Lake Co. All-Area Boys Soccer Team

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Gilberto Alfaro Round Lake It was scary all season for defenses who dealt with Alfaro. "He was a defensive nightmare," Round Lake coach Mike Hruska said. "A very skilled player and he wasn't afraid of applying pressure and going after bad kicks." Alfaro, a junior forward, wasn't one of the bigger players around at 5-foot-6 but he showed a lot of quickness. "He had a way of cutting through defenders," Hruska said. "He was like a scrapper and he let his play do the talking." Alfaro led an unbelievable Panthers scoring attack with 15 goals and 13 assists. "He can get a couple of assists in games," Hruska said. "Then he'd find a way to get a couple of goals out of nowhere. He just finds a way to get you."

Matt Beadle Lakes Durability meant a lot to this Eagles' midfielder. Beadle was on the field in almost every game this year and throughout his four years on the varsity. Beadle played in 88 of 89 games and started 78 of them. "He's really a no-nonsense player and total class all the way," Lakes coach Kevin Kullby said. "Outstanding on both sides of the ball. He's the stability force on the field and keeps things on an even keel." Beadle scored 4 goals and handed out 5 assists and got the game-winning goal over Grayslake North in the regional final. "He's an aggressive player, picks his spots up the field and generates the shots," Kullby said. "He's one of those players that come around and do everything right."

Jeremy Bethke Grayslake Central The Rams needed a engine that could run all season, and Bethke did just that by getting things going with his defense and midfield skills. "He was a team player for us," Grayslake Central coach Mike McCaulou said. "Definitely a workhorse and the engine that could get us going." Bethke started the season at sweeper but was pushed up in the last 10 games to help out the attack. It made a difference, as he had a couple of goals and 5 assists. "Our team seemed to play better," McCaulou said. "He was a player who thrived a lot and helped the team come from behind." Bethke scored the game-winning goal against Crystal Lake Central with a left-footed shot which curled its way into the upper 90.

Noah Bohmann Antioch Bohmann took over the outside while playing in the midfield. "Let's just say, he's got a dangerous quick left on the outside," Antioch coach Marni Polakow said. "He can beat eight out of 10 defenders down the line." Bohmann scored 2 goals and had 11 assists. His strength was setting up goals. "He was deadly on corner kicks," Polakow said. "He was always dead-on with them and had great concentration." Bohmann stepped up for the Sequoits in their first meeting with Marian Central. Antioch was a man down, but Bohmann ended up with the game-tying goal and almost had a couple of other goals.

Jordan Foster Warren Unless you were paying close attention, you might have missed the play of Foster in the back for the Blue Devils. "He was our quiet leader and did everything right," said Warren coach Jason Ahonen about his sweeper. "A leader on the field. He had the respect of other players, coaches and teams. One of our fastest players -- we called him the 'rock in the back' all year." Foster took on the spot of sweeper and never said no to the move from outside back from last year. "Let's just say his work rate was unparalleled," Ahonen said. "He was one who would never get off the field."

Greg Golovan Stevenson From the beginning of the season, Stevenson really didn't know who might be its goalkeeper. Golovan caught fire in the opener with a 3-0 shutout of Niles North. "He had a great start and never let us down," Stevenson coach Mark Schartner said. "We didn't get our first loss until our 12th game. He just rode confidence all season." Golovan gave up 13 goals in 16 games for a .81 goals-against average and helped the Patriots to a 11-3-5 record. "He was one who stepped up so often," Schartner said. "He gave up one short-sided goal all year and was always in the right position making a lot of saves." Golovan had some great games against rival Libertyville, Deerfield and St. Charles North.

Cesar Garcia Round Lake Round Lake hasn't seen a player of this magnitude in its school history. Garcia, a senior midfielder, made a lot of things work well in his all-state season, scoring 19 goals with 17 assists to help the Panthers reach the sectional semifinals. "He's the straw that stirs the drink," Hruska said. "He made everything go." Garcia has been doing it for the last four years on varsity, compiling a school-record 63 goals and 53 assists. 'He's a great distributor of the ball," Hruska said. "He would control the pace. A vocal, emotional leader and showed great leadership." Garcia was a big part of what has changed in soccer in Round Lake. "His energy and leadership will be missed than his starts," Hruska said. "I've never seen a player like this in Round Lake history."

Oscar Gasecki Warren Strength and size defined Gasecki, who played in the back and the midfield for Warren. "One of our best players and always dangerous," said Warren coach Jason Ahonen of his senior defender/midfielder. "Gasecki knew how to dominate winning 50/50 balls. He was not afraid to mix things up a bit, either. He just did things that others wished they can do." Gasecki always found away to be a part of Warren's offensive attack (7 goals and 5 assists), which included getting a couple of goals in a 4-0 victory over NSC Lake foe Stevenson. "He can be successful if he wants to be," Ahonen said. "He's got a strong left-footed shot and showed it in putting one away against Stevenson."

