It’s time to unveil our final All-O-Zone team for the 2015 Fall season, with boys’ soccer.
Criteria: The biggest method I used was gathering names from all-region and all-state teams. Obviously, all-state selections carried a little more weight. From there, stats, the “eye test” and coaches’ opinions played a role in the final selections.
Team success was also considered, as well as fair representation. If it was close, I tended to lean toward seniors.
There was no shortage of strong forward candidates for this list. The first-team was pretty clear-cut; the biggest challenge I had was whittling down the honorable mention group to just 12 players.
These aren’t necessarily the “best” players in the SWMO area; rather, these are 24 that had the best seasons individually. I made a utility position for each group, so that’s the reason for the two extra players on this list.
Disclaimer: I’m not a soccer coach, former player or an expert on the sport.
For formation, we’ve got some firepower so let’s go on the attack with a 3-4-3. I tried to stay with players’ “traditional” positions for the most part.
All-O-Zone Soccer 1St Team
FORWARD
Joey Clem, senior, Nixa (Player of the Year)
To the victor go the spoils, as the Eagles land the most All-O-Zone players this year with four, including three on the first team. We’ll start with Clem, whose first team all-state season helped drive the Eagles to their first Final Four appearance in program history. Clem finishes his NHS career as the all-time leading scorer in program history with 211 points (89 goals, 33 assists) despite only playing varsity for three seasons.
2015 stats: 40 goals (NHS single-season record), 13 assists
Coach Evan Palmer: “The combination of Joey, Trustin (Baker) and Parker (Crawford) up top for us was incredible to watch. Joey can score in many different ways, which made him extremely tough to defend. He also had 13 assists on the year, which shows what a team player he is.”
Caleb Rodriguez, senior, Waynesville
Injuries limited Rodriguez to only 19 games this season, but the 2015 1 Awards winner still put up impressive numbers. Rodriguez was a four-year varsity player for Waynesville, totaling 81 goals and 27 assists in 90 games and is probably the best player to ever come through the school.
2015 stats: 29 goals, 11 assists
Coach Mike Armstrong: “He has been a huge part of our offense during his time as a Tiger. He holds three of our team records: Most goals in a game with 7 (he did this twice), most career goals with 81, and most points in a career with 189. I think he would say the highlight of his career was scoring the winning goal to bring home the first ever district championship for Waynesville.”
Bobby Spence, senior, Glendale
Whether it was with his foot or on a timely header, Spence was able to twist and contort his 6’2” frame like few others and ultimately become one of the most accomplished scorers in SWMO history. Spence’s 2015 numbers fell just shy of his junior season, when he scored 30 goals (3rd most in GHS history) and earned Class 3 Offensive Player of the Year honors, but he was still awfully good in 2015. Spence was a Class 3 first team all-state selection, again, and named Class 3 SW-C Region Co-Offensive Player of the Year. Like Rodriguez, Spence was a 2015 1 Awards finalist and figures to earn that honor again next summer.
2015 stats: 24 goals, 11 assists
Coach Jeff Rogers: “Bob-bo had a great career as a Falcon. He was an assassin in the box and a great competitor that never stopped working and was always a threat.”
MIDFIELD
Hector Marin, senior, Carthage
Technically listed as a forward this year, Marin was still second team all-state as a midfielder last year. I think he’d be just fine in this spot. Marin was a three-time all-state selection, earning first team honors when Carthage made the Final Four in Class 2 in 2013. It’s worth mentioning a key running mate of Marin’s here, in sophomore Elder Reyes, who shared Team MVP honors with Marin. Reyes had 10 goals and 12 assists as Carthage won its eighth straight district title.
Marin’s 2015 stats: 39 goals, 6 assists
Jason Puente, freshman, Monett
Yeah, he’s a forward, but Puente played some midfield for the Cubs and needs a spot on this first team. Also, I needed a reason to watch this highlight again. Puente was not only the best freshman in the area this fall, he was one of the best in the state. Puente was the only freshman named first team all-state across the four Classes. He’s the first freshman in MHS history to lead the Cubs in goals in a single season. Coach Cristobal Villa also praised Puente’s efforts for dropping down and giving “full determination” on defense when needed. Aided by fellow all-staters Valentin Vizcaino (GK), Juan Salas (D) and Daniel Salas (MF), Monett won its fourth straight district championship and reached the state quarterfinals for the first time.
2015 stats: 41 goals, 23 assists
Coach Cristobal Villa: “I have never seen a player like Jason Puente. The skills that this player has are unbelievable. As a coach I am very excited that I get to have him three more years. Besides being a talented player on the field, he exudes class with his sportsmanship and benevolent manner towards his opponents and officials.”
Sam Hockett, senior, Kickapoo
Stats don’t always tell the full story. Hockett was the heart and soul of a Kickapoo team that pushed Nixa to PKs in the district title match. The Chiefs were THIS close to ending up at state. Hockett was a three-year starter for Kickapoo and earned first-team All-Ozark Conference, All-Region and honorable mention all-state in Class 4 this season.
2015 stats: 10 goals, 5 assists
Coach Phil Hodge: “Sam is a kid you hate to see graduate. He is such a great kid, a great teammate and was a great leader for us this Fall. As a senior captain, he led by example on and off the field. Sam started 75 games for our program from his sophomore-to-senior year; he was a big part of our success.”
Ben Rash, senior, Catholic
Described by coach Mike Hines as the team’s “most prolific player,” Rash helped the Irish claim their eighth straight district championship. Catholic’s ridiculous Final Four run finally ended, but Rash was the team’s most dependable player under first-year coach Hines. Honorable mention all-state in Class 2 as a junior, Rash landed on the first team group this season.
