Rising Stars in the Fayetteville Soccer Scene
The 2025 high school boys soccer season left an indelible mark on the Fayetteville area, with six NCHSAA teams and five NCISAA programs advancing to the state playoff tournament. The competition was fierce, and the performances set the stage for an eagerly anticipated 2026 campaign.
Cape Fear captured the Tri‑County Conference title, while South View secured a co‑conference championship in the Eastern Sandhills. Gray's Creek pushed the deepest playoff run of any local squad, reaching the third round before a 2‑0 loss to Franklinton. These achievements have heightened expectations for the returning rosters.
Key Offensive Threats
Among the most potent attackers is Kwabena Asante, a junior at Village Christian who earned all‑conference honors after netting 27 goals and adding five assists. Jesse Baker, a senior at Fayetteville Academy, contributed 14 goals and 24 total points while guiding his team to an unbeaten conference record. Xander Morgan, a senior at Fayetteville Christian, tallied 15 goals and is poised to lead the Sandhills Athletic Conference scoring charts. Carlos Montes Palma of South View posted 14 goals and 16 assists, placing him among the top five in the Eastern Sandhills Conference.
Defensive Standouts
Between the posts, Alex Hellis of Gray's Creek posted a 0.837 goals‑against average and made 51 saves, ranking fifth in the 6A class. Levi Laney, a junior at Fayetteville Christian, posted a 0.982 goals‑against average, earned the second spot in the NCISAA 3A rankings, and recorded 18 saves with three assists. Tyce Thurman of Terry Sanford turned in 183 saves with a 1.921 goals‑against average, placing him fifth in the Tri‑County Conference. Wayne Wood, a senior at Westover, was honored as Goalkeeper of the Year after 154 saves and a 3.602 goals‑against average.
The blend of seasoned seniors and emerging juniors promises a competitive landscape as the new season unfolds. Coaches are already shaping strategies around these standout performers, and fans can expect a year filled with high‑stakes matches and memorable moments.