With most of its roster returning, Rose Hill High School boys soccer enters the 2026 season with a clear objective: repeat as Class 4A state champions.
The Rockets finished 19-2 last season and will bring back a strong core from that championship team, giving coach Jerry Treat plenty of experience to work with as Rose Hill attempts to make another run at a state title.
“Hope to repeat as 4A champions as we are returning the majority of our team,” Treat said.
Leading the way will be senior forward Brady Liebl, who is coming off a standout junior season. Liebl scored 24 goals and added 25 assists in 2025, finishing with 59 goals and 49 assists for his career.
Liebl was a first-team All-State selection last season and was also named to an All-Midwest Region team by the United Soccer Coaches. He has already committed to continue his soccer career at Creighton and will serve as Rose Hill’s team captain this season.
“Very intense player with a very high soccer I.Q. and an equally high work rate,” Treat said of Liebl.
Liebl will be joined by a talented group of seniors, including midfielder Joshua Herrera, defender Caedmon Defoor and goalkeeper Nate Salinas.
Herrera enters his senior season with 33 career goals and 28 assists, while Defoor has contributed six goals and 14 assists during his career. Salinas will provide experience in goal as the Rockets look to remain among the top teams in Class 4A.
Rose Hill also returns several key juniors.
Forward Caden Davis is coming off a strong stretch in his young career and enters the season with 16 career goals and 17 assists. Midfielder Sebastian Rodriguez has recorded five goals and 11 assists, while defender Jax Kaba has three goals and three assists.
The combination of returning experience, offensive production and a championship pedigree gives the Rockets reason for optimism heading into the new season.
For Liebl, the expectations are particularly high. After producing 49 points last season and earning recognition at the state and regional levels, he will be counted on to provide leadership both on and off the field.
With Liebl leading a veteran group that includes several returning contributors, Rose Hill will look to turn last year’s championship into the beginning of a sustained run of success.
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