Strong leadership played as much a part as skillful playing for the three players who have been selected as most valuable players in prep soccer for 1994.
Highland's Jacob Croft, Sky View's Ryan West and Park City's Mike Anderson all led their respective teams to state championships last month and have been chosen MVPs by the Deseret News in the 5A, 4A and 3A classifications.Soccer coaches from all over the state were given the chance to vote for the all-state teams, and their input helped select this year's all-state teams. Chosen players will receive all-state certificates from the Deseret News.
Croft played a big role for the Rams as a four-year starter. As a freshman, he helped lead Highland to the state semifinals, and after suffering with his team through a couple of lean years, helped bring the Rams from nowhere to the state 5A championship.
He was a marked man throughout the season and playoffs and was often the subject of double-teams by the opposition. Still he managed to lead his team in scoring, including one game where he scored three goals in overtime against Bountiful. In the 5A title game, Croft scored the clinching goal in the second half.
"He was our most valuable player throughout the season," said Ram coach Brock Varoz. "Jacob really helped us with his leadership, skill and desire as a player. He's a strong player who helped keep everyone in focus."
Also making the first team from Highland is defender Ben Lingen, whom many felt was the Rams' MVP during the state tournament as he helped the Rams defense allow just two goals in four games.
Roy, which lost to Highland in the finals, placed two players on the first team, forward Bryan Freeman and midfielder Jarrod Augustine.
In 4A, West helped lead Sky View to a surprising state crown. He played both midfield and striker as a three-year starter for the Bobcats and was best known for his speed.
`He's as fast as greased lightning," said Sky View coach Larry Petersen. "He's been our captain and had the most assists and shots on goal for our team."
Joining West on the 4A first team from Sky View are midfielder Cody Stokes, defender Kirt Sadler and goalkeeper Ryan Bates. Three players from runner-up Woods Cross made the team - forward Cameron Winquist, fullback Devon Gibby and goalkeeper Peter Carr.
Park City was sparked to the 3A title by senior center fullback Mike Anderson, who kept the opponents from getting many shots on goal.
"He's quiet but a leader by his actions," said Park City coach Gary Blanton. "He has a strong work ethic and would spark the defense by his aggressive play."
In the first round of the playoffs, Anderson turned offensive to keep the Miners alive by scoring with a minute to go to force overtime, then hitting the game-winner in OT.
Three other Miners garnered first-team honors - forward Enzo Mileti, midfielder Joe Pack and goalkeeper Chris Gay.
Class 1A doesn't hold a sanctioned state tournament, but Region 14 coaches selected an all-state team, which the Deseret News recognizes, although no MVP was selected.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
1994 Deseret News All-State Soccer
5A TEAM
MVP - Jacob Croft, Highland
First Team Second Team
FW - Josh Hogge, Viewmont Jorge Estrada, Highland
FW - Bryan Freeman, Roy Steve Robinson, Taylorsville
FW - Kevon Inouye, Orem Mark Breese, Viewmont
MF - Travis Cushing, Bingham Jared Heiner, Alta
MF - Tim Sleeper, Brighton Matt Wooley, Davis
MF - Tom Morse, Taylorsville Mike Clark, Viewmont
MF - Jarrod Augustine, Roy Jason Barrus, Layton
FB - Ben Lingen, Highland Rex Allen, Orem
FB - Judd Soderborg, Skyline Dan Boyack, Brighton
FB - Dax Parry, Layton Troy Killian, Cottonwood
GK - Chad Sackett, Davis Tysson Davis, Hillcrest
GK - Jon Kemp, Bingham Christian Sanchez, Highland
Honorable Mention
Matt Alba, Skyline
Jessy Jones, Hunter
Scott Badger, Bountiful
Jake Mangum, Orem
Russ Boyer, Brighton
John Morris, Viewmont
Phil Hansen, Skyline
Bryan Sharp, Kearns
Justin Henderson, Orem
Francisco Silva, Highland
Rick Ingram, Roy
Bry Spencer, Alta
Bryce Jolley, Mountain View
Aaron Stevenson, Weber
4A TEAM
MVP - Ryan West, Sky View
First Team Second Team
FW - Cameron Winquist, WX Ryan Loveland, Olympus
FW - Keith Mason, Ben Lomond Omar Gonzales, WX
FW - Jared Patzke, Provo Nate Rockwell, Tooele
FW - Josh Haslam, Murray Jeremy Holmgren, Olympus
MF - Peter Pankratz, Tooele Darren Hancock, Tooele
MF - Cody Stokes, Sky View Dean Gordon, Judge
MF - Brent Noble, Jordan Tracy Hokum, WX
FB - Devon Gibby, WX Tim Muirbrook, Provo
FB - Kirt Sadler, Sky View Wade Van Horn, Jordan
FB - David Ravarino, Judge Steve Snarr, Murray
GK - Peter Carr, WX Steve Liptrot, Ben Lomond
GK - Ryan Bates, Sky View Jeremy Mohrman, Judge
Honorable Mention
Andy Barker, Granite
Nate Lundquist, Provo
Nic Butler, Sky View
Mitch Parrish, Sky View
Jake Clark, Provo
Ben Ridenhour, Logan
Andy Fullmer, Jordan
Brandon Smith, Murray
Ethan Gillespie, Olympus
Justin Webster, Payson
Jeremy Griggs, Murray
Jon Winn, Timpview
Mike Henstrom, Timpview
Chris Young, WX
3A TEAM
MVP - Mike Anderson, Park City
FW - Enzo Mileti, Park City
FW - Nate Grimley, Lehi
FW - Corey Emloe, Uintah
FW - Jared Hafen, Lehi
MF - Joe Pack, Park City
MF - Taylor Yates, Pine View
MF - Chad Luck, Uintah
FB - Sam Wells, Lehi
FB - Kimball Leavitt, Dixie
FB - Josh Mahoney, Wasatch
GK - Caleb Gibson, Pine View
GK - Chris Gay, Park City
Honorable Mention
Chad Chamberlain, Lehi
Danny Kogan, Pine View
Jimmy Lane, Morgan
Greg Lemmon, Dixie
Felipe Navas, Pine View
Clark Pierce, Uintah
Gary Rosenthal, Park City
Nate Young, Lehi
1A TEAM
FW - Sam Johnstone, Waterford
FW - Paradorn Karashudi, Wasatch Academy
FW - Chris Alexis, Rowland Hall
FW - Samuel Moreno, Wendover
MF - Isais Ruvakaba, Wendover
MF - So Lee, Mt. Vernon
MF - Wade Taylor, Meridian
MF - Nate Barnes, Waterford
FB - Jason Bacciagaluppi, Wasatch Academy
FB - Eric Fletcher, St. Joseph
FB - Jason Tunderman, Rowland Hall
GK - Geoff Swindle, Rowland Hall