Jackson’s Kevin Giessler (right) avoids a tackle attempt by Federal Way’s David Sanchez-Benetiz during a game on May 17, 2019, at Everett Memorial Stadium. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Jackson’s Kevin Giessler (right) avoids a tackle attempt by Federal Way’s David Sanchez-Benetiz during a game on May 17, 2019, at Everett Memorial Stadium. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

The Herald’s 2019 All-Area high school boys soccer teams

A look at the top prep boys soccer players in the area this season.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

River Stewart, soph., F, Meadowdale

Stewart netted 32 goals and added 10 assists while leading the Mavericks to the Class 3A Northwest District title and the program’s first state appearance since 2005. The sophomore striker scored or assisted 42 of his team’s 49 goals, spearheading a massive turnaround for a program just two years removed from a one-win season.

COACH OF THE YEAR

Sarah Smart, Jackson

In her first season at the helm, Smart guided the Timberwolves to a 4A state semifinal appearance and a program-best third-place state trophy. Jackson finished 19-2-1 and posted a dominant 67-14 goal differential, cruising to its first league title since 2005 and claiming the 4A Wes-King bi-district crown. Smart, who has coached the Jackson girls soccer team to three consecutive Wesco 4A titles, took over as the boys head coach this spring after being an assistant for the past several seasons.

FIRST TEAM

River Stewart, soph., F, Meadowdale

Kevin Giessler, sr., F, Jackson

Giessler totaled 17 goals and 10 assists while helping lead the Timberwolves to the Wesco 4A crown, a bi-district title and a program-best third-place state trophy. The senior forward was instrumental to Jackson’s success down the stretch, providing six goals and two assists in six postseason matches.

Randy Galvan, sr., F, Marysville Pilchuck

Galvan scored 14 goals and added 10 assists, leading the Tomahawks to the Wesco 3A/2A title and a 3A state tournament appearance.

Michael Lux, sr., F, South Whidbey

Lux totaled a program-record 27 goals and five assists while leading the Falcons to the North Sound Conference title. The NSC offensive player of the year finished his career with a school-record 72 goals.

Jake Williams, sr., MF, Jackson

Williams scored 16 goals and added three assists. The Seattle Pacific signee helped lead the Timberwolves to a Wesco 4A title, a bi-district crown and a program-best third-place state trophy.

Noah Trostle, sr., MF, Shorecrest

Trostle totaled eight goals and 17 assists, helping lead the Scots to a 3A state tournament appearance.

Sebastian Olson, jr., MF, Edmonds-Woodway

Olson scored 10 goals and provided six assists as a defensive midfielder.

Christian Engmann, jr., D, King’s

As a center back, Engmann totaled a team-high 19 goals and nine assists while leading the Knights to the 1A state quarterfinals. The North Sound Conference defensive player of the year also anchored a unit that allowed just 0.8 goals per match.

Max Henderson, sr., D, Archbishop Murphy

As a center back, Henderson totaled eight goals and one assists in addition to anchoring a defense that allowed 1.6 goals per match.

Michael Hatcher, jr., D, Jackson

Hatcher played center back for the Timberwolves, anchoring a defense that posted 12 shutouts and allowed just 14 goals all season. He added one goal and one assist while helping Jackson claim the Wesco 4A title, a bi-district crown and a program-best third-place state trophy.

Justin Huttinger, jr., GK, Jackson

Huttinger protected the net for a team that posted 12 shutouts and allowed just 14 goals all season. He made a key diving save in the Timberwolves’ state quarterfinal win and helped Jackson claim the Wesco 4A title, a bi-district crown and a program-best third-place state trophy.

SECOND TEAM

Adan Fernandez, jr., F, Jackson

Fernandez totaled nine goals and 12 assists while helping lead the Timberwolves to the Wesco 4A title, a bi-district crown and a program-best third-place state trophy.

Matthew Farnam, sr., F, Shorecrest

Farnam scored 12 goals and added seven assists, helping lead the Scots to a 3A state tournament appearance.

Edgar Guzman, sr., F, Mariner

Guzman totaled nine goals and five assists while helping lead the Marauders to a 4A state tournament appearance.

Leo Jaramillo, sr., MF, Marysville Pilchuck

Jaramillo netted five goals and provided eight assists, helping lead the Tomahawks to the Wesco 3A/2A title and a 3A state tournament appearance.

Adam Kowalchyk, sr., MF, Snohomish

Kowalchyk scored 11 goals while playing forward, midfield and defense for the Panthers.

Edwin Montiel, sr., MF, Shorewood

Montiel helped anchor the back half of the pitch for a team that posted 10 shutouts and allowed just 15 goals all season.

Connor Ruis, sr., D, Kamiak

The Northwest Nazarene signee scored one goal, provided two assists and helped anchor a defense that yielded 1.3 goals per match.

Noah Venditto, sr., D, Kamiak

Venditto scored five goals as a defender and helped anchor a unit that allowed 1.3 goals per match.

Jack Bowerman, sr., D, Shorewood

Bowerman helped anchor a defense that posted 10 shutouts and yielded just 15 goals all season.

Baboucarr Sowe, sr., D, Meadowdale

Sowe anchored a defense that allowed 0.95 goals per match and yielded more than one goal just three times all season. He helped the Mavericks claim a district title and advance to state for the first time since 2005.

Gunnar Morehead, sr., GK, King’s

The Saint Martin’s signee protected the net for a team that allowed just 14 goals all season. Morehead was named the North Sound Conference keeper of the year and helped the Knights reach the 1A state quarterfinals.

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