Weston FC’s Nicholas Pappacena knows how to find the back of the net. After all, he has been doing it since he was five years old.

The Columbia recruit scored 21 goals last year in the USSF’s Development Academy, which was among the tops in the nation. Through the first few months of this season, he is on pace to easily top that mark.

“For this season, I set out a goal for myself to score 21 goals or better since that's what I did last year in the U-16 age group, so I know if I do anything less I wouldn't be playing up to my full potential,” Pappacena told TopDrawerSoccer.com.

“However, with all the great players we have on our team, it's hard to score all the goals. It's not really my main priority to be the top goal scorer on my team, I just want to be able to help them in any way I can and if that means scoring goals, I'll try to keep putting the ball in the back of the net.”

With 12 goals in nine games, Pappacena has helped his Florida club to the top spot in the Southeast Division with a 7-1-1 record. On the individual level, Pappacena is leading the country’s elite boys club soccer league in goals scored. 

“I knew I was the leading scorer in our division, but I was not aware that I was the leading scorer in the nation,” Pappacena said. “It’s not really something I try to pay much attention to because I feel the best way to stay focused and perform at that level that I have been is by just staying humble and blocking out all outside factors.”

The teenager also spoke about his idol Argentine international Gonzalo Higuain.

“Every time I watch him play, I'm mesmerized at his ability to both be able to collect the ball and accelerate forward, as well as be able to finish flawlessly against the top keepers in the world. Whatever he does in games, I try to model in practice, yet my end result rarely turns out as well as his does.”

USSF’s Development Academy U18 Scoring Leaders

Name (Club/Commitment) – Goals scored as of Nov. 16

1. Nicholas Pappacena (Weston FC/Columbia) – 12

2. Jeffrey Farina (Chicago Fire) – 11

3. Donovan Japp (North Carolina Fusion) – 10

4. Jason Romero (De Anza Force) – 8

Paul Salcedo Borrego (Strikers FC) – 8

Eduardo Moreno (Sporting Kansas City) – 8

Yaw Amankwa (Baltimore Bays Chelsea) – 8

8. Julius Joseph (PA Classics) – 7

Bobby Edet (FC Dallas/Furman) – 7

Eddosa Muhammed (Shattuck-Saint Mary’s) – 7

Yankuba Janneh (BW Gottschee Academy) – 7

Ismar Tandir (New York Red Bulls) – 7

Jose Navarro (Real Salt Lake – Arizona/Marquette) – 7

Alex Ainscough (FC Bolts Celtic) – 7

In the U16 age group, three players are tied for the top honor with FC Dallas’ Santiago Agudelo, D.C. United’s Gerson Umana, and Shattuck-Saint Mary’s Akeem Ward all sitting on nine goals.

“It’s really all team work,” Umana told TopDrawerSoccer.com. “I think as a team we are really complete [and] my coach is making me into a better player.”

The speedy winger said that his goal going into the season was to get to 10 goals in the first 10 games. He will need a goal on Saturday against Players Development Academy to reach the mark.

“My goal is to always show my best and score the most I can,” Umana said.

The D.C. United prospect says he looks up to Cristiano Ronaldo in terms of playing style.

Trailing the pack by a goal is Philadelphia Union prospect Doyla Tuvesson, who also gave a lot of credit to his teammates for his success.

“I have been getting a lot of good passes from my teammates inside the box and when the ball is in front of the net I try to stay relaxed and pick out corners with my shots,” Tuvesson told TopDrawerSoccer.com. “I basically just try to be composed, not do too much, and take early shots.”

The 16-year-old said he did not set any mark for how many goals he wanted to score in his first season as a full time player with FC Delco in the Development Academy.

USSF’s Development Academy U16 Scoring Leaders

1. Santiago Agudelo (FC Dallas) – 9

Gerson Umana (D.C. United) – 9

Akeem Ward (Shattuck-Saint Mary’s Soccer Academy) – 9

4. Doyle Tuvesson (FC Delco) – 8

5. William Bayemi (Columbus Crew) – 7

Marcus McCrary (FC Milwaukee) – 7

Khalil Abderahman (Charlotte Soccer Academy) – 7

Tanner Roberts (North Meck Soccer Club) – 7

Abdallah Baangura (Baltimore Bays Chelsea) – 7

10. Nathan McLean (Vardar) – 6

Jean-Christophe Koffi (D.C. United) – 6

Akeem Morris (B.W. Gottschee) – 6

Rex Epps (South Carolina United Battery) – 6

Dennis Kalamar (Seattle Sounders) – 6

Sebastian Saucedo (Real Salt Lake – Arizona) – 6

Silankonet Bayo (Columbus Crew) – 6

Mark Segbers (Saint Louis Scott Gallagher Missouri) – 6

Alexander Tejera (New York Red Bulls) – 6

Arthur Bosua (Albertson SC) – 6

Mawolo Gissle (New England Revolution) – 6

Harrison Swartz (FC Bolts Celtic) – 6

William Gauger (CASL Chelsea FC Academy) – 6

Richard Prestridge (Orlando City) – 6