Deering Principal Ira Waltz with Stephen Ochan
Deering High School’s Stephen Ochan has been named the Gatorade Maine Boys Soccer Player of the Year. It’s the first time a Deering boys soccer player has won that honor.
The award distinguishes Stephen as Maine’s best high school boys soccer player.
The award was announced by The Gatorade Co., in collaboration with USA TODAY High School Sports. Gatorade is in its 30th year of honoring the nation’s top high school athletes.
The award recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character, demonstrated on and off the field.
Stephen is a 5-foot-10-inch, 181-pound senior midfielder who scored six goals and passed for six assists this past season, leading the Rams (13-2-1) to the Western Class A semifinals. He was an All-American selection by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, and also was named Southwestern Maine Athletic Association Offensive Player of the Year and Western Maine Board of Soccer Officials Player of the Year.
Stephen has even won praise from opposing teams. Ben Deschene, head coach at MSAD 35’s Marshwood High School, said, “Ochan stands out because he controls play at both ends of the field. He dominates the game in every aspect. Everything Deering did ran through him.”
Stephen, who came to America from South Sudan at a young age and had to learn English in addition to other academic subjects, has maintained a B-plus average in the classroom. President of his senior class, he has volunteered locally on behalf of a soup kitchen and youth soccer programs.
He continues to process through offers to decide where he’ll go to college.
Miles Bisher, Deering’s Assistant Boys Soccer Coach, congratulated Stephen on his outstanding accomplishment.
“His dedication, hard work, and leadership are truly exemplary, and I can’t wait to see what he does with the rest of his life, on and off the soccer field,” Bisher said. “Stephen is THE definition of a good role model for our young students, and I can’t think of anyone more deserving for this award. Thank you to all of the coaches, teachers, parents, friends, family and community members who have supported Stephen throughout his time growing up!”
Stephen joins recent Gatorade Maine Boys Soccer Players of the Year who include Fazal Nabi (2010-11, Portland High School); Wyatt Omsberg (2013-14, Scarborough High School); Matt Saunders (2012-13, Lawrence High School); Robby Lentine (2011-12, Windham High School); Gabe Hoffman-Johnson (2009-10 & 2008-09, Falmouth High School); Oliver Blum (2007-08, Greely High School); and Jordan Hale (2006-07, Falmouth High School).
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