The DuPage County All-Area Boys Soccer Team
Wes Bergevin, Hinsdale Central
No goalkeeper in the state gets as much respect as this Hinsdale Central senior who was selected to play in the fourth annual High School All-America game later this winter in North Carolina. Bergevin has 14 shutouts through sectional play. "First to practice and last to leave," Hinsdale Central coach Michael Wiggins said. "Incredibly unselfish, hardworking and coachable, Wes is one of our captains who leads in so many different ways both on and off the field."
Jon Braun, Waubonsie Valley
It was an up and down year for the Warriors, and Braun was their top player. The highs were big ones, including victories against Naperville North and Streamwood, teams that went on to win sectional titles. Braun led the way 11 goals and 9 assists en route to being name all-Upstate Eight Conference and all-sectional. "Jon has the ability to create something out of nothing," Warriors coach Jose Garcia said. "He reads the game well and is capable of scoring and defending." He led the Warriors in scoring and played a significant role in every big game.
Michael Carver, Wheaton Academy
Perhaps Wheaton Academy's strong defense was overlooked because of its great ability to put the ball in the net. The Warriors had 12 shutouts in the regular season and then held three of the four teams they played in regionals and sectionals scoreless. "Michael has been brilliant. He has completely bought in to this program and he is a dynamic center back," Warriors coach Jeff Brooke said. "He has a high soccer IQ, a gamer mentality, a brilliant first touch with both feet and a vision of the field that makes him a huge part of what we do."
Eric Diaz, Downers Grove South
This senior would not allow injuries to slow him down. He was responsible for nearly 50 percent of Downers Grove South's offense. "Eric has been a tremendous player for our program the past three years and was very instrumental in our team's success this season," Mustangs coach Jon Stapleton said. Diaz had 14 goals and 7 assists and finished with 22 varsity goals. "He scored a number of timely goals with 7 of them being game-winners. His competitive presence on the field and his friendly nature off the field will be missed."
Oswaldo Estrada, West Chicago
The Wildcats may have only finished 10-10-2 but their season was filled with a few unforgettable highlights and this senior midfielder seemed to be in the middle of it all. "Oswaldo was the engine in the middle of the field for us," Wildcats coach Jose Villa said. "He got us going in games with his energy throughout the game." West Chicago earned wins over regional champions Morton and Benet, as well as a postseason win against St. Charles East. Estrada had 6 goals and 6 assists, and he scored the game-winner against the Saints off a free kick to claim the regional title. "Oswaldo is one of the most skilled players that I have coached," Villa said. "That, along with his speed, is very tough to defend."
Evan Floersch, Hinsdale Central
Arguably the best defender in the state, Floersch has helped the Red Devils enjoy another great regular season as well as a great run into the playoffs. "Watch Evan play as a defender and you'll see calm, controlled, steady defending that makes everyone around him better," Hinsdale Central coach Michael Wiggins said. "He is strong on the ball and leads from the back line. He represents the best in Hinsdale Central's soccer tradition and has left a remarkable impression for the younger players to follow and learn from."
Jordi Heeneman, Naperville Central
The Redhawks may have fallen short of a fourth consecutive state appearance, but they won their eighth regional title in nine years, and Heeneman's ability to attack 1v1 had a lot to do with their success He contributed 18 goals and 5 assists. His 38 varsity goals are tied for second most in school history. "Jordi is a tireless worker up top," Redhawks coach Troy Adams said. "He is able to bring down just about any ball and then distribute to a teammate. He is a complete forward. Able to hold the ball, distribute to teammates, attack 1v1 and be the first person to pressure the ball."
Brandon Hipp, Naperville North
The Huskies started slowly this year and were only 3-3-1 in the second week of September. Hipp was moved from center back up top, and the Huskies took off behind him. The senior collected all-state honors as the Huskies closed out the regular season on a 9-1-2 run. "He was willing to do whatever he could for the team," Huskies coach Jim Konrad said. "He makes the right runs at the right times and is composed enough with his foot to make the right decision, and he doesn't freak out under pressure." Had 14 goals and 5 assists heading into the supersectional.
Oliver Horgan, Lake Park
Lake Park knew they couldn't replace Mike Catalano (Wisconsin) and his 26 goals from last year, but Horgan has done his part, scoring 19 goals and adding 4 assists through sectional play. "He's a dynamite talent, our captain, and he works his tail off," Lancers coach Anthony Passi said. "I think he got a taste of success last year and came back fired up this year. He's really dedicated himself to the sport and the team." As a three-year varsity player, Horgan has 38 goals.
Brandon Howard, Metea Valley
This junior helped Metea Valley remain competitive with his work on the back line. "Brandon is one of the strongest backs around," Mustangs coach Josh Robinson said. "His ability to position himself well and lead from the back allowed us to be strong defensively for the past two seasons. Howard was an all-sectional selection as well as recognized as all-Upstate Eight Conference. The Mustangs will look to build around him next fall. He added 3 goals.
Michael Jasiak, Lake Park
No doubt about it, Lake Park would not have had the success it has had this season without this junior defending its net. Through 25 games he had 13 shutouts and a 0.68 gaa. The Lancers went 3-0-2 in the DuPage Valley Conference this year and he had 4 shutouts, including scoreless double-overtime ties against Naperville North and Naperville Central. "He's been the player of the match so many times for us," Lancers coach Anthony Passi said. "Some of the saves he's made to keep us in game, and there have been so many, have been amazing. He's got the great numbers. He could've easily have been all-state."
