Scouting DuPage County boys soccer teams

Addison Trail

Coach: Peter Ginter (third season, 10-27-5 record).

Last season: 6-14-2, 1-5 (fourth) in West Suburban Gold.

Top players: Rodrigos Cobos (sr., F), Ishmail Hernandez (so., F), Carmelo DiFranco (so., F), Gilberto Saucedo (sr., M), Anthony Medina (jr., D), Zach Busse (sr., D), Axel Salvo (sr., D), Abdalla Ali (sr., D).

Team outlook: The Blazers' hope to put a few more balls in net this year with an improved forward line that includes an all-WSG player in Hernandez and a pair of capable forwards in DiFranco and Cobos. Saucedo will anchor the midfield, while another all-conference player in Medina will lead a more experienced defense featuring Busse, Salvo, and Ali. According to Ginter, "we have more depth in the midfield, better transition play, and our goal this year is a winning record."

Benet

Coach: Henry Wind (19th season, 259-105-48 record).

Last season: 9-10-1, 5-4 (fourth) in East Suburban Catholic Conference.

Top players: Nick Beavis (sr., M), DJ Berry (sr., D), Rory Burke (sr., M), Mark Lieber (sr., D), Tom Hauser (sr., D), George Elliott (jr., M), Connor Miller (jr., F).

Team outlook: The talent is there at Benet, and Wind will work to find his best combination of players. "I really think we'll have a very good team. I think we'll compete with anybody," he said. The attack features a trio of skilled and interchangeable players in Burke, Miller and Elliot, with defensive mid Beavis also a viable threat. Hauser is a ball-winning defender with offensive skill, and Berry and Lieber will anchor the back as senior Alex Siliunas gets the nod in net.

Downers Grove North

Coach: Brian Gervase (fourth season, 23-42-7 record).

Last season: 4-15-2, 1-5 in West Suburban Silver.

Top players: Paul Hogan (so., F), Nick Giampapa (sr., M), Mike Matook (sr., F), Ryan Gorecki (sr., D), Justin Pickering (jr., M), Marcin Modzelewski (so., M), Lois Salas (jr., M).

Team outlook: Gervase sees better things ahead thanks to better varsity depth and stronger lower levels in the program. Former sweeper Hogan's speed and high work rate will put him up top this year for an attack also featuring center mid Giampapa and a bevy of legitimate scoring threats in Matook, Salas, Pickering and Modzelewski. Gorecki anchors the back line in front of a pair of capable keepers in junior Blayne Munar and sophomore Matt Paprocki.

Downers Grove South

Coach: Jon Stapleton (seventh season, 102-27-16 record).

Last season: 18-3-3, 5-1 (first) in West Suburban Gold.

Top players: Brett Petricek (sr., GK), Mike Mascitti (sr., M), Mark Bronke (sr. D), Mitch Larva (sr., D), Tom Kohls (sr., F), Cal Roselieb (jr., M), Matt Lalonde (jr., M).

Team outlook: Like every perennially top program, Stapleton's figures to reload this year despite only returning five players from last year's crew, with a strong junior class (12-3-2 at the sophomore level) that will help key that reloading. Petricek is one of the best keepers in Illinois, Bronke and Larva were defensive starters last year, and Kohls moves to forward from last year's midfield spot. Mascitti returns from last year's knee injury to lead a midfield also featuring varsity newcomers Roselieb and Lalonde.

Fenton

Coach: David Alvarez (fifth season, 26-30-4 record).

Last season: 11-7-3, 7-2 (1st) in Metro Suburban Conference.

Top players: Nepthali Bailon (sr., D), Jonnathan Cardoso (sr., M), Mariano Herrera (jr., M), Kevin Perez (jr., M), David Anaya (jr., M), Jacek Milewski (jr., F).

Team outlook: There's talent on the pitch for last year's MSC champs, and they face one question: "Offensively, we'll figure it out, but can they work together as a team, defensively?" Alvarez said. The midfield is strong with playmaker Cardoso, the skilled Herrera, and the creativity of Perez and Anaya. Speedy and smart defender Bailon anchors the defense, while Milewski is a finisher that provides a big target up top. "He's our target guy, and we've got guys that can run off of him," Alvarez said.

