As the 2025 season winds down, MassLive is taking a position-by-position look at some of the year’s top high school boys soccer players in Massachusetts.
Our latest list focuses on the best goalkeepers in the state. (Earlier: FORWARDS | MIDFIELDERS | DEFENDERS)
We contacted MIAA schools across the state and asked them to have their boys soccer coach fill out a survey requesting information about their team. These lists were compiled primarily based on the information provided by the coaches who chose to respond.
Think you belong on this list? Encourage your coach to fill out the survey!
If you are an MIAA high school boys soccer coach who did not receive the survey, email jhumburg@advancelocal.com. We will continue to add to these lists as appropriate. (Note: Most statistics are through mid-October.)
BEST BOYS SOCCER GOALKEEPERS IN MASSACHUSETTS
Romer Basulto, jr., Lynn Vo-Tech
Basulto missed a full season because of injury. “But despite his absence, he came back strong this season as a junior,” Tigers coach Eric Moreno said. “He helped the team keep a clean sheet in multiple games, and his skills have improved tremendously.”
Ward Bianchi, jr., Mount Greylock Regional
Bianchi is a standout keeper and a team leader — Mounties coach Chris Kapiloff said he almost certainly will be voted a captain next year. The coach added that Bianchi is a great overall athlete and person. “He is a national-level javelin thrower in the spring, and he started a mental health outreach club at our school,” Kapiloff said.
Eliot Bicknell, sr., Somerville
“He has made incredible saves — game-changing saves this year,” Highlanders coach Tiago Moreira said of the senior captain. “He has also had a couple assists from field vison perfect punt outlets. Great footwork, amazing hands.”
Gavin Brennan, sr., Nipmuc
Warriors coach Bryan Devenney said Brennan has elevated his game as a senior goalkeeper. “He has been stingy to our opponents and when called upon has made some amazing saves at important times of the game,” Devenney said.
Jimmy Campbell, jr., Abington
Campbell is the Green Wave’s starting goalkeeper as a junior. “He earned his spot this year after showing promise last year,” Abington coach Brian Claus said. “Jimmy’s positioning and shot-stopping ability has been very solid. A difficult keeper to beat.”
Aiden Chrabascz, sr., Longmeadow
Lancers coach John Pantuosco describes Chrabascz as “an intimidating figure” on the field. “He can jump, dive, throw and kick as well as anyone, if not better,” Pantuosco said. “Aiden has incredible goalie skills and is one of the most talented keepers in the region. He has made some amazing saves this year. He distributes the ball really well and is great in the air.” As of mid-October, Chrabascz had six shutouts this season and had allowed less than a goal per game on average.
Jack Cusson, so., Frontier Regional
Cusson started as a freshman on the Red Hawks’ Final Four team. This season, he had five shutouts as of mid-October. “What he may lack in size, he makes up for in pure goalkeeper athletic skill,” Frontier Regional coach Evan Horton said. “He comes up big for us when we need him to.”
Parker DaCosta, jr., Uxbridge
DaCosta was learning on the job as a first-year varsity keeper. As of late October, he had a goals against average of 1.21. “He has kept us in some tight games by making key stops in critical situations,” Spartans coach Bruce Chartier said. Among the colleges DaCosta is considering are the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the University of Miami, San Diego State University, New York University, Purdue University, Penn State, the University of California, the University of Chicago, Duke University and Yale University.
Xavier Davis, jr., Springfield International Charter
Davis has more than 500 high school saves, and he has stopped 85 percent of the penalty kicks he’s faced. “X is a soccer guru,” Bulldogs coach Craig Constantinos said. “He is the best goaltender we have seen here at SICS by far. X makes the big save you need to be a winner. When you beat our last man back, then you have to deal with X. And it’s not easy to beat X.” What makes “X” so special? “He was born to play goal and is fun to watch,” Constantinos said. “His catlike airborne saves on a regular basis are extremely impressive.” He also stands out for his leadership. “Besides what he does in the net, X behind the scenes somehow finds the time to bring his teammates together to play and improve,” Constantinos said. “He is an asset to this program. X is always teaching and leading his teammates to success. We are very fortunate to have such a player. Future looks bright for SICS with X in the net!”
