Boys soccer: Scouting Northwest
MID-SUBURBAN EASTBuffalo GroveCoach: Brad Abel (2nd year, 12-7-2)
Last season: 12-7-2 (10-1-0), MSL East champions).
Graduation losses: Alexis Alvarez (MF, playing at Harper College), Drew Brauner (F-MF, all-area, all-sectional, MSL East POY, 14 g), Brendan Carr (D), Christobal Damien (D-MF, all-MSL), Colin Doyle (F, all-area, all-sectional, 12g), Ryan Drum (D, two-time all-area, all-sectional, all-MSL, playing at Harper College), Hans Haller (D, MF, all-MSL), Hector Herrera (D-MF), Gorgis Yelda (D, playing at Harper College)
Key returning players: Seniors Alex Alfaro (MF, all-MSL), Tyler Nieman (D), Pat McLoone (MF); juniors Daniel Sempoch (GK, 6 shutouts), Manny Mazariegos (MF).
New faces: Sophomore Kevin Elioza (F); freshmen Jake Salzman (GK).
Lowdown: Last season proved the value of a good start in the MSL, as convincing early wins against Hersey and Palatine helped Buffalo Grove get off to a great start before it rolled through the rest of the league en route to its fifth appearance in the MSL Soccer Bowl. After a disappointing loss there to Schaumburg, less than a week later the reigning MSL East champs were sent home in PK's by Palatine in a regional opener. "It was a tough way to go out, especially with such a senior-dominated roster, but we'll look to rebound this fall with a talented, but very young and inexperienced group, that will need to work hard and commit themselves to getting better," said coach Brad Abel, beginning his second year with BG. The loss of the dynamic duo of Brauner and Doyle, who accounted for just over half of the goals for the Bison in 2015, is a big deal, as will be the departure of an entire, big, physical backline.
Elk GroveCoach: Rob Shepard (4th year, 14-28-5).
Last year: 4-11-1 (2-9-1).
Graduation losses: Connor Emmerich (D), Edgar Soto (MF, all-MSL, playing soccer at Aurora University), Oscar Suarez, (MF, playing at Aurora University), Ivan Rodriguez (MF), Pablo Ortiz (GK, playing soccer at Harper College), Jerry Benitez.
Key returning players: Seniors Noe Centeno (MF, all-MSL), Markos Christoforou (D), Ivan Perez (MF); juniors Joey Weber (MF), Misa Contreras (MF), Dylan Ingebrigtsen (F).
New faces: Seniors Luis Villasenor (MF), Jesus Catrejon (D); sophomore Nazaar Peron (D-MF-F).
Lowdown: While it's clear here at the start that both Hersey and Wheeling are the favorites in the MSL East, the Grens also hope to challenge for the top, and at the very least infiltrate the top six in the league table. That's something which has not been achieved since Rob Shepard's first year as head coach. "This is a senior-heavy group with a quite a bit of experience, and one that truly wants to be coached," Shepard said. "While many played JV1 last year, they were committed to train hard during the off-season, so there's no reason why they cannot compete for some meaningful accomplishments." The Grens' attack will be directed by three-year veteran Centeno, who has the positional sense and creativity to bring the best out of his teammates.
HerseyCoach: Darren Llewellyn (11th year, 101-76-26).
Last year: 6-10-5 (4-7-1), lost regional final (4-3, PK's) to Warren.
Graduation losses: Brett Harris (GK, all-MSL, playing baseball at University of Houston).
Key returning players: Seniors Christian Castro (MF, all-MSL), Jack Rasmussen (D, all-MSL), Mick Santry (D), Steve Custer (D), Matt Dickey (MF), Danny Gritt (F); junior Kevin Roman; sophomore Thomas Skiba (MF)
New faces: Senior Adam Szymaszek (GK), Guiseppe Scaletta (D), Saul Casillas (F-MF); sophomore NIck Clarizio (GK).
Lowdown: For a good few years, Hersey has been at its best when they've sat deep, defended with all their might and looked to catch their opponents on the counter-attack. It has worked brilliantly under Llewellyn - until the last two years, when the long-time head coach just has not had the personnel to carry out his tactical plan. But opponents may not recognize the Huskies this season, and without the customary orange and white shirts on, many will think they're seeing things. What they're seeing is a club that will attack, and with numbers. "We could have some fun this season," quipped Llewellyn, who looks to have an offensive-minded quintet that could trouble many foes. "We have nearly everyone back from a team last year that, midway through the season, we just shifted and went in a different offensive direction." Castro, Gritt, Dickey, Rasmussen and Skiba will be among those to watch going forward, and with terrific new GK Szymaszek in place, the Huskies are the early favorite to lift the trophy in this division.
