Scouting DuPage County boys soccer teams
Addison Trail
Coach: Peter Ginter (second season, 4-13-3).
Last season: 4-13-3 overall, 1-5 (fourth) in West Suburban Gold.
Top players: Douglas Lima (sr., M), George Medina (sr., F), Adam Musial (sr., M), Zach Busse (jr., D), Gilberto Saucedo (jr., M), Rodrigo Cobos (jr., F), Jonathan Garcia (fr., GK).
Outlook: The program's lower levels are on the rise, and Ginter sees a better future for the Blazers. This year's squad will be led by Lima, who brings speed and a high work rate to an attack that also features forwards Cobos and the speedy Medina, and will also be spearheaded by Saucedo's distribution and ball skills. Musial is a natural defender, and Busse's maturity in back will lead. "Our experience isn't great, but our skill level is much improved," Ginter said.
Benet
Coach: Henry Wind (18th season, 250-95-47 record).
Last season: 21-2-2, 8-1-0 (first) in East Suburban Catholic Conference.
Top players: Erik Warren (sr., M), Dan Gonda (sr., M), Kevin Kron (sr., F/M/D), Pat Sloan (sr., M/F).
Outlook: Benet arguably graduated the best senior group in Illinois last year, leaving this year's squad to follow their lead. "We'll have to figure it out, but we'll be all right," Wind said. Gonda moves from sweeper to attacking midfielder with good speed, skill and vision, and the Loyola-bound Warren is big, strong, and skilled at the defensive midfield spot. Kron can play anywhere, Sloan can finish, and outside midfielders Connor Miller and Rory Burke will also figure prominently.
Downers Grove North
Coach: Brian Gervase (third season, 19-27-5 record).
Last season: 5-20-1 overall, 1-5 (sixth) in West Suburban Silver.
Top players: Colin Cuzman (sr., CD), Kyle Boekeloo (sr., F), Chris Lutz (sr., CM) Drew Vogler (sr., GK), Neil Hough (jr., D), Mike Malay (sr., M), Paul Hogan (fr., D).
Outlook: The Trojans lost 10 games by one goal last year, but they have seven returning starters ready to right that ship. "They've shown a commitment since December of last year to turn things around," Gervase said. Juniors Hough and Mike Matook join a returning core of seniors along with a solid freshman defender in Hogan. The formidable Pepsi Showdown in early September will give the Trojans a good idea where they stand.
Downers Grove South
Coach: Jon Stapleton (sixth season, 84-24-13 record).
Last season: 14-5-4 overall, 5-1 (first) in West Suburban Gold.
Top players: Steve Lucianek (sr., M), Jack Suker (sr., M), Alex Safford (sr., M), Mark Dismang (sr., F), Brett Petricek (jr., GK), Dave Alter (sr., D), Frankie Damian (sr., F).
Outlook: Lucianek has all the tools at midfield and will look to score this year, with Suker's scrappiness also keying the middle. Safford can cover ground on the outside and serve it well, while forwards Dismang and Damian have combined well in the preseason. Petricek was named the top goalkeeper at the ODP championships, and Alter adds experience as the defense develops. "We've got good potential," Stapleton said. "We've got good speed to the ball, and we can play physical if need be."
Driscoll
Coach: Enrique Mendoza
Top players: Andrew Strickland (so., GK), Matt Strickland (sr., CM), Tom Campbell (so., OD), Evan Krause (so., CD), Brando Rodriguez (so., OD)
Outlook: Driscoll's program nearly folded this year due to low program numbers, but a last-minute reprieve will allow this year's 11-man roster to play it out. "These kids really wanted to play," said Mendoza, who has been trying to build a soccer program in a school with an overwhelmingly rich football tradition. Matt Stickland's strength and speed will key the midfield, while Campbell's strength in the air, Rodriguez's speed and Krause's hustle lead the defense in front of second-year goalkeeper Andrew Strickland.
Fenton
Coach: David Alvarez (fourth season, 15-23-1 record).
Last season: 6-13-2 overall, 4-5 (third) in Metro Suburban Conference.
Top players: Nepthali Bailon (jr., D), Jonnathan Cardoso (jr., M), Nico Toritto (sr., M), Sam Schmidt (sr., M), Javier Flores (sr., M), Korol Bryjak (jr., F), Kevin Perez (so., M).
