Fox Valley boys soccer preview

Aurora Central

Coach: Eric Cournaya Last year: 3-12-2, 0-6, sixth in Suburban Catholic Conference, lost to Oswego in Class 2A Kaneland regional. Top players: Kevin Bond, So., F, Jon Goblet, Sr., D, Nick Homan, Fr., F/MF, Peter Lentz, Sr., D, Irving Martinez, Fr., F, Mike O'Donnell, Fr., GK, Nick Pannell, Sr., MF/D, Shane Samuels, Jr., M/MF. Outlook: The Chargers opened last season with a 7-0 loss to Marmion and ended the year on the losing end of an 11-0 decision. While the scores weren't usually good ones for ACC, there was plenty of progress made by the young program as it worked toward creating an identity. "We're making progress and growing as a program and when I first took over they didn't do much other than put 11 guys on the field," ACC coach Eric Cournaya said. "We're trying to get (athletes) interested at a younger age to build the program and now we've got 16 freshmen out and 3 sophomores." The Chargers will field a JV team, in addition to varsity, which will allow more kids an opportunity to play and develop. In order to surpass last season's 3 wins, the Chargers will need strong final seasons from seniors like Jon Goblet, Peter Lentz and Nick Pannell, sophomore forward Kevin Bond, as well as big first impressions from freshmen Irving Martinez, Nick Homan and goalkeeper Mike O'Donnell, who replaces brother Brian O'Donnell, who graduated. "We're really hoping this is a year we can do a lot," Cournaya said. "We had some good runs last year but they didn't last."

Batavia

Coach: Mark Gianfrancesco Last year: 11-8-3, 6-1-1, second in Western Sun Conference; lost to Waubonsie Valley in Class 3A regional semifinal. Top players: Mitch Albrecht, Sr., C/MF, Jordan Carey, Sr., D, Eduardo Cuatle, So., MF, Hyrum DaSilva, Sr., F, Ty McCoy, Sr., C/MF, Anthony Torres, So., D, Ty Witkowski, Sr., GK.

Outlook: The Bulldogs will miss graduate Matt Russo (12 goals, 15 assists in 2008), but have Daily Herald All-Area center midfielder Mitch Albrecht (7 goals, 13 assists in 2008) and 13 others returning. Perhaps the biggest key to Batavia's success this season will be finding consistent scorers. "It comes down to scoring and how we're going to get the goals," Batavia coach Mark Gianfrancesco said. "We had three good leaders last year and some of these guys were juniors and freshmen and we still had to set them up to score goals." Gianfrancesco estimates that Albrecht could score a dozen to 15 goals this season, while Ty McCoy and Eduardo Cuatle could score some precious goals as well. While there is a concern of where the scoring will come from, Gianfrancesco remains positive that the Bulldogs will be able to score consistently. "I know we'll do very well defensively and creating stuff at midfield," he said. "Time will tell with the rest." One thing is for certain, the Bulldogs are an experienced group with 10 returning seniors. "This is probably the biggest senior group we've had in three or four years," Gianfrancesco said.

Geneva

Coach: Ryan Estabrook Last year: 20-3-1, 7-0, first in Western Sun Conference; lost to St. Charles North in Class 3A Wheaton North sectional championship. Top players: Kevin Hilgart, Sr., F, Seamus Kaminsky, Jr., MF, Brady Wahl, Jr., MF, Ryan Ward, Sr., GK, Jeff Williams, Sr., F. Outlook: Geneva has become the model of consistency in the Tri-Cities over the past three years, winning 20 games in each of those seasons. This fall, with only 4 starters and 7 lettermen returning, and the proverbial target on their back, the Vikings will need some new faces to rise to the occasion. "Last year we had more talent than we knew about," coach Ryan Estabrook said. "This year we still have a lot of talent but there's a new cast and I'm not sure how it's going to come together." Returning starters Brady Wahl, Seamus Kaminsky and Jeff Williams will be expected to play more prominent roles along with returning goalkeeper Ryan Ward. The biggest obstacle for the Vikings will be replacing the 29 goals scored last fall by Daily Herald All-Area captain Shawn Sloan. "We don't know where those goals will come from," Estabrook said. "We don't have returning guys who have scored consistently in the past. I think we might score as many but it will be spread out."

Kaneland

Coach: Scott Parillo Last year: 10-10-3, 2-5, fifth in conference; lost to Oswego in Class 2A Kaneland regional championship. Top players: Alex Dorado, So., D/GK, Marcos Dorado, Sr., D, Jordan Escobado, So., MF, Genaro Garcia, Sr., F/MF, J.P. Minogue, Jr., GK, Pedro Perez, So., D, Kevin Szatkowski, Sr., MF, Derek White, Jr., F/MF

Outlook: Overcoming the loss of leadership that 12 seniors provided last season, as well as the scoring of Santiago Tovar (18 goals, 20 assists) are the biggest concerns for Kaneland this fall. "We're young and we lost 8 starters and those were guys responsible for most of the scoring," coach Scott Parillo said. Marcos Dorado and Kevin Szatkowski are the only returning field players for the Knights. "We have a lot of talent and it's possible to do what we did last year or better but right now we don't know how quickly these guys are going to step up," Parillo said. Opportunities are abundant for the Knights' players and with 17 varsity ahtletes and plenty of talented freshmen and sophomores on the JV squad, it should be interesting to watch which players make the most of the chance. "It's time for the kids to step up," Parillo said. "We told them after tryouts that now that you have made varsity you have got to work to see who gets on the field." Losing their own regional championship was difficult to swallow and the Knights would love for the chance to host again and come away victorious.