2015 stats: 12 goals, 13 assists
DEFENDER
Jon Dasal, junior, Nixa
A three-year starter, Dasal’s been Mr. Reliable in the back for Nixa since he was a freshman. He returned to his rookie form this season, helping Nixa move Trustin Baker up and form a more potent attack. Dasal helped lower Nixa’s goals against average from 1.42 in 2014 to 1.04 in 2015. He was Class 4 Southwest Region Defensive Player of the Year and honorable mention all-state selection this season.
2015 stats: 1 goal, 3 assists
Coach Evan Palmer: “Jon has been the rock of our defense the last three years and we are lucky to get one more year out of him. He has become a great leader back there organizing our defense. He is incredibly tough to beat and he can make up ground as fast as anyone I have seen.”
Serafin Gonzalez, senior, Ozark
Coach Tom Davidson called the senior all-region defender the best wingback he’s had in his time at Ozark. The Tigers, who also featured fellow all-region defender Bailey Williams, had one of the best back lines in the area this season. Ozark ran out of gas late in the season, but registered its first win over Kickapoo in program history and also played Glendale a 2-1 loss. Ozark had 10 shutouts and held three other teams to one goal. Gonzalez was voted Team MVP.
Coach Tom Davidson: “(Serafin’s) technical ability was unbelievable at times. He is also a very coachable kid.”
Juan Salas, senior, Monett
Captain and four-year varsity player, Salas played multiple roles for the Cubs during his high school career. Coach Villa said Salas was “exceptional” at three positions: defensive mid, defensive top and sweeper. Salas was honorable mention all-state in Class 2. He won Monett’s Team Hustle award three times.
2015 stats: 6 goals, 5 assists
Coach Cristobal Villa: “Juan was a stand out on his first day of practice as a freshman by hustling from day one until now. He never quit and never gave up on any ball during practices and games. Juan made a difference and helped the team tremendously in four years of high school soccer. Besides being a talented player on the field, he exudes class with his sportsmanship.”
UTILITY
Trustin Baker, senior, Nixa
I wanted make this “utility” spot just for guys like Trustin Baker and Nick Moore. Baker was a swiss army knife and perhaps the most versatile player in the Ozarks. He’s played defender, midfield, forward and was even the team’s PK goalkeeper. Yeah, you can only play 11 guys, but among these 12 first-team selections, Baker would find his way onto the starting lineup. Baker ends a brilliant career as the third all-time leading scorer in NHS history (145 points on 49 goals, 47 assists.) His 47 assists rank second all-time and he now holds the single-season assists record with 27. Baker was Class 4 SW Region Player of the Year.
2015 stats: 17 goals, 26 assists
Coach Evan Palmer: “The amazing thing about him is that he can play any position on the field and play them all well. He was our PK specialist in goal the last two years and was 3-0 in our penalty kick games, none bigger than the district final this year where he was our keeper and also took and made a penalty kick.”
GOALKEEPER
Nicholas Lantz, senior, Glendale
This was one of the easiest picks to make. Lantz is a three-time first team all-state keeper and one of the best at his position to ever come through the area. As a sophomore, he was the Class 3 Goalkeeper of the Year. He claimed that award again this year.
2015 stats: 12 shutouts, 1.1 GAA
Coach Jeff Rogers: “Nick took over the starting role at keeper as a sophomore and never looked back. He saw his fair share of great teams throughout his time in goal and will be remembered as one of the best to ever play the play the position at Glendale, which is saying something.”
Honorable Mention
FORWARD
Justin Gerdiman, junior, Camdenton
2015 stats: Set a school record with 29 goals. All-Conference, all-region and Class 3 all-state honors. Became just the third player in CHS history to make all-state.
Brody Johnson, junior, Parkview
2015 stats: 33 goals, 16 assists. First team All-Ozark Conference and Class 4 all-region.
Cullen Graham, senior, Carl Junction
2015 stats: 29 goals, 8 assists. All-region and Class 3 honorable mention all-state.
MIDFIELD
Julio Quezada, junior, Republic
2015 stats: 17 goals 8 assists; 72 career goals (RHS record), 29 career assists. Class 3 all-region.
Josh Ellerbee, senior, Kickapoo
2015 stats: 16 goals, 3 assists. First team all-OC and Class 4 all-region.
Andres Melendez, senior, Branson
2015 stats: 18 goals, 5 assists. All-COC-Large, all-region and honorable mention all-state.
Parker Crawford, junior, Nixa
2015 stats: 23 goals, 14 assists. All-conference and all-region. 5th on Nixa’s all-time scoring list. Scored golden goal vs. Lee’s Summit that sent Nixa to the Final Four.
DEFENDER
Manny Torres, senior, Central
2015 stats: Captain and all-region. Primarily midfield, playing both attacking and defensive positions. 9 goals, 8 assists this season; 29 goals, 17 assists for career.
Bailey Williams, senior, Ozark
Coach Tom Davidson: “Bailey was one of our central defenders and an all-region player. His speed and athleticism made him a great player. He was always dangerous on set plays and has an incredible throw-in.”
Ethan Schroeder, senior, Catholic
2015 stats: 2015 Class 2 SW Region Defender of the Year. Second team all-state.
GOALKEEPER
Remington Hayes, senior, Laquey
2015 stats: Two-time all-state selection, including first team this year as Laquey won its third straight district title. 186 saves (24 goals allowed) and eight shutouts. Close call here between Hayes and Carl Junction’s Josiah Dinwiddie, who totaled 301 saves, including an average of 11.6 per game.
UTILITY
Nick Moore, senior, Glendale
2015 stats: All-conference and Class 3 SW Region Co-Defensive Player of the Year. Moved to defender to fill a need this season.