Matthew Droggitis, sr., St. John’s Prep
In Eagles coach Dave Crowell’s opinion, Droggitis isn’t just the best goalkeeper in Massachusetts, he’s one of the state’s best players, period. “We consistently play back to Matt’s feet because he is like another field player with strong dribbling and passing skills,” Crowell said. “His punts and goal kicks are exceptional, but it is his passing ability that sets him apart. He can make a simple 10-yard pass but can also hit a 40–50-yard pass on a dime. He totally controls his box, whether it be on crosses, corners or free kicks.” Droggitis was a Catholic Conference and EMASS all-star as a sophomore. He added all-state recognition as a junior. “Every year, part of his game has improved,” Crowell said. Through 13 starts this season, Droggitis had allowed four goals and recorded 10 shutouts. “We would not be where we are without him,” Crowell said.
Nick Fein, sr., Norwell
Fein was a first-year starter as a senior, filling the shoes of league all-star Nolan McKenna. “Nick has stepped into the role quite well,” Clippers coach Michael O’Dea said. “This is Nick’s first year playing goalie since his eighth-grade year, but he has taken to the position quickly, improving every time out.” As of late October, Fein had allowed only five goals all season, keeping clean sheets in nine of 13 games. “His distribution and ability to start attacks has been phenomenal, and he has been a key contributor to our success,” O’Dea said.
Jack Gaudreau, sr., Ware
Charlene Vallee started coaching the Ware varsity boys soccer team four years ago. At that point, the team needed a goalie, and when Vallee asked who would be interested, Gaudreau, a three-sport athlete, volunteered to give the position a try. Four years later, he has 760 saves, two undefeated regular seasons and a Western Mass final appearance. “During the Western Mass final two years ago, the other team was constantly making ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ at the saves he was making,” Vallee said. “They could not believe that he was only a sophomore at that time. I hear consistently from other coaches and referees about how good Jack is and then they ask if he is playing in college. Jack is one of the most coachable players I have ever had in my 26 years of coaching at the high school level.” While most of the 2025 season was a struggle for Ware, having Gaudreau in goal kept the scores much closer than they could have been, Vallee said. According to the coach, the senior captain will continue to have a positive impact on the program even after he graduates. “He is a strong leader and role model for the younger players,” Vallee said. “He is everything a coach could ask for in a player.”
Jaeden Hays, jr., New Mission
Through 10 league games, Hays had allowed only five goals. The team’s first eight wins were all shutouts. “Jaeden has been an outstanding keeper for the New Mission Titans,” coach Tim Maher said. “As a captain, Jaeden’s intense work ethic rubs off on his teammates.”
Chase Henderson, sr., Minnechaug
The senior captain was an all-state selection last year. “Hardest-working player on our team,” Falcons coach John O’Keefe said. “Extraordinary desire to keep ball out of the goal. Plays high up field, fantastic footwork and distribution. Athletic, acrobatic. Human highlight reel!”
Will Hugg, jr., Belmont
“Will has started his varsity career this season and has improved his game to the point where his play, command of the box and aggressiveness have helped the squad win three straight Middlesex League matches,” Marauders coach Christopher Camille said midway through last month.
Jake Keane, jr., Keefe Tech
In his second season starting in goal, Keane “has provided dozens of phenomenal moments of individual brilliance this season,” Broncos coach Kyle Dudley said. “He’s been responsible for multiple clean sheets, and his decision-making in ball distribution is improving every game.” Among his most memorable moments this fall was an incredible performance in which he registered many game-preserving saves in a grueling 1-0 road victory versus Auburn.
Ben Kwateng, so., Collegiate Charter School of Lowell
Wolves coach Jeffrey Damata offered a succinct assessment of the sophomore’s season: “Great first year as goalkeeper!”
Zach Lapointe, jr., North Attleboro
Lapointe is highly regarded for his ability as well as his leadership on the field. “Zach is a very good shot-stopper — great reaction saves and very quick off his line to control balls into the box,” Rocketeers coach Geoff Burgess said. “He is a smaller goalkeeper that has to use his athletic ability to make up for his lack of size. He has a strong voice that helps to organize the defense.”
Josh Legier, so., Shepherd Hill Regional
Legier is the anchor of the team’s much-improved defensive front. “Josh is most assuredly the most exciting goalkeeper in Central Massachusetts,” Rams coach Tim Cormier said. “Josh is good for at least two to three ridiculous saves per game, which leave opponents scratching their heads. His instincts are sharp, and his abilities are truly generational.” As of late October, Legier was averaging more than 10 saves per game, with a high of 21. “What’s more is that he’s the friendliest guy on the team, completely unassuming and free of ego,” Cormier said.
