C.B. East's Vare heads all-area boys' soccer team

PLAYER OF THE YEAR / MIDFIELDER

Evan

Vare

CENTRAL BUCKS EAST

Not many players were more consistently dangerous or clutch than the Patriots junior was all season, as Vare ratcheted up his game to become one of the most dynamic offensive presences in all of District 1. He scored 28 goals and added six assists in 24 games for C.B. East, as the Patriots claimed the Suburban One League Continental Conference and District 1 Class AAA titles and a berth in the quarterfinals of the PIAA state tournament.

In the district and state tournaments, Vare was most impressive, netting eight goals - four of which were game-winners. Dynamic on and off the ball, he had seven multiple-goal games and proved to be lethal whether the Patriots were trailing or trying to hold a lead.

MIDFIELDER

Sam

Alfonsi

UNIONVILLE

A playmaker, goal-scorer, and leader for the Ches-Mont League champions between the 18-yard lines, the senior was named the most valuable player of the Ches-Mont League American Division for his efforts. Alfonsi netted 12 goals and added eight assists, using his speed and good decision-making to jump-start a lethal counterattack.

FORWARD

Connor

Gregory

HAVERFORD SCHOOL

Dangerous with the ball at his feet, the junior never hesitated to put it on net for the Fords. Gregory scored 19 goals and registered six assists in 21 games for Haverford School, as the Fords won another Inter-Ac League title and advanced to the semifinals of the Independent Schools state tournament.

FORWARD

Michael

Kirby

HOLY GHOST PREP

In just his second year with the Firebirds, the senior increased his impact on the offense, netting 15 goals and adding 23 assists. Kirby scored the winner in the PIAA Class AA final as Holy Ghost repeated as state champion. Decisive with the ball, he always seemed to spark the attack.

FORWARD

Cole

Kropnick

WISSAHICKON

The senior scored 23 regular-season goals and added four more in the District 1 and PIAA Class AAA tournaments for a total of 27. Versatile, Kropnick was quick to make huge plays for the Trojans and buried vital penalty kicks for his squad down the stretch. He also had 11 assists.

MIDFIELDER

Kyle

Hoops

GREAT VALLEY

The most indispensable part of a very balanced Patriots roster, the senior was an absolute workhorse this season. Hoops netted 11 goals, including four game-winners, and consistently put his teammates in position to score. From box to box, there weren't many better, as he helped the Patriots to the District 1 and PIAA Class AAA state finals.

BACK

Dave

Bateman

ARCHBISHOP WOOD

As the season progressed, the La Salle recruit got only tougher to beat, as he won 50/50 balls, made solid tackles, and cleared the ball out of harm's way time and time again. The senior's presence at center back helped Wood claim Catholic League and District 12 Class AAA championships and reach the quarterfinals of the state playoffs.

MIDFIELDER

Ryan

Fincher

WEST CHESTER RUSTIN

An engine for the Golden Knights on both sides of the ball, the senior scored 14 goals this season. Fincher's solid play in the midfield helped Rustin win 17 games, especially some one-goal battles, as the team was just one win from a berth in the PIAA Class AAA state tournament.

BACK

Shane

Bradley

HAVERFORD SCHOOL

The junior was the anchor of a stifling defense, as the Fords allowed only seven goals all season for an astonishing 0.33 goals-against average. His stalwart play in the back helped Haverford School earn 15 shutouts, as Bradley proved hard to beat one-on-one and even more difficult to overcome in the air.

BACK

Brian

Cortese

UNIONVILLE

Eleven shutouts, an appearance in the District 1 Class AAA semifinals, and a berth in the PIAA state tournament were just a few of the Indians' accomplishments this season. The senior defender's poised play in the back, highlighted by his speed, was instrumental in that success, as the Indians went undefeated in the regular season.

GOALIE

Mark

Tobin

ROMAN CATHOLIC

In a league full of impressive play between the pipes, none was better than this junior. Tobin earned 11 shutouts and helped the Cahillites reach the final of the Catholic League playoffs. He gave up more than one goal only once in 20 contests, and that game was decided in overtime.