Boys soccer: Five Portland squads land in top 10 of preseason coaches polls
Poll season continues on and the Oregon high school boys soccer preseason coaches polls were released by OSAAtoday on Tuesday.
Leading the local pack at 6A is Lincoln, checking in at No. 4 with 54 points. The Cardinals made it to the state quarterfinals last year before falling to eventual champion Jesuit 2-0.
The Cardinals have some big shoes to fill however, losing four PIL first teamers in forward Pablo Guevara, defender Oli MacLaren, midfielder Renn Shah and goalkeeper Ryan Hendrickson.
Up next in a tie with South Eugene for No. 7 is Grant after the Generals pulled off a quarterfinals upset of No. 1 Lakeridge last season to make the semifinals. They fell to McMinnville 2-1 in the semis.
Grant lost a pair of first teamers in midfielder Charlie Moss and forward Darby Heller, but will return center back Owen Bonin from the PIL first team.
No. 9 Central Catholic is next for the local squads. The Rams got upset by Westview in the first round of the state tournament last season.
Central Catholic lost Mt. Hood Defensive Player of the Year Dom Gianotti and a couple more first-teamers, but still stand to have a great defense. Senior midfielder Thomas Taylor, junior defender Colson New and senior forward Nehemiah Coleman all return.
Rounding out the 6A top 10 is No. 10 Franklin after the Lightning made the quarterfinals on an upset of Sherwood in round two. They lost to McMinnville in the quarters.
Franklin will have a strong trio to replace, especially Player of the Year Nevin Rueegger. Midfielder Ivan Schmidt and defender Zayan Sweilem-Zook are also gone after first-team seasons.
Head coach Jose Milian also stepped down after winning PIL Coach of the Year. Will Justice is the new head coach looking to keep the program as one of the strongest in the state.
Looking to challenge those in the top 10 is Ida B. Wells, who received significant votes. The Guardians went on the road for round one last year and beat Grants Pass 2-1 in OT before falling 4-2 to No. 1 Lakeridge in round two.
Returning for the Guardians is a pair of senior first-teamers in forward Kayden To and defender Lucas Coles.
Down in 3A/2A/1A, a couple local squads were also recognized. Riverdale cracked the top 10 at No. 10 after making the state tournament a year ago.
Portland Adventist Academy didn't make the top 10, but was the only team mentioned with significant votes.
Here are the full polls for 6A and 3A/2A/1A:
6A boys soccer
1. Jesuit (10 first-place votes) 145 points
2. McMinnville (2) 119
3. Lakeridge (1) 103
4. Beaverton (2) 80
5. Lincoln 54
6. West Linn 50
T7. Grant 39
T7. South Eugene 39
9. Central Catholic 33
10. Franklin 22
Others receiving votes: Forest Grove 20, Sherwood 19, Westview 19, Glencoe 18, Wells 18, McNary 17
3A/2A/1A boys soccer
1. Oregon Episcopal (2) 86
2. Catlin Gabel (6) 85
3. Westside Christian (2) 61
4. St. Mary’s Medford 44
5. Valley Catholic 41
6. Dayton 36
7. Blanchet Catholic 35
8. McLoughlin 31
9. Riverside 21
10. Riverdale 16
Others receiving votes: Portland Adventist Academy 13
