Meet 25 southern Maine boys soccer players to watch in 2026

Oliver Gorchoff will again be one of the state's top scorers, if not its best. (Cooper Sullivan/Staff Photographer) Isaac Arey, South Portland senior center back: The 6-5 Arey is a strong tackler and aggressive player in the air. 'He's your typical strong, mean center back,' coach Jeremy Longchamp said. At the same time, he's a skilled and composed player with the ball at his feet. Sean Azara, Massabesic senior keeper: Now in his third year as a starter, Azara is a rock-solid, confident and reliable presence in net for the Mustangs. He made over 200 saves last season, and was honorable mention all-SMAA. Gavin Byrne, Greely senior midfielder: Known as one of the top playmakers in the Western Maine Conference, Byrne returns after scoring seven goals with eight assists a season ago. With Connor Skillin's graduation, Byrne becomes the focal point of Greely's offense. Connor Casey, Scarborough senior midfielder: One SMAA coach called Casey 'arguably the best player in the state right now.' Casey will play a more prominent role both offensively and defensively as one of three returning starters for the perennially powerful Red Storm. Antoine Dube, Gorham senior center back: Dube returns to anchor the back end for the Rams. The all-SMAA second teamer is a heads-up defender with speed and strength. He's a technical player and leader for an experienced group. Sam Gennaro, Marshwood senior center back: Gennaro is the lone returning starter for the Hawks and will be counted on to provide a 'calm presence,' as coach Ben Deschenes put it, for a young team. He's an excellent 1-on-1 defender and passer out of the back. Oliver Gorchoff, Brunswick senior forward: Gorchoff is a composed player on the attack and should be one of the best offensive players and finishers in the state this fall. The KVAC A Player of the Year totaled 25 goals last season while adding five assists. Lucas Hayner, Yarmouth senior midfielder: The reigning Western Maine Conference Player of the Year totaled 11 goals and 11 assists and was a Varsity Maine All-State selection last season. He's a playmaker with an eye for finding teammates in position to score. Max Hayward, Cape Elizabeth senior midfielder/back: A returning first-team WMC selection, Hayward is the Capers' captain and backfield anchor. He's been Cape's go-to defender against the opponent's best player, and will have that job again. Walter Hettenbach, Portland senior center back: If Portland coach Rocco Frenzilli ever has to correct Hettenbach on the field, it's telling the first-team SMAA pick to slow down. He's highly competitive and aggressive playing the ball. 'His engine doesn't stop,' Frenzilli said. Soren Johnson, Camden Hills junior forward: Along with Connor Middleton, Johnson is a quality returner for a team that was Class A North's top seed last year. He had the Windjammers' lone goal in the regional final against Brunswick. Alexandre Keto, Biddeford junior forward: Keto has started since his freshman year, and last season made a splash by scoring 12 goals and earning SMAA all-star status. He has a natural finishing touch, but coach Paul Illiano also complimented his ability to create for others. Precieux Mbolela, Thornton Academy senior back: Mbolela will be a key defensive presence for a team looking for a spot among the top four or five in A South. He's a hard worker and natural leader with good skills and strength, coach George Sherry said. Pierce McLellen, Westbrook senior back: A starter since his freshman year and a second-team SMAA pick, McLellen brings both speed and skill to the backfield for the Blue Blazes and is also adept at winning battles in the air. Dylan Meinert, Freeport senior forward: WMC defenders have learned to know where Meinert is at all times. He scored 19 goals last year, helped the Falcons improve by five wins, and was named first-team all-conference for his efforts. Hunter Michaud, Noble senior keeper: Widely regarded as the top keeper in A South, Michaud was a first-team SMAA pick last year, and he'll look to elevate the Knights into the postseason after they missed the tournament last fall. Connor Middleton, Camden Hills senior midfielder: Middleton, a KVAC Class A first-team pick last year, is back as the high-scoring centerpiece of the Windjammers' attack. He scored 25 goals and was a Varsity Maine All-State and MSCA All-Region selection. Tyler Moores, York senior center back: Moores, a three-year starter, is the picture of reliability for the Wildcats, having played every minute of every game last year at center back. He can win the ball in the air, handle it at his feet, and play multiple positions. Lucas Novicka, Oceanside senior midfielder: The Mariners are looking to make another run at a B North title. To do it, they'll need a big season from Novicka, a returning KVAC first-team selection who will take Elliot Trott's place as Oceanside's top playmaker. Moises Ntango, Gorham junior midfielder: SMAA coaches rave about Ntango, who was a second-team SMAA pick last year as a sophomore. He has the elite playmaking ability to set up chances, as well as the creativity and scoring touch to finish them himself. Liam Rapoza, Brunswick senior midfielder: Rapoza helped take the Dragons to the state championship game, earning MSCA All-Region honors. The game runs through him, and coach Mark Roma said he 'runs the midfield as well as any high school player I've coached.' Christopher Richards, Deering senior back/midfielder: Richards, an SMAA honorable mention pick last year, is one of the conference's top playmaking defenders. 'He's like a 'Get out of jail free card,'' South Portland coach Jeremy Longchamp said. 'Even if you break Deering down, you still have to beat Christo.' Parker Richardson, Lake Region junior forward: Richardson, a striker, led the Lakers with six goals last year and will again be their top scoring threat. He plays with Seacoast United and traveled this summer to Utah for the U.S. Youth Soccer National Championships. Logan Timmons, Gray-New Gloucester senior midfielder: A captain in addition to being a second-team WMC pick last year, Timmons is back at the heart of the Patriots' attack after leading them in goals. Waylon Watt, Cheverus sophomore back: Watt is developing into one of the SMAA's best up-and-coming defenders. He started as a freshman and has shown good speed and instincts in the backfield.