Marmion

Coach: Kevin O'Connor Last year: 13-10-1, 6-0, first in Suburban Catholic Conference; lost to Glenbard East in Class 3A regional. Top players: Steve Anderson, Sr., D, Tommy Cruger, Sr., MF, Sam Duffield, Sr., MF, Mike Maley, So., D, Max Rosenfelder, Sr., Bradley White, So., GK.

Outlook: Coach Kevin O'Connor believes that this year's Cadets squad could be one of the most technically skilled ones at Marmion in many years. That could make them a very fun team to watch this fall. "I'm not saying we're going to pound teams regularly but we really move the ball wall," he said. "We're going to be a fun team to follow." Senior midfielder Sam Duffield (12 assists, 8 goals) is the top returning scorer for a Marmion team that will have to compensate for the loss of several key seniors, as well as sophomores Drew Smith (St. Charles North) and Bryin Venegas (San Antonio). "It's really been a work in progress through the summer and now in the preseason I would say the flow has been pretty smooth," O'Connor said. "I like the continuity and the effort level so I'm very excited for this year's team." Look for freshmen Matthew Switzer and Connor Lefelstein to make an impact this fall, as well as Connor's brother Kevin Lefelstein, a junior goalkeeper. Marmion will drop from Class 3A to 2A which should level the playing field and perhaps give the Cadets a better chance of making a lengthy post-season run.

St. Charles East

Coach: Paul Jennison Last year: 9-7-7, 3-2-4, fifth in Upstate Eight Conference; lost to Lake Park in first round of Lake Park regional. Top players: Jon Bren, Jr., MF, Scott Dettro, Sr., GK, Charlie Lyon, Sr., GK, Johnny Schnell, Sr., D, Chris Tormek, Jr., F. Outlook: Having lost only a few players from last year's squad to graduation, it appears the season should be a good one for the Saints. The team did lose some very good players, including All-Area standout midfielder Jeff Jones. "I've made it quite clear what my expectations are and they've responded fantastically," said second-year coach Paul Jennison. "From the energy I've seen so far I'm getting a very good vibe from this group." Midfielder Jon Bren came on strong as a sophomore a year ago and Jennison will look for big things from Bren this fall. "We've got a very solid group returning as well as five sophomores that add some continuity to the team," Jennison said. "We preach that if you're good enough then you're old enough to play." St. Charles East found some success early on last season, winning the Grant Invitational, but the Saints hope for even better things this season, including reaching double digits in victories and moving up in the UEC. Goalkeeper Charlie Lyon joins the team for his senior season. He continues to be a standout on one of the Chicago Fire player development teams.

St. Charles North

Coach: Eric Willson Last year: 14-9-2, 5-4-1, fourth in conference; lost to Rockford Boylan in triple OT in the Class 3A Barrington supersectional. Top players: Angelo Catalano, Sr., MF, Zach Hosler, Sr., GK, Tyler McEnery, Sr., GK.

Outlook: The Cinderella team from a season ago aims to be one of the top teams in the area this fall with 13 players returning. "We had a handful of sophomores and even a freshman last year getting some good minutes," coach Eric Willson said. "Out of the 13 guys we've got back they all got significant minutes throughout the season." While it took the North Stars awhile to put it all together, they did it in enough time to advance all the way to the supersectional before dropping a heartbreaker to Rockford Boylan in triple overtime. This year, the North Stars hope to put things together early in the season. "I think the theme around here is for us to start with game one and take it one game at a time, even as much of a cliché as that is," Willson said. "We definitely want to get things started early and not worry about just getting hot late." The versatile goalkeeping combination of seniors Zach Hosler and Tyler McEnery and top returning scorer Angelo Catalano (9 goals, 10 assists in 2008) make the North Stars a force to be reckoned with. Sophomore defender Drew Smith, a transfer from Marmion, is expected to be a key newcomer.

West Aurora

Coach: Joe Sustersic Last year: 14-7-1, 3-3-1, third in DuPage Valley Conference; lost to Downers Grove South in Glenbard East regional championship. Top players: Victor Alfaro, Sr., F, Mario Alvarez, Jr., C/MF, Abel Diaz, Jr., GK, Loren Galloway, Sr.., D, Josue Martinez, Jr., D/MF, Jesse Ortiz, Sr., F, Henry Perez, Sr., D. Outlook: The Blackhawks have their sights set of breaking the school record for wins in season (15 in 2002). They have many reasons to be very confident this fall, with returning all-sectional players in forward Victor Alfaro and defender Henry Perez, as well as East Aurora transfer Jesse Ortiz, who was also named all-sectional last year. "They want to not just beat (the school record for wins) but expand upon it," coach Joe Sustersic said. "I think the kids are committed to this season and understand that they have a chance to be very special." The Blackhawks have already had success this year, winning the Wheaton North summer league. "We have depth and a lot of experience and the kids got a taste of what they could do last year and then this summer, and now we hope to continue it this year," Sustersic said. The biggest blow to the Blackhawks is the loss of all-state goalkeeper Stephen Walan (knee injury), who posted 9 shutouts and 140 saves in 21 games in 2008. Junior Abel Diaz will take over in the net.