All-Metro boys soccer 2023: Loyola Blakefield’s Dan Klink named Player of the Year
Here are The Baltimore Sun’s All-Metro boys soccer teams for the 2023 season.
Player of the Year
Dan Klink, Loyola Blakefield, junior, forward-midfielder
As first impressions go, Klink makes a big one on the field with his 6-foot-3 frame, polished skills and the ability to impact a game in several ways.
This season, Klink’s impression proved lasting, capped by a sensational two-goal performance in the No. 1 Dons’ 3-1 win over No. 2 John Carroll in the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference championship game.
The North Carolina commit opened the scoring late in the first half and added his second goal early in the second half to pave the way for the program’s first unbeaten season and third league crown.
“We had a shared goal and we worked hard toward it as one, and that was key,” Klink said. “To go unbeaten in the regular season drove us even more — first time in program history — and then we definitely brought our A-game in the title game, no denying that. We had everything going for us, had all four burners going and a lot of it was our mentality going in. We had a lot of respect for John Carroll going in, but didn’t have any fear.”
“It’s really important that you have personality on the field, especially in big games, and Dan was able to show that,” Loyola Blakefield coach Mike Marchiano said. “He brings a good balance to the game. He’s hard-working, he’s athletic, he’s tough and able to play a couple different positions and carry out different roles.
“He’s somebody that we relied on a lot this year and certainly his balance and performance and the different things he was able to offer to a game were ultimately what allowed our team to be successful.”
Also seeing time at midfield, Klink finished with eight goals and eight assists this season.
“It’s a real honor and I can’t be any more grateful,” Klink said of being named All-Metro Player of the Year. “There’s tons and tons of great players in the area and to be the one to stand out is really an honor. I’m so appreciative of all my teammates and coaches for their support. Without them, I wouldn’t have this award so I give them a ton of credit.”
Coach of the Year
Mike Marchiano, Loyola Blakefield
Previously serving as coach at Drexel University in Philadelphia, Marchiano inherited a quality core at Loyola and maxed out the team’s potential in guiding the No. 1 Dons (14-0-4) to the program’s first unbeaten season and third MIAA A Conference championship.
First and foremost, Marchiano demanded consistency intending to improve every day. The Dons did just that, and their finest performance came in the title game — a dominant 3-1 win over No. 2 John Carroll.
With strong leadership coming from seven seniors and a sensational junior class led by Klink, the Dons formed an unbreakable bond to claim their unprecedented success.
“We just tried to harp on these guys to be consistent and they absolutely were throughout the season. So we’re thrilled, we’re humbled to be able to leave the season with that record and it’ll be an amazing memory for them and great representation for Loyola Blakefield,” Marchiano said.
A standout midfielder during his playing days at McDonogh and Maryland, Marchiano won one MIAA A Conference title for the Eagles before being part of two national championship teams for the Terps, serving as a senior captain on the 2008 title team. At the end of last month, he left Loyola Blakefield to become an assistant for the Maryland women’s soccer team.
First team
Andrew Campbell, Severna Park, senior, forward
Campbell consistently overcame additional marking from defenses to produce for the Anne Arundel County champions, closing his four-year career with a 15-goal, three-assist senior campaign. Especially precise on set pieces, he scored twice in the No. 8 Falcons’ 3-2 win over South River in the county title game, including the winner in double overtime.
Matt Luk, C. Milton Wright, senior, forward
Luk’s highly gifted skills combined with quick decision-making and pace kept him a step ahead of opponents, and the Harford County champion Mustangs (12-3-1) benefited greatly. In closing out a fine four-year career, Luk, who also played midfield, registered at least one goal or assist in 11 games on his way to finishing with 11 goals and 10 assists this season.
Dylan Martinez, River Hill, senior, forward
The dynamic captain welcomed the challenge of taking on defenders, bringing unmatched pace that was followed by a heavy left-footed shot and a surplus of goals. Martinez, a four-year varsity player who played center back his first two seasons, scored 23 goals and added two assists in leading the No. 10 Hawks (13-4) to the Class 3A state quarterfinals.
