Wilmington, NC high school boys soccer 2024 postseason players to watch

On November 8, 2024By Littum

The high school boys soccer playoffs are just around the corner as the NCHSAA holds the first round of the 2024 postseason on Saturday.

Wilmington-area teams kept things ultra-competitive again this fall as Hoggard (18-2) held on for a second straight Mideastern Conference title. Pender (18-4-1) held off Trask to win the Waccamaw Conference.

With brackets scheduled to be released sometime Thursday, here’s a look, based on current RPI rankings, at the most prominent players from the Wilmington area competing in the 2024 boys soccer playoffs.

2024 Wilmington, NC high school boys soccer playoff players to watch

Ashley (17-5-1, 3rd in 4A East RPI)

The Screaming Eagles might not have claimed an MEC title this fall, but they were the only team to beat Hoggard. As such, they enter the state playoffs as one of the 4A East’s top teams.

Senior goalscorer Nick Cenatiempo leads with 11 goals and nine assists this fall. With seniors Tanner Putnam and Kingston Hroncich has combined for 15 goals, while junior Clark Marriott has five.

Hoggard (18-2, 2nd in 4A East RPI)

Despite splitting their streak with Ashley, the Vikings enjoyed a second straight tournament title this season. Spurred on by a talented senior group who, among other things, Clark Beery (14 goals), Sorry Criss (10 goals, 15 assists), and Benjamin weeks (19 goals) Hoggard also has one of the area’s most talented group of underclassmen.

Starts with first-year students Harrison Dyer, who takes all of the team’s set pieces and has scored 12 times this season, Hoggard bolsters his youthful makeup with players as a sophomore Ari Tanner (10 goals, six assists) and junior Isaiah Jumansingh (16 goals, six assists).

Senior Johnny Morello (five goals) anchors a back line that has allowed just 15 goals this fall.

Laney (15-8-1, 14th in 4A East RPI)

The Bucs finished fourth in the Mideastern Conference as a senior Mason Israel found the back of the net 20 times and provided nine assists this fall. Addison Woodcock scored 19 goals, while AJ Acree put away 10 shots and dished out 10 assists.

With a middling RPI, Laney should face stiff competition this postseason.

New Hanover (14-8-1, 17th in 4A East RPI)

Even finishing fifth in the Mideastern Conference, New Hanover should receive a top 20 seed this postseason.

Seniors Miles Bickel and Deyson Castillo a total of 19 goals and 11 assists. Freshman Keinner Martinez has scored six goals.

North Brunswick (7-13-2, 34th in 3A East RPI)

As the top 3A team in the split Mideastern Conference, North Brunswick will earn an automatic playoff bid. Junior Landen Pedersen leads the Scorpions with seven goals this season. He is joined by another junior Marcello Benavides and Alberto Rodriguez as the team’s top players.

Pender (18-4-1, 4th in 1A East RPI)

The Patriots claimed a third consecutive Waccamaw Conference title as Aidan Murray led the area’s elementary school players with 34 goals. The senior also dished out 16 assists, while Owen Davis scored 19 goals.

Junior Elvis Hernandez scored 17 times while providing 17 assists. Adrian Torres scored 11 goals in the season.

Top Sail (17-6-1, 7th in 4A East RPI)

The Pirates finished second in the Mideastern Conference and will enter the state playoffs as a top 10 team in the 4A East.

Led by senior Fisher Battswho scored 19 goals and dished out 18 assists, Topsail defeated every Mideastern Conference team except Hoggard this season.

Maddox Kelly (16 goals, five assists) and Tully Dugan (six goals, seven assists) make up most of Topsail’s senior scoring depth.