Scouting the Fox Valley area's boys soccer teams

2009 Fox Valley area boys soccer at a glance

Bartlett Hawks

Coach: Ben Beary (first year)

Conference: Upstate Eight

2008 record: 6-11-5, 3-7 UEC

Top returning players: Joe McCullough (Sr., M), Brett Dini (Jr. D), Jeff Gal (Jr., GK)

Top newcomers: Fabio Aiello (So., D), Carmelo Abate (Jr., M)

Season outlook: The Hawks' roster of 22 consists of 16 players new to varsity soccer. Bartlett will be a young team overall with nine juniors and six sophomores, However, the nine juniors have played together on the same travel team for years and know each other's tendencies and abilities. The team will look for leadership from Gal in net and from co-captains McCullough and Dini. First-year coach Ben Beary believes the infusion of young talent will prove to be a plus. "This strong junior group, combined with our senior leaders and fresh talent from our six sophomores, makes us a formidable competitor," Beary said. "We have an influx of foot control, which lends nicely to our strength of controlling possession of the ball during the match. Also, we have depth at almost every position on the field. Our weakness is lack of experience. We are susceptible to the mental mistakes that come with the lack of experience of playing at the speed and intensity of a varsity match."

Burlington Central Rockets

Coach: Mike Gecan (fifth year)

Conference: Big Northern-East

2008 record: 10-11-2

Top returning players: Stephen Hall (Sr., M), Kyle Reopelle (Jr., M) Jonathan Klopcic (Sr., D), Cameron Ostrowski (Sr., M), Alejandro Nava (Jr., M), Chris Guosios (So., F), Paul Jerger (Jr., D), Stephen Kaynish (Sr., M), Jim Reuter (Sr., F), Cody Neubauer (Jr., F), Brent Ferstl (Sr., M), Zachary Jochum (Jr., D), Alex Pieper (Sr., GK)

Top newcomers: Alexis Camarena (Jr., F), Erick Uribe (Jr., M), Bryce Warner (Fr., M), Kyle Anderson (Sr., F), Matt Dahlberg (Jr., GK), Brandon Cesaroni (Jr., D), Arley Valdez (Jr., F), Lalo Castillo (Jr., M), Zachary Wilkening (Jr., M), Ricardo Gomez (M).

Season outlook: The Rockets have nine returning players who started at the end of last season, positioning the program to make a run at defending Big Northern-East champion Harvard and secure the school's third league title overall and first since 2006. "I think it's about time," said Central coach Mike Gecan, who considers this the strongest starting lineup he's coached in his five seasons. "We've been knocking on Harvard's door the last two years but have come in second. I think it's time for us to claim the title back. We've got the talent and we understand how to play defense correctly. I know Harvard returns a lot of starters, too, so we're looking forward to that matchup." Gecan credits the feeder program for continually providing his varsity team with "disciplined, responsible and respectful young men, which plays to a defensive structure." He said defense will lead to offense and the team will find ways to score goals. Camarena, Hall, Klopcic and Ostrowski ranked high on the assist chart last season. Warner and Gousios could develop into consistent scorers. Captains Kaynish, Reopelle, Klopcic and Hall all ranked high on the assist chart last season.

Cary-Grove Trojans

Coach: Mark Olson (fourth year)

Conference: Fox Valley (Valley)

2008 record: 15-2-1, 9-1 Valley (first)

Top returning players: Will Higgins (Sr., GK), Matt Latawiec (Sr., M), Elliot Ireland (Sr., D), C.J. Arenberg (Sr., M), Brendan McCarthy (Sr., F)

Top newcomers: Erik Gustafson (So., M), Robbie Perez (So., M/D), Evan Baker (Jr., F), Ryan Borys (Jr., D/M), Ryan Melone (Sr., D), Jacob Cunningham (Jr., M), Aidan McCarthy (So., F), Michael Loke (So., M), Richard Smallwood (Sr., M), Ricardo Contreras (Jr., F), Zac Cheatle (Sr., GK), Drew Connor (So., M), Jon Guay (Jr., M/F)

Season outlook: The defending Valley Division champions graduated nine starters but restock with a bevy of talented juniors and five sophomores. The two returning starters, midfielder Arenberg and defenseman Ireland, will lead an inexperienced group that will go as far as its developing team chemistry will take it. Many of the players play for various club programs in the summer, but will have to jell in the Cary-Grove system. "We have so many newcomers it will really be a matter of how that team chemistry evolves," coach Mark Olson said. "There's talent there. We're just really young. Four sophomores will see significant time. They are all competitors. We need to worry about what we need to do at this point. If we play hard, play smart and stay together we could have success. I will say that playing hard, smart and together are traits that are not negotiable."