Nick Janus Lake Zurich An all-state player and one of the all-area team co-captains who played forward for Lake Zurich. "What makes him successful was the way he refuses to get beat, especially with his skill," Lake Zurich coach Mike Schmitz said. "He fit right in with others and has a nose for the goal." Janus didn't just find the goal, but also set up plenty of them. "He did a lot of the little things," Schmitz said "He worked with others and gave us the sense that nobody can beat us. He knew where others were going to be. He's more than a hard working player -- he worked hard in getting the ball."

Steven Johnson Stevenson Success for Stevenson came thanks in part to the efforts of Johnson, who played the midfield. "By far one of our best players in the state," Stevenson coach Mark Schartner said. "He's the whole package, a leader and plays by example. No one plays harder, and he was so consistent for us." Johnson, a junior, had 8 goals and 6 assists. "He holds the ball so well," Schartner said. "Great vision on the field and makes everybody better. Also, he comes back and helps out on defense. Probably his gift is never taking a day off and just staying so focused."

Stephen Korosis Lakes The Eagles saw this player go to another lever right before their own eyes. Korosis was a big part of what Lakes accomplished, helping them them advance to the Class 2A sectional finals. In just three years, Korosis set a school record with 29 goals and 20 assists. "He's an amazing player," said Lakes coach Kevin Kullby of his midfielder. "This year, he was a different player and played much more with his teammates. I think it reflected with his numbers and playing in the middle of the field for us." Korosis' ability helped him score 14 goals and 12 assists this fall, including a hat trick against Vernon Hills and a goal with 3 assists in the first meeting against Grayslake North. "He's got an uncanny ability to beat people one on one. He's got a great shot, takes our dead balls and corner kicks. He's just a well-schooled player and can change the game."

Tim Kreutz Lake Zurich The other part of the Bears' one-two scoring punch with Nick Janus, Kreutz also join his teammate as all-area team co-captain. "He's got numbers that are spectacular," Lake Zurich coach Mike Schmitz said. "He's really a natural goal-scorer and had a nose for the goal. He beat most defenders and got opportunities to finish." Kreutz was best known for his speed and quickness going towards the goal. "He's got great overall speed," Schmitz said. "Great touch and control. Sometimes there are fast players with no touch, but he has it. He's got a lot of accuracy around the goal and is very composed, capable of putting the ball into the back of the net."

Mike LeClaire Wauconda There were a number of seniors who led the Bulldogs. LeClaire was a leader among them, stepping up in a midfield role. "He did a nice job with leadership," Wauconda coach Terry Stevig said. "He took it upon himself to motivate the other guys." LeClaire scored 7 goals and had 8 assists and was an integral part of a good season for the Bulldogs. "He was a very good player who understood the game," Stevig said. "He set up the attack and got into scoring position. He was one of our leading scorers with good speed and endurance. An all-around player that will be missed."

Josh Larson Grayslake North Making a move from goalkeeper to midfielder turned to be a benefit for Larson and Grayslake North. "He wanted to be the marshall in the midfield," Grayslake North coach Adam DeCaluwe said. "He knew when to give up the ball and made sure he could protect the back four. He did all with class." Larson posted 5 goals and 6 assists for Grayslake North. Larson also put forth a lot of effort last summer spending extra time on the practice field, almost three hours a day. "Determination was the key," DeCaluwe said."There was nothing tough as he was able address each situation."

Kiko Malouf Stevenson Specializing was a big part of what Malouf tried to do with the Patriots. He had 3 goals but set up a number of others, finishing with 11 assists. "He was our dead ball specialist," Stevenson coach Mark Schartner said. "He was so on-target on each one. He just hit rewarding kicks and was so consistent with them." Malouf also was not only helping offensively, but knew how to help the team in myriad other ways after spending four years on varsity. "He did what we needed him to do in the midfield," Schartner said. "He would go back defensively and managed the team with his leadership."

Edwin Martinez Round Lake Martinez fit right in for the Panthers, both in the midfield and up front. "He had great touch, skill and was a very physical player for us," Round Lake coach Mike Hruska said. Martinez made his presence known in returning back to Round Lake after a year at Lakes by scoring 15 goals and dishing out 16 assists. "He had a great feel for the game and the net," Hruska said. One of the better games for Martinez came against Lakes., as he helped the Panthers to a 5-1 victory and lifted the team to a North Suburban Prairie Division title.

