A look into the 2024 high school boys soccer season

Beating St. Christopher’s in the VISAA boys soccer state title game Nov. 10, the Cougars picked up their fifth state title. In the 2-1 win, Collegiate beat the reigning champion Saints to sit atop private school boys soccer. 

So, how will the public schools fair? As the boys soccer season gets underway, here’s a look ahead at returning players to watch, team outlooks and who has a chance to win the state title. 

Note: Private schools play boys soccer in the fall, but girls play in the spring. The boys will still be in consideration for All-Metro teams at the end of the spring season.

Ryan Londeree, senior defender, Cosby: Returning for the Titans is Londeree, a 2023 first-team all-state selection and Gatorade Player of the Year nominee. The senior scored five goals and eight assists in 2023 as a defender, helping the team get to the region semifinals. 

Drew Vantre, senior midfielder, Deep Run: Scoring six goals and six assists last season, Vantre was a big part of the Wildcats Region 5C championship. The senior midfielder was a big leader in the midfield for Deep Run and was both first-team all-region and all-state. 

Coach: Mike Anderson, 39th year

2023: 17-1, lost in region semifinals

Key players: Ryan Londeree, M/D; Evan Gaines, M; Javi Catedral, F; Jesus Hernandez, F/M.

Notable: This year for the Titans there is lots of senior leadership and returning players, which is a big strength. Cosby, with a 16-0 regular season in 2023, fell in the region semifinals, ending its season. So this year with four key senior returners, the group is ready to make a postseason run again. There are talented new players to the program and depth for the group. Returning first-team All-Metro player Ryan Londeree is back, finishing last season with five goals and Evan Gaines, a senior midfielder, returns following a seven-goal season. A weakness for the team is that there is time needed for new faces and returners to adapt but with a good core of leaders, Cosby should be one of the top area programs again. 

Coach: Frank Ford, 15th year

2023: 16-2-3, lost in state quarterfinals

Key players: Drew Vantre, M; Tobi Ebi, F; Chase Prado, M; Ryan Kirkland, M; Matt Bucci, M.

Notable: Following a state tournament season, the Wildcats lost seven starters but there are quality returners and junior varsity players ready to compete. Deep Run moved up to Class 6 in the offseason, so like others, the Wildcats will face new competition in the postseason. Coach Frank Ford said there are questions to be answered as the season goes on but he likes the chances Deep Run has an the team as a whole. Returning starters include Jack Marshall, Connor Leary, Jessup O’Brien and Zach Casey among others. Tobi Ebi, a senior forward, is also committed to Davidson. 

Coach: David Glass, first year

2023: 13-3, lost in region quarterfinals

Key players: Justin Soriano, M; Diego Reyes, M; Josue Calderon, M; Eliezer Dubon, W; JB Barrera, D; Adonis Romero, GK.

Notable: With only three starters returning, the Monarchs will have a different look to them this season. There is a big senior class, with five key players in their final season. Eliezer Dubon had five goals and three assists last season, as the top-seeded Monarchs fell in the region quarterfinals. Justin Soriano had two goals and seven assists in 2023 while Diego Reyes had two goals and two assists. Adonis Romero, a junior goalkeeper, is new this season and the team will be composed of a mix of seniors, juniors and sophomores. Soriano. Reyes and Josue Calderon will provide leadership. 

Coach: Matt Szucs, second year

2023: 12-5, lost in region semifinals

Key players: Henry Diefenthaler, GK; Lucas Spiegel, M; Juan Yepez, D; Yoskar Quintanilla, F; Ryder Barribeau, M/F; Dominic Dominguez-Moss, M.

Notable: There was big turnover for James River from 2023, with the Rapids losing eight starters and returning only three. In 2024, there is a mix of upperclassmen experience and newcomers ready to make their mark. Coach Matt Szucs said the team this season has passion and willingness to work hard in everything, which should serve them well as the year goes on. Seniors Juan Yepez, Yoskar Quintanilla and Ryder Barribeau are players to watch and leaders for the group. This season, it’s the Rapids first year in Class 5 so the group will be facing new competition come postseason but with the group James River has, the team is set for now and the future. 

Coach: Jim Dorton, 27th year

2023: 9-6-2, lost in region quarterfinals

Key players: Tommy Brown, GK; Conner Tu, F; Iverson Garica, F; Naren Senthilkumar, D; Ronaldo Linares, D.

