Paul Darmstadter, a senior midfielder from George Mason High School (Falls Church, Va.), and Emily Cervantes, a sophomore forward from Catholic Memorial High School (Waukesha, Wis.), are the NSCAA/TopDrawerSoccer.com High School Players of the Week.

Emily Cervantes

Darmstadter moved up the field to attacking midfielder after being deployed as a defensive destroyer last season, and the results have been splendid. In four games in four days last week, Darmstadter poured in nine goals and added three more assists to help lead the Mustangs to a 6-1 start to the season. He scored a hat trick in an 8-1 win over Central-Woodstock, put in four goals in a 9-0 win over Rappahannock County in little more than a half, tallied the only goal in a 2-1 loss to Manassas Park and assisted twice in a 5-1 win over Clarke County.

In Wisconsin, Cervantes is making up for her relative lack of experience by producing at an incredible clip. Last week, the underclassman scored five goals and added three assists to help Catholic Memorial to three big wins, including one over top-ranked South Carolina side Hilton Head Island High School. She had a goal and an assist in a 3-0 win over Waukesha North, scored twice and assisted the third in a 3-2 win over Arrowhead and finally scored both goals in a spectacular 2-0 win over Hilton Head Island.

Other boys finalists include Adam Sheikali (McIntosh High School, Peachtree City, Ga.) and Ryan Ross (Dutch Fork High School, Irmo, S.C.). Other girls finalists include Alison Price (West Forsyth High School, Clemmons, N.C.) and Cannon Clough (Charlotte Latin School, Charlotte, N.C.).

The NSCAA/TopDrawerSoccer.com High School Player of the Week honor is designed to highlight a selection of the nation's rising stars populating the high school ranks. Coaches are free to nominate a boys or girls player each week through our submission form that can be found here. Be sure to include the school and any relevant stats from the previous week. The selection process will take into account a slew of factors from contribution to team results to individual accolades. Honorees are announced each Wednesday.

The next submission deadline will be noon (CT) on April 21 before the Player of the Week announcement on April 23.

About the NSCAA

Founded in 1941 and based in Kansas City, Kan., the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) is a non-profit organization with a mission to educate coaches, encourage excellence and serve the soccer community.

The NSCAA is the world’s largest soccer coaches’ organization with members at every level of the game. The membership is primarily made up of coaches, but also includes administrators, referees and others in the soccer industry. The NSCAA provides its members ways to enhance the game of soccer by providing a national education program, interaction and networking opportunities, and membership benefits.

For more information about the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, visit NSCAA.com.

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