Here are 29 of the best high school boys soccer players in Wisconsin for 2023
A new season of boys high school soccer kicks off across Wisconsin on Aug. 22, with several players of note to keep an eye on.
Here are 29 boys soccer players to watch in the 2023 season, in alphabetical order.
Owen Backus, sr., Elkhorn
Honorable mention all-state as a forward by the Wisconsin Soccer Coaches Association as a junior. “I want to see him as an all-conference player of the year and see him make the first-team all-state team,” said Elkhorn coach Becky Kayser. “And lead us to the state tournament at Uihlein (Soccer Park in Milwaukee).”
Ryan Berghauer, sr., Brookfield East
The defender was named first-team all-state by the WSCA last season. “Ryan Berghauer is one of, if not the best, defender in the state,” said Brookfield East coach Brody Kraussel. “Ryan not only is almost impossible to get past defensively, he scores goals as well with six last year from set pieces. Ryan is expected to be first-team all-conference, all-region, and potentially up for (player of the year).“
Jack Bretzmann, jr., New Berlin Eisenhower
The forward/midfielder earned honorable mention all-state by the WSCA as a sophomore. New coach Shon Hernandez at New Berlin Eisenhower says Bretzmann is the type of skilled player who would be an asset to any program.
John Callaway, sr., Fox Valley Lutheran
Callaway was named the North Eastern Conference offensive player of the year and unanimous first-team all-conference at midfield. He was named honorable mention all-state by the WSCA as a junior. “We will be looking to him for senior leadership on the field and using his experience as a three-year varsity starter to help our younger players succeed at the varsity level,” said Fox Valley Lutheran coach Ryan Lemke.
James Dorchester, sr., De Pere
Dorchester led the Fox River Classic Conference in points last season, and De Pere coach Martin Valenzuela thinks he can be the conference player of the year. He was honorable mention all-state by the WSCA last season.
Alex Edwards, sr., Marshfield Columbus
“I am expecting Alex to be the go-to player on this year's team,” said Marshfield Columbus coach Jeff Edwards. “I expect him to score like he has in the past, but I also want him to be the mentor to the younger players on the team. If he can help elevate the younger players, this team has a chance to be special.” He was honorable mention WSCA all-state.
Eren Evran, sr., Brookfield East
“Eren will be a player that makes us tick in the midfield,” Kraussel said. “Very talented with the ball and will certainly spur our attack.” He was honorable mention all-state by the WSCA.
Griffin French, jr., Cedarburg
French, a midfielder, was first-team all-North Shore Conference as sophomore and earned honorable mention all-state honors by the WSCA.
Westley Hankes, sr., Edgerton
An honorable mention all-state selection by the WSCA, he tallied 27 goals as a junior. “His unselfish play, and his ability to get others involved will make a huge impact on our team’s chances taking the conference title again,” said Edgerton coach Dean Wanless.
Aiden Hatleberg, sr., Belleville
“I would expect Aiden to be first-team all-conference and POY for the second time in our conference,” said Belleville coach Robert Gentilli. “With this being mentioned, he should be playing in the senior all-state game.” Hatleberg was named honorable mention all-state as a junior.
Felix Huwiler, sr., Milwaukee Marquette
The forward has committed to play for UW-Milwaukee. “Felix is a big, strong forward with good speed,” said Marquette coach Steve Lawrence. “He will look to build off his junior year. We will rely on Felix to be a consistent goal scoring threat and will play a big role in our attack this season."
Liam Junker, sr., Eau Claire Memorial
Junker was first-team all-Big Rivers Conference as a junior and was also named honorable mention all-state.
Cole Luedke, sr., Lake Country Lutheran
The forward was named the co-offensive player of the year in the Midwest Classic Conference in addition to honorable mention all-state.
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Angel Luevano, jr., St. Thomas More
Luevano earned honorable mention all-state recognition as a sophomore and was named Metro Classic player of the year. “I would expect another really strong season from him,” said St. Thomas More coach Jon Stahr. “He came off a very strong club season and expect him to put in a lot of good performances for us. I would expect double-digit goals and assists.”
Jaxon Marshall, sr., Arrowhead
Marshall anchored the Arrowhead defense last season, according to Arrowhead coach Jeffrey Status. He was second-team all-state by the WSCA as a junior.
Charlie Mroz, sr., Waukesha South
The goalkeeper earned first-team all-Classic Eight Conference honors in addition to being named honorable mention all-state.
Yaroslav Myshchyshyn, sr., Lakeland
The forward/midfielder earned unanimous first-team all-Great Northern Conference honors and was named honorable mention all-state.
Eli Nelson, jr., Nicolet
The goalkeeper was first-team all-North Shore and honorable mention all-state.
Praise Ogwu, sr., Homestead
The forward will play collegiately for UW-Milwaukee, and Homestead coach Tony Navarre says Ogwu burst on the scene last season. “He has focused his efforts to be a difference maker for Homestead this season,” Navarre said. “His strength, size and technical ability are a great combination, and he has continued to improve. I look for a breakout season from him.”
Jesus Ramirez Pabon, jr., Pius XI
Ramirez Pabon made first-team all-Woodland West Conference as a midfielder. He was also honorable mention all-state.
Harry Ross, sr., Hudson
The midfielder was named second-team all-state as a junior although Hudson coach Steven Sollom says Ross might move positions depending on the team’s needs.
Nolan Sandee, sr., Nicolet
Sandee made first-team all-North Shore at midfield while also earning honorable mention all-state honors.
Seth Schroeder, sr., Winnebago Lutheran
Schroeder was first-team all-Flyway Conference as a junior and was the unanimous player of the year in addition to honorable mention all-state. “My expectations for Seth are to be one of the best attacking players in the state,” said Winnebago Lutheran coach David Haag. Haag adds Schroeder has a chance to become the school’s all-time leading scorer.
Aaron Sparling, sr., Hudson
Sparling was named honorable mention all-state as a junior. Sollom says the midfielder, like his teammate Ross, could move positions but has the ability to play anywhere on the pitch.
Isaiah Tirado, sr., Nicolet
The forward, a first-team all-North Shore selection, was named honorable mention all-state.
Gavin Urben, sr., Green Bay Preble
The defender is committed to play at the NCAA DI level for hometown UW-Green Bay. Preble coach Christopher Becker says Urben will be a key to providing leadership and making the defense as strong as possible.
Tobias Volkmann, sr., Three Lakes
The forward was named honorable mention all-state as a junior. “He will be the leader of our team this year and I am looking for him to score a lot of goals, but also to facilitate chances for others on the team,” said Three Lakes coach Brad Volkmann. “I expect that after this year, he will have over 100 career goals.”
Ben Wiedman, sr., Wisconsin Rapids
A forward/midfielder, Wiedman was unanimous first-team all-Wisconsin Valley Conference as a junior and also honorable mention all-state.
AJ Wild, sr., Homestead
Navarre says Wild dominated in the midfield and at center back for Homestead last season. “My expectation is that AJ will be one of the top players in the state,” Navarre said. “His athleticism and technical ability are top of the line.” He earned honorable mention all-state honors as a junior.
Contact Tom Dombeck at 920-686-2965 or tdombeck@htrnews.com. Follow him on Twitter at @Tom_Dombeck.
This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: The best high school boys soccer players in Wisconsin for 2023