Brad Novak Libertyville Hard work had a way of paying off for this Libertyville player. Novak never backed away from anything playing up top, and it was a great benefit to his team. "A consistent player for us," Libertyville coach Andy Bitta said. "Worked very hard, dedicated and a pleasure to coach. He was very strong on the ball and never got knocked off it." Novak also had an accurate shot and a strong left foot. Other teams had to be worried about allowing him scoring chances. "He was very accurate and was deceptively fast," Bitta said. "He's got a lot of big assets as a player." Novak scored the game-winning overtime goal against Oak Park in the Pepsi Showdown, scoring from 25 yards out.

Eric Pothast Lake Zurich Pothast was the mainstay in the midfield for the Bears. "All around, he's one of the best players in the area," Lake Zurich coach Mike Schmitz said. "He just did everything right. He had a great touch, great size and was great in the air." Pothast learned his position well and has solidified it over the last couple of years. "He really makes everybody better," Schmitz said. "He takes the lead to do the little things to make the team successful. He finds some great moments to assert himself out there." Pothast stepped up when the team was depleted by four players because of injuries. Pothast put 10 shots on goal in a game at the Barrington tournament and scored on one amazing shot from 35 yards out.

Javier Ramirez Mundelein Filling the big shoes vacated by popular keeper Eric Sorby, Ramirez did a bang-up job. Ramirez made himself known around the area with his ability in goal. "He had very acrobatic saves," Mundelein coach Dave Ekstrom said. "He had great hand-eye coordination and stepped in for an excellent goalkeeper." Ramirez stepped up in a number of games and helped carry the Mustangs with his steady play in the back. "All season, he did the best he could out there," Ekstrom said. "He had no worries of what happened before." Ramirez had some big games against Lakes, Libertyville, Warren and finished with 7 shutouts.

Adam Reister Mundelein The Mustangs needed a goal-scorer and Reister took upon the role as team leader with 11 goals. "He had a nose for the goal," Mundelein coach Dave Ekstrom said. "He was a fast, physical player and his speed was quick on breakaways." Reister stands 6-foot-1 and used his height to his advantage in every game. "He would challenge for the balls and a big threat," Ekstrom said. "He's good in the air and has a lot of head-ball skills." Reister scored a game-winner against Mather in the Glenbrook South tournament and had another against Highland Park.

Taao Scarnato Lake Zurich For a couple of years now, Scarnato has earned all-state and all-area honors. And why not? Scarnato was a big part of the success for Lake Zurich. "He's a great leader," Lake Zurich coach Mike Schmitz said. "You can count on him. A great athlete, shows agility and quickness. He just makes saves that others can't make. He's made quite a few of them and makes them look routine." Even the stats say a lot of Scarnato's performance. He had 6 shutouts this year with a .1.07 goals-against average in 16 games. Over a three-year varsity stint, Scarnato had 27 shutouts with a ridiculous .54 goals-against. Scarnato pulled off one of his best saves or snatches this year in a shootout against Geneva in the quarterfinals of the Pepsi Showdown, whe he came off the line and swiped the ball before the player even had a chance to kick it.

Andrew Stone Libertyville Libertyville was glad to have a rock-solid player in Andrew Stone who played defense and midfield, but moved forward later in the season to spark the offense. "He was more like Mr. Everything," Libertyville coach Andy Bitta said. "He can score goals, dish out assists or mark the other teams' best player. He'd be all over the field and can play any position. He just do anything for the team." Stone also played higher than his ability. Standing at 5-foot-6, you'd think you were playing against someone a foot taller. "He's got great jumping ability,"' Bitta said. "He jumps so high for being so small. He never lost a head ball and his vertical is unbelievable." Stone scored 5 goals and had 4 assists this season. "He just did everything so well," Bitta said. "A very steady consistent player and one to be missed."

Kyle Sytsma Antioch Sytsma was every coach's dream, the kind of player you can count on. Sytsma finished with 14 goals and 5 assists while playing the midfield. "He was definitely a playmaker," Antioch coach Marni Polakow said. "Both feet were dynamite. He'd win balls out of the air. If there were second assists, he would have 90 percent of our goals. Plays just go right through him." Sytsma always gave 100 percent to the game, both on and off the field. "He would be messing around in the gym and still giving the same effort," Polakow said. "He's just a gamer, a steady player who understands the game."

Drew Wycoff Carmel There was a lot for Wycoff to tackle. The only returning starter back from last year's team, Wycoff had to show a young how to win. "He tends to lead by example," Carmel coach John Halloran said. "He brought a new group along, teaching them what varsity soccer was all about." Wycoff started several games on defense and moved up to midfield during Carmel's playoff run. "A gifted player and our most skilled," Halloran said. "Great on the ball. He could take on anybody one-on-one and finishes chances when he gets them." Wycoff finished with 9 goals and 6 assists for the Corsairs.