Outlook: Scoring should come easier this year, thanks in part to forward Bryjak, a transfer student from Poland. "He's the whole package," Alvarez said. The attack will count on Cardoso's relentlessness, Schmidt's smarts and passing skills, and Flores' vision and work rate. Toritto and Perez also key the midfield, while Bailon will lead the back line in front of sophomore goalkeeper Irving Cortes. "We've got good experience at midfield and guys that can score this year," Alvarez said.
Glenbard East
Coach: Josh Adler (fourth season, 39-14-6 record).
Last season: 15-4-1 overall, 4-3 (fourth) in DuPage Valley Conference.
Top players: Dave Perkins (sr., D), Josh Finn (sr., M), Chad Didriksen (sr., M), Mike Kostic (sr., M), Nick Marks (sr., GK), Dan Gonzalez (jr., M).
Outlook: The Rams were hit hard by graduation, but Adler aims to keep the program on solid footing. "We expect them to compete at a high level. We're just lacking some varsity game experience right now," he said. Team leader and defender Perkins is the lone returning veteran in front of a strong and physical goalkeeper in Marks. The attack will rely on midfielder Finn's ball-winning ability, the size and craftiness of Kostic and Didriksen, and Gonzalez's distribution skills.
Glenbard North
Coach: Greg Chrisman (first season).
Top players: Matt Keating (sr., D), Claude Castro (sr., F), Ogi Droskovic (sr., M), Bryan Noval (jr., F), Michael Eskridge (sr., M).
Outlook: First-year coach Chrisman starts his tenure on the right foot: "We have a senior-dominant team, and they'll all receive playing time," he said. The Panthers feature 12 seniors, a mix of skill and athleticism and decent team speed. Castro is quick and aggressive up top, forward Noval has smarts and a good shot, while Droskovic's distribution skills and Keating's all-around play steer the midfield. Keating can attack from the back for a team looking for a top-half finish in the tough DuPage Valley Conference.
Glenbard South
Coach: Bob Blecher (ninth season, 93-85-8 record).
Last season: 8-11-1 overall, 2-4 in Western Sun Conference.
Top players: Josh Payne (sr., M), Foster Pyle (jr., F), Charlie Adams (so., D), Dylan Milkent (so., GK), Evan Johnson (so., M), Derek Yeh (so., D).
Outlook: "This is the youngest team I've ever had here," Blecher said of this year's Raiders, "but there's a lot of talent and potential there." Of 18 varsity players, 11 are freshmen and sophomores, so the leadership of the tireless Payne will be invaluable. Pyle adds size and strength to the attack, Johnson will distribute from midfield, and a pair of sophomores in the poised Adams and the speedy Yeh will anchor the back line in front of an athletic goalkeeper in Milkent.
Glenbard West
Coach: John Gosling (second season, 4-12-1).
Last year: 4-12-1 overall, 0-6 in West Suburban Silver.
Top players: J.T. Wiebe (sr., F), Nick Venson (sr., F), Geoff Oidtman (sr., CM), John Kando (sr., CM), Alex Pajor (sr., OD), Phil Wise (sr., OD), Lee Matthew (sr., GK), Alex Pole (sr., D), Josh Kasik (sr., D/M).
Outlook: After struggling to find chemistry as a young group last year, "we had a great summer," Gosling said. "We worked hard, and we're all on the same page this year." A strong junior class also adds depth to a squad with good team speed and better technical skills. Wiebe, Venson, Kando, and Oidtman are showing early attacking chemistry, Matthew is back in net, and Pole's composure leads a back line also featuring the consistent play of Wise, Pajor and Kasik.
Hinsdale Central
Coach: Mike Wiggins (sixth season, 68-33-11 record).
Last season: 13-5-3 overall, 5-1 (first) in West Suburban Silver.
Top players: David Tiemstra (sr., D), Mark Knight (sr., F), John Shakon (sr., GK), Greg Patterson (sr., M), Jason Loebig (sr., F), Alex Scott (jr., D), Robbie LaRocque (so., D), Taylor Cole (fr., M), John Balsamo (sr., M).
Outlook: One of the best goalkeepers around in Shakon will keep the Red Devils in every game, and one of the area's top defenders in the Ohio State-bound Tiemstra moves to midfield for the hardest-working team Wiggins has coached in 14 years. Balsamo's speed, Patterson's smoothness and Cole's skill join Tiemstra at midfield, with Knight and Loebig looking to finish. "We've got some nice pieces, and I think we're in good shape," Wiggins said.
