We’re past the halfway point of the high school boys soccer season, and we’ve got plenty of teams in good positions relative to the postseason.
About a month and a half from now, 28 teams will descend upon the Lake Myrtle Sports Complex (Classes 4A-7A) in Auburndale and Spec Martin Stadium (1A-3A) in DeLand competing for seven state championships. Southwest Florida will aim to stretch its streak of having a team in a state title contest for the fifth time in the last six years.
As we head into the home stretch, here are our picks for Midseason Player of the Year and Underclassman of the Year plus other contenders for those monikers. We’ll also unveil our midseason rankings, as well as unique storylines. All of the midseason awards and rankings are based on more than just stats and wins. Who you play matters, too.
All stats and records are through Wednesday, Jan. 8.
Previously:Who are the SW Florida high school boys soccer players to watch during the 2024-25 season?
The senior is having another productive season for the Tritons and has helped the Tritons to a 17-1-0 record thus far. Castano leads Mariner with 15 goals and 8 assists as the program seeks a return to the state championship game for the first time since the 2019-20 season.
IN CONTENTION
Argueta’s put together one of the better seasons in Collier County thus far, helping the Trojans to an 11-4-3 record, having not lost in their previous nine matches. The junior has 16 goals and 9 assists for Robbie Schank’s squad.
Barrera’s ability to distribute and create chances from the midfield spot has been on display once again. His 18 assists lead Collier County with seven goals to help the Indians start off with a 12-2-1 record.
Bulai-Tudor’s having a breakout senior season, leading Barron Collier in points (37), goals (15), and assists (7) as the program’s off to a 12-1-0 start under John Damasco. He’s one assist away from matching his total from last season, and three goals away from doubling his output as a junior.
The reigning Southwest Florida Boys Soccer Player of the Year hasn’t played in over a month but is still one of the area’s best, logging 13 goals and 6 assists. LaOrden will look to return to action for the home stretch in hopes of helping the Cougars in the playoffs.
It doesn’t matter whether it’s football or soccer, Verblaauw is simply productive. The senior is carrying Baker this season, leading the squad with 16 goals and 6 assists.
Girls Soccer:SWFL Midseason Report including Player of the Year favorites and Top 10 poll
The sophomore’s put together another great season for the Indians, scoring 19 goals with 7 assists. His 45 points lead Immokalee, which is off to a 12-2-1 start.
IN CONTENTION
It’s tough to make your mark in an attacking unit filled with upperclassmen, but Gonzalez is doing just that. The sophomore’s up to 10 goals and 5 assists and has played a key role in Mariner’s 17-1-0 season thus far.
The midfielder has begun his high school career making an impact creating and scoring, logging 6 goals and 6 assists for a Lely team that’s 11-4-3.
Having been on the varsity scene for three years now, Harness has gotten acclimated to playing against those older than him. In the midfield, he’s up to 9 assists, adding 2 goals for Jared Rust’s squad.
Another Cougar that’s shown improvement. Perez has 13 goals to lead Canterbury at this point. The sophomore also has three assists as the program sits in the catbird seat in Class 1A-Region 3.
Despite recent stumbles against inferior opponents, the Cougars and the Tritons have been atop the statewide rankings all season. Barron’s positioning itself as the top seed in Class 4A, while Mariner’s in a much deeper Class 5A, ranked seventh and 23rd statewide. The teams will face to close the regular season in what could be considered a battle for the area’s No. 1 ranking.
The Bull Sharks have put together a solid resume, beating Canterbury and hanging around with Mariner early on in the season to potentially be a threat to Barron Collier in Class 4A-Region 3. The senior trio of Kevin Villatoro, Carson McManaway, and Denver Melton have combined for 26 goals and 16 assists.
The one-year hiatus of the Cougars coming up short in regional action appears to be over. Canterbury’s region has softened up considerably, with all but three teams in it having positive strength of schedule ratings. The Cougars should have little problem getting back to a Final Four under coach Jared Rust.
