Champ Desert Vista’s coach, pair feted
Here is The Arizona Republic’s All-Arizona boys soccer team, along with honorable mentions for the 2021-22 winter season. The Player of the Year will be selected from these nominees and announced after the school year as part of The Republic and azcentral.com Arizona High School Sports Awards. Also included is the Republic’s coach of the year selection.
Vince Acosta, Chandler Hamilton, F, Sr.
He had 24 goals and eight assists, led in total points in 6A. He was the Chandler Unified School District Offensive Player of the Year and the 6A Premier Region Offensive POY, along with Conference Offensive POY.
Jack Dunlop, Scottsdale Saguaro, F, Jr.
He had 24 goals and 12 assists, leading the Sabercats to a 15-4-5 record. He had five goals in an 8-0 win over Kingman Lee Williams.
Easton Elzinga, Mesa, D, Sr.
A shut-down defender, great in the air, tremendous anticipation. He had only two goals and two assists but nothing got by him. Great leader on and off the field.
Speed Gregory, Day, M, Sr.
Phoenix Country
He was sensational during his career, but even more so this season, when he scored a single-season school-record 48 goals, leading his team to the 3A state championship. He had a school-record 133 goals. A relentless player who led in every way.
Leo Gutierrez, Salpointe Catholic, F, Fr.
The freshman sensation had 72 points on 29 goals and 14 assists, leading the Lancers to the 4A championship. A combination of speed, power and finesse, he was quick to separate himself as an elite varsity player.
Dillon Hunter, Chandler, D, Sr.
Great center-back who had seven goals and five assists, tied for leading goal scorer and point leader on a team that reached the 6A championship game. He was the 6A Premier Region Defensive Player of the Year.
Aidan Klein, Desert Vista, GK, Sr.
He helped the Thunder win the 6A state championship and go 20-1-4 with his dynamic play in the net. He had 24 saves, including six in a 4-3 semifinal win over Chandler Hamilton.
Marco Martinez, Queen Creek Casteel, MF, Sr.
He had three goals and 11 assists for powerful program with coach Greg Lanman describing him as the best midfielder in the state.
Connor McHale, Desert Vista, F, Sr. He led the Thunder with 14 goals on its way to capturing the 6A championship. Heart of the team, great leader, who played a power-packed, dynamic game. Erick Quirarte, San Luis, D, Jr.
He had four goals, an assist, seven clean sheets in 14 games, catalyst to Sindewinders team that went 12-3-1.
Juan Rendon, Gilbert, F, Sr.
He was a powerhouse player on a 10-8 team, converting 26 goals and assisting on 11 others. Always in the right place at the right time to give his team a chance to score.
Luke Schaefer, Hamilton, F, Sr.
He was the 6A Premier Region Player of the Year, controlling every game for the Huskies to reach the state semifinals. He had 55 points with 22 goals and 11 assists.
Coach of the Year
Trent Elliott, Desert
Vista
Led the Thunder to the 6A championship with a tough, aggressive team that was strong on the defensive end, in the goal and out on attack,
picking its spots. Desert Vista’s only loss during the season was in a tournament against 4A champion Salpointe Catholic. It went 20-1-4. They closed it out with a 2-0 state championship win over Chandler. It was the school’s fifth state title in boys soccer, its first since 2018. That title also was under Elliott.
Honorable mentions: Miguel Armenta, Tempe, F, So.; Isaac Barreno, Chandler, MF, Jr.; Charlie Bentley, Casteel, F, Sr.; Jack Brown, Brophy Prep, F, Sr.; Kyan Cameron, Casteel, GK, Jr,; Adrian Canez, Cibola, F, Sr.; Gabe Castillo, Chino Valley, F, Sr.; Frank Castro, Prescott, MF, Sr,; Angel Cortez, Ironwood, MF, Jr.; Leo Cortinez, Mohave, F, Sr.; Ben Dorsett, Arcadia, GK, Sr.; Connor Ferguson, Coolidge, F, Sr.; Richard Flores, Chino Valley, MF, Sr.; Osvaldo Fuentes Jr., Cibola, F, Sr.; Gabe Gutierrez, Mesa, D, Sr.; Nathan Hamlin, Odyssey Institute, F, Jr.; Chase Jackson, Brophy Prep, F, Jr.; Jordan Hagen, Mesa, GK, Jr.; Dylan Hall, Anthem Prep, MF, Sr.; Aysa Hamid , Chaparral, F, Sr.; Jonah Ichilov, Chaparral, D, Sr.; Hunter Lee, Thatcher, F, Sr.; Aiden Matheson, Pinnacle, MF, Jr.; Benjamin Meiter, Valley Christian, F, Sr.; Misael Meza, San Luis, MF, So.; Cesar Morquecho, Washington, MF, Sr.; Derek Nabor, Safford, F, Jr.; Augustin Orozco, Dysart, MF, Jr.; Omar Padilla, North Canyon, GK, Jr.; Justin Provenzano, American Leadership Gilbert North, F, Sr.; Uriel Perez Quezada, Marcos de Niza, MF, Sr.; Yovany Ramirez, Coolidge, F, Sr.; Gilbert Rivera, Hamilton, MF, Sr.; Bryan Romero, Ironwood, F, Fr.; Simon Turner, Chandler, GK, Jr.; Roberto Uribe, San Luis, F, Sr.; Javier Ventura, Vista Grande, GK, So.