Hinsdale South
Coach: Mark McNellis (ninth season, 57-105-20 record).
Last season: 9-14-1 overall, 2-4 (fifth) in West Suburban Gold.
Top players: Keith Mach (sr., F), Kyle Gorgol (jr., M), Giovanni Cianelli (jr., M), Neils Badia (sr., F), Dan Lipine (jr., M), Josh Michaelis (jr., D), Brian Weigel (jr., D).
Outlook: Mach is a complete player up top, and he'll lead an attack that has more technical skill and weaponry this season, including the crafty Badia and a midfield ball-winner in Gorgol. Cianelli can stretch a defense on the outside, and Lipine is skilled and composed on the other side of midfield. "They're playing well together, and they're tough and athletic," McNellis said. With seven juniors and a freshman in the starting lineup, the Hornets hope to be seasoned by season's end.
Lake Park
Coach: Norm Hillner (24th season, 304-174-50 record).
Last season: 5-15-5 overall, 2-8 in Upstate Eight Conference.
Top players: Chris Gajda (sr., M), Scott Harold (sr., M), Dereck Surges (sr., D), Ken Miller (jr., F), James Zinni (sr., D), Kevin Hughes (sr., M), Mike Andrews (sr., F), David Mack (sr., GK), Edwin Castro (jr., F), Chris Jahns (sr., M).
Outlook: The Lancers struggled last year, but they enter this year with good depth after playing well in summer league play. "Guys are taking leadership roles, and they want to make up for last year," Hillner said. Gajda is a strong attacking player, Andrews can make things happen offensively, with the speedy Miller and the skilled Castro also looking to score. Hughes, Jahns, Zinni and Mack will all figure prominently, and co-captains in midfielder Harold and defender Surges will provide leadership.
Lisle
Coach: Paul Kohorn (fifth year, 43-30-10 record).
Last season: 14-6-2 overall, 8-1 (second) in Interstate Eight Conference.
Top players: David Fencl (sr., M), Konrad Raclawski (jr., F), Viktor Vajda (jr. M), Ryan Donahue (jr., M), Grant Fitzgerald (fr., F), Jay Osika (jr., GK).
Outlook: Raclawski has scored 40 goals in two seasons, Vajda is a Chicago Magic player and pure playmaker, and Fencl is the tireless guiding force of the attack at midfield. Donahue's work rate on the outside will be key and Fitzgerald should contribute immediately. Osika returns in net for a team that will defend hard and use its speed. "It's a very fast team," Kohorn said. "I don't know how good we'll be, but we're excited to find out."
Montini
Coach: Tom Warner (second season, 4-12 record).
Last season: 4-12 overall.
Top players: Jordan Warner (jr., M), Tom Hill (sr., D), Alex Parker (sr., M), Alvaro Alfaro (fr., F), Zander Carpanzano (fr., M).
Outlook: The loss of seven starters from last year's team will hurt, but Warner is optimistic about his program's future. "It's a young team, but we've got good freshmen and sophomore crews, and more and more kids are coming from club teams," he said. Speed and hunger will have to carry the day as a young team finds its way, with Jordan Warner's distribution skills, Parker's pace, Alfaro's ball skills and Carpanzano's scoring potential leading the attack. Hill's size and experience will key the defense.
Naperville Central
Coach: Jay Konrad (fifth season, 49-31-14 record).
Last season: 13-7-3 overall, (third) in DuPage Valley Conference.
Top players: Tim Zimmer (jr., D), Byard Ebling (sr., F), Matt Sterner (sr., F), Joe Wehrli (sr., M), Joe Sawa (sr., D), Jerry Maddi (jr., M), Tyler Kelley (jr., GK).
Outlook: The Redhawks are led in back by a tough pair of central defenders in Zimmer and Sawa, in front of a goalkeeper in Kelley who posted 10 shutouts last year. Sterner (9 goals in '06), Wehrli (7 goals), Ebling and Maddi (5 goals apiece) lead the attack, with sophomores Art Garza and Chris Prince also playing prominent roles. "We've got a lot of varsity experience, and I'd like to think we'll be a team that is relatively hard to score against," Konrad said.
Naperville North
Coach: Jim Konrad (fifth season, 63-25-5 record).
Last season: 15-6-3 overall, 5-1-1 (first) in DuPage Valley Conference.