Kyle Kenagy, Benet
This Yale recruit was one of the most exciting players to watch play this season, scoring 23 goals and adding 8 assists for a Redwings squad that won a regional title, finishing 15-5-2. "He's an All-American for a reason and this season was proof of it," Benet coach Sean Wesley said. "He's as special as they come, and I think every team had to adjust to him and every team had to do something they didn't want to do to try to keep him under wraps, and he still always found a way."
Elliot Kettle, Wheaton Warrenville South
The Tigers struggled, finishing just 6-13-2, but they also faced a very difficult schedule in the DuPage Valley Conference, the Pepsi Challenge and a nice mix of nonconference action. Trying to keep them on the right page all year was Kettle, a third-year player and captain. "Elliot has a great work rate, covering 18-to-18, but his ability to impact a game comes from a clean first touch and great soccer IQ," Tigers coach Guy Callipari said. "His passing can be sublime, locating and distributing to teammates in all parts of the field. The all-conference and all-section selection finished with 4 goals and 6 assists.
Jordi McCormack, Naperville Central
No one in the area distributed the ball to his teammates as well as McCormack did, finishing his senior season with 16 assists, the second most in a single season in school history. He added 7 goals. "Jordi raised his game to a new level this year," Naperville Central coach Troy Adams said. "His ability to find his teammates in open spaces allowed our team to create scoring opportunities. He is a great example of what hard work and dedication during the off-season can do to make you a better player."
Daniel Morefield, Benet
The junior was second on his team in scoring and assists, following right behind All-America teammate, Kyle Kenagy. "He is one of the few guys who has worked well off of Kyle," Benet coach Sean Wesley said. "Plays outside mid and has a great soccer IQ. He's a good technical player that has the rare ability to unbalance defenders with breakdown defenses while having the vision and confidence to connect passes through tight windows." During the regular season Morefield scored 7 goals despite only taking 20 shots. He finished with 9 goals and 6 assists.
Xavi Ortiz, Neuqua Valley
Neuqua Valley didn't start well this season, going 1-4 in its first five games, but the Wildcats made great strides as the season progressed, winning eight straight at one point late in the year. Ortiz had a lot to do with the that success as the third-year player controlled the midfield. "He sees the field and distributes well and he organizes that initial defense," Wildcats coach Skip Begley said. "He helped keep us from that quick counter and allowed us to recover and defend if we lost the ball." While his biggest contributions came via his technical abilities in being able to hold the ball and distribute, Ortiz also scored twice and had 5 assists.
Zach Oslund, Wheaton North
Oslund had 7 assists, with the majority coming via throw-ins as he helped Wheaton North to a competitive, 9-9-2 season. It wasn't uncommon for him to unleash throw-ins to the back post from 35 yards out from the end line. "Zach's leadership and success on the field as our central midfielder helped us compete against the top competition in the area," Falcons coach Tim McEvilly said. "He's outstanding defending in the air with his 6-foot-4 frame, but he also is capable of defending top players off the dribble in the flow of play. Zach had one of the most effective seasons I've witnessed in 20 years of coaching high school soccer."
Christian Robert, Naperville North
Fearless. He took a kick to the face in a sectional game against Naperville Central. "He's one of those rare kids who has no fear," Huskies coach Jim Konrad said. "He's a fantastic leader and although he's a goalkeeper, he's very physical and a natural athlete. He passed our fitness test on the first try and is one of the quickest kids I've ever seen off his line. He's got soft hands and has been a great stopper for us." Robert was one of the key reasons why the Huskies allowed a single goal or less in 16 of 19 regular-season games.
Ryan Ross, Neuqua Valley
Ever since he saw him play for the first time three years ago, Neuqua Valley coach Skip Begley knew this senior forward was something special. "He's just that kind of forward that can take what looks like an ordinary ball and with just a couple of touches create something," Begley said. "And he's not afraid of being stopped. Even if he loses the ball in the attack, he's the first person to defend and win the ball back." Ross scored 20 goals and added 6 assists. He netted three of those goals in the Upstate Eight Conference crossover title game at Batavia.
Ty Seager, Wheaton Academy
This year's All-Area Captain delivered time and time again to lead the Warriors. "His motor is going the whole game and when he hits top speed it's hard to find anyone as fast as he is," Warriors coach Jeff Brooke said. "To have his size and physicality and the speed, he brings a dynamic we haven't had in a long time. It's rare to see someone that impressive athletically." Seager had 36 goals through the sectional play.
Honorable Mention
Jack Baderman, Sr., Hinsdale Central, Anthony Berardi, Sr., Wheaton Warrenville South, Grant Borg, Jr., Naperville North, Sohum Buch, Sr., Waubonsie Valley, Lucas Carlson, Sr., Hinsdale South, Andrew Dobonsenski, Sr., Downers Grove South, Ryan Donovan, Jr., Metea Valley, Livre Emena, So., Glenbard North, Chris Ensign, Sr., Naperville North, Jesus Fernandez, Sr., West Chicago, Sean Flading, Sr., Naperville Central, Tom Kania, So., Addison Trail, Reed Kurtenbach, Sr., Neuqua Valley, William Lanzillo, Sr., Glenbard West, Stefan Mijatovic, Sr., York, Brett Pyburn, Sr., Downers Grove North, Michael Rogalski, Sr., Willowbrook, Jakub Slomkowski, Jr., Fenton, Juan Torres, Jr., Glenbard East, Tyler Vlasak, Sr., Timothy Christian