Top Players To Watch in Berks boys soccer in 2021

Eleven of the 12 All-Berks selections in boys soccer graduated. Two of the three All-State picks are gone.

Other than Oley Valley’s Chase Reifsnyder, the Player of the Year as a sophomore, there are no returning All-Stars.

Wilson lost its top four scorers. So did Fleetwood. Mifflin’s leading scorer, Micah Nyce, is skipping his senior season to play for Pa. Classics.

A changing of the guard is inevitable with many of the league’s powerhouse programs revamping their lineups.

Let’s take a look at the top players throughout the league (listed in alphabetical order): 

• Eliecer Aguirre, Tulpehocken: All-division forward had 12 goals and a league-leading 16 assists as a sophomore. Twin brother Jorge Aguirre anchors the Trojans’ defensive third.

• Lucas Blatt, Hamburg: All-division center-mid is a three-year starter, team captain and one of the Hawks’ top returning scorers. A district qualifier in cross country and kicker for the football team.

• Christian Bowles, Antietam: All-division striker delivered 11 goals and nine assists to help Mounts win Berks IV. Has scored 46 goals in his career. Will pair up with Carson Lubas to form a dangerous duo.

• Andrew Cox, High Point: Scored 39 goals in 10 games last season and would be a Player of the Year candidate in the Berks League. Will team up with Aleb Spacek for a formidable attack.

• Brayden Evans, Tulpehocken: East Stroudsburg recruit joins Antietam’s Reece Wilson as the only returning all-division goalkeepers. Evans helped the Trojans post 12 shutouts last season.

• Evan Franek, Exeter: Midfielder joins defender Tanner Karas and forward Michael Moser as returning all-division picks for the senior-laden Eagles, who are hoping to return to contention.

• Malachi Herndon, Fleetwood: An all-division pick last season after moving to defense. Could shift positions again as Tigers rebuild from losses to graduation.

• Freddy Inderbitzen, Gov. Mifflin: Someone has to fill the scoring void for the Mustangs. Inderbitzen and Sean Armour are two candidates.

• Owen Lichtenwalner, Brandywine Heights: All-division forward finished with 12 goals and six assists in 13 games for the Bullets, who fell one win short of capturing Berks IV.

• Carson Peck, Wilson: After missing last season because of injury, sophomore is expected to fill a major role for the Bulldogs, who went undefeated and were the top seed in the Berks and District 3 Class 4A playoffs.

• Joey Petricoin, Gov. Mifflin: All-division selection controlled the midfield and helped the Mustangs come within penalty kicks of returning to the county final.

• Cian Picariello, Daniel Boone: Center back is one of the best returning defenders in the league. A three-year varsity player who helped the Blazers post eight shutouts.

• Chase Reifsnyder, Oley Valley: Berks Player of the Year, All-State and All-Region as a sophomore. Scored a team-high 14 goals for the Lynx, who won county and District 3 Class 2A championships.

• Jose Serrano, Reading High: Midfielder contributed five goals and five assists during an abbreviated spring schedule. Shifting to center-mid after playing the last two seasons on the outside.

• Ibrahim Sheriff, Conrad Weiser: All-division forward finished with four goals last season and is hoping to lead Scouts back into the county playoffs. Lines up with Marty Ramsay, who had five goals and three assists.

• Danny Turchi, Oley Valley: Important part of Oley Valley’s back-to-back county championship teams. Scored 13 goals over the past two seasons and was a clutch performer in last year’s playoffs. Joins Anthony Witt, Josey Williamson and Nathan Pufko as part of an experienced senior class.

• Brandon Vargo, Wyomissing: All-division selection changed position from forward to defensive-mid during and became a rock for the Spartans. Could change positions again this year.

• Noah Wamsher, Schuylkill Valley: Scored eight goals in 15 games to help the Panthers post consecutive winning seasons for the first time in a decade. Landen Jamison and Caleb Miller return to lead the their defense.