MIHSSCA:Portage Central’s Gunnar Thorhallsson Named 2025 Mr. Soccer
- Jonathan Turner
- 8 hours ago
- 3 min read
NATIONAL SOCCER NEWS: www.nationalsoccernetwork.com
For the first time in over 50 years of Michigan high school soccer history, the state’s top individual honor belongs to a goalkeeper.
The Michigan High School Soccer Coaches Association (MIHSSCA) has named Portage Central senior Gunnar Thorhallsson the 2025 Mr. Soccer, marking the first time since the award’s inception in 1974 that a goalkeeper has earned the title.
Thorhallsson’s selection caps off one of the greatest seasons ever by a Michigan high school keeper — and one of the most dominant team campaigns in recent memory. He backstopped Portage Central to a 24-0-2 undefeated record and the program’s first-ever MHSAA Division 1 State Championship, finishing with 19 shutouts and a long list of highlight-reel performances.
A Season That Defined Greatness
Standing at 6-foot-8 with a wingspan of over seven feet, Thorhallsson towered above the competition — but his success wasn’t just about size. His positioning, focus, and quick reflexes consistently frustrated opposing offenses all year.
In the Division 1 Final, Thorhallsson delivered a fitting exclamation point to his historic season: 11 saves in regulation and overtime, followed by a clutch stop in the penalty shootout that sealed a 1-0 (4-2 PKs) victory over Ann Arbor Huron. The win gave Portage Central its first boys soccer state championship in school history and solidified Thorhallsson’s reputation as Michigan’s premier player.
Breaking Barriers for Goalkeepers
Since the Mr. Soccer award began in 1974, the honor has traditionally gone to attacking players — forwards, midfielders, and occasionally defenders — but never to the one position that so often defines championships. Thorhallsson’s selection not only recognizes his individual brilliance but also underscores the evolving appreciation for elite goalkeeping within the state’s soccer landscape.
Head coach Tim Halloran called Thorhallsson the emotional and tactical anchor of a near-perfect team. His leadership and calm under pressure set the tone from the back, instilling confidence and consistency across every match.
The Journey to the Top
Ironically, many once assumed Thorhallsson’s 6-foot-8 frame destined him for basketball. But after deciding to commit fully to soccer, he spent years refining his craft — mastering footwork, timing, and the mental side of the position. That dedication transformed him into a generational talent, capable of controlling games not just with saves, but with presence and poise.
By season’s end, he had done what no Michigan goalkeeper before him ever had — win both a state championship and the Mr. Soccer award in the same year.
A Legacy for the Record Books
Thorhallsson’s name now stands alone in the history of Michigan high school soccer. His Mr. Soccer recognition represents more than personal achievement — it’s a moment that redefines what’s possible for future goalkeepers across the state.
For Portage Central, it’s the perfect finish to a season built on belief, teamwork, and trust in the player who protected their goal — and their championship dream — every step of the way.
Award Summary
🏆 2025 Mr. Soccer: Gunnar Thorhallsson, Portage Central📈 Record: 24-0-2 | State Title: MHSAA Division 1 Champion🧤 Shutouts: 19 | Historic Note: First goalkeeper ever named Mr. Soccer since the award’s creation in 1974
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