Glenbard East

Coach: Josh Adler (fifth season, 40-25-11 record).

Last season: 1-11-5, 1-4-2 in DuPage Valley Conference.

Top players: Nick Roth (sr., D), Sean Little (jr., D), Ben Arellano (jr., D), Roger Samayoa (jr., F), Dan Gonzalez (sr., M).

Team outlook: The Rams are young, but Adler sees talent and depth that simply lacks varsity experience. "It's a young group, but they're looking to improve," Adler said. Roth is a big central defender, good in the air and dangerous on dead balls, while Little adds smarts and a high work rate in back, where Arellano's pace on the outside will also key the defense. Samayoa can possess and find people up top, and Gonzalez will be counted on to contribute in the attacking third.

Glenbard North

Coach: Greg Chrisman (second year, 10-7-4 record).

Last year: 10-7-4, 2-3-2 (sixth) in DuPage Valley Conference.

Top players: Ignacio Delgado (sr., F), Nestor Gorostieta (sr., M), Bryan Noval (sr., F), Matt Pablo (jr., M), Jake Tenut (jr., D), Bobby Withington (sr., D), Jack Dailly (sr., GK), Xavier Manuel (jr., M).

Team outlook: The Panthers return their two leading scorers from last year in Noval and Delgado, and Gorostieta rounds out a trio that carries potential to score. "We have an attacking-style team with a few pretty crafty players," Chrisman said. Pablo and Manuel will help key the midfield, Tenut's hard-nosed play in back keys the defense, Withington will figure prominently in back, and first-year starter Dailly is a "fundamentally sound goalkeeper, and he makes good decisions," Chrisman said.

Glenbard South

Coach: Bob Blecher (10th season, 102-95-9 record).

Last season: 9-10-1, 3-3 in Western Sun Conference.

Top players: Foster Pyle (sr., F/M), Matthew Payne (so., M), Charlie Adams (jr., D), Dylan Milkent (jr., GK), Isaac Aguirre (so., F/M).

Team outlook: Blecher expects this year's Raiders "to play above its age-level, win and compete against any team on our schedule." Pyle is a team leader as the Raiders' lone senior starter, and junior Adams is poised for a leadership role in back in front of Milkent, whose coach projects to be one of the area's best goalkeepers. Payne and Aguirre will contribute to Blecher's view that "there's a lot of skill on the field, and this team has the ability to attack with speed in both transition and possession."

Glenbard West

Coach: Julio Lopez (first season).

Last season: 12-5-2, 3-4 in West Suburban Silver.

Top players: Kyle Donegan (sr., F), Steven Lindquist (sr., F), Bryan Emanuel (sr., D), David Cavazos (sr., M), Markian Popowicz (sr., GK), Angel Escobedo (jr., M), Kris Szewczyk (jr. M).

Team outlook: First-year coach Lopez inherits a team loaded with senior experience in each third of the field, with the boys in back led by defensive stopper Emanuel, whose long throw-ins are also unsurpassed in Illinois. Donegan and Lindquist (9 goals in 2007) lead the attack up top, while Cavazos will be joined by varsity newcomers Escobedo and Szewczyk to batten down the midfield. "We have balance and talent all over the field, and we'll be an attacking team," Lopez said.

Hinsdale Central

Coach: Mike Wiggins (seventh season, 88-41-12 record).

Last year: 20-8-1, 4-2 in West Suburban Silver, finished fourth in Class AA.

Top players: Sean Donovan (sr., GK), Alex Scott (sr., D), Cameron Legan (jr., D), Robby LaRocque (jr., M), Michael Oleszkiewicz (jr., M), Jeff Graham (sr., F).

Team outlook: The Red Devils graduated a pair of all-everything players from last year's team that placed fourth in Class AA, but high expectations remain for the returning crew. Donovan continues "a strong tradition of goalkeepers," according to Wiggins, Scott is one of the best defenders around, and Legan's athleticism will also key the back line. Graham netted 10 goals last year, and both LaRocque and Oleskiewicz are pedigreed players for a team capable of making another deep postseason run.