ProspectCoach: Paul Elkins (2nd year, 6-11-1).
Last year: 6-11-1 (2-8-1)
Graduation losses: Chris Cooney (F, 14g, all-area, all-MSL, all-sectional, Illinois), Nick Jozefowski (GK, all-MSL, all-sectional), Patrick Walsh (D, Miami of Ohio), Ross LaCamera (F-MF), Eryk Soltys (MF), Celso Soto (MF).
Key returning players: Seniors James Estrella (D), Grant Whitebloom (D), Nick Kosla (MF); junior Nico Mho (MF-F).
New faces: Seniors Jakub Bochenek (F) Scott Gumowski (D), Dominik Limanowka (F), juniors Kevin Shane (GK), Aaron Whiteman (MF); sophomore Joe Boduch.
Lowdown: A turnaround season is exactly what coach Paul Elkins and his few returning players are looking for after disappointing 2015, Elkins' first as head coach. "Even though we had a senior-dominated roster last year, things really didn't come together for us," Elkins said. "But I've got two terrific captains in James Estrella and Grant Whitebloom who lead a senior class which is hard-working and willing to do the things necessary to be successful, plus a roster which is filled with guys who I am very familiar with after coaching many of them at the lower levels." The loss of its top scorer (Cooney) and a standout GK (Jozefowski) will test the coaching the staff. But Shane appears ready to handle things between the sticks, while the attack will turn towards more possession and build-up through the middle of the park to offset the 14 goals Cooney bagged.
Rolling MeadowsCoach: Peter Mikulak (13th year, 70-117-21).
Last season: 7-11-1 (2-8-1).
Graduation losses: Jake Koutas (F, all-MSL, Iowa State University), Jash Snopek (MF, playing at Harper College), Benny Masi (D, all-MSL, playing at Benedictine U.), Zach Kacimi (D).
Key returning players: Seniors Alex Bielic (MF, all-MSL), Joseph Perez (D), Junior Sanchez (D), Pedro Botello (MF), Tony Montesinos (MF).
New faces: Seniors Pedro Botello (F-MF), Nolan Quinn (D); junior Tomas Martin Del Campo (F-MF), sophomores Sammy Olague (MF), Sergio Lucero-Herrera (MF); freshmen Matt Galvan (GK).
Lowdown: There isn't much of a senior or veteran presence on this 2016 soccer club, and with just four in Peter Mikulak's first 11, for many coaches, this would be cause for concern. "Yes, we're young, inexperienced, and with just a few with any real quality time on the varsity level, but I feel as though we have some very good players going forward who will help us find the back of the net, and a few others, who in time, after they make the adjustment to the speed of the varsity game (could) help make a difference in how things go for us this year." Veteran MF Alec Bielic will be stationed just in front of the Mustangs' backline and will help direct the attack, while providing a presence in front of a new, freshman keeper. Meanwhile, while the attacking trio of Botello, Lucero Herrera and silky smooth sophomore Olague, at least in the early going, have the energy and creativity to be dangerous.
WheelingCoach: Kevin Lennon (1st year).
Last season: 14-4-2 (6-3-2), lost regional final (2-1, PK's) to Deerfield.
Graduation losses: Josh Prindle (MF, all-MSL, playing at Dominican University), Nick Janulis (F, all-area, all-sectional, all-MSL, 17g, playing at Knox College), Elias Cisneros (F, all-area, all-MSL, 14g), Allen Mancilla (D, all-MSL), Brayan Cervantes (MF), Juan Salgado (GK), Chris Aguirre (injury).
Key returning players: Seniors Jonathan Sanchez (D-MF, all-area, all-sectional, two-time all-MSL), Jose Aguillar (D-MF), Jose Castillo (GK), Dennis Gavrilla (F); juniors Vicente Castro (MF), Jose Mariscal (F), David Soto (D).
New faces: Seniors Rivaldi Araujo (MF), Konrad Malinowski (F, transfer from Elmwood Park), Antonia Rivas (D); juniors Robert Cruz (MF), Randy Pietrowski (D); sophomores Jesus Avila (D-MF), Jared Urueta (D-MF).