Top players: Kyle Green (sr., M), Tyler Cortez (sr., M), Andrew Menendez (jr., F/M), Jon Emerson (sr., GK), Jordan Baker (sr., D), Riley Breese (jr., D), Mike Hogan (jr., D), Augustin Celentano (sr., F), Alex McNees (sr., M), Chris Boswell (so., M).
Outlook: The offense of a deep Huskies team features a pair of strong attacking players in Green and Menendez, the speedy Cortez can stretch a defense, and a back line featuring Baker, Breese and Hogan should be airtight in front of the steady Emerson. Intensity will also be the hallmark of yet another Huskies squad this year. "I'm comfortable saying we'll be a very strong high school team," Konrad said. "Can we finish? We'll see."
Neuqua Valley
Coach: Jim Johns (eighth year, 129-31-14 record).
Last season: 16-5-2 overall, 6-2-2 (third) in Upstate Eight Conference.
Top players: Paul Box (sr., D), Miguel Joaquin (sr., F), Asa Carson (sr., D), Bryan Gaul (sr., M), Ryan McElmeel (sr., M), Tanner Fink (sr., D), Bret Hruby (F), Jaymie Bullard (jr., M).
Outlook: Combine bona fide talent and senior experience, and you get this year's Wildcats, who will again be one of the state's top teams. Defenders Fink, Box and Carson lead another tough defense, while Gaul's size and smarts and McElmeel's toughness key the midfield. Hruby netted 10 goals last year, Joaquin joins him up top, while Bullard and seniors Trey Bedford, Robby Gargaro, Will Blaszak, Matt Gallup and sophomores Bryan Ciesiulka and goalkeeper Jack Turanchik will all play big roles.
St. Francis
Coach: Tim Dailey (ninth season, 116-64-14 record).
Last season: 11-10-2 overall, 4-2 (third) in Suburban Catholic Conference.
Top players: Brian McMahon (sr., F), Dave Cox (sr., D), Greg Fetter (jr., M), Brad Gorecki (sr., M), Joey Ledvora (jr., F), Matt DuBois (jr., M), Jake Rio (sr., D).
Outlook: A more experienced Spartans team should bring the attacking heat this year, as an exceptional forward in McMahon (19 goals in '06) returns, supported in the attack by Ledvora and a trio of solid midfielders in Fetter, Gorecki and DuBois. Sweeper Rio has size and strength, while outside defender Cox's work rate and toughness will lead the way. "We're optimistic," Dailey said. "They're hungry, and they feel like they've got something to prove."
Timothy Christian
Coach: Rudi Gesch (first season).
Top players: Jake Schemper (jr., M), Jeb Nash (jr., M), David Dodgson (sr., M), Josh Pegman (sr., F), Justin Groenewald (jr., F), Ryan Hoff (jr., DM), Tim Veldman (sr., D).
Outlook: First-year coach Gesch sees strong attacking potential around the pitch. "Our offense should be fun to watch this year," he said. Schemper stirs the pot at midfield, where the skill and distribution abilities of Nash and Dodgson will be primary. Pegman and Groenewald have speed and skill up top, while defensive midfielder Hoff also brings an attacking mentality. The defense will be built around sweeper Veldman for a more physical team with good speed this season.
Waubonsie Valley
Coach: Angelo DiBernardo (16th season, 268-85-39 record).
Last season: 14-6-2 overall, 8-1-1 (first) in Upstate Eight Conference.
Top players: Kit Carson (sr., GK), Pedro Perez (jr., M), Gregg Danieliwicz (jr., D).
Outlook: Graduation hurt, and this year's squad will look to develop into a solid crew by season's end. "They'll have to play very hard, and the key will be how much they believe in each other," DiBernardo said. Carson is an experienced goalkeeper, Danieliwicz adds heart in back, and Perez may be the most skilled player in the fold. Beyond that, a team with only two seniors will have to play patient defense and find its attacking footing as the season moves along.
West Chicago
Coach: Steve Brugmann (sixth season, 57-44-7 record).
Last season: 11-11 overall, 2-5 (sixth) in DuPage Valley Conference.
Top players: Aldo Mendoza (sr., F), Mitch Boyd (sr., D), Tony Alcala (jr., F/D), Isair Castro (sr., D), Luis Ortega (so., F/M), Ismael Sanchez (jr., M), Tim Schuda (sr., M).
