Players To Watch

High School Sports Boys Soccer

Mustafa Ebrahimnebad

Hammond, midfielder

A potential Howard County Player of the Year candidate this season, he is a magician with the ball, aggressive off the ball and a natural leader.

Andrew Engle

Old Mill, midfielder

He's a catalyst in the middle for the defending Anne Arundel County champs, who were state finalists the past two seasons. The senior scored eight goals and had five assists last season.

Akira Fitzgerald

Loyola, goalkeeper

No one makes the diving save better than the aggressive, Wake Forest-bound senior. His standout organizational skills help thwart scoring opportunities for the opposition.

Kevin Gibson

Oakland Mills, defender

The four-year varsity sweeper is nearly impossible to get past with his speed and tenacity. At 6 feet 4, he's also dangerous on set pieces and a strong-willed leader

Justin Kondos

Arundel, midfielder

At 6-4, the senior is tough on set pieces. A starter since his freshman season, he's a member of the regional Olympic development pool.

Jonathan Ports

McDonogh, defender

An Adidas All-American, the senior is a natural center midfielder, but plays central defender for the MIAA defending champion Eagles. He's a skilled and savvy player.

Kyle Quigley

Severna Park, goalkeeper

The 6-2 senior is quick off the line, can throw to midfield and rarely drops a ball. He was a big reason the Falcons reached the Class 3A state final.

Xavier Rock

McDonogh, forward

The Virginia-bound Adidas All-American forward displays the speed and elusiveness needed to break down even the tightest defenses. He scored 16 goals and had nine assists.

Matt Stara

River Hill, defender

His long throw-ins were a potent weapon last season, as he assisted on the majority of the Hawks' goals. At 6-2 and 195 pounds, he's also a force defensively.

Taylor Young

Severna Park, midfielder

The talented senior scored 13 goals and had 10 assists, and he's bigger, stronger, faster and eager to lead the Falcons to a state title.

Other Notables

Chris Agorsor, McDonogh; Jesse Ayers, North Carroll; Zach Barnett, Mount Hebron; Andrew Bettis, Glenelg; Tim Breen, Atholton; Andrew Bulls, McDonogh; Mike Deasel, Loyola; Angel Dragonov, Dulaney; Andrew Fisher, Dulaney; Matt Gardner, Eastern Tech; Malcolm Gilliam, River Hill; Andrew Gillis, Perry Hall; Tyrone Hall, Mount St. Joseph; Ernest Jackson, Calvert Hall; Mike James, North Carroll; Matt Liska, Archbishop Curley; Chris Lorenzet, C. Milton Wright; Steve Malm, Severna Park; Justin McGrath, Perry Hall; Tyler Meade, River Hill; Patrick Meagher, Bel Air; Matt Moss, River Hill; Eric Mullins, Mount St. Joseph; Steven Novotny, Towson; Matt Nowicki, Fallston; Ben Pfau, Mount St. Joseph; Vince Savarese, Archbishop Curley; Paul Seegran, Liberty; Teddy Smith, Centennial; Andy Stromberg, Fallston; Eddie Tejada, Calvert Hall; Scott Templin, Wilde Lake; Taylor Van Brackle, Liberty; Aaron Wheeler, Patapsco; Kyle Wittman, Calvert Hall.