Hinsdale South

Coach: Mark McNellis (10th season, 69-113-22 record).

Last season: 12-8-2, 5-1 (first) West Suburban Gold.

Top players: Kyle Gorgol (sr., M/F), Giovanni Cianelli (sr., M/F), Dan Lipine (sr., M), Brian Weigel (sr., D), Josh Michaelis (sr., D), Nick Just (sr., D), Eric Veazie (sr., M).

Team outlook: The Hornets are senior-heavy and poised for another WSG title run. According to McNellis, "we have an excellent group of young men who are dedicated and working hard." All-WSG player Gorgol is a varsity veteran who scored 17 goals last year, Cianelli has speed and a good shot on the outside, and Lipine adds a playmaker to the fold. In back, the hard-nosed Weigel teams with an all-WSG player in Michaelis and Just, with Veazie at the defensive mid spot.

Lake Park

Coach: Norm Hillner (25th season, 318-180-55 record).

Last season: 14-6-5, 2-5-3 (eighth) in Upstate Eight Conference.

Top players: Edwin Castro (sr., F/M), Ken Miller (sr., F/M), Matt Ahrens (sr., M), Mike Lupou (sr., D), Lucas Antioho (sr., D), Dan Messina (sr., F), Mike Keane (jr., M).

Team outlook: Castro and Miller are the lone returning starters, but the Lancers put in a successful summer's worth of work and should provide offensive punch this year for coach Norm Hillner. Castro netted 10 goals last year, Miller is a solid threat, Keane will contribute, and a healthy Ahrens plus Messina and Nick Radice complete a core of viable attacking players. Antioho and Mike Lupou anchor the back line as senior Colin Norman and junior Marty Lupou split goalkeeping duties.

Lisle

Coach: Paul Kohorn (sixth year, 59-34-18 record).

Last season: 16-4-8, 8-1 (first) Interstate Eight Conference.

Top players: Konrad Raclawski (sr., F/M), Viktor Vajda (sr., M), Ryan Donahue (sr., M), Max Boheme (sr., D), Kyle Leonard (sr., D), Jay Osika (sr., GK), Grant Fitzgerald (so., F).

Team outlook: Potentially the best team in the program's six-year history will take the field this year, featuring the program's all-time leading scorer in Raclawski and last year's leading scorer in Fitzgerald. The Lions have a solid distributor at midfield in Vajda and a threat on the outside in Donahue, Boheme and Leonard are veterans in back, and Osika brings more experience in net. Add a trio of talented freshmen in Pat Webb, Eric Raclawski and Cole Collins, and the Lions are loaded for bear in Class A this year.

Montini

Coach: Sue Brown (first season).

Last year: 5-11-1, 3-3 (fourth) Suburban Catholic Conference.

Top players: Jordan Werner (sr., F/M), Zander Capanzano (so., M/F), Joe Latella (sr., D), Tim Hill (fr., GK), Kyle Samas (fr., D/M), Dan Burke (fr., M), Jon Market (fr., F).

Team outlook: Brown takes over a Class AA Broncos team that has potential in search of chemistry. "They're strong players," she said. "But they'll have to work hard to become a good team." Werner and Capanzano bring speed and attacking skills, Market has speed up top, and Burke is a left-footed outside mid. Sweeper Latella's speed and vision and Samas' big leg could key the back in front of a keeper in the freshman Hill aiming to acclimate fast to varsity play.

Naperville Central

Coach: Jay Konrad (sixth season, 68-35-15 record).

Last season: 19-4-1, 6-1 (1st) in DuPage Valley Conference.

Top players: Tim Zimmer (sr., D), Jerry Maddi (sr., M), Tyler Kelley (sr., GK), Art Garza (jr., F), Chris Prince (jr., F).

Team outlook: The Redhawks return one of Illinois' top defenders in Zimmer, a keeper in Kelley who could make a bold statement this year in net after breaking his leg last season, and their best attacking player in Maddi, who had 10 goals and 6 assists last year. Add a pair of third-year varsity players in Garza and Prince up top and a solid supporting cast, and the Redhawks will once again field a team capable of competing with any team in the state. "If we can find ways to score, we'll be fine," Konrad said.

