Vote for the best high school boys soccer defenders ahead of 2026
· Yahoo Sports
Soccer fans have delighted in watching the best offensive players in the sport score one clutch goal after another in the FIFA World Cup.
Visit sportbet.rodeo for more information.
But as in other sports, defense wins championships. While center backs and fullbacks don’t fill up the stat sheet, keeping goals from scoring and protecting your goalkeeper is just as important as finding the back of the net on the other end. Here are some of the best in Cincinnati in doing that as the new season approaches.
Be sure to vote for your favorite using the ballot at the end of the story. You can vote once an hour until 4 p.m. Friday.
Santiago Dreher, Seven Hills
The senior helped the Stingers to a 15-6-1 record, allowing only 20 goals in 22 games. He earned all-district honors and first-team All-Miami Valley Conference honors by providing energy, skill and consistency as a key piece of the Stingers' defense.
Cole Gross, Mariemont
The senior helped the Warriors to a 17-3-1 record, allowing 13 goals in 21 games with 13 shutouts. He was second-team All-Cincinnati Hills League.
Thomas Harp, Mariemont
The senior helped the Warriors to a 17-3-1 record, allowing 13 goals in 21 games with 13 shutouts. He was an all-district and first-team All-Cincinnati Hills League honoree. He contributed three goals and three assists on offense.
Joey Kurtz, Walnut Hills
The senior helped the Eagles to a share of the Eastern Cincinnati Conference championship, as the defense allowed only 10 goals all season. He had two goals and an assist on offense and was an all-district honoree.
Zac Linenkugel, St. Xavier
The junior did a lot of things for the Bombers, who were 12-5-4 last year. He helped the team allow 24 goals, 1.1 per game, and scored five on offense. He was second team all-league in the Greater Catholic League-South.
Cole Spaulding, Covington Catholic
The senior is a key returner on defense for the 2025 Kentucky state runner-ups. The Colonels allowed a goal per game in finishing with an 18-8-2 record.
Braxton Spinnati, New Richmond
The junior was first-team all-league and all-district, helping the Lions to an 8-10 record and four shutouts.
Mark Szalay, Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy
The senior helped the Eagles finish 12-3-2, leading a defense that allowed 20 goals in 17 games. He was first-team All-Miami Valley Conference and an all-district selection.
Sam Viltro, Summit Country Day
The junior helped the Silver Knights to a 12-6-6 record and the Division V state championship. He helped a defense that allowed 25 goals and posted 11 shutouts, and contributed three goals on offense. He was an all-district honoree.
Elijah Warner, Summit Country Day
The junior led the Silver Knights to a 12-6-6 record and the state championship. He anchored a defense that allowed 25 goals and posted 11 shutouts, and also posted four goals and five assists on offense. He was an All-American and All-Ohio selection. He was district player of the year co-player of the year in the Miami Valley Conference-Scarlet.
Additional boys soccer defenders to watch in 2026
Noah Baker, St. Henry; Eli Bostrom, Cincinnati Christian; Wade Fedders, Highlands; Chet Gardner, Walnut Hills; Noah Gilbert, Williamsburg; Zander Johnson, Wilmington; Greyson Kelley, Badin; Adam Kauffman, Lakota West; Sam Ramer, Eastern.
Vote for the top defender in Greater Cincinnati boys soccer
.oembed-frame {width:100%;height:100%;margin:0;border:0;}
Vote: Top 2026 preseason boys soccer defenderThis article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Vote for the best high school boys soccer defenders ahead of 2026