Lowdown: A last-minute change at the top following the departure of long-time coach Ed Uhrik, who left to spend more time with his growing family, finds former Palatine star Kevin Lennon taking over. Lennon, who was Uhrik's trusted right-hand man for years, assembled a first-rate staff which includes former Wheeling star and all-area team captain Leo Elizalde, plus former Conant star and four-year NIU player Tim King. "I feel very good about having both Leo and Tim here to help, and once we sort things out after our grueling first 10 days of the season (which includes 8 games), I believe we can have a very good season and be right there, challenging for the top spot in the division," said Lennon. Although the loss of some superb talent from its front seven from a year ago will be a factor, the Wildcats still will have a vast array of attacking options to go along with the excellent trio along the back in Sanchez, Aguilar and Soto. They'll be stationed just in front of keeper Jose Castillo, a much improved and fearless shot-stopper. The addition of Konrad Malinowski, who transferred from Elmwood Park, gives Lennon and his staff another front-runner alongside both Gavrilla and Mariscal.
MID-SUBURBAN WESTBarringtonCoach: Scott Steib (17th year, 291-94-35), 351-121-42 (career)
Last season: 13-6-1 (6-4-1).
Graduation losses: Hans Pallan (F, all-MSL, playing soccer at Illinois Wesleyan), Luke Sellers (MF, all-area, all-MSL, UC-Santa Barbara), Jorge Nambo (MF, Harper College).
Key returning players: Seniors Nash Pirie (D, all-state, all-area, 11a), Zach Carbonara (MF, all-MSL), Caleb Orr (MF), Kyle Owen (F), Alex Ruffolo (GK, 8 shutouts, all-MSL), Josh Coulter (MF); juniors Gio Guarnero (MF), Klaus Pallen (F).
New faces to watch: Junior Enrico Ruffolo (MF-F).
Lowdown: Can Barrington be the best in the MSL West this fall? "We lost three to graduation, and have 15 players back - among them, ten were starters," says coach Scott Steib. "We should have a good season with so many players back, because this group should know what to expect. But we need to continue to grow in our willingness to play hard physically, while working to communicate and organize faster, and more effectively." The Broncos appear to hve the firepower to pick anybody off when required, beginning with the MF duo of Carbonara and Guarnero, who each will be a breath of fresh air in the middle of the park for Steib. There could be some double-digit scoring from the trio of Pallen, Orr and Owen, while the lone returning all-state player from the area, Nash Pirie, gives the club pace, energy and another attacking option from his spot along the outside, while providing defensive strength in front of the veteran GK Ruffolo.
ConantCoach: Jason Franco (9th year, 80-76-33).
Last season: 8-6-6 (5-5-1).
Graduation losses: Cesar Alfaro (MF, all-MSL), Sam Barajas (MF), Ben Hyde (D), Christian Hyde (GK, all-MSL, playing at Harper Junior College), Umi Kanao (MF), Shawn Khazey (MF-F), Mikoto Kobayashki (MF, Grinnell College, IA), Kyle Nelli (D), Ben Rodela (MF, playing at Harper College).
Key returning players: Seniors Kevin Sindewald (MF, all-area, all-MSL), Mike Rizzo (D), Matt Biernat (D), Nico Scimeca (MF), Nuh (Noah) Ozbag (F), Jason Fillingim (MF); juniors Tommy Biernat (D), Brandon Chlopek (MF).
New faces: Senior Tim Breiter (GK); juniors Harris Dibek (F), Mateusz Pasula (F); sophmores Eduardo Dorado (F), Sota Ono (MF), Piotr Pyz (GK).
Lowdown: There's an air of optimism this fall with the return of a strong core of seniors from which Jason Franco coached back in eighth grade. "With so many back from last year, plus some solid depth at all positions, we feel we can meet the high expectations we've placed upon this group, but only if we're careful to navigate ourselves through a strong division, and conference just one game at a time," said Franco. The spine of this club is the Biernat brothers, who are ready to slam the door along the back where they are stationed as the Cougars' center-backs, alongside a very good outside back in Rizzo. MF marshall Kevin Sindewald will have plenty of potential weapons all around him to make the attack dangerous, while providing some much needed punch in what Franco hopes will be a potent attack.
FremdCoach: Steve Keller (19th year, 231-139-63).
Last season: 6-13-2 (4-5-2).
