Meet the top forwards in Minnesota high school boys soccer

These 23 standouts are among the best in the state this season

Minnesota high school boys soccer is close to its conclusion as teams enter the section playoffs. 

SBLive has compiled some of the top forwards in the state this season. 

The following athletes will be included in our "Who is the top forward in Minnesota high school soccer" poll to be posted later today.

Vote: Who is the top forward in Minnesota high school boys soccer?(10/11/2023)

Minnesota high school football computer rankings (10/9/2023)

Vote: Who should be SBLive's Minnesota High School Athlete of the Week? (10/10/2023)

Top forwards in Minnesota high school boys soccer

Moo Gay, Marshall

Junior

Gay is the state leader in goals scored with 29 on the year. He’s scored 3-plus goals in six games, including a six-goal outing against Windom-St. James.

The star forward has scored a goal in all 11 games this season and has scored at least two in nine of them. 

Roberto Perez-Ordaz, Winona Cotter

Senior

From an all-around statistical standpoint, Perez-Ordaz has been one of the best players in the state, regardless of classification, in 2023.

The forward/midfielder has 22 goals (tied-fourth in the state) and 24 assists (top in the state) through 13 games for the 11-1-1 for the Ramblers. 

Emmett Brown, Washburn

Senior

Brown, who was an all-state second team member as a junior in 2022, has laced 23 goals (third in state) and collected nine assists through this season’s first 13 games. Washburn is among the top teams in the state at 12-1, and Brown is the team’s go-to player.

Coach Aaron Percy called Brown the “best forward in the state right now.” 

Ivan Ruiz, Farmington

Senior

Ruiz “leads the team at the top of the field,” according to coach Thomas Macmillan.

Farmington is 7-3-3 and are surging in large part due to the play of the senior forward. “He guides his teammates to success through his positive attitude and continuous desire to improve as an individual and a team,” said Macmillan. 

Jack Stang, St. Cloud Cathedral

Junior

Stang was an all-conference player in 2022. He tallied 17 goals and five assists as a sophomore in 19 games, and through the first 13 games of this season, has turned in 19 goals (tied-ninth in state) and eight assists.

“Jack provides speed and deadly finishing,” coach Alex Hess said. “He also is involved in the buildup of the attack by checking back to the ball and playing off the midfielders. In most cases, he is the lone attacker in our formation and he still is able to find success despite being double teamed during games.” 

Alex Quast, New Prague

Senior

Quast is among the state’s most productive goal scorers. The senior forward has notched 20 goals (eighth in the state) through 13 games.

He also has tallied three hat tricks and 33 total shots on goal to go along with a pair of assists. 

Marius Keita, Blaine

Junior

Keita is among the top scorers state-wide at the Class 3A level. Through 14 games, he has 17 goals (tied-13th in state) and 6 assists.

It’s been a breakout junior year for Keita, after he was named all-conference last season as a sophomore with six goals and three assists. 

Denzel Majwega, Duluth Marshall

Senior

Majwega burst onto the scene with 32 goals and nine assists last season, and through 14 games in 2023, has 22 goals (tied-fourth in the state) and 10 assists.

He was a first-team all-conference selection last season and may well be on the all-state teams this season.

“He will be one of two players considered Player of The Year in our region,” coach Michael Sengbush said.

Isaac Stone, Bemidji

Junior

Stone, a junior striker, finishes roughly 33% of his shots. Through 13 games in 2023, that’s taken the form of 21 goals (seventh in state) and four assists.

Last season, Stone was first-team all-conference as a sophomore with 12 goals and seven assists.

“Isaac is a goal-scorer,” coach Richard Tower said. “He is strong, fast and very good with the ball at his feet. He can finish with either foot.”

Caleb Campina, St. Cloud Tech

Senior

Campina plays both midfield and forward. He was named to the all-state second team in 2022, after tallying 14 goals and four assists. Through the early portion of 2023, he turned in nine goals and an assist.

“Campina is the total package when it comes to offensive threats,” coach Daniel Stoterau. “He has shown that he can score in a variety of ways including fast breaks, volleys, set pieces, and from distance. His quickness and energy are near the top of players I have coached at Tech.”

Hussein Mohamed, Rochester Century

Senior

Huessein is second in the state in scoring with 24 goals, according to MN Soccer Hub. Mohamed has filled a void of scoring production left by graduated players successfully.

“He is creative and helps set the pace of our play,” coach Hal Houghton said. “Hussein knows how to utilize teammates to get open, which is becoming more difficult as teams begin to focus on his play. He was a good player last year but was frequently hobbled by nagging injuries.” 

Jonathan Bartolomeos, Maranatha Christian

Junior

Bartolomeos has played in all 11 of his team’s games, scoring five times and assisting on another five goals.

His speed and dribbling ability stand out to coach Adi Bilani. “Very few defenders are a match for him,” Bilani said. “He either outruns them, out-maneuvers them, or both.”

Elijah Jensen, Minnehaha Academy

Sophomore

Through his team’s first 10 games, Jensen led the team with eight goals and was second with five assists. Last season, he was an all-conference selection.

Jensen has been on varsity since he was a seventh grader and has manned a variety of roles. This year, that’s materialized in the form of a deadly striker, who’s already scored four game-winning goals.

“Despite his age, Elijah stands out because of his high soccer IQ, and his ability to control the ball and make the dribbles and passes that break down defenses.” coach Sean Jensen said.

Ronan McGreevy, Minnehaha Academy

Senior

McGreevy is a “relentless worker who plays with intensity and speed,” according to Jensen. A co-captain, McGreevy has four goals and two game-winners this season.

“Ronan’s energy and work ethic are infectious,” Jensen said. 

Jonathan Banegas, Worthington

Senior

Through 10 games, Banegas has scored 16 goals and collected 19 assists (second in state) for Worthington.

The Trojans are 11-1-1 and Banegas’ prowess up front has been a leading reason for the success. 

Marlon Seahorn Jr., Kennedy

Sophomore

Seahorn Jr., despite his youth, has been highly productive on a state-wide level.

Through 12 games this season, he’s tallied 22 goals (tied-fourth in state) and seven assists for the 10-2 Eagles. 

Jacob Dinzeo, Hill-Murray

Senior

Dinzeo is one of the premier players in the state for a Hill-Murray team that has state title aspirations. Dinzeo led the Pioneers to runners-up in Class 2A last season. This season, he’s recorded 15 goals and 10 assists in 14 games played. 

Maid Medic, Spring Lake Park

Senior

Medic has a team-leading 13 goals and seven assists so far this season. He’s had four games with two goals.

Stiven Muellner, DeLaSalle

Senior

Muellner has been an all-around force for the Class 2A runner-up Islanders. He had 14 goals and 14 assists through 15 games last season. 

Antwane Ruiz, Richfield

Senior

The junior had 24 goals and 11 assists in 20 games last season, and this season he has 14 goals and five assists through 11 games.

Marcus Congdon, Sartell

Senior

Congdon is one of the best forwards at setting up his teammates. He has 18 assists so far this season, which is good for fifth in the state. He also has 10 goals.

Blaine Batchelor, Stillwater

Senior

Batchelor has the fourth most assists in the state with 18. He had three assists in a 3-0 win against Forest Lake on October 5. 

Dominick Kamrath, New Ulm

Senior

Kamrath is an all-round forward who has scored 20 goals and 19 assists this season thus far.

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Jack Butler contributed to this article.