A player to watch from each NCS league frontrunner

The races for league titles amongst boys teams in the North Coast Section are winding down, and some are heating up to a fever pitch. With most leagues in a close race, here is a player for each league that could be the difference-maker for the team that is the frontrunner or considered the favorite. <strong>Jayden Albarran, Dublin, Senior, Defensive Midfielder</strong> Albarran is one of the glue guys for the Gaels, leading them to the top of the East Bay Athletic League’s Valley Division. Albarran is the lynchpin between the midfield and the defense, working in tandem with his partner and center back <strong>Jayden Nguyen</strong>, who is a junior. They are the backbone and the spine of a solid Gaels defense. Albarran is a hard-working player who rarely leaves the pitch. <strong>Jesus Lua Amaya, Pittsburg, Sophomore, Forward</strong> Amaya, who is better known as Chuy, is a very talented left-foot attacker with a very high soccer IQ for a sophomore. He has speed up top or on the outside, great technique, and a very powerful shot. This special player is why the Pirates are leading the Bay Valley Athletic League. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="7562" first="Ethan" last="Carr"], Marin Academy, Senior, Central Midfielder</strong> Carr is a big reason the Wildcats are running away with the Bay Counties League. He dictates the rhythm and tempo of the match. He’s a big presence on the pitch, demanding the ball, organizing, leading. He demonstrates great close control and is hard to dispossess. He’s the best in the league at reading the game. He knows when to change the point of attack, when to go forward, and when to combine. Carr is a ball-winner who cuts angles, covers, and makes tackles. He’s the full package. <strong>Alexis Garcia, Casa Grande, Senior, Attacking Midfielder</strong> Garcia is a two-footed player who can create for himself or for his teammates. He’s a very fast player, who is resilient on the attack. Garcia, on top of being a talented athlete with incredible drive, is a 4.0 student, a captain, and a team leader. <strong>Henry Hill, Miramonte, Senior, Central Defender</strong> Hill is the backbone of a Miramonte team that has only allowed four goals all season and has not conceded more than once in any game. He is the team’s captain and leader, and he anchors the back line. He is calm and collected when on the ball and can distribute and go forward when needed. [caption id="attachment_38855" align="alignright" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-38855" src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/02/MG_2434-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="8638" first="Schuyler" last="Hoeberichts"].</strong> <em>Photo: Maya Breckenridge</em>[/caption]<strong>[player_tooltip player_id="8638" first="Schuyler" last="Hoeberichts"], Tamalpais, Senior, Forward</strong> A senior captain who sets a tireless example for his teammates with a tireless work rate, by being competitive and relentless. He is also a talented player who leads the Marin County Athletic League with 14 goals and seven assists. He is a true scorer with a knack for creating scoring opportunities and finding the back of the net. He’s also a player his teammates look to because of his positive attitude and demeanor. <strong>Charlie Hogan, De La Salle, Senior, Forward</strong> Hogan has played multiple positions for the Spartans and is a big reason they are pulling away in the East Bay Athletic League’s Mountain Division. He’s leading the team in goals despite moving around so much. He’s filled in for injured players, despite being injured himself. He’s played through a shoulder injury that easily could have made him to decide to shut it down for the season. <strong>Yeison Sontay, Richmond, Senior, Central Defender</strong> A four-year varsity player and three-time captain, Sontay is the type of central defender that anticipates the play and movements of the striker and is very strong in 1v1 situations. With the ball, he is able to redistribute, and he is able to be a part of the attack as well, chipping in goals and assists. He is a quiet leader who is greatly respected. <strong>Andre Stankiewicz, Piedmont, Senior, Central Midfielder</strong> Stankiewicz is a big reason the Highlanders are leading the West Alameda County Conference’s Shoreline Division, despite being the smallest school in the league. He has a drive and determination like no other and is a box-to-box player. He’s been very involved in the attack recently, contributing several goals and assists in recent matches. [caption id="attachment_38837" align="alignright" width="240"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-38837" src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/02/Matt-Winer-240x300.jpg" alt="" width="240" height="300" /> <strong>Matt Winer.</strong> Photo: <em>Pat Conrad -</em>[/caption] <strong>Matt Winer, Las Lomas, Senior, Keeper</strong> In a league with great goalkeepers, Winer might be the best in either half of the league. He is very technically sound but on top of that, he is very smart. The backline has protected him this year, but he is the vocal leader between the posts, directing the defense. He’s also 6-3, so he’s a big presence who can stop shots with the best of them, including a recent PK save against Acalanes that helped save a point from the match. <strong>Luca Xiao, Berkeley, Senior, Central Midfielder</strong> Xiao moved from the back line to the central midfield this season. He’s the kind of guy that can go unnoticed because he’s doing his job so well. He plays just about every minute of every match. He’s highly technical, is an excellent passer, and should be considered a WACC-Foothill MVP candidate.