The 2026 North Carolina High School Athletic Association boys soccer season kicks off on Aug. 10.
Before the season begins, the Citizen Times and Times-News are recognizing the top 18 Western North Carolina high school boys soccer players to watch this season.
See the list below.
Levi Ramsey
Asheville High | Defender | Junior
Ramsey led the Cougars to a 15-6-1 record with his play on the backline. The Cougars only allowed 24 goals in 2025.
Omar Diaz
Brevard | Midfielder | Senior
The Blue Devils went 17-6 and won the Mountain 8 Conference championship with Diaz's help. He recorded
13 goals and eight assists.
Rion Coadwell
Brevard | Forward | Senior
Coadwell had 25 goals and two assists.
Wyatt Campbell
Christ School | Midfielder | Senior
Campbell was a key player who helped the Greenies win their first state championship in soccer last season. He scored three goals and assisted on 10 others.
Alec Dzialo
Christ School | Defender | Senior
Dzialo anchored a strong backline that only allowed six goals all season. He was named to the North Carolina Soccer Coaches Association All-State team.
Oliver King
Christ School | Forward | Junior
King is one of Christ School's top returning goal scorers from its state championship team. He tallied nine goals and two assists.
Dominic Rose
Christ School | Midfielder | Junior
Rose was named NCSCA All-Region after scoring a goal and contributing four assists.
Bryan Chavez
East Henderson | Forward | Junior
Chavez racked up 14 goals and six assists as a sophomore.
Kevin Torres
Franklin | Forward | Senior
Torres was named All-WNC Second Team after scoring 17 goals and adding 15 assists.
Boone Ferguson
Owen | Defender | Junior
Ferguson helped the Warhorses go 13-4-1. He added 11 goals and four assists on offense.
Lyle Sulzeman
Owen | Midfielder | Senior
Sulzeman recorded eight goals and added 15 assists.
Cristobal Drago
North Buncombe | Forward | Senior
Drago collected 16 goals and two assists as a junior.
Tallis Metcalf
Polk County | Midfielder | Senior
Metcalf had nine assists while leading the Wolverines to an 18-1-3 record a season ago.
Ross Dow
Polk County | Defender | Junior
Dow helped Polk County reach the state championship game. He helped the Wolverines only concede 18 goals last season.
Alex Golovchuk
Reynolds | Striker | Junior
Golovchuk recorded 25 goals and nine assists, helping Reynolds reach the NCHSAA regional finals for a second straight season.
Herman Vasquez
Reynolds | Midfielder | Senior
Vasquez helped Reynolds to a 22-4 record. He had 12 assists and scored three goals.
Matthew Bullock
Roberson | Forward | Senior
Bullock paced the Rams with 13 goals and six assists in 2025.
Nathan Williams
West Henderson | Goalkeeper | Senior
Williams racked up 87 saves while allowing 28 goals.
Zachary Huber is a high school sports reporter for the Hendersonville Times-News. Email him at zhuber@gannett.com or follow him on X @zacharyahuber.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: 18 WNC high school boys soccer players to watch in 2026 NCHSAA, NCISAA season
