Whether it was scoring massive goals, coming up with a clutch defensive play or making that game-changing save, this year’s Deseret News boys soccer Players of the Year were the ultimate game-changers for their teams this season.
Here’s a look at the 2026 Deseret News boys soccer Players of the Year.
6A Player of the Year
Patrick Stevenson, Lone Peak, F, Sr.
Patrick Stevenson’s first instinct after scoring the equalizing goal in the 6A championship was run to teammate Cohen Peters and tell him “I got you, don’t worry about the mistake.”
Peters’ misplayed ball had contributed to Farmington’s opening goal, but by halftime Stevenson had erased it.
Lone Peak coach Kyle Hartman said it was that type of team-first mentality from Stevenson that played a huge part in the Knights’ success all season.
“Patrick is a genuine team-first player who embraced every role asked of him throughout the season and consistently put the success of the team ahead of his own recognition,” Hartman said.
“He always celebrated the accomplishments of his teammates and often found more joy in their success rather than his own. Patrick is humble, hungry, and highly coachable. He constantly worked to improve himself while elevating those around him.”
Playing a variety of different positions, Stevenson finished the season with 13 goals and seven assists, and put a massive punctuation mark on his career with a hat trick in the 6A final.
Hartman said Stevenson has a relentless work ethic on the field, but always maintained a positive attitude regardless of the score.
“I have coached a lot of athletes over my 17-year career, and Patrick was truly special,” Hartman said. “I have never coached an athlete of his skill level that is as humble, driven and loved his teammates, coaches and community the way he did. They loved him back just as much.”
5A Player of the Year
Cameron Martin, Bountiful, MF, Sr.
Whether it was his goal contributions or his fight defensively, Bountiful midfielder Cameron Martin did it all for the 5A state champion Redhawks.
The senior recorded a goal or assist in two-thirds of Bountiful’s games this season, finishing with 18 goals and six assists. He also contributed on the scoresheet in three of four playoff games, including the golden goal penalty kick in the 5A state championship against Maple Mountain.
“Cameron Martin was the engine that drove our team all season and a major reason we were able to win the 5A state championship,” said Bountiful head coach Gabe Johnson.
“He has an incredible ability to impact the game in every phase, whether that’s scoring goals, creating chances for teammates, pressing defensively, or leading through his work ethic.”
One of Martin’s top performances of the season came in the 5A semifinal win over Alta, as his assist helped Bountiful avenge a pair of regular season losses to the Hawks to rally past the top seed in the state tournament.
“Cameron’s soccer IQ, competitiveness and consistency set him apart, and he routinely delivered in the biggest moments of the season,” Johnson said.
“Beyond his talent, he is a selfless teammate who raises the standard for everyone around him. His leadership and influence on and off the field made him one of the most valuable players our program has had.”
4A Player of the Year
Carlos Nieto-Rosales, Murray, F, Sr.
The name of the game in soccer is scoring goals, and nobody did it better — directly or indirectly — this season than Murray striker Carlos Nieto-Rosales.
The senior tallied 26 goals and 16 assists for the 4A runner-up Spartans, and he finished his career with 54 goals and 33 assists.
“Carlos will be the first to tell you that he has very talented soccer players as teammates,” said Murray coach Bryan DeMann. “Those teammates will tell you that they couldn’t have done it without Carlos.”
After being voted a first team all-stater his junior year with 16 goals and nine assists, Nieto-Rosales raised his game to another level a year later in leading Murray to a 20-1 record, with that lone loss coming in the 4A final to East.
DeMann said Murray has been extremely lucky to have Nieto-Rosales in the program, and it showed in the win column as well, as Murray went 52-6 the past three years with him in the starting lineup.
“He is a very talented and gifted player who works hard, is coachable and puts the team first,” DeMann said. “His stats speak to the level of his skills. In many of his best games the stat sheet won’t show him as the leading scorer.”
3A Player of the Year
Xavier Peregrina, Ogden, GK, Sr.
The stats speak for themselves for Ogden senior keeper Xavier Peregrina — 11 shutouts, 43-game winning streak and three state championships.
His work ethic was the foundation of all that success.
“Coming from a family that deeply values dedication, Xavier perfectly embodies our team motto of heart, hard work and talent,” said Ogden coach Todd Scott.
“He is a two-year captain who is always the first to arrive at practice, never taking a single minute of playing time for granted.”
A 3A first team all-state keeper his sophomore and junior season as well, Peregrina has signed to play college soccer at USU Eastern.
The tactical leader at the back, he helped organized Ogden’s defense masterfully to thwart out dangerous situations before they happened.
When he name was called upon, Peregrina almost always came up with the clutch play.
“On the pitch, his biggest strengths are his calm composure and a masterful ability to cut angles, making him a nightmare for opposing attackers,” said Scott.
2A Player of the Year
Kale Garner, Maeser Prep, D, Sr.
Standing at 6-foot-4, Maeser Prep’s Kale Garner was an imposing presence along the backline all season and the heart of the team’s perfect season and back-to-back 2A state championships.
“Defenders don’t usually have lots of stats, and they often aren’t flashy, but good coaches and players recognize the unheralded grit and work ethic that goes into strong defensive play. Kale has been the anchor of our back line his entire career,” said Maeser Prep coach Dustin Simmons.
Garner had great strength to go along with his height, as the Lions only allowed 16 goals this season. He also added two goals and two assists, including a big goal in the 2A final against Rowland Hall.
“He’s the most dominant defender Maeser has ever had,” Simmons said. “His ability to win balls in the air, shut down opposing strikers and direct play out of the back made him a key component of our team’s success these past few years.
“I’ve seen him throw his body around to stop goals, slide for goal line clearances and he also scored some key goals in important games.”