Notable: With four starters lost and seven returning, there is a core group returning for Tucker this season. Seniors coming back for their last year is forward Conner Tu, defender Naren Senthilkumar and defender Ronaldo Linares. Tucker has a good defensive unit, with the two returning senior defenders, so there is experience on that front. There are a few scoring threats as well for the Tigers, who play in a tough Colonial District which features Deep Run, Douglas Freeman and Glen Allen among others. With experience from last year’s team and newcomers working as well for Tucker, it should be a season the team can build on moving forward. 

Coach: Trey Brickhouse, fifth year

2023: 6-8-3, lost in region first round

Key players: Luke Hutchins, M; Kenyon Kantiok, M; Joey Smith, M; Zach Bowers, F; Dalton Adams, GK; Dylan Smith, D.

Notable: The Warriors have several starters returning, Matoaca has strength in numbers this season. The group played several different formations last year and coach Trey Brickhouse said finding the team’s groove and identity will take some time. Returning for Matoaca is Kenyon Kantiok, who scored seven goals last season. Three other returners for the Warriors, Luke Hutchins, Zach Bowers and Joey Smith, all had three goals apiece in 2023. Matoaca, playing in the Central District, has tough opponents to play. The team faces off against Meadowbrook, Prince George and Colonial Heights among others, which should test the Warriors ahead of the postseason. 

Coach: Irby White, first year

2023: 9-4-5, lost in region quarterfinals 

Key players: Dominic Williams, F; Matthew Gavin, D; Carter Neuman, M.

Notable: It’s Irby White’s first year as head coach but he was an assistant to the Eagles from 2017-2019 so he understands the program. While an assistant, Godwin won three region titles and had two state final appearances, so he hopes to inject some “old DNA” back into the program. There are 20 returners total for the Eagles, with nine being starters, and White is excited about the added pieces coming in as well. The Eagles are ready to take the program back to the winning ways from a few years ago and senior forward Dominic Williams is coming off a 10 goal season from 2023. White said he wants to strike while the iron is hot and Godwin is ready to go. 

Coach: Glen Klesat, fifth year

2023: 13-3-2, lost in region semifinals

Key players: William Apostolides, F; Zach Blaum, M; Brady Zsori, M; Jackson Woolard, M; Kyle Surratt, D; Chris D’Adamo, F. 

Notable: Returning seven starters and losing only four, Atlee boys soccer is ready for another season and shot at the region title. The team is composed of only juniors and seniors so the Raiders have experience at all ends of the field, following a season where they got close to qualifying for the state tournament. Junior Kyle Surratt is the key defender for Atlee. William Apostolides, Zach Blaum and Brady Zsori are the three key defenders for the team as well. The returning seniors have been four year starters and that experience is a strength for Atlee, as they look to compete for a region title in 2024. 

Coach: Joshua Pagac, sixth year

2023: 11-5, lost in region quarterfinals

Key players: Dale DiNapoli, F; Greyson Parker, M; Matthew Koenig, D; Tyler Richardson, M; Niko Register, M; Nathan Joly, GK.

Notable: The Mustangs return a good amount of production on both sides of the ball, with nine starters coming back to the team this year. Senior forward Dale DiNapoli will lead the offense after scoring 14 goals last season, good enough for him to land first-team all-region. Niko Register and Tyler Richardson, midfielders, will help him on that front. Greyson Parker, who was second-team all-region, will help control the midfield and both senior Matthew Koenig and Nathan Joly are expected to be big defensively. Register had nine goals last season while Richardson had 11. Joly is back following a .63 goals against average as Mechanicsville navigates the Capital district. 

Coach: Colt Resnick, sixth year

2023: 9-10, lost in region semifinals

Key players: Grayson Gardner, D; Ian Sanabria, M; Jack Mudd, M; Braden Palczynski, F; Mathew Donado, D.

Notable: The Chiefs are looking to build off the 9-10 and region semifinal season from 2023 with four starters returning. The strengths for Monacan this season will be the defense and midfield and coach Colt Resnick is optimistic the team can compete for a state tournament bid by the time the regular season comes to a close. There is a big junior class for the Chiefs, with all five key players listed above as juniors. Goalkeeper this year will be Cameron Vester, a transfer from Manchester who is set to face his former team later in the year. There are pieces in place for Monacan, and the team should be good heading into the postseason. 

