Masconomet's Chip Sherman is one player you'll
have to watch this season. (Lisa Poole / For the Boston Globe)

By Mary Pavlu, Globe Correspondent

Here's some of the top soccer players to watch in Eastern Massachusetts by position:

Forwards

- Groton-Dustable senior starter Nate Pomeroy is a leading scorer for his team, and has already verbally committed to Brown.

- Masconomet senior Chip Sherman has been a leading scorer for the team and has been chosen as captain for this season. The team won 2-0 in the Eastern Massachusetts championship game against Greater New Bedford last season, where Sherman scored the final goal. He was also selected as a Cape Ann all-League all-star.

- Needham junior Mac Steeves has been a captain since last season, and received Bay State Conference co-MVP honors after scoring 24 goals and recording 15 assists, which helped lead the Rockets to a conference title. He’s been a Bay State Conference all-star three times, EMass all-star twice, and an NSCAA All-New England selection.

- As a senior striker for Mashpee, you can usually find Romeo Grey being double-teamed but still coming out on top. Part of this is due to his blazing speed – he is also a star track runner.

- Nauset senior Cody Savonen is a left forward who became a starter as a sophomore. He scored 23 goals, had 9 assists and was recognized as a Atlantic Coast league all-star and an Eastern Massachustts All-Star during his junior year.

Midfielders

- Waring junior Henry Balf was last season’s MVP of the Mass Bay Independent League. He helped lead Waring to the league title with 15 goals and nine assists. He is also a starter for Waring’s basketball team.

- Weymouth has a strong defense, and that’s partly been due to seior Josh Berg. Once a two-year starter as sweeper, Weymouth moved him to midfield last year and wasn’t disappointed.

- Walpole senior John Lochhead was moved to midfield last year to focus on directing attacks, rather than scoring. He did just that, and handled the ball well last season.

Defenders

- Masconomet has been hailed for it’s soccer team and Demetri Decoulos has pulled through as a starter as just a junior. You can be sure he’ll be bringing his game for senior year.

- Lowell senior Brandon Fahlberg has been captain of the team since his junior year, and a starter since he was a sophomore. In October of 2011, the 6-2, 165 pound defender won the MIAA/NESN Student-Athlete of the Month, given to “outstanding student-athletes for excelling in athletics, academics and community service.” He is also a Merrimack Valley Conference all-star.

- Brimmer & May senior Tony Wright scored six goals and nine assists from the back last season, leading his team to the NEPSAC finals. He earned the MBIL MVP award, and is also captain of the lacrosse team.

- Mashpee had a strong defense last season, particularly having to do with senior Dylan Shute. With strong footwork and intense speed (he is also a track runner,) this senior is one to watch this season.

- Medway is in the Globe Top 20 boys soccer team, and part of that is due to junior Dan Messina’s strong presence in defense. He is also a TVL Boy’s Soccer 2011 All-Star.

Goalies

- Natick senior David Hepp was the school’s first ever captain as a junior. He was a player for the New England Revolution youth team and joined the prestigious US Soccer Development Academy last year.

- John Fisher has been a varsity player since his freshman year, starting off as a forward. Last year the Norwell senior started as goalie and posted a 5-1 record including 3 shut outs.

- Rockland senior Kevin Strobel led his team as co-captain last year. He is also a 2011 South Shore all-star.

Mary Pavlu can be reached at mary.pavlu@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @MaryPavlu.