Tri-Cities boys soccer season preview
By Chris Walker
Daily Herald Correspondent
Aurora Central Catholic
Coach: Jose M. Barrientos
Last year: 5-14-0, 0-5-0 Metro Suburban West Conference, lost 1-0 to Genoa-Kingston in Class 1A Hinckley-Big Rock regional semifinal.
Top players: Brett Czerak, sr., F, Kyle Czerak, so., F, Brennan Hare, so., MF, Alexis Yañez , jr., MF, George Yañez, so., F
Outlook: Aurora Central struggled through the season a year ago, but is optimistic that it will find much more success this year with several key players returning with more experience, as well as a lot of young talent now moving into the system. "(We hope) to field a more balanced team on offense and defense to achieve a winning season," Chargers coach Jose M. Barrientos said. "We are looking forward to a greatly improved team compared to last year." The Chargers welcome several new players who also offer a great deal of size, including 6-3 freshman Jonas Cebulski, 6-2 senior stopper Jake Bush and 6-1 goalkeeper Erik Sanchez. Entering the season, Barrientos said that the team's offensive line is its greatest strength. That's a positive especially since the Chargers have ended their past two seasons with shutout losses against Genoa-Kingston. Brett Czerak (8 goals), George Yañez (4 goals, 6 assists) and Alexis Yañez (2 goals, 5 assists) are their top offensive threats.
Batavia
Coach: Mark Gianfrancesco
Last year: 19-3-3, 6-0-1 in Upstate Eight River Conference, lost 2-0 to Naperville North in Class 3A Bolingbrook sectional final.
Top players: Matt Allen, sr., MD, Nathan Carey, sr., MF, Davis Dibiase, sr., F, Erik Faessler, jr., MF, Luke Laurich, sr., MF, Daniel Zagoren, sr., MF
Outlook: Life without Ian Larson (25 goals, 16 assists in 2014) begins for the Bulldogs who have posted an impressive 38-6-6 record over the past two years. They also lost Kevin Collins and Nick Konopacki to graduation. All three will undoubtedly be missed but Batavia still returns many key players. "We have several key returners that have a ton of experience from last year that should be a wonderful foundation for our team," Bulldogs coach Mark Gianfrancesco said. "The newcomers are talented and will give us more depth than last year." The Bulldogs should be especially strong in the midfield with seniors Matt Allen, Nathan Carey, Erik Faessler, Luke Laurich and Daniel Zagoren all returning. A couple of senior defenders are new to the mix as well, so the Bulldogs are hopeful that Bryant Kint and Bruno Siegel can step up and add to their back line defense. In addition, look for some youngsters to contribute as well as sophomores Joe Corno and Brandon Knapp are new to the squad.
Geneva
Coach: Ryan Estabrook
Last year: 7-5-6, 2-3-2 in Upstate Eight River, lost 2-1 to Benet in Class 3A Geneva regional final.
Top players: Drew Klaus, sr., D, Derik Rush, sr., D, Matt Waldoch, jr., F
Outlook: It wasn't the most impressive season for the Vikings last fall, but they did post their first winning year since 2010. Defensively, they should be able to hold their own, despite some losses, including standout goalkeeper Duncan Turnbull (Notre Dame) who has decided to focus on his club team. Either Jay Bode or Jason Morales will replace him. While the Turnbull loss is a big one, the Vikings have to feel comfortable with seniors Drew Klaus and Derik Rush returning to anchor the back line. "We should be good defensively," Vikings coach Ryan Estabrook said. "If we stay well-organized defensively, then every game will be competitive. I think the boys have prepared themselves well and are expecting great things." Changes in the midfield will be key. The Vikings lost Calen Colbert and Jason Legger to graduation so senior Raul Castro and sophomores Jack Cottrell and Ethan Norman are going to need to have strong seasons. If the Vikings win more than they lose this fall, junior forward Matt Waldoch will have a lot to do with it and not just because of his scoring ability. He's in his third year already. "He will be relied on for leadership," Estabrook said.
Kaneland
Coach: Scott Parillo
Last year: 13-9-2, 4-3-1 in Northern Illinois Big 12 East, lost 2-0 to Wheaton Academy Class 2A Hampshire sectional final.
Top players: Mark Dhom, sr., D, Angel Escontrias, sr., F, Drew Franklin, sr., MF, Andrew Mathys, sr., GK
Outlook: Kaneland has won regional titles in three of the past five years so the Knights have been doing something right, especially at the end of the season. "It's not how you start, it's how you finish," Knights coach Scott Parillo said. "We won't have nearly as much depth this year as we've had in the past, but this a very special senior group and they're expecting big things out of each other." The Knights are blessed with a mix of returnees who have experience at forward, midfield and defense as well as goal as keeper Andrew Mathys is back. All told, the Knights welcome back eight seniors, along with junior Trevor Jahns, who played significantly last fall. Drew Franklin, who also serves as the kicker for the football team, is one of the guys who will look to lead the team. Because of so much senior leadership, Parillo said electing team captains would be difficult. He also emphasized how much the Knights will be tested once again by playing a 3A-heavy schedule despite being a 2A team. It's worked in the past though. The Knights were sputtering last year, but won nine of their final 12 games. While they'd like a better start this year they won't ever complain about winning another regional title and advancing to a sectional championship.
