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The DuPage County Boys Soccer All-Area Team

Angela Amato, Addison Trail

The senior defender is a prime example of the ideal student-athlete, achieving great success with the books and the soccer ball. “He is the anchor of the Addison Trail defense and wins the majority of 50/50 balls on the defensive end,” Blazers coach Ryan Dini said. “I can honestly say that he has been the hardest working player I have coached in the last five years.” Amato is a two-time all-conference and all-sectional selection. Has a 4.34 GPA and scored a 31 on the ACT. Hopes to bring his 6-foot-1 size, speed and athleticism to the college pitch. “He is going to solidify a team’s defense when he moves onto college,” Dini said.

Devon Amoo-Mensah, Naperville Central

Finally fully healthy this year, the senior midfielder has proved to be one of the most skilled athletes in the state the fall and is an all-stater because of it. “He’s always been a very skillful player and that’s why he was a varsity player as sophomore, but this year he has really blossomed now that he’s healthy,” Redhawks coach Troy Adams said. “It’s fun to see a kid make a leap like he has from junior to senior year.” A hard worker who leads by example and strikes the ball incredibly well, Amoo-Mensah and the Redhawks are once again one of the best teams in the state.

Ivan Barajas, Glenbard West

The senior defender and co-captain helped make things difficult on opponents all season. He led the Hilltoppers to eight shutouts as the leader of the team’s defensive formation. “His strong leadership and ability helped the team to a 9-5-3 record on the season,” Glenbard West coach Maciek Kusmierz said. “Under Ivan’s leadership the team has only allowed 13 goals in 17 games.” The all-sectional selection hopes to play soccer in college.

Casey Bucz, Waubonsie Valley

As a quiet leader, the senior forward helped the team to its first regional title since 2005. “He’s one of our captains but not one of those guys that yells or scream,” Waubonsie Valley coach Angelo DiBernardo said. “He lets his play do the talking for him.” As the Warriors have gotten better through the course of the year, so has Bucz. “Right now he’s playing at his best and his percentages are getting better,” DiBernardo said. “Hopefully he’ll continue at this pace.”

Mike Catalano, Lake Park

Disappeared to the club scene after making his mark in 2010 as a freshman where he was named all-conference. Committed to play at Wisconsin next season, Catalano has had an unforgettable year, leading the Lancers to a DuPage Valley Conference title in their first year in the conference, with 27 goals and 8 assists. “He plays so big out there, that he’s really something else,” Lake Park coach Tony Passi said. “He’s proved all season how dangerous we are when he’s on the field.”

Eric Diaz, Downers Grove South

No one drove the Mustangs like this junior midfielder, who was recognized as a Hinsdale Central all-tourney selection as well as all-tourney in the Great Midwest Classic, conference and all-sectional. “Eric is a two-year starter who as a central midfielder has been instrumental at maintaining possession and building an attack for our team,” Mustangs coach Jon Stapleton said. “Technically, he is very skilled and combines this with great vision allows him to create opportunities for himself and others. His efforts helped the Mustangs finish 10-6-4 during the regular season.

Chris Freeman, Metea Valley

Mr. Everything for the Mustangs, Chris Freeman led the way for a team that ousted Neuqua Valley and Waubonsie Valley for top honors in the Upstate Eight Valley. “He is the catalyst for our success here at Metea,” Mustangs coach Josh Robinson said. “Just a phenomenal four-year varsity player. Probably his biggest curse is he’s recognizable on the field so everyone knows how to find him.” Freeman had a penalty kick to help end St. Charles East’s 33-game regular-season unbeaten streak. “He’s a phenomenal athlete,” Robinson said. “He has some big things coming up in his future.”