Cameron Martins, sr., Mystic Valley Regional Charter
Martins posted two shutouts in the first half of the season, and Eagles coach Eric Martin isn’t shy with his praise for the senior keeper. “One of the better shot-stoppers in high school soccer,” Martin said. “He’s had numerous huge saves to keep us in games or help win games.”
Elijah McGonigle, sr., Westport
Through 15 games this season, McGonigle had nine clean sheets, 71 saves and just five goals allowed. “He is a vocal leader in helping his teammates remain organized and connected within the defensive final third of the field,” Wildcats coach Chris Parker said.
Edwin Menjivar Carbajal, jr., Everett
“Edwin has had a great year commanding in between the sticks,” Crimson Tide coach Rodney Landaverde said. “He earned his first varsity start as a sophomore last year in the preliminary round playoff game against Beverly, and he had a fantastic game with seven saves.” This season, he had four clean sheets through mid-October and had saved two penalty kicks. “He is truly a natural talent in net,” Landaverde said. “He has demonstrated his exceptional reflexes making great saves and stopping shots that could have taken us out of many games. Edwin has become a very vocal leader in net and never backs down from any shot coming his way. I can see Edwin being a fantastic player for any college team, and any team would be lucky to have a team-orientated player like him who will do anything to save a shot from getting past him.”
Santiago Montoya, jr., East Boston
“Fantastic reflexes, soft hands and controls the box,” Jets coach Jayson Smith said. “He also is very accurate with his restarts.”
Ahmad Omar Osmanzai, jr., Claremont Academy
“Ahmad understands the importance of directing his defensive line, closing the angle on an opponent and calling for the ball,” Claremont Academy coach Barbara Battle said. “While this year has been a growth year for the team and goals have been let in, the amount of goals stopped is incredible. I had to stop counting! Over and over, his skills have been tested this season, as in the past, and he clearly loves his job on the team.” Osmanzai also is an excellent student who plans to pursue a medical career and perhaps become a surgeon.
Nate Rutkowski, jr., Hopedale
Rutkowski had four clean sheets in the first month of the season. “Physically strong, long and athletic,” Blue Raiders coach Greg LaBossiere said.
Alec Smagula, sr., Brookline
Smagula is a team captain and two-year starter. “Having the most difficult schedule in the state, we have relied on him to keep us in games,” Warriors coach Kyle Beaulieu-Jones said. “Excellent leadership in the back and takes control on aerial balls in the back.”
Nate Taylor, sr., Blackstone Valley Tech
“Nate works harder than anyone I’ve seen in goal,” Beavers coach Justin Asam said. “He has made many game-saving saves to keep us in games, giving us the best chance to win or come back when down. His punt is dangerous when hit right, giving us a great chance to attack through the opposing team’s defensive line.”
Noah Vadnais, sr., Hampden Charter School of Science
“After dedicating his junior year to academic excellence with a full AP course load, Noah has made a triumphant return to soccer for his senior season, successfully balancing both academic and athletic commitments,” Hampden Charter School of Science coach Andre Martinez said. “As our starting goalkeeper, he combines exceptional athleticism with versatility, capable of playing any position on the field. His defining moment came in our away victory at Athol, where his commanding presence and strategic vision helped secure the win despite being a man down early in the first half.” Vadnais is more than just a great soccer player and an exceptional goalie, Martinez said — he’s the complete package. “Noah’s combination of leadership, athletic versatility, coachability and team-first attitude makes him an invaluable asset to any squad,” Martinez said. As of mid-October, Vadnais had 45 saves, five goals and two assists.
Andrew Vilakis, sr., Pioneer Valley Christian Academy
Vilakis has had a major impact on the program during his high school tenure. “Andrew has been our stopping force for the past four seasons and will be sadly missed for his ability as being a great goalkeeper,” Eagles coach Ken Korzec said.
Drake Wing, jr., Athol
Wing is a junior captain who plays year-round on many different club teams. “He is the vocal leader and has been the starting goalie on varsity since his eighth-grade year,” Bears coach Justin Brown said. “His soccer instincts and IQ stand out above most.”
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