Commercial Appeal all-metro soccer team 2018
By John Varlas
Boys soccer player of the year
Lathan Spadafora
St. George's, Sr.
Position: Forward
Why chosen: Spadafora recorded 16 goals and five assists in 2018 while leading his team to the quarterfinals in Division II-A. He will play at Air Force next season.
First team
Suneil Patel
Lausanne, So.
Position: Goalkeeper
Why chosen: Patel was the last line of defense for Lausanne, which allowed a goal or less in 17 of its 20 games. He had four saves in the 1-0 overtime win over Battle Ground Academy in the Division II-A state championship game.
Trey Armour
Lausanne, So.
Position: Defender
Why chosen: Armour anchored a defense that allowed about half a goal per game while finishing 19-1-0 and winning the Division II-A state championship for the second time in a row.
Connor DeFreece
CBHS, Sr.
Position: Defender
Why chosen: DeFreece was one of the standouts for a Brothers' defense that posted 11 shutouts and advanced to the Division II-AA state tournament for the 22nd time in school history.
Kris Brucker
Collierville, Sr.
Position: Defender
Why chosen: Brucker was a Sports Awards player of the year nominee after scoring seven goals and assisting on three others from his left back spot. He was a nominee for Commercial Appeal Boys Soccer Player of the Year.
Carlos Rivera-Peraza
St. George's, Sr.
Position: Defender
Why chosen: Rivera-Peraza wrapped up his career by scoring five goals, assisting on three others and shining at the back for a Gryphons team that advanced to the Division II-A quarterfinals.
Grant Caldwell
Houston, Jr.
Position: Midfielder
Why chosen: Caldwell starred in midfield as the Mustangs advanced to the Class AAA quarterfinals, losing to eventual champ Station Camp. He was also a Commercial Appeal Sports Awards player of the year nominee.
Kelvin Borges
Lausanne, So.
Position: Midfielder
Why chosen: Borges scored 11 goals as the Lynx won their second consecutive Division II-A state championship.
Douglas Kranz
CBHS, Jr.
Position: Midfielder
Why chosen: Kranz orchestrated the offense for the Division II-AA state semifinalists, assisting on seven goals while scoring two on his own as the Brothers finished the year 13-2-5.
Stefano Della Rosa
Houston, Sr.
Position: Forward
Why chosen: Della Rosa bagged several key goals in the Mustangs' 19-2-2 season. He was a Commercial Appeal Sports Awards player of the year finalist.
Eric Izeguirre
Germantown, Sr.
Position: Forward
Why chosen: Izeguirre was a player of the year nominee last season and was a finalist in 2018 after scoring 10 goals and assisting on four others for a Red Devils team that advanced to the semifinals of the region tournament. He was a nominee for Commercial Appeal Boys Soccer Player of the Year.
Second team
Goalkeeper: Josh Kuhstoss, Bartlett, Sr.
Defender: Trey Thomas, MUS, Sr.
Defender: Makram El-Sheikh, Kingsbury, Sr.
Defender: William France, CBHS, Sr.
Midfielder: Logan Stoltenborg, Briarcrest, So.
Midfielder: Brodie Lewis, Houston, Sr.
Midfielder: Soren Jensen, St. George's, Sr.
Midfielder: Max Pleban, ECS, Sr.
Forward: Shalom Jikong, Cordova, Sr.
Forward: Gregory Brannick, Lausanne, Sr.
Forward: Kuku Kumtor, ECS, Jr.
Selections were made based on individual and team performances during the season and input from area coaches and officials.
Reach John Varlas at john.varlas@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @johnvarlas.