Geoff Horn, Naperville North

The Huskies turned to this senior defender to make big stops this fall and he helped the Huskies to a 12-7-2 record and a regional championship. “He has been the rock of our back line this year helping lead the team to six shutouts on the season,” Naperville North coach Steve Goletz said. “His ability to shutdown players 1v1 while also being a presence in the air has propelled him to a great season this year.” As a captain and leader, Horn got better as the season progressed. He also scored twice and delivered two assists at center back.

Brandon Howard, Metea Valley

You could make the case that sophomore Brandon Howard came out of nowhere. He was on the freshman team in 2012. This season he played nearly every minute for the Mustangs. “I expect him to be something sensational, especially anchoring in the back the next couple years,” Metea Valley coach Josh Robinson said. “It’s poor on our part that we didn’t realize what he could do last year, and this year’s he’s been tremendous for us and continued to matured all season.” Howard helped the team limit several great opponents, including Neuqua Valley, Waubonsie Valley and Marmion.

Joe Keane, Lake Park

This standout senior midfielder was all-conference in the Upstate Eight Conference last year and all-conference in the DuPage Valley Conference. As rare of an accomplishment that is, due to the change in conferences, it couldn’t have happened to a more rare talent. He was also a Daily Herald All-Area selection last year and a team captain for the Lancers. In his third year as a starter Keane had 11 assists and 8 goals in the regular season. “He’s been a terrific player and a leader here,” Lancers coach Tony Passi said.

Kyle Kenagy, Benet

One of the premier attackers in the state certainly caught the attention of many as Kenagy was an all-state selection, tallying 24 goals and 8 assists. It took Kenagy 13 seconds to score against Downers Grove North in the season opener, and he’s been burying balls into the back of the net ever since, including at least one goal in Benet’s first 10 contests and the game-winner in a 1-0 victory over St. Viator for the ESCC title. “He’s a relentless attacker who combines a high soccer IQ with incredible speed and composure in front of the net,” Benet coach Sean Wesley. “That’s not normally found in a high school player.”

CJ Koeller, Glenbard North

Koeller has done everything his coach, and father, Gregg Koeller has asked this season. “We’ve used him in five different positions depending on needs and game situations,” Gregg Koeller said. “He usually has to mark the best center mids and try to neutralize them.” The Panthers finished in third in the ultra-competitive DVC and finished the regular season 11-5-4. This three-year starter was an unanimous all-conference selection and all-sectional. “He does a lot of thankless stuff and it’s allowed us to be very successful.” Koeller had 2 goals and 6 assists.

Max Krohn, Hinsdale Central

This senior defender proved selfless in converting into the leader of the back line that shut out 12 opponents during the regular season. “Max made the move into the back line this year and has brought confidence, composure and strength to our organization in defending. His strength in the air both in the attack and in defending really complements our team that takes pride in this part of the game that he does so incredibly well.” Krohn continue to remain a threat on the opposite end of the field, posting his first 2-goal against Downers Grove North.

Christian Meyer, Hinsdale Central

One of only two players who was also a member of this team last fall. This senior striker has led perhaps the best team in the state this year, one that went 18-0-2 in the regular season. Meyer heads into the postseason with 15 goals on the year. “Christian has been the difference-maker in the attack. I have said all along that his work rate is relentless on both sides of the ball and he just flat out competes,” Red Devils coach Mike Wiggins said. “That is what makes him a special player. There are many players who play and play well, but not everyone competes like he does.”

Michael Rindler, Benet

Where’s this senior more impressive? Is it in the classroom as a student (31 ACT, 4.0 GPA) or the pitch (18 goals, 12 assists, all-sectional) for a team that was 17-3-1 after winning a Class 3A regional title? “He’s an amazing athlete whose competitive spirit spilled over into the team and created the culture that refused to lose,” Benet coach Sean Wesley said. “He’s selfless. A great teammates who played the game to win. He dominated his side of the field offensively and defensively. Scored the game winner in the Best of West final against Naperville Central.

