Oregon’s top high school boys soccer players: Meet the state’s best goalkeepers
We’re taking a position-by-position look at some of the top players in Oregon high school boys soccer. This list focuses on the goalkeepers.
There are hundreds of standout boys soccer players in Oregon and these lists are not intended to be comprehensive! Let us know about any other keepers you think should be added.
—
GK Adam Clem, La Salle Prep, senior
In his first season as the starter, Clem last year posted 10 clean sheets and had an 0.82 goals against average in earning second-team all-Northwest Oregon Conference honors. “He got a lot of experience as a sophomore and grew quite a bit,” Falcons coach Monty Hawkins said. “He’s a good shot-stopper and comes up with critical saves. He just continues to get better. It should be a breakout season for him this year.”
GK David Downey, Glencoe, junior
After graduating several standout defenders, the Crimson Tide will rely more heavily on their all-Pacific Conference honorable mention keeper to stem the tide against opposing attacks this season. “It’ll probably be more pressure on him, so we need him to step up,” coach Tom Stephens said. “He’s just continuing to get bigger and stronger.”
GK Kellen Fitzpatrick, Marist Catholic, sophomore
Fitzpatrick found his groove in the second half of his freshman season, posting an eight-game unbeaten streak and two clean sheets in Sky Em League play, making the all-league second team. He is also the placekicker for the JV football team.
GK Tate Glock, South Eugene, senior
The four-year starter and two-time Southwest Conference goalkeeper of the year allowed just eight goals (two at home) in 18 games last season, with his 0.44 goals against average topping 6A.
GK Jonathan Hernandez, Franklin, senior
Hernandez came in from the Timbers Academy last season and received all-PIL honorable mention, but Lightning coach Jose Milian thinks he’s capable of much more this fall after posting five shutouts as a junior. “I consider him one of the elite goalkeepers in the state,” Milian said. “He transmits a lot of confidence into the team.”
GK Ben Korngold, Oregon Episcopal, junior
Korngold last season perhaps didn’t get the recognition he deserved backstopping the 3A/2A/1A state champions, but he recorded eight clean sheets for the Aardvarks, and coach David Rosenberg credited him with “making numerous huge saves on our way to the state title. Ben's distribution, communication and competitiveness will drive him to be one of the best goalkeepers in the state this year.”
GK Diego Macoco-Lopez, Wilsonville, senior
As a junior, Macoco-Lopez posted four shutouts and a 1.78 goals against average in his first season as a starter, receiving all-Northwest Oregon Conference honorable mention. “We will rely on Diego’s experience to be our last line of defense,” Wildcats coach Ian Reschke said.
GK Carter McGowan, West Albany, senior
McGowan’s decision to turn out for the Bulldogs for the first time last season after concentrating his first two years on his club team in Portland proved the final piece to their rise from winless eight years ago to a 5A state finalist last fall. He posted a 1.10 goals against average with five clean sheets and made the all-Mid-Willamette honorable mention list. “Carter is one of those keepers that gives the entire team in front of him confidence just with his presence,” coach Kevin Branigan said. “An excellent reflexive goalkeeper who has great distribution with his hands and feet.”
GK Joshua Meza, Aloha, senior
Meza last season backstopped a defense that had six clean sheets and allowed just 20 goals in 18 games, making the all-Metro League second team and leading the Warriors to their first 6A semifinal appearance since 1989. “Strong, flexible, and has the ability to react quickly in dangerous situations,” coach Enrique Abad said. “He made amazing stops last season.”
GK/M Christian Orozco, Blanchet Catholic, sophomore
Orozco finished second on the Cavaliers in scoring last season and made the all-district second team, helping them return to the 3A/2A/1A state playoffs for the first time since 2014. He is a standout goalkeeper for his club team, and coach Zach Ramirez plans to use him in both roles this season, predicting “he will be the best goalie in the league.”
GK Elliot Parelius, Jesuit, senior
Parelius picked up his game a notch during last year’s postseason, allowing just two goals and posting three of his seven shutouts during the five-game tournament to help the Crusaders win the 16th title in program history. “I would rank Elliot as one of the top goalkeepers in the state,” coach Geoff Skipper said. “He plays with a no-fear attitude. Expect some big-time saves out of Elliot this year.”
GK Derek Puppo, Cleveland, sophomore
Puppo starred in a role in which few freshmen thrive at the 6A varsity level, notching five clean sheets backstopping what Warriors coach Nic Yoder described as “a very new and inexperienced defense” and making the all-PIL honorable mention list. Yoder also noticed a difference in Puppo this year. “Already, he is more vocal and demonstrative, leading the back line more than he was doing last year,” Yoder said. “He’ll be posting many more shutouts the next few seasons.”
GK Brandon Sailer, Scappoose, senior
Sailer pulls double duty for the school, placekicking for the football team on Fridays and serving as goalie on the soccer pitch after making the all-Cowapa League first team at midfielder last fall, when he had three goals and 11 assists. He recorded three clean sheets during his club team FC Portland 06 Navy’s run to the State Cup finals.
GK Trenton Silani, Eagle Point, senior
Silani last year posted the highest save percentage in the Midwestern League and allowed just 11 goals — third fewest in 5A behind all-state selections Diego Garibay of McKay and Jesse DePerro of Summit — in making the all-league second team. Eagles coach Juan Palomares called Silani “a very technical goalkeeper with excellent shot-stopping abilities. He is a well-rounded goalie who is comfortable with the ball at his feet and has excellent ball distribution. He gives your defense that extra confidence knowing he is there to clean up any attack that gets through.”
GK Tristian Villanueva, Roseburg, senior
Villanueva never relented in facing a constant barrage last season, making 123 saves in 14 games and earning all-Southwest Conference honorable mention. “His impressive record of saves highlights his reliability in guarding the goal and his potential to be a key player in the upcoming matches,” coach Ronald Bustamante said.
GK Gabe Wong, Westside Christian, junior
Wong was solid for the Eagles between the sticks last year, recording five clean sheets and making 25 saves en route to earning 3A/2A/1A all-state honorable mention. “Gabe is very athletic and extremely agile in the goal,” coach Jason Housley said.
