Scouting DuPage County boys soccer
Top teams: Neuqua Valley, Naperville North, Hinsdale Central, WW South, Downers Grove South, Waubonsie Valley, Downers Grove North, Benet, Wheaton North, Glenbard East.
Top players: Derek Babb (sr., GK), WW South; Drew Bellmer (sr., M), WW South; Chris Boswell (sr., M), Naperville North; Bryan Ciesiulka (sr., M), Neuqua Valley; Art Garza (sr., F), Naperville Central; Paul Hogan (jr., M), Downers Grove North; Mike Keane (sr., M), Lake Park; Josh Kremers (sr., M), Wheaton Academy; Sean Little (sr., D), Glenbard East; Connor Miller (sr., M), Benet; Michael Oleszkiewicz (sr., F), Hinsdale Central; Nik Patel (sr., M/F), Waubonsie Valley; Jamie Pigott (sr., F), St. Francis; Chris Prince (sr., M/F), Naperville Central; Jack Turanchik (sr., GK), Neuqua Valley; Mike Wiest (sr., GK), Naperville North.
Scouting report: Neuqua Valley has a new coach this year in former long-time Conant coach Tony Kees. The Wildcats also have a team in 2009 that is as deep as it is talented. "If we played 20-on-20, I don't think there's a team in the state that could beat us," Kees said. "But we only play 11-on-11. We're optimistic, but we haven't accomplished anything yet."
Marquette-bound Bryan Ciesiulka keys an exceptional midfield that includes Zach Kovacevic and Jacob Brindle. Keeper Jack Turanchik is rock solid and will benefit from the back line protection of a slew of quality defenders, including Keegan Balle, Ricky Marton, Will Butler and Pat Kaindl. Add an attacking core led by Scott Davis, Patrick Doody and Cale Brown and the Wildcats are exceptional, front to back.
In starting the season with a 2-0 win over Hinsdale Central, a young Naperville North squad showed again the feistiness that marks the program's history. "Whatever the talent level is at North in any given season, you always know they're going to play as hard as any team you face," said Naperville Central coach Jay Konrad.
Naperville North coach Jim Konrad will stack midfielders Chris Boswell and Kyle Lindberg up against any midfield tandem around, and he's got a goalkeeper in Mike Wiest "that is a bona fide stud," Konrad said. A core of talented young players includes sophomore forward Evan Trychta, who scored both goals against Hinsdale Central and plays with reckless abandon in the final third.
Benet coach Henry Wind has another solid team, with Connor Miller and George Elliot keying the attack at midfield. But there's talent around the pitch again in Lisle this year. "I like this team," Wind said. "We've got a lot of depth so it will just be a matter of finding out where guys are going to help us on the field."
Hinsdale Central will rely on a balanced talent pool led by senior captains Robbie LaRocque and Mike Oleszkiewicz and junior Taylor Cole. The Red Devils will again vie for West Suburban Silver honors, and Downers Grove North has thrown its hat into the ring this season after struggling the last two years. Paul Hogan and Neil Corcoran lead the way for the Trojans this year.
Wheaton Warrenville South has its usual mix of top-shelf upperclassmen and solid newcomers. Drew Bellmer will steer the Tigers' ship at midfield, while Derek Babb is one of the most athletic goalkeepers in the area.Add twins Ricky and Manny Munguia and Andy Guerrero, and the Tigers have the pieces to again play the attacking style that coach Guy Callipari preaches. "We have another good mix," Callipari said. "We certainly hope the DVC is wide open, and that's always one of our main goals - to win the conference."
Naperville Central may be rebuilding after graduating numerous starters, but University of Wisconsin-bound Chris Prince and DePaul-bound Art Garza give the Redhawks two exceptional attacking players. Peter Beasley, Colin Rook, and Andy Miltonberger will all be key contributors for Naperville Central. "We'll be better at the end of the year, and that's the goal with an inexperienced team," Jay Konrad said. "They're great kids and we've got great senior leaders."
Waubonsie Valley will be led this year by senior Nik Patel, a versatile player whom coach Angelo DiBernardo will move around the pitch as needed.Oliver Mayer, Jesus Cruz and Yvan Foonde will also be asked to pick up a young team and get it used to playing varsity soccer against some of the best competition in Illinois.
Downers Grove South's strength will lie in a stable of midfielders that includes Charlie Stanke, Marcus Salinas, Matt LaLonde, David Masolak and Joe McLean.
In Class 2A, Wheaton Academy graduated nine starters but returns quality players around the pitch. Josh Kremers, Alex Varga and Brandon Vanderveen are all senior leaders for the Warriors.
St. Francis' Jamie Pigott should prove to be one of the best attacking players around for coach Tim Dailey, who has a young but promising squad in the fold. "We'll take our lumps early, but by the end of the season and next year we think we can be a good team," Dailey said.