Boys soccer: Presenting the Fox Valley All-Area team

Esteban Angeles Cary-GroveThis two-time all-area selection was instrumental in the Trojans' sectional run, but had to move around on both sides of the ball this season. Although he's more dangerous one-on-one and was marked and shadowed heavily, he helped his teammates get better and stepped it up when needed. Scored 9 goals and had 11 assists. "He's been pretty rock solid so the speed at which he can do it has increased," Trojans coach Mark Olson said. "I've seen the way he's stepped up and how he's had that second gear as well. And during playoff time he stepped up a whole other notch."

Nathan Carey BataviaThis three-year player was the undeniable leader of the Bulldogs' defense, which had a 1.65 goals against average. "Nathan has been rock solid for us this year as a leader and a defender," Batavia coach Mark Gianfrancesco said. "All of his teammates would look to him because of his work rate and execution." Batavia allowed 1 goal or less in 50 percent of its games this fall and won its second consecutive regional, despite finishing with an 8-10-6 record. Carey also contributed offensively with 3 goals and 4 assists. "He will be a hard player to replace moving forward," Gianfrancesco said.

Tyler Champine St. Charles EastHe may not have been glorified for his play, but his dominance in the back helped St. Charles East compile a 14-5-2 record and shut out 8 opponents. "He was an unsung hero and our MVP," Saints coach Paul Jennison said. "He came in from JV last year and made the jump and was fantastic." He proved to be an extremely mobile center back that was strong in the air and solid one-on-one. "He was excellent for us this year," Jennison said. "He's going to be a difficult player to replace."

Evan DiLeonardi St. Charles EastThe undeniable leader for the Saints finished a stellar career in which the Saints won 14 or more games each season. DiLeonardi was an all-state selection this year and as hard of a worker that you could find. "On the field or off of it in the weight room he was always trying to get better," Saints coach Paul Jennison said. "He was never content. He always was looking for ways to become a better soccer player and it showed on the field. He once again elevated his game this year and for the last three years he's been a fantastic player for us."

Joe Duffield MarmionIt's hard to imagine what Marmion will look like in 2016 without Joe Duffield on the pitch. The senior defender was a rare breed in that he started every game during his four years as a Cadet, while being selected captain the past two seasons. "Joe has helped us get 10 shutouts this year with a much more competitive schedule than last year," Marmion coach Ricky Del Toro said. "Joe will most likely get team MVP honors again this year as he was voted MVP last year (too)." The all-sectional selection helped the Cadets shut out 7 of 8 opponents during one stretch of the season.

Angel Escontrias KanelandAn injury slowed this junior, as well as the Knights, but once he got healthy, so did the team as they finished 7-3-2 to end the regular season before getting knocked out in their opening regional game by Fenton. They opened 1-4-2 while Escontrias was hurt for the first six games. "When finally healthy, he took off and defenses had to double and triple team him," Kaneland coach Scott Parillo said. "He has great footwork and moves. He can place the ball where it needs to be and he is a big-time threat." The all-conference and all-sectional selection scored 12 goals and added 6 assists.

Erik Faessler BataviaMost in the stands who saw Batavia play this season probably didn't see many of the things this junior did to help the Bulldogs play competitively. "Erik has been a solid player for us this year in the midfield, doing a lot of the little things that most people do not notice," Batavia coach Mark Gianfrancesco said. "His abilities allow us to play him anywhere the team needs him at anytime. For a coach, we love those types of players." Faessler finished the year with 4 goals, including an amazing header in the season-ending sectional semifinal loss to Naperville Central. He also had 10 assists.

AJ Franklin St. EdwardNot many area forwards had a breakout from their freshman to sophomore years, but this first time all-area selection earned all-Metro Suburban honors for the second straight year with 21 goals and 4 assists. Franklin started every game and helped the Green Wave to a regional championship appearance. "AJ is one of the purest goal scorers the Wave has had in recent memory," Green Wave coach Tim Brieger said. "With the ability to score off the dribble, from long range, set pieces and PKs, AJ accounted for a goal or an assist in 12 of the Wave's 19 games ... even while double teamed."

