During the 2025 Iowa high school boys soccer season, one Ames-area school won a state championship, and another made it to the state tournament.
In Class 2A, Gilbert picked up its second state championship in three years by defeating Bishop Heelan, 3-2, in the championship game in Des Moines. In 3A, Ames returned to the state tournament for the second time in three years, falling to Johnston in the 3A quarterfinals, 2-1, to end with a 15-4-1 record.
Nevada rebounded from a 6-10 2024 season to post a winning 9-7-1 record and Ballard finished 1-16-1.
Several talented players are returning from those teams for the 2026 season.
This is just a preseason list, so plenty of new names could emerge during the season. But here, in alphabetical order by last name, are the top 10 boys high school soccer players in the Ames area right now.
Adam Benbah, Ames
Position: Midfielder/Forward
Year: Senior
Benbah will be counted on to step up his role in the midfield or at forward on an Ames team that lost a lot of talent off last year’s state tournament team.
He was a productive performer in his limited time during the Little Cyclones’ state tournament run in 2025, finishing with three goals and two assists despite playing just nine games.
Cole Crawford, Gilbert
Position: Defender
Year: Sophomore
Crawford is coming off an impactful freshman season for Gilbert.
He helped the Tigers claim the 2A state championship by playing standout defense in the back row and being a big offensive weapon on goal kicks. Crawford finished the season with one goal and one assist.
Gavin Egeland, Nevada
Position: Midfielder
Year: Senior
Egeland has been Nevada’s top offensive weapon over the past two seasons.
The speedy midfielder has recorded 22 goals and six assists in his career, including eight goals and two assists in 2025.
Logan Harswick, Gilbert
Position: Defender
Year: Senior
Harswick has been the anchor of Gilbert’s defense for the past three seasons.
He played a big role in Gilbert’s 2023 2A state championship and an even bigger one during the Tigers’ state semifinal run in 2024 and their 2025 title. During those three years, Harswick helped Gilbert record 37 shutouts.
Drake Hinson, Nevada
Year: Senior
Position: Keeper
Hinson has been outstanding while manning the net for Nevada over the past two seasons.
He has totaled 138 saves over the past two seasons. He made 74 saves at an 80% success rate in 2025.
Matthias Roettger, Ames
Position: Midfielder/Forward
Year: Senior
Roettger is another player Ames will need increased production from to replace all of the talent it lost from the 2025 team.
Roettger will help out in the midfield and at forward. He finished last season with five goals and four assists.
Cedar Smith, Nevada
Position: Center Back
Year: Senior
Smith was a defensive end on Nevada’s 2025 3A state champion football team and his physical style of play is perfect for being the last line of defense on the Cub boys soccer team.
He helped Nevada record six shutouts and hold five other opponents to just one goal last season. He also had one assist on offense.
Preston Stensland, Gilbert
Position: Midfielder
Year: Senior
Stensland has been a key piece to all three of Gilbert’s deep state tournament runs, from 2023-2025, and he will look to do even more in 2026.
He accounted for five goals and four assists on Gilbert’s 2023 championship team and he followed that up with 10 assists and five goals in 2024. Last season, Stensland handed out eight assists and scored three goals during the Tigers’ title run.
Isaac Swisher, Ballard
Position: Keeper
Year: Junior
Swisher is back at keeper for Ballard in 2025.
During his sophomore season, Swisher recorded 141 saves on a solid 81% success rate. He could also be counted on to help out a little bit in the field this season.
Billy Terrones, Gilbert
Position: Midfielder
Year: Senior
Terrones gives Gilbert an all-state caliber midfielder.
He was an important part of the 2023 and 2025 Tiger state championship teams and the 2024 state semifinalist group. Along with controlling the field and playing great defense, Terrones scored one goal in 2023, tallied one goal and an assist in 2024 and two assists in 2025.
Joe Randleman covers high school sports for the Ames Tribune. Contact him at jrandleman@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JoeRandleman
This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: 10 Ames-area Iowa high school boys soccer players to watch in 2026
Reporting by Joe Randleman, Ames Tribune / Ames Tribune
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