Piedmont Athletic 1A/2A Conference Best XI: GK and Defenders

<p>The season ends with a display of so much talent, especially in my local <a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/nc/soccer/24-25/conference/piedmont-athletic-1a-2a/?leagueid=e3d1403f-6815-4bc6-93cb-8e8ef66c36f9">conference</a>. Many players have proven themselves exceptionally, with some showing great promise for the future. <a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/nc/randleman/randleman-tigers/soccer/">Randleman High School</a> won this conference with a great collective performance aided by individual brilliance. They pipped eventual <a href="https://www.nchsaa.org/bracket/2024-2a-mens-soccer-brackets/">2A State</a> Runner-Ups and 2A West Champions, <a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/nc/asheboro/southwestern-randolph-cougars/soccer/">Southwestern Randolph High School</a>, to the conference title. Throughout the conference and the playoff phases, SWRHS proved to be a well-oiled machine, with each player driven by the desire to perform better than their opponents. The formation I choose to present the best XI is a 4-2-3-1. This article will also only focus on the goalkeeper and defense, with a follow up for the rest of the team.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Southwestern Randolph's Story</h2>   <p>Before listing what, for me, was the best XI from this conference, there needs to be a mention of Southwestern Randolph's players' attitude. Each one of those young players played with such an immense passion that you will not find in most high school students in this country. Unfortunately, these young boys had to deal with the tragic loss of Pedro Ortiz-Perez, one of their teammates earlier this year, a victim of gun violence. Marked by such a traumatizing experience could've destroyed them mentally, but they decided to turn grief into love on the pitch. When you watch these players play, you can tell that they're not just playing for themselves but also for their lost peer, teammate, and friend. Dealing with something that no child ever has to go through made for such a bittersweet season for them and has proven that each one of them is resilient.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Goalkeeper</h2>   <p>There were a couple of goalkeepers who showed glimpses of talent from time to time. However, the race for this place can only be between two goalkeepers, Victor Nino (Uwharrie Charter) and Dilan Chavero (Randleman). Victor Nino has been great for his team, keeping his team in many matches with his saves. He helped lead them into the second round of playoffs, something Randleman was not able to. However, given the amount of goals he conceded, he will have to take the "bench" spot in favor of Dilan.</p>    <p class="text-gray-700">Dilan is the best goalkeeper in this conference, and when you watch him play, you'll see why. An imposing goalkeeper who makes the box his, he doesn't seem shaken when the pressure is on him at all. Also, he maintains great concentration, which makes him even harder to beat. His concentration and his agility to make saves mean that he'll end the match with a couple of saves. The saves he makes are also impressive, showing off his technique and intelligence. His intelligence is not only reserved for saves, though, with him having great emotional awareness. He knows how to inspire his defenders after making important saves.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Defenders</h2>   <p>There were plenty of talented defenders in this conference, with many coming from the better ranked teams. However, there wasn't someone to make the left-back position theirs, for which there will be a left-midfielder in place. This is the defensive line that I've chosen.</p>    <p class="text-gray-700">The chosen player to fill in the left-back position, Jonathan is a player with a great work rate. His defensive capabilities are fantastic, which at times made for him to take up a deeper role when needed. His duel-winning is a great facet of his game, making him very hard for opposing wingers and full-backs to get past him. Being left-footed also helps in slotting in at left-back. His crossing is phenomenal, almost always finding a teammate in the box. Projecting and tracking back also make him a solid candidate for this position. He's multifaceted and can slot in at any position on the left.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">The chosen LCB and the easiest choice in defense, Mitchell is an immensely talented player. The left-footed center-back is a very physical player who intimidates the opposing attack with his presence. He rarely gets beaten, winning duels with ease, regardless of what type it is. He'll win aerials and 50/50s for fun, which helps his teammates regroup. If he does get beat, he'll track back and win the ball back then. His ball playing is also phenomenal, with him creating chances from deep multiple times per game. The way he strikes the ball makes for these passes to travel so far. He has a rocket of a left foot, which makes him an undetected attacking weapon. Long shots and free-kicks always end in danger with him. Penalties are also another strength of his, putting them away with the coldness of a striker. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">The other CB is another great player, Gilly Torres. The way he uses his body to position himself between the attacker and the ball is magnificent. His physique helps with this, as he's also difficult to get off of the ball. He won't shy away from any duel, even if it means pushing up further than his other defenders. When he wins the ball, he also showcases intelligence in what to do. He can swiftly move the ball forward with either a dribble or a pass. Dribbling isn't an attribute most center-backs possess, but Gilly is an exception. He can get out of pressure easily with simple but effective movements. He's also the dead ball specialist of his team, putting in crosses that create danger.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">The final defender and the chosen right-back, Yair is a player who has grown through the course of the season. He's a very determined fullback, having been deployed as a left-back sometimes during the season. Defensively sound and very physical, he's an uncomfortable player for any winger. When he tackles, he does so in a very imposing manner and cleanly. Getting past him doesn't come easy for the opposing attack because he will always be on their backs. Going forward, he often offers himself as an outlet to circulate the ball in the final third.</p>    <p>This is the second season recap for the Piedmont Athletic 1A/2A Conference. You can find the first one <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2024/11/best-player-per-piedmont-athletic-1a-2a-conference-team/">here</a>.</p>

The season ends with a display of so much talent, especially in my local conference. Many players have proven themselves exceptionally, with some showing great promise for the future. Randleman High School won this conference with a great collective performance aided by individual brilliance. They pipped eventual 2A State Runner-Ups and 2A West Champions, Southwestern Randolph High School, to the conference title. Throughout the conference and the playoff phases, SWRHS proved to be a well-oiled machine, with each player driven by the desire to perform better than their opponents. The formation I choose to present the best XI is a 4-2-3-1. This article will also only focus on the goalkeeper and defense, with a follow up for the rest of the team.