After going from a five-win club in 2024 to a district finalist in 2025, Chambersburg’s boys soccer program is back on the map.
The Trojans made waves last fall, but graduated several of the key players that helped lift the squad to an elite level. The cupboard isn’t completely bare at Chambersburg, though. If seniors Edwin Ramirez, a standout midfielder, and postseason hero Wilhelm Smith have their way, the Trojans could once again be in for a big campaign.
North Hagerstown also got a taste of success on the pitch last fall, and with a solid group of returners led by Cooper Byard — who netted 14 goals and dished out seven assists — there’s no reason to believe that the Hubs can’t be even better this time around.
Ramirez and Byard are the headliners for a group of area boys soccer players — we’ve counted 14 — that we think can make a big impact when matches kick off this fall.
This list is part of our “Sneak Peek” summer series, designed to showcase some of the area’s most talented high school athletes. In the weeks to come we will continue to share “peeks” at the fall season, before we eventually transition to full team previews.
Below is a look at our Top 14 boys soccer players to watch in 2026:
Edwin Ramirez, Senior, Chambersburg
Ramirez possesses everything you could want from a midfielder.
He plays a physical brand of soccer and can cover vast swaths of turf in a hurry, and makes a lasting impact on both the defensive and attacking sides of the field.
The 5-foot-6 Ramirez, who was named a Mid-Penn Commonwealth Division First Team selection last fall, helped guide Chambersburg from a five-win season in 2024 to a team that played for a District 3-4A title last fall and qualified for states.
Cooper Byard, Senior, North Hagerstown
Look for North Hagerstown to follow the lead of Byard, a midfielder who landed a CMC Large School First Team selection last fall.
Employing a sweet and smooth left-footed shot, the 6-foot Byard led the Hubs in scoring with 14 goals and seven assists in 2025. A jumper for North Hagerstown’s track squad, Byard not only brings athleticism to the field, but also clutch play as he punched in multiple game-winners last season.
With Byard setting the bar high for an already-experienced Hubs side, North Hagerstown could be in for an even better campaign than last fall, which saw the squad go 8-6 and make an appearance in the 3A West Region Semifinals.
Armando Guandique, Senior, South Hagerstown
Perhaps no player on this list loves the beautiful game more than the soccer-obsessed Guandique.
As a freshman, he took the trip of a lifetime to England for the Liverpool FC experience, where he got a week-long training session with the club that included games against some of his soccer peers from within the parent organization, a group that includes his home squad: LFCIA Western MD.
Wins were not been easy to come by at South Hagerstown last fall, but the 5-foot-6 Guandique takes fans for a ride whenever he touches the ball. Last season he helped the Rebels snap a seven-game losing streak by netting a hat trick in a victory over Boonsboro.
Hector Diaz, Senior, North Hagerstown
Diaz, a 5-foot-6 midfielder/forward, is a high-energy player that should deliver plenty of excitement for North Hagerstown this fall.
Last year, he racked up six goals and six assists.
Dylan Lowe, Junior, Smithsburg
If you’ve already read up on our Top 17 boys cross country runners to watch this season, you should recognize Lowe’s name.
With that honor in mind, it should come as no surprise that Lowe plays with a seemingly-unlimited gas tank on the field. A player who prides himself on being able to play anywhere on the pitch, Lowe excels at defensive one-and-ones and possesses the footwork and speed to make big plays on the attack.
The 5-foot-10 Lowe also competes for the West Virginia Soccer Club.
Jayden Gray, Senior, North Hagerstown
The Hubs will be counting on a big 12th-grade season, a forward who scored two goals and two assists last fall.
Gray doubles as a member of the LFCIA Western MD club team.
Wilhelm Smith, Senior, Chambersburg
Smith would love to further etch his name into Chambersburg soccer lore, following a junior year where he played a crucial role in helping the Trojans make program history.
Competing in a District 3-4A semifinal game against Central York last fall, Smith headed in an early goal to help Chambersburg secure a 3-2 victory over the Panthers and advance to the district title tilt for the first time in school history.
Smith should primarily be a lockdown defender for the Trojans this fall, but can play all over the field based on his team’s tactical needs.
Jack Knepper, Junior, Waynesboro
Opposing squads would be wise to keep an eye on the man wearing the No. 4 jersey, Knepper, who can excel anywhere on the field.
The 5-foot-10 Knepper is listed as a forward, but possesses the versatility to drop back and make contributions at the midfield and back line. He’s no stranger to the Mid-Penn Colonial Division All-Star squad, as he was named First Team as a freshman and Second Team last fall.
Knepper, who also competes for Waynesboro’s baseball team, will be doing everything in his power to help his team improve upon last year’s four-win season.
Daniel Krumpe, Senior, North Hagerstown
The Hubs will be thrilled to welcome back Krumpe, a senior midfielder with goal-scoring experience.
He possesses strong positional awareness and is a dangerous man on the field on set plays. A quick look at Krumpe’s Hudl profile online will reveal a header goal from his sophomore season that is worth watching on repeat.
Enam Erkin, Junior, South Hagerstown
South Hagerstown will be counting on Erkin, a standout defender, to help set the tone for a squad hungry to improve upon last year’s two-win campaign.
Biruk Facchina, Senior, Greencastle-Antrim
The Blue Devils will be aiming to build up from the back line with the return of Facchina, a 5-foot-10 defender who was named to the Mid-Penn Colonial Division First Team last fall.
With Facchina, who can also play the defensive midfield, leading the way, look for Greencastle-Antrim to improve upon last season’s six-win campaign.
Eli Shay, Senior, Fairfield
If the Knights hope to take a step forward from last season’s three-win season, they will need a big senior season from Shay.
Last fall, Shay was named to the YAIAA Division III All-Star team as an Honorable Mention selection.
Landen Kennedy, Senior, Waynesboro
Kennedy, a defender, is part of a strong senior core eager to pull the Waynesboro program forward this fall.
He has been a regular in the Tribe’s varsity rotation since his sophomore season.
Nolan Sullivan, Senior, Greencastle-Antrim
When all is said and done, Sullivan will probably be best remembered at Greencastle for delivering the game-winning hit for the Blue Devils baseball team in the PIAA Class 5A Championship last spring.
Even so, Sullivan would love to make a few more Greencastle memories on the pitch. In 2024 he was named to the Mid-Penn Colonial Division’s Third Team as a sophomore.