Naperville North

Coach: Jim Konrad (sixth season, 79-29-9 record).

Last season: 16-4-4, 5-1-1 (third) in DuPage Valley Conference.

Top players: Andrew Menendez (sr., M), Riley Breese (sr., D), Mike Hogan (sr., D), Sean Kuehne (sr., D), Devon Moon (sr., GK), Ediz Yorulmazoglu (sr., F), Chris Boswell (jr., M).

Team outlook: Losses to graduation and preseason injuries hurts, but the Huskies have the talent and leadership potential in the fold to remain one of the state's top teams. Keeping it together at midfield will be Menendez and Boswell, with Menendez poised for a breakout year and the tireless Boswell utilizing his exceptional defensive abilities. Hogan's speed and scrappiness key the back line along with Kuehne and Breese, whose long throw-in make him a two-way threat. If Yorulmazoglu can finish and the Huskies can find goals elsewhere, they'll be tough to beat come postseason play.

Neuqua Valley

Coach: Jim Johns (ninth season, 153-35-16 record).

Last season: 24-2-4, 8-0-2 (first) in Upstate Eight Conference.

Top players: Jaymie Bullard (sr., M), Bryan Ciesiuka (jr., F), Scott Davis (jr., F), Robby Gargaro (sr., D), Mike Kowal (sr., M), Ian Krol (sr., F), Jack Turanchik (jr., GK).

Team outlook: The Wildcats were state runners-up in Class AA last year, and enter this season with high expectations for a team that again features talent around the pitch as nearly everyone's preseason No. 1 team in Illinois. Bullard and company are as good as any midfield core around, Ciesiulka and Davis can finish, and Krol and Kowal are two more attacking threats. Gargaro leads the defense in front of keeper Turanchik, who had a 0.56 goals-against average last year.

St. Francis

Coach: Tim Dailey (10th season, 127-75-17 record).

Last season: 11-11-3, 4-2 (third) in Suburban Catholic Conference.

Top players: Greg Fetter (sr., M), Joey Ledvora (sr., D), Tommy Purdom (sr., D), Jamie Piggott (jr., F), Drew Mascari (fr., M), Adam Fetter (fr., M), Ryan Suerte (fr., GK).

Team outlook: The Class AA Spartans have a young team that lost 10 seniors to graduation, but veteran coach Dailey never fails to field a solid, competitive squad by season's end. Captain and four-year varsity player Greg Fetter sparks the midfield while seniors Ledvora and Purdom add seasoning to the back line in front of a freshman goalkeeper with high potential in Suerte. Mascari and Adam Fetter bring quickness and ball handling, and Piggot is a natural finisher with size and strength.

Timothy Christian

Coach: Rudi Gesch (second season, 15-7-1 record).

Last season: 15-7-1, 3-3 in Private School League.

Top players: Jake Schemper (sr., M), Jeb Nash (sr., F/M), Justin Groenewold (M/F), Corey Phillip (so., M), Mike Pizzello (so., D), Peter Tameling (sr., GK).

Team outlook: Schemper again proved his wares with 18 goals and 10 assists last year, and Groenewold, Nash and varsity newcomer Phillip give the Trojans solid attacking potential. Sweeper Pizzello anchors the defense as it finds its way, participation in the big-school Pepsi Showdown tournament can only help the team, and the new three-class system has the Trojans in Class A, where Gesch feels he has a team that can play deep into the postseason.

Waubonsie Valley

Coach: Angelo DiBernardo (17th season, 274-94-43 record).

Last season: 6-9-4, 3-5-2 (eighth) in Upstate Eight Conference.

Top players: Gregg Danielewicz (sr., D), Nick Patel (jr., D), Pedro Perez (sr., M), Jack Dickens (jr., M), Ryan Dodson (so., F).

Team outlook: The Warriors are looking to erase the memory of a rare sub-. 500 season last year with a young but capable team. Offensively, they'll be led by a big, strong forward in Dodson, who netted 19 of the Warriors' 27 goals as a freshman last year. Danielewicz provide physical presence and leadership in back, Patel's versatility has him on the outside, and Dickens is a midfield workhorse. Perez will steer the midfield, while junior forward Jesus Cruz aims to help Dodson provide finishing.