Crystal Lake South Gators

Coach: Brian Allen (third year)

Conference: Fox Valley (Valley)

2008 record: 10-14-1, 5-5 Valley (tied for third)

Top returning players: Jon Guttman (Sr., F), Charlie Oliver (So., F), Carey Bienert (Sr., M), Andy DeBoer (Sr., D/M), Brandon Dybdal (Sr., M), Matt Biederwolf (Jr., D), Jacob Stock (Jr., D), Adam Gatza (Jr., D)

Top newcomers: Dave Walsh (Jr., GK), Joe Berg (Sr., GK), Matt Biederwolf (Jr. D), Trevor Bittenbender (Jr., M), Alex Anderl (So., D), Alex Tapia (Jr., F), Mike Hernandez (Jr., M), Andrew Guminski (Jr., F), Brian Karp (Jr., D), Javas Singh (Jr., M), Alex Allmandinger (So., M)

Season outlook: Graduated leading scorer, Jordan Innes, finished fourth in the CL South record books, but he leaves a gaping hole to fill. In the early going Jon Gutmann has filled the scoring void with 6 goals in 5 games, all victories for the hot-starting Gators, who seek their fourth title in the Fox Valley Conference and first since 1996. Oliver is another bona fide scoring threat. He was second on the team in scoring last season as a freshman. DeBoer is the lone senior in a group of defensemen dominated by the junior class. Goalkeeper Dave Walsh (5-foot-10) will play soccer after spending the past two autumns in the CL South football program. "Innes leaves a big hole to fill, but I think our scoring will be a lot more balanced this year, which will be important for this group," Gators coach Brian Allen said. "The chemistry and the work rate this team has already shown is a good starting point. We only have five seniors, so those intangibles should make up for that. We're going to take it game by game, week by week and get better and better with tactics. Our goal is always to compete for the division title."

Dundee-Crown Chargers

Coach: Rey Vargas (fifth year)

Conference: Fox Valley

2008 record: 9-9-2

Top returning players: Mike Pagan (Sr., M), Jason Gatz (Sr. M), Casey Vickstrom (Sr., D), Edit Fuentes (Sr., GK)

Top newcomers: Luis Rodgriguez (Sr., D) played JV, Rigo Garcia (Jr., D), Mauricio Arrellano (Jr., D), Kyle Hagan (So., F), Alex Garcia (So., F), Ozvaldo Ramirez (So, M/F)

Season outlook: The Chargers will look for leadership from seniors Pagan, Gatz, Fuentes and Vickstrom after graduating many starters from a year ago. Fuentes gained experience last season when he was elevated to the varsity midway through the campaign after D-C's starting keeper was injured. The strength of this team will be its midfield, where Gatz and Pagan patrol. The rest of the starting lineup lacks experience but showed promise recently in a 1-1 tie with Larkin. "We're pretty young," Chargers coach Rey Vargas said. "The majority of our players are sophomores and juniors, so they're inexperienced at the varsity level. Our challenge will basically be to learn to play together. We'll struggle a little bit, but we definitely will not be a pushover. Our midfield is strong and our defenders are coming around. As far as scoring, we might struggle a little but I think we'll get better as the season goes on." The Chargers were off to a respectable 2-2-1 heading into Thursday's match at McHenry.

