Who are the top 5 boys' soccer players in Livingston County?
1. Colin Robertson
Brighton, forward, Sr.
► Accomplishments: Robertson is playing his first year of high school soccer after not being allowed to per his arrangement with his club team, the Michigan Wolves. He has been as advertised in the early going, scoring four goals in the first four games, including two in a 3-0 victory over Hartland. Robertson has shown off a powerful leg and nifty moves to provide a spark to a Brighton offense that struggled last year. He is considering several college offers, but hasn’t made a decision.
► Coach Mark Howell: “We’re real excited to have him as part of our program. He’s plugged right in. No ego. He’s ready to help the team do whatever he can to win games. He’s going to be an exceptional talent. He’s going to demand a lot of attention from other teams’ defenses.”
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2. Devlin McGinnis
Brighton, midfielder, Jr.
► Accomplishments: McGinnis was the only non-senior on last year’s All-Livingston County first team. He had team-high totals of nine goals and six assists as a sophomore. He’s already on pace to blow those numbers away, scoring six goals through four games. Last season, he scored the game’s only goal in two 1-0 victories and had a hat trick in a first-round district victory over Howell. He made second-team all-county as a freshman, scoring three goals and four assists.
► Coach Mark Howell: “He’s kind of like our engine. He’s a workhorse. He puts the other team under a tremendous amount of pressure. We’re expecting him to take a big leap in goal scoring and goals created. Our attack will be very, very dangerous; he’ll be leading the way.”
3. Hunter Haglund
Brighton, defender, Sr.
► Accomplishments: Haglund made second-team all-county last season as a key cog in a strong Brighton defense at center back. He will be expected to play an even greater role following the graduation of two multi-time all-county first-teamers on the back end. Haglund has helped Brighton limit its first four opponents to only one goal.
► Coach Mark Howell: “He’s real skilled. He’s a leader who works real hard and sets a great example for others. He’s a calm and poised player. He was banged up last year, too; hopefully, he stays healthy this year.”
4. Erik Pecaj
Hartland, midfielder, Sr.
► Accomplishments: Pecaj made all-district and second-team all-county last season. His primary focus in the midfield is to add an extra layer of defense for the Eagles. He doesn’t get involved offensively much, assisting on only one goal last year.
► Coach Andrew Kartsounes: “He’s usually an engine in our midfield. He plays defensive center and really helps us control the ball. He tends to stay back and really control the flow of the game; that’s what he’s good at. He could play anywhere. We have him playing defensive center; he sits in front of the defense. He can move the ball from there, but can also connect us with the offense.”
5. Ian Hartke
Fowlerville, forward, Sr.
► Accomplishments: Hartke is the leading returning goal scorer in the county, having scored 18 goals to go with two assists last season. He was CAAC Red all-league selection. Hartke kicked for the football team last season, but is focused solely on soccer this fall as a leader of a senior-heavy group.
► Coach Jason Sperry: “He will find the space he needs to and has a really good turn, so he can go right or left, which keeps the defense guessing which way he’s going to go. His first step is so quick. He can get by a defender and get a shot off quickly.”
Contact Bill Khan at wkhan@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @BillKhan.
This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Who are the top 5 boys' soccer players in Livingston County?
