on the field and started the attack on 95% of the Dragons’ goals. He played every minute of the season and had six goals and six assists to help Round Rock to a runner-up finish in 25-6A.

Aaron Olalde, jr., MF, Connally: Brilliant with the ball and away from it, the all-state selection had eight goals and 10 assists and was one of the key figures in the Cougars' winning District 23-5A and going to the state tournament.

Hays Turner, sr., MF, LASA: He recorded 17 goals and seven assists in helping the Raptors to an undefeated run through District 24-5A and to the regional quarterfinals. He will play at Carleton College in Minnesota.

Steven Dolan, senior, D, Georgetown: The District 23-5A defensive MVP was part of a defense that yielded less than a goal per game and helped the Eagles go 17-4-4.

Christian Ulloa, sr., D, Bowie: He was the leader of a defense that yielded only 10 goals all year and helped the Bulldogs to the District 26-6A title and a 20-2-3 record.

Landon Saunders, sr., D, Leander: The center back, District 25-5A's defensive MVP, controlled the defense and was a big reason the Lions advanced to the Class 5A regional quarterfinals.

Andres Ripstein, sr., GK, Westlake: From a pure talent perspective, he was one of the best players in Central Texas and always made highlight-reel saves. He's headed to Spain this summer to try to play professionally.

Honorable mention

Anderson — Jud Anderson; Austin Achieve — Gustavo Fuentes; Cedar Park — Antonio DeLaRosa, Zeb Weiland; Connally — Gabry Olalde; Del Valle — Daniel Cerda; Eastside — Lester Marquez; East View — Ruben Torrez; Elgin — Guillermo Hernandez; Glenn — Tito Don Juan, Vince Rodriguez; Lake Travis — Ben Paranidharan; LASA — Yohannes Heineman; Manor New Tech — Zachary Rivas; Marble Falls — Garrett Goggans; McCallum — Liam Plum; Northeast — Alan Garcia, Alex Garcia; Rouse — Brendon Fournier, Jake Loofs; Taylor — Ty Silverthorn; Weiss — Patrik Fagen, Tobias Reyes; Westwood — Pablo Zavala; Wimberley — Gage Weaver.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Manzano, Kuthiala, Ford lead our All-Central Texas boys soccer team