Nikolas Getzinger CL SouthA tireless worker on both sides of the ball, this first time all-area selection earned all-Fox Valley Conference and all-sectional honors with a big splash this season. His relentless attitude, leadership defensively and versatility earned him 19 goals and 7 assists, pushing his career totals to 26 goals and 8 assists. "He's quick, technical, and tenacious in the air, which allows for him to break you down in the attack numerous ways," Gators coach Brian Allen said. "(Nikolas) helped our versatility and consistency to remain in our attack late in the season even after the injury to Andrew Grabowski."

Jake Hasenstein BartlettThe Hawks' goalkeeper garners his first all-area selection for how he brought confidence to the Hawks and kept his team in every game protecting the cage. He not only made big saves in big situations, he helped organize the Hawks defensively to go along with his 8 shutouts. "His ability to stop shots is unbelievable," Bartlett coach Vince Di Nuzzo said. "And his distribution has been great and his positioning improved. I know he has the ability to play at the next level. In terms of athleticism, he's an athlete." Allowed 28 goals for a 1.12 per game average.

Freddy Martinez Dundee-CrownA highly-touted spark who was on everyone's radar, Martinez makes his first all-area team with a list of honors that makes D-C coach Rey Vargas very proud. This senior garnered all-state and all-Fox Valley Conference honors in addition to his 10 goals and 15 assists, while using his vision and speed to see the field and make plays look easy. "He's a player that demands attention from other teams and somehow still finds a way to help the team," Vargas said. "Freddy is very modest and will never take credit for the team's success. He is a team player and puts the team first."

Robert Marquez West AuroraOne of the biggest challenges West Aurora faced this season was getting acclimated to varsity competition as it welcomed 17 new players. Thankfully, it had a confident leader in goal who proved to not only be a great leader, but kept them in games all fall as a three-year player. "He was a veteran of our team and a mentor to all of the inexperienced players," Blackhawks coach Joe Sustersic said. "He made save after save to keep us in games. He always made the normal save, but it was the amazing save that he wowed us with his talent." He finished his career with more than 300 saves, 13.5 shutouts and a 1.15 GAA.

Noah Melick JacobsDangerous. It's the best way to describe this first time all-area, two-time all-conference, all-sectional selection who is also the honorary co-captain of the Fox Valley all-area team. Melick saw a bump from 7 goals and 5 assists to 18 goals and 10 assists during Jacobs' sectional run. "I haven't run into a more dangerous player in the area," Jacobs coach Anthony Cappello said. "He has worked to improve his distribution within the final third. He wins anything in the air that is put into his direction. He commands respect from other teams' back lines that creates spaces and opportunities for his teammates that would be otherwise unavailable."

Ryan Olson St. Charles NorthIt was a huge breakout season for this all-state junior who arguably will be the top senior in the area next fall. "Ryan is the definition of a box-to-box midfielder," North Stars coach Eric Willson said. "He was a major impact on our team both offensively and defensively. He has been playing DCM for us since his freshman year and really had his break out season this year." Olson had 4 game-winning goals this fall, as well as a hat trick. "He does all of the little things that are necessary for a center midfielder to win that part of the field," Willson said.

Jonathan Ramirez ElginThis junior all-Upstate Eight forward came out of nowhere to make his first all-area team. Not even Maroons coach Dave Borg knew about Ramirez, who saw his first action with Elgin and distributed 36 goals and 9 assists, leading the Fox Valley area in scoring. "Jonathan was a gift from the soccer gods," Borg said. "He proved to us at tryouts he was the real deal. Fast and a phenomenal dribbler, he was a workhorse and constantly grinding. A prolific scorer, I can only imagine how many he would have if he played all four years." Ramirez featured a 6-goal game against Lemont, as his speed and knack for being in the right spot paid huge dividends.

