Editor's note: The Thurston Chronicle's All-Area selections do not include Tumwater, Black Hills, Rochester, Tenino or Rainier high schools. These schools will be included in The Chronicle's All-Area honors.
The North Thurston Rams took a big leap from a 6-8-3 season in 2024 to a 10-4-4 campaign in 2025. They entered 2026 with high expectations after a short stint in the district tournament and were looking for someone to usher them into the next tier.
Across the roster, everyone stepped up their game, but one freshman made a robust first impression to lead the Rams back to the state tournament for the first time in three years.
Rayan Moustafa, a freshman central attacking midfielder from North Thurston High School, is the first ever Thurston Chronicle All-Area Boys Soccer MVP. He stuffed the stat sheet in his debut season, netting 15 goals while dishing out 12 assists.
Of North Thurston’s 41 goals scored in 2026, Moustafa had a hand, or rather a foot in soccer terms, in 27 of those. The Rams scored 27 goals all of 2025.
“It means everything. I’m happy to have had a good season with my team,” Moustafa said of earning the All-Area MVP. “Getting the ball and hyping up my teammates to bring us this far was very good.”
Moustafa’s coaches praised the freshman for his talent early in the season, but his breakout night came on April 9 when he scored four goals against River Ridge, and he followed it up with two goals in the following game against Lakes.
“I was just being hungry, being aggressive and attacking everybody’s back line,” Moustafa said of his approach this season.
North Thurston quietly got hotter as the postseason approached and won some wild games in high-stakes situations, including a penalty kick shootout win over rival Timberline in a winner-to-state game. While some key pieces are graduating next week, the Rams should still contend in the Puget Sound League again behind Moustafa in 2027.
“We’ve got to bring up the same energy and hopefully go for the championship next year,” Moustafa said.
The full All-Area Team is listed below:
Jaden Annan, Capital, wing/central midfielder
Annan was named Capital’s team MVP after posting 16 goals and six assists in his junior campaign. He helped lead the Cougars to their best season in a decade as the team won the Puget Sound League Nisqually Division.
Elliott Arvidson, Olympia, defender
Arvidson, a junior, was one of the top defenders in the South Puget Sound League. Opposing coaches certainly agreed with that assessment, as he was voted a First Team All-SPSL defender. On offense, he dished out two assists. Arvidson displayed toughness for the final stretch of the season, battling through injury to provide stout defense for the Bears.
Brett Bartsch, Olympia, forward
Bartsch enjoyed a standout sophomore campaign offensively, scoring 12 goals while handing out five assists. The tall forward was a matchup nightmare with his ball-handling skills and speed as he helped lead Olympia back to the state tournament.
Declan Borden, Olympia, goalkeeper
There’s only one way Borden likes his sheets: clean. The senior goalkeeper was responsible for 10 shutouts for Olympia and was named to the All-SPSL Second Team in his final prep season.
Leonardo Cortez, North Thurston, wing
Cortez was responsible for 23 goals for North Thurston, including 10 goals of his own and 13 via assist. The senior wing was a reliable offensive producer for the Rams as they advanced to the state tournament.
William Doerrheim, North Thurston, goalkeeper
Doerrheim missed the first couple of games but made an immense impact upon his return. He led North Thurston to eight clean sheets, and he saved four penalty kicks, including one in the Rams’ district winner-to-state game win over Timberline. Doerrheim didn’t concede many shots but protected his team from danger on numerous occasions.
Quinton Fisher, Capital, center back/fullback/wing/central midfielder
Fisher has an argument for the area’s most versatile player, as he played every position except forward and goalkeeper. The senior capped off his prep career with four goals and three assists for the Cougars.
Tanner Fricke, Capital, forward
Fricke took home the team’s Offensive MVP honors after scoring 17 goals and recording six assists in his senior season. He played a significant role in turning Capital’s program around and left it better than he found it, as the Cougars went from two wins in his freshman year to 13 in 2026.
Balde Irakoze, North Thurston, defender
Irakoze was a lockdown defender whose impact on the pitch was invaluable for the Rams. His speed and physicality set a tone for the North Thurston leadership, and the defensive midfielder scored a goal on offense this season.
Arilson Lima Filho, Timberline, striker
Lima Filho scored 10 goals for a Timberline team that was close to its first state berth in 35 years. He is poised to be one of the Blazers’ top players in 2027.
Stefan Lucenko, Olympia, defender
An honorable mention on All-SPSL list Lucenko’s defensive prowess was a boost to an Olympia team that didn’t allow many goals in 2026. He tacked on one goal and two assists on offense.
Mike Navarrete, Timberline, center back/striker
Navarrete led the Blazers with 16 goals in his senior season and provided a steady foot in multiple PK shootouts in the district tournament, nailing both of his attempts.
Casey Smith, Olympia, midfielder
Smith created a bevy of offensive opportunities for the Bears, cashing in with three goals and five assists in his senior season en route to a First Team All-SPSL selection.
Daniel Smith, River Ridge, central midfielder
Smith earned a team captain role as a sophomore and created the most chances for a young River Ridge team, averaging around four chances per game with one assist this season.
