Players to Watch at the Smoky Mountain Cup

<p class="p2"><span class="s1">The most important point-of-reference high school event in the spring, the Smoky Mountain Cup, kicked off Thursday night with six early event matches. The bulk of this first tournament will be held Friday and Saturday, and conclude on Sunday. Another round will be held next weekend. </span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1">Teams from Arkansas, Georgia, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee — and even one traditional winter-playing team from Texas — are participating in this week’s event.</span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1">Here are 10 key players to watch this weekend:</span></p> <img class="wp-image-40810 size-medium alignright" src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/03/BSN_Smoky-Mountain-228x300.png" alt="" width="228" height="300" /> <p class="p2"><span class="s1"><strong>F Cole Dillard, Wando (S.C.), Sr.:</strong> Dillard is Wando’s leading scorer. He has a big, strong frame and is great in the air and with the ball at his feet.</span></p> <strong>GK Harrison Ennis, Fayetteville (Ark.), Sr.:</strong> The four-year starter delivered a penalty kick save to help Fayetteville win its Smoky Cup opener 1-0. <p class="p2"><span class="s1"><strong>M Lucas Goldberg, Wando (S.C.), Sr.:</strong> He’s an engine in the midfield with a lot of energy and great vision. Goldberg is likely to commit to Anderson University, according to his coach.</span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1"><strong>D Hunter Jackson, Cornerstone Christian (Texas), Sr.:</strong> Jackson has committed to NCAA Division II Colorado Christian. </span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1"><strong>M Connor MacLean, Station Camp (Tenn.), Jr.:</strong> MacLean is returning to high school soccer after coming back from Nashville SC’s Academy team. Right now he’s entertaining offers from Belmont and Lipscomb, according to his high school coach.</span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1"><strong>D Andres Martinez, Brentwood (Tenn.), Sr.:</strong> Martinez has signed with NAIA Freed-Hardeman. He’s playing on defense in high school, but he’s a combo player who can move into the midfield. He was part of Brentwood’s state semifinal showing in 2019, and more recently played in the midfield to help Tennessee SC 2004 to State Cup semifinal and quarterfinal appearances the previous two years. </span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1"><strong>F Ethan Schlegel, Station Camp (Tenn.), Sr.:</strong> A native of Israel, Schlegel moved to the U.S. when he was 14. He is a tall attacking player, usually found on the left side. He is receiving NCAA Division I interest.</span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1"><strong>GK Dylan van der Walt, Cornerstone Christian (Texas), Sr.:</strong> The 6-foot-4 keeper is committed to Rutgers. He anchors a defense that has allowed only 12 goals during a 13-2-3 showing. Van der Walt was in goal as Cornerstone hung with Winter FAB 50 No. 2 Grapevine (Texas) before falling 2-1 in an early January contest.</span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1"><strong>D Beckham Voelker, Wando (S.C.), Sr.:</strong> Voelker has committed to USC-Lancaster. He is an experienced and physical defender who has helped Wando to a 7-1 start while allowing only five goals.</span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1"><strong>M [player_tooltip player_id="15579" first="Forrest" last="Wells"], Brentwood (Tenn.), Sr.:</strong> Wells has battled through an injury-riddled high school career, but when he’s healthy, he’s a dominant player. He was expected to miss the team’s first match at the Smoky Mountain Cup but should be in action the balance of the weekend.</span></p>