Oregon’s top high school boys soccer players: Meet the state’s best forwards

By René Ferrán

This week, we’re taking a position-by-position look at some of the top players in Oregon high school boys soccer. Our third list focuses on the forwards.

How the lists were compiled: Coaches were contacted and encouraged to nominate players for these lists. Many coaches declined to respond; thus, these lists are not comprehensive. Let us know about any other players you think should be added.

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F Omar Barajas, Jesuit, Sr.

Barajas complements top scorer Drew Pedersen up front for the Crusaders, scoring three goals with four assists this fall. He also is the team comedian, typically saving his best barbs for the coaching staff. “Omar is very active up top, which makes him a very difficult mark,” coach Geoff Skipper said.

F Diego Barragan Lara, Tillamook, So.

Barragan Lara started for the Cheesemakers throughout his freshman season, finishing with five goals and five assists while receiving all-Cowapa honorable mention. “Diego is a very quick and versatile striker,” coach Brian Reynolds said. “He has an incredible touch with the ball and isn't afraid to take the shot. He’s very good at reading the defense and knowing when to pull up and slow down the play while the team patiently looks for a seam to open up.”

F Junior Cardenas Ochoa, Summit, Sr.

With the graduation of top scorers Nani Deperro (32 goals, 19 assists) and Alex Grignon (25 goals), that opened opportunities for other strikers to step forward. Cardenas Ochoa has taken advantage to become the team’s leading scorer with 11 goals during a 7-1-1 start. “Junior is a goal scorer and a very valuable player to the team,” said assistant coach Everett Adams. “His work ethic is unmatched.”

F Ariel de Dios Cruz, Willamette, Jr.

de Dios Cruz took the state by storm as a sophomore, winning Midwestern player of the year honors and making the 5A all-state first team after scoring 27 goals and leading the Wolverines to the league title and their first state playoff wins in program history. They moved up to 6A this fall, and de Dios Cruz hasn’t slowed down his scoring pace (14 goals, three assists through Oct. 9), which comes as no surprise to coach Jason Burke, who called him “the best goal scorer I have seen in high school soccer.”

F Ismeal Esparza, Stayton, Jr.

Esparza, the younger brother of two-time 4A player of the year Jayden Esparza, finished second to Jayden on the team with 16 goals last season, when he made the all-Oregon West first team. He had three goals and two assists in the Eagles' first four games this fall, helping them to a 7-0-2 start to the season. “A hard-working, humble goal scoring machine” is how coach Chris Shields described him.

F Julian Ettinger, Oregon Episcopal, Jr.

Ettinger has battled an ankle injury most of the season but returned Sept. 30 for a rematch against defending 3A/2A/1A champion Catlin Gabel, scoring a goal in a 3-1 victory that avenged an earlier 3-0 defeat. “An incredibly passionate, hungry player,” coach David Rosenberg said. “Julian brings a tenacity, intensity, and desire to his play that makes him very exciting to watch.”

F Jose Gonzalez, Estacada, Jr.

Gonzalez takes part in mixed martial arts during his free time, but on the field, he’s “a spark plug who can get in behind the defense in an instant,” Rangers coach Jack Carroll said. Through Sept. 28, he led the team with seven goals and five assists.

F Aiden Himes, Glencoe, Sr.

Himes doesn’t put up huge stats, but Crimson Tide coach Tom Stephens called the two-time all-Pacific selection “the best utility player on the field, a strong holding ‘9’ with the ability to slide back into the midfield and be disruptive.”

F Brady Housley, Westside Christian, Jr.

Housley has made the all-district team twice during his career — the first team as a freshman and the second team last fall, when he had 18 goals and six assists. His coach and father, Jason, said that “Brady has a strong understanding of the game and instantly elevates his team through his dynamic movement up top and quick passing.”

F Mario Jacobson, Ashland, Sr.

Jacobson is the only returning all-Midwestern selection for the Grizzlies this fall, earning second-team honors as a junior. Coach Abdiaziz Guled praised his ability to put pressure on a defense with his speed and ball control. “He is a great team leader and loves the game,” he added.

F Spencer Karsseboom, Woodburn, Sr.

Karsseboom scored seven goals last fall when he earned all-Mid-Willamette second-team honors. Bulldogs coach Leroy Sanchez called him “an amazing athlete with speed and ball control. He’s very dangerous around the box.”

F Greg Keswick, Wilsonville, Sr.

Keswick is a multisport standout for the Wildcats, making the all-NWOC second team last fall to help them reach the 5A quarterfinals and earning three medals at the state track meet in May, including a fifth-place finish in the 400 meters. This fall, he added placekicking duties for the football team, hitting 20 of 21 PATs and making his only field-goal try. “Greg is an absolute workhorse for the team,” coach Ian Reschke said. “He lays it out every game.”

F Charlie Lacey, South Eugene, Sr.

Lacey plays out on the wing for the Axe, making the all-Southwest second team last fall and helping them get off to an 8-2-1 start this fall during which they’ve scored 28 goals. Coach Pete Peterson can also move Lacey along the front line or into the midfield, saying “his influence on the game in any one of four positions is equally impressive. He is one of the most versatile and talented soccer players I’ve had the pleasure to coach. His technique, work rate, athleticism and leadership qualities make him a top collegiate prospect.”

F Zac Levin, Lakeridge, Sr.

