The 2026 Standard-Examiner All-Area Boys Soccer Second Team celebrates a select group of high school athletes who have distinguished themselves through skill, leadership, and statistical excellence across Utah’s competitive soccer landscape.
Rising Stars Across the Pitch
Goalkeepers and defenders form the backbone of many of the highlighted squads, with Northridge’s junior keeper Jonah Hensley posting four clean sheets and never losing a penalty shootout, while Ogden senior defender Grant Aardema helped his team to eleven shutouts and a 43‑game winning streak, adding three assists and a goal to his defensive contributions.
In attack, senior forward Chance Terry of Northridge leads the list with 29 points and 14 goals, ranking among the top ten in 5A, and Davis junior forward Cooper Harwood contributes 12 goals and nine assists, forming a potent scoring duo that has propelled their teams deep into the playoffs.
Midfielders drive the creative flow, as Ian Patiño of UMA‑Hill Field records 98 steals and 17 goals, Kai Rader of Northridge adds ten points, six assists and two goals before signing with Westminster, and Kasen Smith of Davis accumulates 11 goals, seven assists and a four‑year letterman status, while Luis Ventura of Box Elder chips in five assists and four goals.
Versatility shines through players like Luke Devries of Fremont, a junior who operates both as a defender and utility player, notching nine assists and a goal, and Carson Taylor of Morgan, a senior defender with eight points and four goals, underscoring the depth of talent across the state.
The recognition not only honors individual achievement but also reflects the growing emphasis on holistic development, as schools such as Northridge, Davis High, and others integrate academic excellence with athletic prowess, positioning their athletes for success beyond the high school stage.