Key losses: Luke Schoffstall (F-MF, all-area, all-MSL, 15g, playing football at Fremd), Jake Arbour (MF-D, all-MSL), Rohan Menon (MF, all-MSL), Tyler Alfirivic (MF, playing at Harper College), Michael Kramer (GK), Seiya Iguchi (MF), Ryan Rowden (D) Sean Shields (MF)l, Matt Austin (club soccer), Angel Virgos (club soccer), Dorian Lesiuk (club soccer).
Key returning players: Seniors James Lefevre (F), Josh Kasser (GK), Bobby Burk (D); juniors Max Clark (F), Ben Cuthbert (D), Dalton Rogers (MF).
New faces: Senior Shintaro Hidaka (D); sophomore Yuma Yamamoto (D); freshman Joe Beaupre (MF).
Lowdown: The Vikings not only lost extraordinary numbers through graduation, but also to club soccer, and its own football team, which now has the services of one of the top attacking players in this half of the state in Luke Schoffstall. "Club soccer wasn't very kind to us, while having Luke move over to be the place-kicker was another tough blow for us this fall," said Keller. The highly successful and long-time head coach, as per usual, will sort things out by midseason and likely turn his club into a dangerous one down the stretch. To do so, he will lean heavily on the handful of returning players - Lefevre, Clark and Rodgers - to rejuvenate and balance the attack, while two more veterans, Burk and Cuthbert, do their part to help ensure the backline is at its best.
Hoffman EstatesCoach: Matt Sriver (13th year, 65-137-23).
Last season: 4-12-1 (3-7-1).
Graduation losses: Konrad Kieruzal (MF, two-time all-area, all-sectional, all-MSL), Remzi Ahemti (F, all-MSL), Ricky Choi (MF), Mark Hauser (D), Christian Peralta (GK).
Key returning players: Seniors Noe Padilla (MF, all-MSL), Luis Gurrola (MF), Sebastian Cajial (D), Ted Penev (MF); juniors Nelson Diaz (D, all-MSL), Joey Sopikiotis (D).
New faces: Sophomores Edson Orantes (F), Tony Cabral (MF), Christian Hernandez (F), Alex Gonzalez (MF), Tyler Kelly (GK).
Lowdown: The importance of captain, team leader and two-time all-area MF Konrad Kieruzal probably can't be overstated. Blessed with terrific pace, and a work rate which allowed the four-year veteran to go box-to-box for 80 minutes, his departure undoubtedly is the toughest one for coach Matt Sriver. "You just cannot replace a player like Konrad. We won't try to, and with sometime six sophomore out there for us, we know there will be some rough times," Sriver said. "Although we have a very young roster, it's a very competitive group. We're quick and skilled, and we don't seem to lose anything when guys come off the bench." There's quality along the back with all-MSL junior Diaz, and it appears the Padilla, a senior, is ready to take over in the middle of the park as the Hawks' playmaker.
PalatineCoach: Willie Filian (26th year, 349-154-52).
Last season: 12-5-3 (7-4-0), lost regional final (3-0) to eventual state champion Libertyville.
Graduation losses: Liam Obernesser (D, all-area, all-MSL, all-sectional, Butler University), Matt Meyer (MF, all-MSL), Joe Stanbridge (D, all-MSL) Tadeo Lara (MF, playing at Harper College), Gabriel Drab (MF), Michael Jensen (GK), Steven Gatica, Philip Huynh (MF).
Top returning players: Seniors Dylan Ruzbasan (GK), Johan Ballasco (F-MF), Daniel Pacheo (MF), George Soipan (F), Everardo Busatmante (F), Adan Flores MF); juniors Sebastian Fraczek (MF), Conor McGarvey (D).
New faces: Seniors Javier Garcia (MF, Fire Academy), Ricardo Gonzalez (MF, Fire Academy), Spencer Poklop (D), Miguel Malagon (MF), Armando Salinas (F), Dimitri Piceno (MF), Julian Ramirez (D), Elias Rojas (GK), Jorge Gomez (F); juniors Ethan Bank (GK), Connor Nix (D), Kevin Filian (MF), Griffin Falotico (D), Luke Garrett (D), Will Riordan (F), Chris Munoz (D).
