The State has unveiled its 2026 all‑area high school boys soccer team, recognizing the top performers from the Midlands region. The announcement also named the player of the year, a distinction that went to a standout from AC Flora whose impact will be felt across the state.
Player of the Year: Cullen Maas
Cullen Maas of AC Flora set a school record with 47 goals and added eight assists, earning him the region’s 4‑4A Player of the Year, All‑State honors and a spot on the Clash of Carolinas roster. His prolific scoring helped guide the Falcons to a championship, and he capped the season by signing to play at Barry College.
The rest of the first team reads like a who’s who of emerging talent. David Andrade, a senior defender from Gray Collegiate, contributed six goals and six assists while earning All‑State and North‑South All‑Star selections. Tanner Battafarano of Cardinal Newman posted eight goals and two assists, was named co‑SCISA 1‑4A Player of the Year and helped the Cardinals secure their seventh straight state title. Cayden Berzins from Blythewood tallied nine goals and fourteen assists and was selected to the All‑State list, while Jacob Braden of Chapin combined nine goals with two assists and anchored a defense that yielded just eight goals all season. Jason Gonzalez of Gray Collegiate exploded for 29 goals and 17 assists, earning all‑state recognition, and Wade Douroux of River Bluff added 15 goals and nine assists to a North‑South All‑Star nod.
Additional standouts included Andres Campo of Gray Collegiate, who recorded five goals and a league‑leading 20 assists and collected both All‑State and North‑South honors; Grant Hill of AC Flora, whose two goals and four assists still earned All‑State praise; and Austin Ipock from Lexington, who contributed eight goals and five assists to an All‑State and North‑South All‑Star selection. Cash Knight of Mid‑Carolina led the area with 34 goals and 13 assists, while DeSean Logan of Lexington and Roman Lopez Orozco of Saluda each added double‑digit point totals that helped their teams to notable victories. Matthew Pinasco of Hammond, a prolific scorer with more than 40 goals, was named SCISA All‑State and Region 1‑4A co‑player of the year before committing to Sewanee College. Dalton Purcell of Blythewood, Juel Rivers of Swansea, and the twin Stanek brothers from Cardinal Newman also earned All‑State honors, as did goalkeeper Ben Smoak, who posted 13 shutouts in 23 matches. Cooper Hughes of Chapin turned in 68 saves over 1,210 minutes, allowing only five goals.
The breadth of talent recognized this year reflects the growing strength of soccer across the Midlands, with many of these athletes set to continue their careers at prestigious institutions. Their achievements not only highlight personal excellence but also underscore the competitive depth that will shape the next chapter of high school soccer in the region.