Ryan Ross, Neuqua Valley

There’s no denying that the Wildcats were a different team when Ryan Ross came back from a broken finger earlier this year. He helped Neuqua to a 13-5-1 record and scored 15 goals in 15 games while adding 3 assists. “He’s a skillful player and capable of taking what seems to be a rather ordinary ball and turning it into danger and a goal-scoring opportunity,” Neuqua Valley coach Skip Begley said. Ross was an honorable mention all-sectional selection as a sophomore and an all-sectional choice this year.

Ty Seager, Wheaton Academy

This sophomore forward was the Warriors’ leading scorer all season and he has continued his strong play in the postseason, recording a hat trick in the Class 2A Glenbard South regional title championship up his total to 22 goals. He also has 8 assists. “Ty is our most athletic player and has big goals against Morton, Marmion, Batavia, West Chicago, Wheaton North and Wheaton Warrenville South,” Wheaton Academy coach Jeff Brooke said.

Joe Spera, Wheaton Warrenville South

This third-year player and senior captain was as good as it gets this fall for the Tigers. Spera overcame knee surgery and was strong all-season both in how he played and how he guided his teammates. “He’s our most consistent player,” Tigers coach Guy Callipari said. “His courageous tackles to his recovery and support speed have been instrumental in our attempt to be competitive against the best teams in the state.” This defender was an unanimous all-DVC selection and an all-sectional choice.

Jay Tegge, Naperville Central

The senior is one of those gifted athletes who seemingly does everything well, including leading his teammates. “His leadership has been invaluable,” Naperville Central coach Troy Adams said. “His ability to transition from defense to offense has been phenomenal to get the ball and look quickly to counterattack, which has to many of our goal-scoring opportunities.” Early in the season there were some concerns with an experienced back line. Tegge has helped those kids feel like pressure and to grow this fall. “He helped shield a back line that was a little greener earlier in the year,” Adams said. “He does all the things you want a kid to do.”

Marshall West, Wheaton Academy

It’s not “How The West Was Won,” but Wheaton Academy won a lot because of West, as in this senior center back and captain, who was named all-state. “We have only allowed 16 goals in 22 games, including a final-four run in the Pepsi Showdown,” Warriors coach Jeff Brooke said. “Marshall is our anchor and has moved us to be a high-level program this year.” West had also contributed 10 goals and 4 assists so he giveth and take it away. Helped Warriors shut out Class 3A schools, including Marmion, Wheaton North, Wheaton Warrenville South and UEC Valley champs, Metea Valley.

Honorable Mention: Wes Bergevin, Jr., Hinsdale Central, Gustavo Contreras, Lake Park, Sr., Chris Ensign, Jr., Naperville North, Jesus Fernandez, Jr., West Chicago, Evan Floersch, Jr., Hinsdale Central, Sam Knapke, Sr., Benet, Sam Hardy, Sr., Wheaton Academy, Jordi Heeneman, Jr., Naperville Central, Scott Holakovsky, Downers Grove South, Sr., Zach Jones, Jr., Glenbard North, Dan Norton, Jr., Wheaton North. David Ortega, Fenton, Jr., Xavi Ortiz, Jr., Neuqua Valley, Zach Peterson, Sr., Naperville North, Dakota Rowsey, Jr., Metea Valley, Paul Selman, Sr., Glenbard West, TJ Schmidt, Sr., Hinsdale Central, Mike Stelletello, Sr., Wheaton Warrenville South, Drake Swope, Sr., Naperville Central, Casey Zimmerman, Sr., Wheaton Academy.

Images: Daily Herald Soccer and Volleyball Team Captains

Devon Amoo-Mensah
Ivan Barajas
Casey Bucz
Mike Catalano
Eric Diaz
Chris Freeman
Geoff Horn
Brandon Howard
Joe Keane
Kyle Kenagy
CJ Koeller
Max Krohn
Christian Meyer
Michael Rindler
Ryan Ross
Ty Seager
Joe Spera
Jay Tegge
Marshall West
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