Minnesota high school boys soccer: meet the top defenders and goalkeepers

These 20 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 defenders and goalkeepers in the state this season.

The following athletes will be included in our "Who is the top defender or goalkeeper in Minnesota high school soccer" poll to be posted later on Thursday.

Earlier this week, SBLive compiled the top forwards and midfielders.

Vote: Who is the top midfielder in Minnesota high school boys soccer?

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

Top defenders and goalkeepers in Minnesota high school boys soccer

Everett Hoeppner, Academy of Holy Angels

Senior

Hoeppner is a four-year starter at center back and a two-time captain. He started in, and won, two section finals in both 2020 and 2021, but missed states due to Covid-19 in 2020 and an injury the following year.

A first-team all-state member last year, Hoeppner has helped the Stars (12-0-2) to five shutouts on the year.

“Everett's value is undeniable,” coach James See said. “He is a constant ball winner on defensive set pieces and plays every valuable minute.”

Caleb Hanse, Stewartville

Senior

Hanse is the catalyst of the team, according to Stewartville coach Chris Kuisle. A team captain, Hanse has been integral in pushing a young team in the right direction, since joining on as a sophomore in 2021.

After being named to an all-conference team as a sophomore, Hanse missed last season with a knee injury, but returned for his senior season “stronger and faster than everything.”

“He dominates the middle third of the field, making attacking players crumple with his strong tackles,” Kuisle said. “The stat book will never show what he means to the team's success, although the few times he does join the attack, he has proven to be dangerous.”

Noah Root, Stewartville

Sophomore

Root has been “lights out” on the backline so far this season. In his third season on varsity, Root, who missed his freshman year with a broken ankle, has become the defense’s leader.

“Noah not only can shut down elite attackers in one-on-one situations,” Kuisle said, “but he sees the entire field and is the field general for our squad. He orchestrates our defensive shape throughout the entire match with his high soccer IQ and unmatched field vision… [His] stock is only going up and he is certainly one to watch.”

Levi Senne, Princeton

Junior

An all-conference honorable mention in 2022, Senne is a multi-year starter for a 2022 Class AA State Tournament team. He’s scored two goals and contributed four assists for the 8-4-1 Tigers.

Senne is the leader of a defense with several new faces, as well as a new goalie.

“His communication, pace and vision on the field has helped the new starters feel comfortable and confident,” coach Jason Senne said. 

Andrew Heiden, Robbinsdale Armstrong

Freshman

Heiden played both junior varsity and varsity as an eighth grader, and has slid into a more full-time varsity role as a true freshman.

“Andrew excels in his ability to defend and help our backline with his ability to cover and mark the opposing side's best players,” coach Marcus Anthony said. “There aren’t any stats that would show how talented [he] is because his work ethic and his determination are outstanding.”

Bennett Higgins, Robbinsdale Armstrong

Senior

An all-conference player last season, Higgins was named a captain entering the year. He brings leadership and fundamental skills to Anthony’s program.

“Bennett is the rock that anchors our team's defense,” Anthony said. “His positioning, communication, and ability to read the game make him a reliable presence at the back, providing stability and reassurance to the entire team.”

Teagan Gazdzik, St. Cloud Tech

Senior

Gazdzik brings a well-rounded presence to the backend for coach Daniel Stoterau.

The center back, and team captain, leads the defense with “a calming and level headed presence that helps our team stay focused,” said Stoterau. “He makes tough tackles and helps lock down opponent attacks.”

Brad Tang, Farmington

Junior

Tang has stepped into the role of center back this season and has “far surpassed” the expectations of coach Thomas Macmillan.

“He has worked vigorously off the field to be physically and mentally prepared for the role,” Macmillan said. “Our season would likely be far different without him in that role.”

Jacob Plante, St. Cloud Cathedral

Senior

Plante, a senior captain, was an all-state first team honoree last season. His play on defense is a leading reason for the team’s 13-0 record and mere two goals allowed.

“He is a fantastic leader and his play is a calming factor for the rest of the team,” coach Alex Hess said. “[He] takes a lot of pride in keeping the team's attack away and getting clean sheets for the team.”

Elias Drong, St. Cloud Cathedral

Senior

Drong missed seven games as a junior but this season has grown into the team’s “Swiss Army Knife,” with the ability to play all over the midfield and backend.

“He is an excellent defender and uses his body to create space for himself and can cross balls from one side of the field to the other,” Hess said. “He is an excellent leader and leads by example through his hard work.” 

Jackson Widman, Wayzata

Senior

Widman plays left back, but contributes offensively, too. The senior has six goals and an assist for Wayzata (12-0-2).

“He is a good one-on-one defensive player,” coach Dominic Duenas said. “[He’s] great in the air, and does an excellent job attacking and defending set pieces for us.”

Tyler Kelner, Winona

Senior

A three-year varsity player, Kelner is one of the “best defenders” that head man Oscar Uribe has ever coached. Last year, the defender was a key piece in a team that set the mark for best record in program history.

“He has a low center of gravity,” Uribe said. “He is skilled and explosive. It is almost impossible to beat him in a one-on-one battle. He is a quiet leader that leads by example… Tyler is not flashy and that is why he gets overlooked.”

Evan Paton, Minnehaha Academy

Senior

Paton was an all-conference honorable mention last season and as a senior has anchored coach Sean Jensen’s defense at center back. Last season, he led the team with 235 recoveries, but has already surpassed that mark this season.

“Evan relies on his soccer IQ and aggressiveness to make defensive plays, and he’s strong in the air and has a strong foot,” Jensen said. “He takes some of our free kicks and is often a target on corner kicks, due to his strong aerial instincts.”

Christopher Tree, Pine Island/Zumbrota-Mazeppa

Senior

Tree both anchors PIZM’s defense, while providing an offensive sparkle. He’s scored eight goals (tied for team-high) and leads the team with 10 assists for a 9-2-1 team.

A team captain, Tree has been an all-conference player for three years and earned an all-state second team bid last season.

Callum Greenan, Duluth East

Senior

Greenan has been a captain for all four years of his career and continues to cement his case as one of the state’s top defenders.

Greeman has also scored a pair of goals for Duluth East (7-3-3). 

Dane Paul, Hill-Murray

Junior

Paul was a 2022 All-Metro Honorable Mention and helped the Pioneers to the Class 2A runner-up season. This season, the Pioneers have held opponents to 12 goals in 17 games.

Owen Quist, Mankato East

Quist has played 16 games and he has an 83.4 percent save percentage and 1.64 goals against. He also has one assist. 

Sean Christenson, New Prague

Senior

Christenson has led the Trojans in goal to an 11-4-2 record. He has an 83.2 percent save percentage with 1.28 goals against average. 

Alexander Keekley, Minnetonka

Junior

Keekly is in goal for one of the best teams in the state. He’s only allowing 0.47 goals per game on a 86.5 save percentage. 

Jackson Baker, Holy Family

Baker’s 0.79 goals against average is one of the best in the state. He has an 88.5 save percentage.

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