West Chicago

Coach: Steve Brugmann (seventh season, 67-54-9 record).

Last season: 10-10-2, 3-4-0 (fifth) in DuPage Valley Conference.

Top players: Luis Ortega (jr., M), Ismael Sanchez (sr., D), Matt Rizzo (sr., D), Oscar Tapia (sr., M), Alejandro Alcantar (sr., F), Adrian Porcayo (so. GK), Eric Selcke (sr., F).

Team outlook: A good mix of youth and experience will roam the pitch in West Chicago this year, with Ortega's craftiness keying the midfield for an attack with high potential and a defense featuring returning captain Sanchez and a veteran in Rizzo. "We've got ball control, and we've just got to finish," Brugmann said. Alcantar, Selcke, and Tapia will aim to do just that and Porcayo has been solid early on in net.

Wheaton Academy

Coach: Jeff Brooke (first season).

Last season: 15-5-5, 6-0 (first) in Private School League.

Top players:Ryan Seager (sr., GK), Luke Partain (sr., F), Charles West (sr., D), Mark Fernandes (sr., F/M), Justin Potesta (sr., M), Kyle Pilcher (sr., F/M), Danny Torres (sr., D), Tommy Fuller (sr., F), Ian Moses (sr., D/M).

Team outlook: A large core of seniors will lead the way, giving Brooke a solid group in his first year at the helm. Seager posted a 1.20 goals-against average in net last year, and the defense features the size and strength of West and the feistiness of Torres. Moses could play a key defensive role, and the attack features a solid player in Partain (8 goals in 2007), and veterans in Fernandes, Potesta, Fuller and Pilcher.

Wheaton North

Coach: Bryce Cann (fourth season, 42-16-14 record).

Last year: 11-4-7, 3-2-2 (fourth) in DuPage Valley Conference.

Top players: Jason Lollar (sr., M), Mike Lenzi (jr., F), Trevor Bushhouse (sr., M), Robert Wertke (sr., M), Mike Tworek (sr., D), Mike Fernald (sr., F).

Team outlook: A core of three-year varsity players in Lollar, Wertke and Bushouse will hold down the midfield, "and that will be a real strength for us this year," Cann said. Fernald and Lenzi saw varsity action last year, and there's also experience returning on a back line that features Tworek. "The hurdle will be finding goals that graduated, but we've got a number of players capable of scoring," Cann said. "If we can get four or five guys scoring five to eight goals, we'll be OK."

Wheaton Warrenville South

Coach: Guy Callipari (18th season, 213-135-54 record).

Last season: 19-4-4, 4-1-2 (second) in DuPage Valley Conference.

Top players: Andrew Bellmer (jr., M), Ricky Munguia (jr., F), Many Munguia (jr., M), Andy Guerrero (jr., M/D), Derek Babb (jr., GK), David Ledonne (sr., F)

Team outlook: Graduation hurt, but the Tigers return a talented squad itching to find chemistry. In the attack, forward LeDonne could come into his own this year, the Munguia brothers return with pace and flair, and Bellmer has what it takes to steer the midfield. Guerrero has offensive skill as a holding mid, and the 6-foot-2 Babb brings athleticism into goal as a young defense finds its way. "They're all good soccer players, and they're trying to bring it all together as quickly as possible," Callipari said.

Willowbrook

Coach: Victor Marquez (third season, 11-22-4 record).

Last season: 4-13-2, 1-5 in West Suburban Gold.

Top players: Salvador Uriostegui (sr., M/D), Ben Meza (jr., M/D), Fernando Lopes (sr., M), Hector Herrera (so., F), Michael Jokiel (sr., F)

Team outlook: The Warriors have finishing potential in forwards Herrera and Jokiel, a solid midfielder in Lopes, and a versatile pair of players in Meza and Uriostegui that Marquez can slide back and forth from the back line to midfield as the need arises. The back line will aim to find chemistry fast in order for this year's team at Willowbrook to improve on last year's record.