With 30 goals scored and 12 assists on the season, Waterloo senior Ben Huels was an obvious choice at the top of this year’s Republic-Times All-Local Team. (John Spytek photo)

The three-year streak of Monroe County high school soccer teams winning state titles ended this past fall, but it was certainly not due to a lack of talent.

Gibault placed third at state, and Waterloo lost in a thrilling sectional final after downing rival Columbia in an epic regional championship match.

There was plenty of star power on all three teams, as this year’s Republic-Times All-Local Soccer Team will attest.

FIRST TEAM
Ben Huels (Waterloo) – This senior was considered one of the top soccer players in the entire St. Louis area, finishing with 30 goals and 12 assists for the Bulldogs. He had eight game-winning goals on the year.
Ben Mueth (Gibault) – Also a senior, Mueth led the Hawks with 25 goals (six game-winning goals) and four assists. Mueth ended his Gibault career with a hat trick in the state third place game.
Philip Most (Waterloo) – Another senior at the top of our list, Most formed a potent one-two scoring punch with Huels for the Bulldogs. He finished with 22 goals and 15 assists on the season.
Connor Jackson (Columbia) – This senior led the Eagles in scoring with 15 goals and six assists on the season.
Dalton Scace (Gibault) – Another senior member of the state third place Hawks, Scace provided consistent scoring all season with 13 goals and 13 assists.
Ryan Stites (Waterloo) – One of the most talented all-around athletes on the list, this senior scored 10 goals with four assists for the Bulldogs and provided big game experience as a member of the 2015 state champion team.
Sam Spivey (Columbia) – a member of the all-state team, Spivey scored 10 goals with nine assists for the Eagles as a junior, including four game-winning goals.
Karson Huels (Gibault) – The second Huels to make this year’s list plays for Gibault, where he scored eight goals with 14 assists during a stellar sophomore season.
Dawson Holden (Waterloo) – The fourth Bulldogs senior on this year’s first team is well-deserving, as he provided leadership and experience while scoring three goals with 10 assists.
Riley Hubler (Columbia) – Another sophomore on the first team, Hubler scored 13 goals with seven assists for the Eagles this season. The future looks bright with Hubler in the lineup.
Jon Kuebler (Columbia) – This junior goalkeeper kept the Eagles in some of their toughest games. Kuebler posted a 16-3-4 record and had a save percentage of .845.

SECOND TEAM
Easton Wallace (Valmeyer) – This senior led the Pirates in scoring with 12 goals and four assists.
Kyle Rocca (Gibault) – Another senior, Rocca added an extra scoring option for the Hawks that became especially helpful in the postseason. Rocca scored 10 goals with eight assists.
Jake Bridges (Columbia) – This junior has set himself up for a breakout senior season. Bridges scored 10 goals (four game-winners) with seven assists for the Eagles this past fall.
Justin Kohler (Waterloo) – Kohler contributed to the winning formula for the Bulldogs, scoring seven goals with 15 assists.
Griffin Lenhardt (Waterloo) – Another strong all-around senior athlete, Lenhardt scored two goals with 10 assists for the Bulldogs.
David Hawickhorst (Columbia) –  This senior was strong on defense for the Eagles, and he added a goal and six assists to boot.
Cole Kolmer (Waterloo) – With eight goals and four assists, Kolmer gave the Bulldogs yet another scoring boost on any given night.
Ryan Gool (Gibault) – This senior provided leadership for the Hawks while contributing four goals and two assists on the season.
Cole Bivens (Columbia) – Bivens was another strong piece of Columbia’s backline, limiting scoring opportunities for opponents.
Aaron Grohmann (Gibault) – This junior provided key minutes for the Hawks all season. He finished with two goals and three assists.
Trevor Coplin (Waterloo) – Another member of the 2015 state champion team, Coplin was strong in net this season. He posted a 16-2-2 mark.

HONORABLE MENTION
Andrew Yount (Waterloo), Drew Marshall (Waterloo), Trevor Davis (Gibault), Logan Doerr (Gibault), Charlie Harres (Columbia), Liam McGonigle (Columbia), Trevor McClellan (Valmeyer), Ryan Brinkman (Valmeyer)