Josh Petty, John Carroll, senior, forward
The repeat first-team selection closed out a banner career with a 15-goal, eight-assist senior year that helped lead the No. 2 Patriots (11-3-6) to their second straight MIAA A Conference title game. Petty, who scored 57 goals in three seasons, was relentless in pursuit of the ball to generate scoring chances for himself and teammates.
McDonogh’s Kobe Keomany takes a shot in overtime against Archbishop Curley. The senior midfielder worked his way back from injury to finish the season with 12 goals and nine assists. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)
Kobe Keomany, McDonogh, senior, midfielder
Always playing with tremendous skill and pace that was difficult to match, Keomany, a second-team pick last year, was the pulse of the No. 4 Eagles (10-4-5) during their run to the MIAA A Conference semifinals. Despite missing significant time with a back injury, the captain worked his way back to form for the playoffs and finished with 12 goals and nine assists.
Hunter Marsden, South River, senior, midfielder
A four-year standout, Marsden finished with six goals and 12 assists in leading No. 3 South River (14-7) to the Class 3A state championship. He saved his best performance for last in the Seahawks’ 5-1 win over Towson in the title game, scoring a pivotal goal that made it 3-1 while adding two assists.
Danny Nesteruk, Eastern Tech, senior, midfielder
A four-year varsity regular, Nesteruk was steady and composed both in the middle of the field and the offensive third in leading the No. 12 Mavericks (12-3-2) to the Baltimore County championship. A fine first touch, quick decision-making and selfless play led to his 10-goal, 11-assist senior season.
Casey Price, Archbishop Curley, junior, midfielder
Price’s tremendous work rate combined with high skills and instincts made him one of the area’s finest ball winners in the middle of the field, particularly in the air. The captain finished with nine goals and two assists in leading the No. 7 Friars (12-5-6) to the MIAA A Conference semifinals.
Gavin Carmichael, Loyola Blakefield, senior, defender
Highly composed with fine game sense and skills, the repeat first-team pick was the starting point in the back that helped unbeaten Loyola post seven shutouts on its way to the MIAA A Conference crown. The captain was consistently first to the ball and showed poise with it in the Dons’ strong possession game.
Logan Ehart, Howard, senior, defender
A standout midfielder the past two years, Ehart brought his smooth play to center back and dominated as No. 5 Howard (13-2) won its first Howard County title since 1989 and reached the Class 3A state semifinals. He was the driving force in the team’s 10 shutouts and also contributed three goals and two assists.
Emmett Kershner, McDonogh, senior, defender-midfielder
Kershner’s leadership, versatility and game sense were on full display this season when he moved from left back to center midfield to help the team overcome injuries. Always around the ball, he contributed three goals and seven assists while playing with urgency.
Eddie Smith, John Carroll, senior, defender
A three-year starter and second-team pick last year, Smith brought an innate ability to defend, relying on impeccable instincts and a tenacious work ethic. He was the driving force in eight shutouts and contributed offensively with four goals and three assists.
Matt Tettemer, Broadneck, senior, goalkeeper
A three-year starter, Tettemer brought all the tools needed to protect the net, including smart positioning, quality instincts and vocal command to direct defenders. In the No. 15 Bruins’ 11-5 season, he turned back 78% of the shots that came his way with 56 saves.
Second team
Grant Miller, Manchester Valley, senior, forward
Donnie Powell, Glen Burnie, senior, forward
Nicholas Antonakas, Hereford, senior, midfielder
Jack Brusse, South River, senior, midfielder
Nicolas Chinchilla, North County, junior, midfielder
Jake Del Visco, Towson, senior, midfielder
Cole Mastal, South River, senior, midfielder
Sammie Walker, Loyola Blakefield, junior, midfielder
Owen Conway, Bel Air, senior, defender
Nick Lentz, Archbishop Curley, junior, defender
Declan Karney, Archbishop Spalding, senior, defender
CJ Supan, John Carroll, senior, defender
Jonathan Sanchez, Mt. Hebron, junior, goalkeeper