Chris Rigby JacobsAnytime this two-time all-Fox Valley Conference, all-sectional selection served up a free kick, opponents were in big trouble. Highly regarded as one of the best players in the area for his strong leg and uncanny accuracy, Rigby, a first-time all-area selection, was lethal from the back line and in the midfield, with 4 goals and 11 assists. "He can serve the ball from distance or attack players and serve the ball from further advanced positions," Cappello said. "He has the ability to play as an attacking option from the back line or through the midfield depending on the matchup."

Edwin Rueda StreamwoodA repeat all-area selection, Rueda was an all-Upstate Eight selection who finished with 7 goals and 10 assists. Smart and quick with the ball off his feet, Rueda was instrumental throughout summer workouts and with his decision making finding open runners. But coach Matt Polovin pointed out his defense as the key this season. "What made it better for him and what he worked on was his defense, which is what I loved most about his game this year," said Polovin. "Any midfielder can distribute the ball well but it's tough to find midfielders who play hard on both sides of the ball and that's what he did really well."

Oliver Saile BartlettThe jack-of-all-trades for the Hawks, this first-time all-area selection is a leader on the field not only for his verbal cues, but with his physicality. Saile sets the tone out of the midfield. Had 9 goals and 8 assists. "He does everything well - he gets behind the ball, he wins battles, he wins 50-50 tackles nonstop, he gets us going forward in the attack and transitions well both in the attack and in the defense," Bartlett coach Vince Di Nuzzo said. "He puts the ball on anyone's head. He has the ability to score a free kick, he's done that about four times this year. He single-handedly won us a couple games. He's a special player."

Jack Schramme Burlington CentralWhile this striker took the area by storm last season, the two-time all-area selection didn't refrain from showing his talent once again. Schramme's 22 goals brought his career total to 44, earning all-Big Northern honors. "Jack is a finishing machine. He just always seems be at the right place at the right time. Jack's discipline in front of goal with the ball is clinical," Rockets coach Mike Gecan said. "I believe he will need to step up as a leader next year on the field in order for us to get to the next level as a program."

Donnie Sosa StreamwoodThis first-time all-area selection scored 13 goals and 6 assists this season while garnering all-Upstate Eight and all-state honors. With the absence of last year's all-area captain, Alan Camarena, Sosa was the go-to-guy who was nonstop with his attacking ability and taking on defenders one-on-one. "Just with his aggressiveness in and around the box, especially in the 6-yard box, he'll give up his body; he'll fly, he'll dive," coach Matt Polovin said. "It was evident last year during the playoffs when he was Mr. Clutch, he found his way to the back post and if you forgot about him, all of a sudden there he is."

Matthew Waldoch GenevaThe talent of this senior may have been overlooked since the Vikings didn't have much success during a 5-9-5 season. Regardless, Waldoch was dangerous all season long. "He's one of the most talented players in the area. He was one of the most dynamic players in the area for the second year in a row," Geneva coach Ryan Estabrook said. "His quality of play always increases as the season draws near the playoffs." As an outside midfielder, Waldoch scored 8 goals this fall while earning all-sectional and all-conference honors for the second consecutive season.

Michael Zembrzuski HuntleyThis three-year varsity starter made his second-straight all-area team by not being a goal scorer as he was accustomed to last year. While his numbers were down (9 goals, 5 assists), Zembrzuski was asked to distribute and find others. Not only did he improve on playing the ball out of the air, his ability to drift in regards to where he was going to attack impressed Huntley coach Kris Grabner. "The biggest thing he did this year was just getting more people involved because we had more depth," Grabner said. "Having coached him since he was little and seeing his progress to this year is just staggering to me."

Jason Zobott HuntleyThis skilled defensive center-mid who notched 4 goals and 7 assists is a first time all-area selection. He made no doubt about his work ethic or aggressive nature. According to Huntley coach Kris Grabner, "there wasn't a single player in conference or a single player all year that worked harder than him." Among using his 6-2 frame and crossfit routine to his advantage, this all-Fox Valley Conference player was relentless, strong and engaged himself in tackles and battles that he mostly won. "Once he shows everybody what he's going to do he starts demanding it of others and that's why in my opinion he's the best player in the conference," Grabner said.