7 high school boys soccer players to watch in WiscNews area (2024)

The high school boys soccer season gets underway this week, with many area teams playing their season opener on Tuesday.

Wisconsin Dells and Sauk Prairie hope to repeat as champions of their respective conferences, while Lodi looks to dethrone Sugar River in the Capitol Conference.

The postseason begins with regionals on Oct. 22 and the season culminates with state championship matches on Nov. 9.

Here are seven boys soccer players poised for impactful seasons this fall.

Jaden Oosterhouse, Sr., Central Wisconsin Christian

Position:Midfielder

Things to know:Whether as the primary distributor or top goal scorer, Jaden Oosterhouse plays a pivotal role in Central Wisconsin Christian's attack this season.

The Crusaders will rely on Oosterhouse more this year, as their top two goal-scorers in Isaac Abel and Levi Vander Galien graduated.

“We lost a lot of speed this year with our graduating class, so (Oosterhouse) will have to be a playmaker up top, in whatever role that is,” Central Wisconsin Christian coach Paul Stuebs said.

Oosterhouse scored nine goals last year and ranked second on the team with six assists, according to WisSports.

The senior hopes to score at least 10 goals this season by keeping his longer shot attempts on net and improving his timing on runs.

“I think that his shot power has increased this year, so he should be quite a threat up top,” Stuebs said. “He has a lot of confidence this year from his past success and I think that will help him take more chances around the goal.”

Giovanni Rivas, Sr., Wisconsin Dells

Position:Goalkeeper

Things to know:Giovanni Rivas forced 11 shutouts last season and hopes for similar results this year as Wisconsin Dells pursues its goal of an undefeated season.

He allowed 1.24 goals per game as a junior last season, according to WisSports, and leads a senior class motivated to leave its mark on the program.

“This senior class is more energetic than last year’s because they had already gone to state,” Rivas said. “Our class has something more to prove and I think we’re ready to do that.”

Rivas said he's looking forward to the Chiefs' matchup with Madison Edgewood on Sept. 7.

The senior class hasn't defeated the Crusaders in their time together and "beating them would be a big success for my career," Rivas said.

Kyle Hoffman, Sr., Lodi

Position:Goalkeeper

Things to know:Kyle Hoffman has been the protector of Lodi's net since his freshman year. He saved 90 of 101 shots, had seven clean sheets and 151 clearances last season.

“He’s probably the most talented player on the team for their position,” Lodi coach Derek Callahan said.

Hoffman played for the Madison 56ers soccer club this summer, where he focused on improving a specific area of his game.

“I’ve worked on just having more constant distribution and being more crisp with my passes to teammates,” Hoffman said.

Hoffman's season goals include being named Capitol Conference player of the year and beating the aforementioned Sugar River. The Raiders have won the last nine conference titles.

“That's who we want to play and if we could play them five times I would,” Hoffman said.

Isaiah Romano-Thompson, Sr., Baraboo

Position:Forward

Things to know:Isaiah Romano-Thompson takes on a bigger attacking role in Baraboo's offense this season, following the departure of Ethan Uptagraw, who had a team-high 12 goals last year, according to WisSports.

Romano-Thompson ranked second on the team with four goals and looks to surpass his five career goals this season.

“It wouldn't be out of the question for Isaiah to reach 20-25 career goals by the end of the season,” Baraboo coach Tyler Lang said.

The senior has worked on improving his goal-scoring touch closer to the net during the first few weeks of practice.

It'll add to a powerful long shot that he already possesses and "is difficult to stop," Lang said.

Ryan Sabey, Sr., Wisconsin Dells

Position:Midfielder

Things to know:Ryan Sabey is a catalyst for Wisconsin Dells' up-tempo style of play, predicated on fast passes and quick touches between players.

He excelled in this type of offensive attack as a junior last season, scoring 30 goals and finishing with a team-high 61 assists, according to WisSports.

“Last year we had a really good season until the end,” Sabey said. “That was just a roadblock and luckily we were only juniors so we can get back this year.”

Sabey looks to repeat as the South Central Conference's player of the year this season.

“It’s nerve wracking that it's your last year but also exciting because every game has something riding on it and you can’t take a game off,” Sabey said.

Ari Rasmussen, Sr., Lodi

Position:Forward

Things to know:Callahan said Ari Rasmussen is undoubtedly the Blue Devils' best goal scorer this season.

Rasmussen scored six goals last year, along with three assists to earn a first-team selection in the Capitol Conference as a junior.

He's been a cog in Lodi's offensive attack since his freshman year and is hoping to eclipse double digit goals this season.

Rasmussen said Lodi needs better communication this year to make its state title aspirations come true.

“It’s the last dance so I want to go crazy, win everything and make this a year to remember,” Rasmussen said.

Cris Quezada Godoy, Jr., Sauk Prairie

Position:Midfielder

Things to know:Cris Quezada Godoy returns this fall hoping to lead Sauk Prairie to another Badger Small Conference title.

The Eagles went 13-4-1 last season to win the conference for the first time since 2019.

Quezada Godoy was a first-team all-conference selection last season, making him the only sophom*ore to receive the honor.

The junior will have more responsibility this season, as fellow first-team all-conference performers Eliot Carlson, Will Judge and Thiago Vieira all graduated.