Lowdown: You always know what your going to get from Willie Filian's side, whose work rate and energy, dangerous set pieces and break-down-the flanks model of play has remained unchanged for years. This has given the Pirates a valuable identitity, with every player fully aware of what's expected. There should be more of the same in 2016, although the barricade behind the Pirates' midfield is gone with the graduation of veteran Liam Obernesser. "It's along the back where we have concern, but our midfield should be our strength, as will our depth, so we'll see how that all measures up by the middle of the season," says Filian. The return of the MF combo of Garcia and Gonzalez from the under-16 Fire Academy team makes an already skilled and quick unit even better, and with a first-class keeper (Ruzbasan) between the sticks, that part of the game will be key to the Pirates' hope of lifting the division trophy this October.
SchaumburgCoach: Hamid Mehreiouskouei (12th year, 153-98-16).
Last season: 18-3-0 (10-1-0), MSL, regional champs.
Graduation losses: Jason Schoo (MF, all-state, all-area captain, two-time all-area, all-MSL), Jessie Lopez (MF, two-time all-area), Alexis Flores (F, all-area, 14g, playing at North Central College), Edgar Avila (GK, all-area, 12 shutouts), Niko Davis (D, all-area), Andrew Ralston (D), Daniel Artman (MF, playing at Augustana), Austin Lara (MF), Freddy Arreola (MF, playing at Harper College), Luccas Greco (D), playing at Harper College), Noak Kostokowietcz (F), Austin Lara (MF), Christ Melicio (D).
Key returning players: Seniors Edward Gomez (F, all-MSL, 6g), Andrew Bird (MF-D); sophomore Nick Marino (F-MF).
New faces: Seniors Aaron Bogner (D), Andrew Gomez (D); sophomore Edwin Zuniga (MF); freshmen Jared Schoo (MF), Sean Bird (D).
Lowdown: 2015 could have been the year for the ages at Schaumburg. The Saxons' roster was talent-heavy, supercharged from front-to-back, and with all the pieces in place to make a serious run at the big 3A trophy on the final weekend of the season. However, after a dominant performance in the 39th MSL Soccer Bowl, something went awry, and less than 10 days later, the Saxons' season was over. With 8 of his 11 starters in that MSL title match seniors, here's what coach Hamid Mehreieoskouei had to say: "We have a lot of work ahead of us. It's like a massive rebuilding job, and it's obviously going to take some time to get it all to come together." The lone holdover from a potent offense, Edward Gomez, may have to go at it alone at times, but the two-year starter may have help from the sophomore Marino, who started in the MSL Soccer Bowl. Andrew Bird, who enjoyed an all-star caliber year along the backline one year ago, has been moved from his spot along the backline to add some stability while giving the club some much needed veteran leadership in the middle of the park, alongside a handful of freshmen and sophomores.
NORTHEASTERN ATHLETICChristian LibertyCoach: Aaron DeRidder (2nd year, 8-8-2).
Last season: 8-8-2 (3-4-0).
Graduation losses: Grant Sutherland (D, 10a), Nico Ortiz, Jack Matthews (GK).
Key returning players: Seniors Josh Tolford (MF), Ben Woods (D); juniors Jesse Castro (MF, 18g), Alex Tolford (MF), Josh Tolford (F-MF, 7g).
New faces: Senior Jimmy Cunningham (GK); freshmen Miguel Perez (MF).
Lowdown: Scoring leaders, Jesse Castro and Josh Tolford headline a strong core of returning players for this group, which was a respectable 8-8-2 one year ago but lost three starters from that club, as well as three others to other schools and/or season-ending injuries. "We're excited to have a terrific group of freshmen on our roster, but the flip side of that is the growing pains they will need to go through, so we'll definitely will have our ups and downs this fall until we sort things out and the boys play a few games together," said DeRidder, who has done a fine job in turning around the girls program in the spring as well. "Our concern early on is to tighten things up along the back in order to give our new keeper, who is a natural, time to get his feet under him." Now that the Chargers are past a rough opening week against 1A powers, Northridge Prep and Chicago Latin, the club can settle in and get back on its collective front foot.
WEST SUBURBAN GOLDLeydenCoach: Mark Valintis (10th year, 117-63-27).
Last season: 16-6-2 (4-2-0), regional champions, lost sectional final (3-1) to Evanston.
Graduation losses: Albert Arabik (F, two-time all-area, all-WSG, playing at UIC), Cesar Franco (D, two-time all-area, all-WSG, playing at Dominican University), Alfredo Recendez (GK, all-area, all-WSG, playing at Dominican University), Jesus Hernandez (MF).
Key returning players: Seniors Angel Lopez (MF, all-WSG), Esteban Hernandez (M), Damian Kosakowski (D), Krystian Havran (F).
