Meet the DNJ's 2018 all-area boys soccer team
Cecil Joyce
It was a very successful year for area soccer teams, with one team reaching the state final, another reaching the sectional and three others earning region berths.
The Daily News Journal's all-area team reflects that success, with Smyrna senior standout Juan Cernas heading up the list.
Cernas, who scored 23 goals with six assists for the Bulldogs, is the all-area player of the year.
The other finalists for the award were Blackman's Nemo Lazo and Oakland's Ben Massaro.
The DNJ's all-area soccer team includes:
First team
Luke Buckley
Blackman, Jr.
Position: Forward
Why chosen: Scored 14 goals and added five assists for the Class AAA state runner-up.
Juan Cernas
Smyrna, Jr.
Position: Forward
Why chosen: The all-area player of the year and 9-AAA Offensive MVP scored 23 goals and added six assists.
Nemo Lazo
Blackman, Jr.
Position: Forward
Why chosen: The all-area player of the year finalist scored 22 goals and added six assists in leading the Blaze to the Class AAA state title match.
Chris Conrado
Smyrna, Sr.
Position: Midfielder
Why chosen: The 9-AAA all-district performer scored eight goals and added five assists.
Ben Massaro
Oakland, Sr.
Position: Midfielder
Why chosen: The all-area player of the year finalist scored six goals and added an assist.
Kobe Srisourath
Blackman, Sr.
Position: Midfielder
Why chosen: The 7-AAA Midfielder of the Year scored three goals and added three assists for the state runner-up.
Toby Aderounmu
Riverdale, Sr.
Position: Defender
Why chosen: Was named 7-AAA Co-Defensive MVP on a team that allowed two or fewer goals in all but one contest.
Elijah Barritt
Central Magnet, Sr.
Position: Defender
Why chosen: Was captain and leader of a defense that had 15 shutouts and allowed just 10 goals in 22 games.
Claude Dusenge
La Vergne, Sr.
Position: Defender
Why chosen: The 9-AAA Defensive MVP guided a Wolverine defense that allowed just 13 goals in 16 games.
Noor Lalani
Oakland, Sr.
Position: Defender
Why chosen: The all-district Co-Defensive MVP was the leader of the Patriot backfield.
Russell Harper
Central Magnet, Jr.
Position: Goalkeeper
Why chosen: Had 15 shutouts and allowed just 10 goals (seven in the regular season) in 22 games as the Tigers reached the Class AA sectional.
Second team
Forward: Sisay Fantaw, MTCS, Jr.
Forward: Jakada Jack, Central Magnet, Sr.
Forward: Gio Rayo, La Vergne, Jr.
Midfielder: Taylor Buena, Stewarts Creek, So.
Midfielder: Carson Kennedy, Blackman, Sr.
Midfielder: Nicholas Newby, Siegel, Sr.
Midfielder: David Perez, Smyrna, Sr.
Midfielder: Ethan Penny, Central Magnet, So.
Defender: Michael Bivins Siegel, Sr.
Defender: Clive Sarpong, La Vergne, Sr.
Goalkeeper: Colin Dunkley, Blackman, Sr.
Coach of the Year
Bill Vice
Blackman
Why chosen: Led Blackman to its first state championship match. The Blaze finished the season with just one loss — that coming in the state final.