Marmion
Coach: Ricky Del Toro
Last year: 12-10-0, 5-2-0 in the Catholic League, lost 2-0 to Naperville North in Class 4A Naperville North regional semifinal.
Top players: Joe Duffield, sr., D, Matt Fletcher, sr., GK, Nick Grant, jr., F, Tim Wheeler, sr., MF
Outlook: Marmion has learned quickly how difficult the postseason can be after making the leap from 2A to 3A in recent years and then playing in unquestionably the most difficult sectional. The Cadets have added some powerhouses to their schedule, including St. Charles East and defending 2A champion Wheaton Academy, to better prepare them. "We are returning six seniors from our starting lineup and three juniors," Cadets coach Ricky Del Toro said. "We are a big and physical team with a lot of experience." Marmion has dominated at home and hasn't lost there the past two seasons. Their goal is to win conference - after finishing in second place last year - and to win a playoff game, which would be the first time they've done so in three years. The team has a great leader on its back line in Joe Duffield as well as the experienced Matt Fletcher in goal. Both have been big-time players the past few seasons. Junior Nick Grant (team-best 13 goals last year) and senior Tim Wheeler have proved to be capable scorers. In addition, look for sophomore Robert Quintana to make an impact in his first season.
St. Charles East
Coach: Paul Jennison
Last year: 15-3-2, 5-1-1 in Upstate Eight River, lost 1-0 to West Chicago in Class 3A St. Charles East regional final.
Top player: Evan DiLeonardi, sr., MF
Outlook: The Saints have been on an amazing run the past few years to become one of the top teams in the state, winning a sectional title and a pair of regional titles during the past three seasons (55-8-7), while dominating the Upstate Eight River Conference. In order to continue that success this fall, they're going to need plenty of new players to step up as 15 players from last year's squad graduated. "We had a lot of turnover, but we also had a very good JV team last year and a strong freshman team," Saints coach Paul Jennison said. "We've been able to move players through the program with some good coaches and hard work by the players in the off-season. I'm looking forward to it. It's always fun to get it started. We're very excited." Jennison doesn't want to put too much pressure on his players and was hesitant to mention anyone that he'd consider a top player. "Right now we're concentrating on gelling as group and staying focused," he said. "I think by the end of the season we might surprise some people."
St. Charles North
Coach: Eric Willson
Last year: 11-6-4, 4-1-2 Upstate Eight River, lost 4-2 to Rolling Meadows in Class 3A Elk Grove Village regional title.
Top players: Alex Amro, sr., MF, Dylan Mientus, jr., F, Zack Norton, sr., GK, Brandon Stricker, sr., D
Outlook: No area team had as big of a bounce-back season as the North Stars did last year. After only winning three times in 2013, the North Stars rebound to go 11-6-4. They also made an impact in the Upstate Eight River, going 4-1-2, after struggling through a winless campaign the previous year. "Our high school always sets its expectations high," North Stars coach Eric Willson said. "We want to compete with the best teams out there." While the team didn't turn over much from its roster due to graduation, it did lose some offensive weapons, including Lorenzo Estrada and Chris Watson. They'll need some players to step up offensively, including junior Dylan Mientus. The roster includes 19 players, 13 which return from last year so this group not only has a great deal of experience but already has nice chemistry. Furthermore, the team bonded before the season even started by volunteering at Feed My Starving Children in Aurora so Willson knows he's got some great character kids. The North Stars have a special opportunity on Oct. 10 as well as they'll take on Streamwood at Toyota Park.
West Aurora
Coach: Joe Sustersic
Last year: 13-8-1, 4-2-1 in Upstate Eight Valley, lost 2-0 to Naperville Central in Class 3A Naperville Central regional semifinal
Top players: Robert Marquez, sr., GK, Riley Roos, sr., D
Outlook: Last year at this time, the big talk at West Aurora was about its seniors as 17 of their 23 players on their roster were beginning their senior season. This year, all the talk is about newcomers, as they'll have 17 players who are new to the varsity level this fall. "The lack of varsity experience does not take in the intangibles of the work ethic and commitment of this group of players who have something to prove to everyone: themselves, their teammates, their coaches and the soccer community," Blackhawks coach Joe Sustersic said. "There is fierce competition at most of the starting positions as well as during tryouts to make the squad." How the Blackhawks come together this season remains uncertain. Until the newcomers get a few games under their collective belts, there really isn't any way to know how the team will fare. One thing that is for certain though is that they have security in goal as senior starter Robert Marquez returns and Riley Roos will lead the back line. Keep an eye out for junior forward Jose Munoz and senior midfielder Arturo Mora to make an impact.