Julio Zamora Grayslake North A game changer. Zamora was the kind of player who could turn heads at any time. "He can do anything to anybody at any point," said Grayslake North coach Adam DeCaluwe of the junior midfielder. "He was more of a well-rounded player this year." Zamora played defense, offense and showed he could be a team player while playing midfield for the Knights. "He distributed the ball a lot more for the team," DeCaluwe said. "His skill level is night and day better than the rest." Zamora had 12 goals and 4 assists and showed his potential with a hat trick in the clinching game of the FVC Fox against Crystal Lake Central.

All-area roster

Player School Yr. Pos.

Gilberto Alfaro Round Lake Jr. F

Matt Beadle Lakes Sr. D/MF

Jeremy Bethke Grayslake Central Sr. D/MF

Noah Bohmann Antioch Sr. MF

Jordan Foster Warren Sr. D

Greg Golovan Stevenson Jr. GK

Cesar Garcia Round Lake Sr. MF

Oscar Gasecki Warren Sr. D/MF

*Nick Janus Lake Zurich Jr. F

Steven Johnson Stevenson Jr. MF

Stephen Korosis Lakes Jr. MF

*Tim Kreutz Lake Zurich Jr. F

Josh Larson Grayslake North Sr. MF

Mike LeClaire Wauconda Sr. MF

Kiko Malouf Stevenson Sr. MF

Edwin Martinez Round Lake Sr. Jr. MF/F

Brad Novak Libertyville Sr. MF

Eric Pothast Lake Zurich Jr. MF

Javier Ramirez Mundelein So. GK

Adam Reister Mundelein Sr. F

Taao Scarnato Lake Zurich Sr. GK

Andrew Stone Libertyville Sr. D/MF

Kyle Sytsma Antioch Sr. MF

Drew Wycoff Carmel Sr. D

Julio Zamora Grayslake North Jr. MF

* Honorary co-captains

Honorable mention

Albert Acosta (Grayslake Central Jr. F), Silvestre Bonilla (Wauconda Sr. D), Adam Chernoff (Libertyville Sr. D/MF), Thiago Ganancio (Warren Jr. F), Ruban Gayton (Warren Jr. MF), Ben Goldforth (Lakes Jr. GK), Asa Goldsmith (Grayslake Central Fr. D), Gordy Gurson (Stevenson Jr. F), Greg Gustafson (Wauconda Sr. F), Kyle Gustafson (Libertyville Jr. D), Greg Hank (Wauconda Sr. F), Brett Harper (Lake Zurich Jr. MF), Shane Hunter (Grant, Sr. MF), Matt Hussey (Lake Zurich, Jr. D), Jose Landa (Round Lake Jr. GK), William Lebavitz (Lakes, Jr. D), Jason Lesch (Vernon Hills Fr. MF/F), Andy Lynch (Lake Zurich Jr. MF), Lukas Manieri (Carmel Sr. GK), Nester Montiel (Mundelein, Jr. MF), Alex Muria (Round Lake Jr. MF), Nick Neubauer (Mundelein Sr. MF), Robert Nogle (Antioch Jr. D), Tim O'Brien (Lakes, Sr. MF/F), Nolan Peek (Grayslake North Jr. GK), Kevin Quinn (Carmel Sr. D), Juan Perez (Antioch, Soph., D), Joe Radice (Wauconda Sr. GK), Brady Rein (Lake Zurich Sr. D), Freddy Rosas (Grayslake North Jr. MF), Ryan Rudynski (Lakes Sr. MF/F), Jimmy Ryan (Carmel So. F), Carlos Salgado (Round Lake Jr. MF), Kyle Schory (Libertyville Sr. MF), Oscar Segura (Antioch Soph. F), Hamza Senalan (Vernon Hills Sr. GK), Nick Sloan (Grayslake Central Sr. GK), Jack Stefanski (Carmel Soph. MF), Brian Stout (Grayslake North Jr. D), Jeff Szelewicki (Grant Sr. D), David Tellez (Round Lake Sr. MF), Keagen Tiernan (Stevenson Sr. D/MF), Adrian Trujillo (Grant, Sr. MF), Alek Uransel (Libertyville, Sr. MF/F), Juan Velazquez (Wauconda, Sr. D), Eric Valin (Mundelein Sr. D), Brady Walsh (Warren, Jr. GK), Johnny Watrach (Stevenson Soph. F)

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