Outlook: The Wildcats have fielded skilled teams with solid passing attacks in Brugmann's tenure, and they'll strive for more of the same this year. Mendoza is a team captain with a high work rate up top, Alcala's versatility could have him playing forward or defender, and the combining abilities of Schuda and Sanchez key the midfield. Defender Boyd has speed and a big leg, Castro adds size and an attacking mentality in back, and Ortega "may be the most talented player on our team," Brugmann said.
Wheaton Academy
Coach: Dave Underwood (first season).
Last season: 12-10-1, 6-0 (first) in Private School League
Top players: Andrew Knighten (sr., F), Lucas Young (sr., DCM), Corey Burke (sr., F/CM), Luke Partain (jr., F/CM), BB Taylor (sr., D), Ryan Seager (jr., GK).
Outlook: Underwood led the girls program to a state title in '04 and was an assistant under former boys coach Chip Huber. What he has in his first season at the helm is an experienced squad "with new resolve and a new maturity," Underwood said. Knighten is a quick, tricky forward, while Burke and Partain will share center mid/forward roles. Young is a 6-foot-5 presence in back, and once Taylor gets healthy he'll return as one of the toughest marking backs around.
Wheaton North
Coach: Bryce Cann (third season, 31-12-7 record).
Last season: 13-5-4 overall.
Top players: Kristian Rosenberger (sr., F), Josh Pedersen (sr., M), Jason Lollar (jr., M), Kyle Fishleigh (sr., M), Robert Wertke (jr., M), Trevor Bushhouse (jr., D).
Outlook: The athletic Rosenberger's speed, quickness and nose for the net lead the attack, which will be guided by the composed Pederson and Lollar in the central midfield. Wertke and the speedy Fishleigh key the outside, while a new defense led by Bushouse will seeks chemistry. "We've had success the last two years, and we want to stay at that level," Cann said. "The seniors are seeing to it that everyone is working hard toward a goal."
Wheaton Warrenville South
Coach: Guy Callipari (17th season, 194-131-50 record).
Last season: 20-4-2 overall, 5-1-1 (first) in DuPage Valley Conference.
Top players: Eric Shrigley (sr., F), Scott Larson (sr., D), Randall Babb (sr., GK), Tim Litterio (sr., D), Nico Galto (sr., F), Tyler Carey (sr., D), Josh Exclusa (sr., D).
Outlook: Shrigley and Babb are returning coaches' all-state players, steady veteran Larson moves up into the midfield, and a senior-heavy defense should keep things quiet in back. The Ohio State-bound Shrigley had 20 goals last year, Galto's acceleration and pace are exceptional, and Litterio, Carey and Exclusa lead a core of senior defenders in front of the 6-foot-5 Babb in net. "It's how the role players assert themselves that will decide what kind of year we have," Callipari said.
Willowbrook
Coach: Victor Marquez (second season, 7-9-2 record).
Last season: 7-9-2 overall.
Top players: Salvador Uriostegui (jr., M), Fernando Lopes (jr., M), Kurt Schrader (sr., D), Ismael Perez (sr., M), Keith Thurman (sr., M/F).
Outlook: The young Warriors will aim to mature quickly for second-year coach Marquez. Uriostegui is an all-around player, quick to the ball and a good passer, and skilled distributor Lopes "is a player to watch," Marquez said. Perez will roam all over the midfield, Thurman is strong in the air, and defensively Schrader is a finesse player with sweeping duties this season. "When they play well, they'll be a quick team. They'll be more skillful than physical," Marquez said.
York
Coach: Markus Roy (third season, 24-15-4 record).
Last season: 12-10 overall, 2-4 in West Suburban Silver.
Top players: Ryan Schroeder (sr., F), Gary Howell (sr., M/D), Adam Ahern (sr., F), Evan Johnson (sr., GK), Ryan Roberts (jr., M), Chris Quaglia (sr., D).
Outlook: Nine starters graduated, but Roy sees potential in his younger players. The Dukes' attack also has potential, with senior Schroeder's speed and strength up top leading the way, along with Ahern's skill and club experience. Roberts will steer the attack from midfield, and the workhorse Howell netted 7 goals last season. Quaglia is a returning varsity player, and Johnson saw time in net last year. "I think we'll be an offensive team, and we'll have to play team defense," Roy said.
-- Gary Larsen