New faces to watch: Juniors Franciso Toral (F), Marco Villalobos (MF), Adrian Flores (MF), Daniel Kulawiak (D), Matt Makowiec (F).
Lowdown: Can the Eagles' Mark Valintis re-engineer yet another successful side once more after taking a huge graduation hit following the departures of three of the top players this program has had in quite some time? "Those three are truly irreplaceable," said Valintis when asked about the loss of Cesar Franco, Alberto Recendez and Albert Arabik. "Albert was a special talent up top, Cesar had such a high soccer IQ, and was one who could see things develop before they happened, and Alberto, as our keeper, would make one, maybe two goal-saving stops each and every game. But the one thing that weighed heavily on each of them was we never had that signature win last year, despite chances to do so against Morton and Evanston, and for those back, the opportunity for them to do so is there for them." Franco's backline partner from a year ago (Kosakowski) will take over as the defensive leader, while the trio of Lopez, Hernandez and Havran, which combined for 23 goals and 20 helpers last fall, is ready to impress in the Eagles' attack. Nationally ranked Morton is the team to beat, but Valintis feels his veterans are setting the tone by example by doing all the little things, which he says has carried over to the newcomers.
CENTRAL SUBURBAN NORTHMaine WestCoach: Alan Matan (4th year, 24-43-10).
Last season: 4-14-3 (0-3-2).
Graduation losses: Joey Pulvino (all-CSL), Edgar Vallejo (GK, Iowa Wesleyan), Michael Podsiadly (MF, playing at Illinois Institute of Technolgy), Gabe Juszczynski (F, Elmhurst College), Edgar Montesinos (Maine West, D, all-CSL), Juan Vallejo (D).
Key returning players: Senior Brant Ibarra (MF); junior Ozzie Espinoza (D).
New faces: Juniors Jonathan Reynoso (MF), Geronimo Xolio (F); sophomores Jason Ibarra (MF), Jason Martinez (MF), Emerson Herrera (F), Dean Hernandez (GK),
Lowdown: The Warriors' roster went a full 180, as illustrated when coach Alan Matan penciled in just one senior in his starting lineup during the club's 3-0 season-opening victory at Prospect. "Oh yes, we are very young, but this is a very talented group of young men, with a lot of skill and desire to be better. So if we build on that, the expectations around here we be quite high," said the affable Matan. "There's very little drop-off in talent on this year's roster, so you can imagine how competitive our training sessions have been, with each of the guys knowing they can vie for a starting role, or more minutes if they continue to show strong effort and work rate away from our regular-season games."
EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLICSt. ViatorCoach: Mike Taylor (37th year,. 459-146-91), 523-206-112 (career).
Last season: 12-8-5 (7-2-0).
Graduation losses: Miles McDonnell (MF, all-area, two-time all-ESCC, playing soccer at Loras University), Tony Pineda (F-MF, two-time all-ESCC, playing soccer at St. Norbert, MN), Kevin Napoleon (GK, all-ESCC, playing baseball at Butler), Patrick Hickey (MF, all-ESCC), Kevin Teraji (D), Jack Murphy (MF-F), Zach Wolf (MF).
Key returning players: Seniors Sean Lonigro (D), Kyle Borst (GK), Jonathon Moyo (SR); junior Jack Hartman (F); sophomores Zaul Perez (MF), Will Hartman (F), Michael Tangredi (MF).
Lowdown: The Lions lost several key figures from its 2015 club, including Miles McDonnell, whose work rate on both sides of the ball made him the heart and soul of Mike Taylor's side. Along with veterans Tony Pineda and Patrick Hickey, McDonnell guaranteed the Lions would be in the race for the big ESCC trophy. This season, despite these aforementioned losses, Taylor's faith in youth, as well as a terrific coaching staff, could lead to bigger and better things come October. "I've turned the defense over to TK (King, former St.Viator star), the offense to Bryan Dahlquist (former Conant and Marquette star), which will lean hard on our three returning seniors: Sean Lonigro, Kyle Borst and Jonathon Mayo," Taylor said. "Then we'll look to a handful of young players to step into the roles we eventually find for them." The Hartman brothers will counted on to finish up top, while Moyo and Zaul Perez will be asked to run things in the middle of park. "After we play the nationally ranked duo of Chaminade (Mo.) and Marquette (Wis.) at our place, win or lose, we'll know how we stand up to the best, then we'll go from there."
- compiled by Mike Garofola