VOTE NOW! Courier News Boys Soccer Preseason Player of Year

MyCentralJersey.com begins its coverage of the 2017 high school boys soccer season with a look at the Courier News Preseason Player of the Year candidates.

Our preseason coverage continues later this week with team-by-team capsules, preseason Top 10 rankings and a preseason feature story. 

Following are our Preseason Player of the Year nominations. After reading about the candidates, please consider casting a vote for one of the players. The ballot can be found at the bottom of this page.

We'll write a feature story about the top vote-getter, so make your votes count.

The poll closes on Sept. 5.

VOTE NOW! CN PRESEASON GIRLS SOCCER PLAYER OF YEAR

NICO ARCE ARZA, BERNARDS

The senior midfielder totaled five goals and three assists as Bernards won the NJSIAA Group II title for the first time since 2011 and the Somerset County Tournament title for the first time since 1990 last season. Arza helped the Mountaineers win 22 straight games, finish 22-1-1 and set a school record in goals with 76.

MARK WALTER, WESTFIELD

Walter helped anchor a defensive line that allowed only 14 goals and posted 10 shutouts as Westfield finished 15-4-2, won the Union County Conference Watchung Division title, the Union County Tournament title and advanced to the North 2 Group IV quarterfinals last year. 

JOSH BORDWICK, HUNTERDON CENTRAL

The senior forward finished with seven goals and 10 assists as Hunterdon Central finished the season 20-1, won the Skyland Conference Delaware Division title, won the Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex Tournament title for the third time in five years, claimed the Central Group IV title and its first Group IV championship in school history.

BAILEY GANO, GILL ST. BERNARD'S

The senior finished with 12 goals and five assists last season as Gill St. Bernard's went 17-4-1, won the Skyland Conference Valley Division title, advanced to the Somerset County Tournament quarterfinals, won the Non-Public South B title and the Non-Public South title for the first time since 2013 with a 2-0 win over Hudson Catholic. Gano will be  looked to lead an offense that lost 60+ goals to graduation last year.

ALEXI ALIN-HVIDSTEN, PINGRY SCHOOL

The senior finished with three goals and two assists as the center midfielder. He played a semester at IMG Academy last year and returns to help the Big Blue build on last season as it went 12-5-1, advanced to the Somerset County Tournament final and the Non-Public A quarterfinals. 

DOMINIK DEMCAK, BRIDGEWATER-RARITAN

The senior tallied seven goals and two assists as the Panthers finished the season 13-5-1, advanced to the Somerset County Tournament quarterfinals and the North 2 Group IV final.

RYAN SANTOS, WATCHUNG HILLS

The senior forward recorded seven goals and 10 assists as Watchung Hills advanced to the Somerset County Tournament quarterfinals. 

ANDRES LEZME, BERNARDS

The senior goalie helped the Mountaineers win 22 straight games as the team posted six shutouts during its state tournament run, posted 16 total shutouts and only allowed a total of 10 goals this season, which was a school record.

KEVIN DEGNAN, UNION CATHOLIC

The senior midfielder returns after recording 17 goals and three assists as Union Catholic went 14-4-1 and advanced to the Non-Public North A quarterfinals. With a new coach and the loss of 14 seniors, Degnan will look to help the Vikings have a strong season. 

DAN CONFORTI, SOMERVILLE

The senior defender helped Somerville go 10-8-1 last season and advance to the Somerset County Tournment semifinals. Conforti will look to anchor a strong defense as the Pioneers look to build off last season with the return of depth and experience. 

TOMAS HERNANDEZ, MANVILLE

The junior forward led Manville with 23 goals and eight assists last season and will look to help the Mustangs build off of last year's seven-win season. 

YACHINE WAHNON, VOORHEES

The midfielder tallied 12 goals and two assists last season as a sophomore. 

NICK DiBETTA, DELAWARE VALLEY

The forward recorded 11 goals and three assists as a sophomore last season as Delaware Valley advanced to the H/W/S Tournament quarterfinals. 

JACK BRADY, SCOTCH PLAINS-FANWOOD

The senior defender returns to anchor a defense that helped the Raiders to a 22-4 record and the Union County Tournament final. Scotch Plains-Fanwood also won the North 2 Group IV sectional title and advanced to the Group IV final.

VOTE FOR THE CN PRESEASON BOYS SOCCER PLAYER OF THE YEAR

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