Boys soccer names all-league players

The boys soccer team grabbed nine spots in the all-league selections this year, and at the top of the list was junior Malachy Sundstrom, named the Player of the Year and a first-team pick.

Sundstrom has currently scored 23 goals for the Outlaws and has also tallied 13 assists.

"Malachy really became a dynamic force for us this season, with the ability to create in the attacking third and required multiple defenders to cover him," said Coach Rob Jensen. "He scored in almost every game, and showed great consistency and tenacity up top for us. He was often the finish of our attack."

Colton Mannhalter and Jadon Bachtold were also first-team selections.

Mannhalter played the role of creator and finisher for the Outlaws. Colton scored 13 goals and had many assists.

"Colton plays biggest when the games are toughest," said Jensen. "He has very high soccer intelligence, knows how to create flow in a game, and creates numbers situations for his teammates. Colton has been a team captain, and really an extra coach on the field."

Bachtold scored 14 goals this season and is also a team captain.

"Jadon sees the pitch well, and is a really good defender," said Jensen. "Jadon always comes to the game and practice with great energy."

Jensen told The Nugget that any of the three first-team picks (Sundstrom, Mannhalter, and Bachtold) could have been named Player of the Year for the league, and all have been big contributors to the team's success.

Keeper Ryan Funk rounded out the first-team selections. Funk gave up the fewest goals in the state this year.

"Even though he was rarely tested, Ryan came up big when he had the opportunity," stated Jensen. "He has improved every day, and has really grown into one of the best keepers in the state. This is coming a long way from not having played soccer since elementary the year prior."

Minam Cravens and Tristan Kaczmarek were second-team all-league selections.

Jensen said, "Minam and Tristan were both selected to second team, despite having been a combo that allowed the fewest goals in state. They are the best defenders in 4A right now."

Jensen told The Nugget that Cravens was pivotal in thwarting the opponents' attacks, and regularly defended, and shut down some of the best forwards in the state. Tristan was noted for reading the offensive players and pouncing on opponents' mistakes. Jensen added that Tristan also does a tremendous job at winning the ball in the air and slide-tackling.

Three players, Keegan Greaney, Asher Bachtold, and Sean Willitts, all earned honorable mention.

Greaney shut down opponents all season long, and won nearly every ball. Jensen stated that Keegan improved tremendously over the course of the season, and is becoming one of the best wings in the state. He has increased as an offensive threat, and scored three goals this season.

Asher (freshman) scored one goal and recorded three assists. Jensen noted that Asher is scrappy and a tenacious defender, and plays bigger than his size would indicate. He routinely shuts down much larger opponents.

Willitts played holding midfield for the Outlaws this season and scored three goals.

"Sean defended solidly and often started our counter-attack by winning the ball, and putting it to the right people at the right place," Jensen said. "Sean is a big presence, and has played really strong for us this season."