Coach: Charles (Chuck) Altizer,, fifth year

2023: 6-8-2, lost in region first round

Key players: Patrick Dane, M/F; Griffin Hales, F; Alex Moore, M; Brody Dycus, M; Baylor Jones, D; Kellen Hart, F/M/D; Michael Wright, D.

Notable: 18 players on the Patriots roster saw time last year, leading the 2024 Patrick Henry boys soccer team to have experience. Playing in a tough region with talented programs, Hanover County games will be key, said coach Charles Altizer. Senior Michael Wright will be a key defender for the Patriots this season and sophomore Kellen Hart will play multiple spots following a four goal and seven assist season last year. Midfielder/forward Patrick Dane will be big for the offense, scoring 10 goals and tallying 10 assists. Senior forward Griffin Hales had 12 goals last year, leading the team, so watch for him to make an impact offensively as well. Playing in a tough district, Patrick Henry should be tested by postseason play. 

Coach: Jonathan Metcalf, sixth year

2023: 1-14, did not make region tournament

Key players: Malachi Hall, F; Malik Hall, F; Nathaniel Templeton, M; Kyran Jone, D; Lerwis Sirit, M.

Notable: This Armstrong team is brand new, according to coach Jonathan Metcalf, following a one win season in 2023. Junior forward Malachi Hall is the leader for the young Wildcats, scoring 11 goals last season. The team is young, returning five starters for 2024, and the junior class is a big one. Key players Nathaniel Templeton and Kyran Jone, who play midfield and defense respectively, being big names to watch as well. Armstrong plays in the Capital District, which has the likes of Atlee and Mechanicsville, so the team will go up against tough competition ahead of the postseason. There are three freshmen on the team and three seniors, so this group should connect this year and years to come. 

Coach: J.P. McNulty, 14th year

2023: 9-6-1, lost in region quarterfinals

Key players: Wyatt Kirkland, M; David Grimes, M; Adrian Rondon, M; Garrett Jarvis, W/S; Caden Hurley, D; Emerson Galicia-Rivera, D; Will Villalta, S/M.

Notable: The Colonials have a young team this season with eight underclassmen and only three senior players. 11 seniors graduated following the 2023 season, including most of the back line and the goalkeeper from last year. Colonial Heights’, which was the top seed in Region 3A in 2023, strength is in the middle and while the Colonials lost their leading scorer from last year, younger players look to step up and make impact. This is McNulty’s second stint as coach for Colonial Heights, he previously coached from 2007-2018 before returning last season and he’s optimistic that his lineup is ready for more this season, looking to make a run in the region tournament. 

Coach: Laurent Beausergent, fifth year

2023: 5-9-1, lost in region quarterfinals

Key players: Christopher Carter, D; Jake Kilpatrick, M; Chanan Wijesooriya, M; Bryce Davitt, M; Jesse Rho, M; Aidan Krivanec, F; Jesus Gonzalez-Escalera, D.

Notable: This year will be a transition season for the Green Dragons, who lost 15 starters from the 2023 season and only have two seniors for this campaign. There are 12 freshmen and sophomores combined that bring passion, commitment and camaraderie to the group. Bryce Davitt is back for his final season, and has speed and perseverance to help lead the young Maggie Walker group. Aidan Krivanec is expected to be good offensively along with Jesse Rho and Davitt. The Dragons are in a rebuilding year but with lots of young talent, this season should set the foundation for years to come. 

Coach: Keith Grant, third year

2023: 7-10, lost in region semifinals

Key players: Immanuel Williams, F; Temple Gingras, GK; Cooper Knight, M; Fabio Walker, M; Jonathan Keel, F/M.

Notable: While this is a rebuilding season for the Vikings, there is talent returning that should set the team up for years to come. This year, Thomas Jefferson moved up Region 3B and returns five starters from the region semifinal appearance in 2023. Immanuel Williams returns for his junior season at TJ, scoring 12 goals last season and Jonathan Keel is back following nine goals. Goalkeeper Temple Gingras had 5.7 saves a game last year and this season, the Vikings are looking to mesh newcomers with returners and find their style of play. Ahead of their first year in Region 3B, they’ll be tested in the Colonial District to help find out that style of play.

Note: Only schools that returned preview forms from The Times-Dispatch are included. If your team is not in the preview, your school did not send a form