Saintano Damas’s team has been so close so many times, but is this the year the Indians can get to a Final Four? Immokalee is third in Class 6A-Region 3, vying for the No. 1 spot with Lakewood Ranch and Mitchell. Redwood’s been battle-tested plenty this year, and it could propel them to a regional title.
Records of games played through Wednesday, Jan. 8
Last ranking: 2
Analysis: The Tritons have been elite this season, putting together a 17-1-0 record with the lone blemish coming to Steinbrenner in a 2-1 loss. Mariner’s played excellent complementary soccer, with six players logging 15 or more points on the season. For comparison, last year’s team had three. Next up is the LCAC Championship game
Last ranking: 1
Analysis: The Cougars had a rare hiccup, coming up short in a 2-1 road loss to Charlotte. Barron Collier has nonetheless had a great season, going 5-0-0 against ranked competition in this poll. Next up is the CCAC Championship against Immokalee, which was a 6-5 result on the road in the first meeting.
Last ranking: 3
Analysis: Redwood’s holding firm at No. 3 with a solid resume that includes wins over Gulf Coast, Lely, and Naples. The Indians came up short in back-to-back matches against Barron Collier and Mariner in November but will have a chance to vanquish the Cougars on the road Thursday night as their regular season starts to come to a close.
Last ranking: 8
Analysis: The Bull Sharks have made their mark as a top five team in Southwest Florida, taking down Canterbury on the road while beating other stout programs in Estero, Gateway, Ida Baker, and Oasis. After losing to Mariner in a 4-3 contest early in the season, Bonita will get a rematch on the road Thursday night.
Last ranking: 4
Analysis: The Cougars have had a largely successful season, only plagued by a loss to No. 4 Bonita Springs and a draw with Gateway. Canterbury’s notched eight shutouts on the year and only conceded 8 goals all season, making them one of the top defensive units locally. Next up for the Cougars is the Private 8 Championship against Bishop Verot, before closing out the regular season with Aubrey Rogers and Ida Baker.
Last ranking: 9
Analysis: The Vikings have yet to lose a game, making them the area’s last remaining unbeaten team this season. Like Canterbury, Verot’s conceded only 8 goals all year, making for a fun Private 8 Championship Thursday night. After Thursday, the Vikings have Gulf Coast, Immokalee, and Cardinal Mooney to wrap up the regular season.
Last ranking: 7
Analysis: The Titans remain one of the more underrated teams in Southwest Florida, having lost just twice in 15 matches. Golden Gate’s fresh off an 8-0 win over Mason Classical and will take on Fort Myers and South Fort Myers to close the regular season.
Last ranking: 10
Analysis: The Golden Eagles put together a much-needed stretch, winners of five straight including a win over Charlotte. Naples can position themselves well to extend the win streak to seven, taking on SFCA and Dunbar next week.
Last ranking: NR
Analysis: The Trojans are on a streak of their own, having not lost in their previous nine matches dating back to Dec. 3 against Barron Collier. Lely scored a significant 1-0 win over Charlotte, along with wins over North Fort Myers, LaBelle, Dunbar, CSN, and Aubrey Rogers. It’ll be a busy final week for Robbie Schank’s team, taking on Clewiston, Dunbar, Fort Myers, and Cypress Lake.
Last ranking: NR
Analysis: The Sharks might be a sub-.500 team, but each of their local losses has come to teams ranked ahead of them, including No. 1 Mariner, No. 2 Barron Collier, No. 3 Immokalee, No. 7 Golden Gate, and No. 8 Naples. Gulf Coast will get three more tests before districts start, playing No. 6 Bishop Verot, Estero, and Riverdale.
First Five Out: Estero (6-4-2), Fort Myers (6-8-2), Oasis (6-4-1), Gateway (10-5-3), Ida Baker (7-5-3)
Follow Sports Reporter Alex Martin on X: @NP_AlexMartin. For the best sports coverage in Southwest Florida, follow @newspresssports and @ndnprepzone on Instagram.

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