Levin was one of two underclassmen to make a 6A all-state team last fall, when he led the Pacers in scoring and made the second team. This season, he had a team-high 12 goals through Oct. 5 in leading them to an 8-1-1 start.

F Barrett Lindholm, Oregon Episcopal, Sr.

Lindholm shared the team lead with six goals and assisted on two more for the Aardvarks through seven games (6-1), using his speed and shiftiness to elude defenders. “He has a knack for being in the right spot at the right time,” coach David Rosenberg said.

F Giovanni Lopez, Woodburn, Jr.

Bulldogs coach Leroy Sanchez called Lopez, who had three goals and an assist as a sophomore, “a technical forward with speed, skill, and a high work ethic to help his team.”

F Kenny Martinez, The Dalles, Sr.

Martinez didn’t turn out for the Riverhawks until this season, but he’s filled the absence of top scorer Hulises Najera, who had 10 goals in three games before suffering a season-ending knee injury. Martinez scored five goals in September during a 4-3-2 start.

F Dylan Middleton, Gold Beach, Sr.

Middleton, a first-team all-district selection last fall, has led the Panthers in scoring each of the past three seasons, upping his goal totals each time. “We expect big things from him this year,” coach Mackenzie Lee said.

F Gunder Miller, Lincoln, Jr.

Miller joined the Cardinals this fall after playing with the Timbers Academy for several years. He scored 12 goals through Oct. 5 and helped them get off to an 8-1-2 start to the season.

F Damian Miranda, Liberty, Sr.

Miranda was a second-team all-Pacific selection for the Falcons last season, helping them post a fifth consecutive winning record and reach the 6A playoffs. “Damian is one of the most adaptable players we have seen,” coach Tom Olen said. “He can play any position for us and be the best player on the field.”

F Drew Pedersen, Jesuit, Sr.

Pedersen might struggle to ride a bicycle, but the Gonzaga commit has no difficulty finding the back of the net. He won Metro League player of the year honors and made the 6A all-state first team last season after scoring a team-high 18 goals and leading the Crusaders to the state semifinals. This fall, he leads all 6A players with 15 goals during their 7-1-3 start that has them No. 10 in the West Region in the latest United Soccer Coaches rankings. “Drew is a true leader both on and off the field,” coach Geoff Skipper said.

F Diego Quintela, Baker, Sr.

Quintela recorded a pair of hat tricks and finished with a team-high seven goals and five assists last fall in earning second-team all-Greater Oregon honors last fall. He’s already matched those totals through Oct. 6 this season. Bulldogs assistant coach John Quintela called Diego “a versatile and skilled athlete that can play multiple positions and is known for his agility, speed and ability to score goals from distance.”

F/M Silas Reinkensmeyer, Ashland, Sr.

Grizzlies coach Abdiaziz Guled has seen Reinkensmeyer leave many a defender wondering What is happening? following a dazzling display of ball control. “He is a hard-working player and great teammate,” Guled said.

F Alexis Reyes, South Medford, So.

Reyes made the varsity as a freshman and has become an even bigger part of the Panthers attack this season. “He is very talented and fun to watch,” coach Claudio Villa said.

F Alex Rodriguez, South Medford, Sr.

Rodriguez, a second-team all-Southwest selection a year ago, led the Panthers attack early this season and had a pair of goals and two assists over the past couple of weeks. “He is very fun to watch with the ball,” coach Claudio Villa said.

F Jenner Seldon, Phoenix, Sr.

Seldon entered high school an accomplished basketball player who has turned into a dependable scorer for the Pirates. He had 12 goals and four assists last fall to trail only all-state striker Victor Martinez’s 30 goals.

F Vance Sheffield, La Salle Prep, So.

The Falcons were a senior-dominated group last fall when they won the 5A state title, but Sheffield cracked the starting lineup and had 13 goals and seven assists to receive all-NWOC honorable mention. He’s already increased those numbers this fall during their 8-1-2 start with 14 goals and eight assists. Coach Monty Hawkins called Sheffield “a true poacher — a goal scorer who has an uncanny ability to be at the right place at the right moment and the presence to finish with sharpness be it with his feet or head. He’s improved his movement in the box without the ball and his hold-up play, laying off passes on the team’s attack.”

F/D Brock Spink, Newport, Jr.

Spink earned the nickname “Brocket” from his teammates not only because he is one of the Cubs’ fastest players — he qualified for the 4A state meet in May in the 300-meter hurdles — but he also goes full speed at every game. He was a second-team all-Oregon West selection a year ago and had two goals and an assist this season through Sept. 29.

F Sergio Varela, Century, Sr.

Varela built on his second-team all-Pacific selection during the COVID spring 2021 campaign by making the first team last fall and opening this season with 10 goals in the Jaguars’ first seven games, leading them to a 5-1-1 start. “He’s definitely one to watch as he finishes out his senior year looking to lead us to the playoffs for the first time in seven years,” coach Michael Wall said.

F Kai Villano, Marist Catholic, Sr.

Villano might be one of the most improved players in Class 4A, transforming himself in first-year coach Jonathan Rea’s eyes “into a soccer player who commands attention — and a double team. Speedy and courageous, he can put the ball in the net and is the consummate teammate.”

F Drew Zohner, West Salem, Sr.

Zohner is a two-time selection to the all-Mountain Valley team, earning second team during the shortened spring 2021 season and then honorable mention last fall. He also is an avid hunter who spends plenty of time outdoors.