Anyone who watched seniors Spencer LeBeau and CJ Fritz play for Thaier Mukhtar and the De La Salle varsity soccer team this season knew they were all-state-caliber players.

And now, it's official. 

LeBeau was selected first-team all-state for Division 1 by the Michigan High School Soccer Coaches Association, while Fritz received honorable mention.

LeBeau, who has received Div. 1 college interest, had a tremendous year for the Pilots while playing in the midfield. He contributed six assists and a team-leading 23 goals, including six game-winning goals. 

For his efforts, he also was voted MLive's 2020 "top performer in boys soccer" for the metro Detroit area. 

The four-year varsity player was clutch all season long, according to Mukhtar.

"He was a great captain and leader, and he has a bright future ahead of him," Mukhtar said. "He matured, and got mentally tougher over the years. I pushed him as hard as I possibly could, and he lived up to the bill, scoring more goals this year than he did in the previous three years combined. It was his turn to shine and his turn to take the team over. And he absolutely did so." 

Meanwhile, Fritz, while playing forward, finished the 2020 campaign with 15 goals and a team-high 19 assists -- the second-most assists in a single season in DLS history. 

The only Pilots player that finished with more assists in a season is former MLS player and current Ohio State soccer head coach Brian Maisonneuve, who recorded 24 assists in 1990. 

Just like LeBeau, Fritz came through with some huge performances against the Purple and Gold's biggest opponents.

"He absolutely dominated some big-time games. He ripped Traverse City West apart, netting three goals. If I'm a Div. 1 college coach, I want this kid," Mukhtar commented. "He scares the crap out of opponents, even if he doesn't score. He was the best player on the field against CC (Detroit Catholic Central) in the state regional final, and was completely dominant. He had a goal and assist in the first half, and hit the goal post twice."

Mukhtar strongly believes that Fritz, although less heralded than LeBeau, is also good enough to play Div. 1 soccer at the next level.

"He definitely can play in college. He plays a lot bigger than his size, and is competitive and has a little edge to him as a player," Mukhtar said. "I can see him playing multiple positions at the next level." 

While LeBeau and Fritz will both perhaps be best remembered for their individual accolades, it's worth noting they also helped lead the Collegiate to a 15-3-3 mark in 2020, which included a trip to the MHSAA regional finals. 

It's something that would've been impossible without their contributions on a game-to-game basis, because as Mukhtar put it, they were truly "irreplaceable" players.

Undoubtedly, they each left an indelible mark on the De La Salle soccer program.