Elgin Maroons

Coach: Dave Borg (seventh year)

Conference: Upstate Eight

2008 record: 3-16

Top returning players: Raul Hernandez (Sr., F), Osiel Ravadan (Sr., GK), Jose Quevedo (Sr., M), Carlos Moreno (So, D), Erwin Hernandez (So., D), Juan Camargo (Sr., M)

Top newcomers: Kevin Gonzalez (Jr., M), Candelario Buzo (Sr., D), Geovanni Gonzalez (Sr., F)

Season outlook: Elgin may not be poised to challenge for the Upstate Eight title, but opponents who take the Maroons lightly will be in for a surprise. Elgin returns five starters, including leading scorer Hernandez (9 goals) and goalkeeper Ravadan in addition to two players who saw heavy minutes in 2008. Center midfielder Quevedo has a cannon for a foot, his coach says, and is particularly effective on direct kicks. Sophomore defenders Erwin Hernandez and Moreno are both club players who saw important minutes as freshmen. Outside defender Buzo and sweeper Kevin Gonzalez both return after sitting out last season. Camargo will start for the third straight season as an outside midfielder. Midfielder Geovanni Gonzalez is solid on the ball. "We'll be improved, I can assure you," Elgin coach Dave Borg said. "We'll win more ballgames. It's a bit of a work in progress because of some of the new faces, but when we get the lineup and rotation set we'll surprise somebody. We'll be a formidable team in the regular season, and I wouldn't be surprised if we made it out (of the regional) this year. But it's going to take a lot of work."

Elgin Academy Hilltoppers

Coach: Aurelio Castillo (second year)

Conference: Independent School League

2008 record: 3-14

Top returning players: Adam Neuman (Sr.), Nick Garcia (Sr.), Jonathon Busano (So.), Evan Mata (Sr.)

Top newcomers: Martin Diaz de Leon (Fr.), Colter Kozal (Fr.)

Season outlook: The Hilltoppers return four key players from last year's team, fortified by freshmen de Leon and Kozal. "Our strength is our good core of upperclassmen," coach Aurellio Castillo said, "and we have good, talented underclassmen. We need to improve our ball control."

Hampshire Whip-Purs

Coach: John Gosling (second year at Hampshire)

Conference: Big Northern-East

2008 record: 10-11-1, 5-5

Top returning players: Marcus Quick (Jr., GK), Sam Woosley (Sr., D), Kyle Bracke (Sr., F/M), Robert Murphy (Sr., F/M), Johnny Cabral (So., F), Colten Bicknese (Sr., D)

Top newcomers: Noel Sosa (So., F), Ishmael Morales (So., F), Jason Bishop (So, M), Jared Butler (So, D), Leo Perez (Jr. D), Geza Kogler (Jr., M)

Season outlook: Hampshire has reason for optimism with most of its defense and midfield returning, not to mention 2008 leading scorer Cabral. The Whip-Purs graduated only three seniors. Sophomores Sosa and Morales should give Hampshire scoring punch to complement Cabral up top. Woosley, Perez, Butler and Bicknese form an experienced defense ahead of Quick, who returns in the net. Perez was brought up to varsity last season and becomes a quad-captain as a junior along with Woosley and senior midfielders Murphy and Bracke. "We're further along than we were last year," Whip-Purs coach John Gosling said. "The players are used to my system now. Some of the fringe players from last year are getting better and are stepping into prominent roles. There's potential here. Last year we started 0-5-1 before things started clicking. I'm hoping we start putting the pieces together earlier this season.

Huntley Red Raiders

Coach: Kris Grabner (seventh year)

Conference: Fox Valley (Valley)

2008 record: 9-7-1

Top returning players: Ignacio Solorzano (Sr., D), Kyle Lewandowski (Sr., M), Kevin Montelongo (Jr., GK), Kareem Rassas (So., M), Javier Diaz (So., M), Sean Tlapek (So. M)

Top newcomers: Lucas Baker (Fr., M), nice player, Nick Brownell (So., M), Tim Sloma (So., M/F) Aleks Rys (So., D), Alex Madera (So., M)

Season outlook: Tri-captains Solorzano, Lewandowski and Montelongo lead the Red Raiders into their first season of competition in the Valley Division of the Fox Valley Conference. Huntley is a very young team overall, though Rassas, Diaz and Tlapek were all key performers last year as freshmen. As many as seven sophomores and a freshman will be counted on in key roles. Madera, a center midfielder, is a difference maker, but he has been out of the lineup since suffering an ankle sprain against Glenbard North. Brownell can play multiple positions. Baker, a freshman, is a talented addition to the midfield. "The group coming back are all quality players," Huntley coach Kris Grabner said. "I think we're a little quicker than we have been in the past. We have to get them playing as a team now. When they do they will see a huge improvement. We've said from the beginning we want to get better every practice and every game and be at our best at the end of the season. We'll have some growing pains at times because we are very young, but I think we'll be a team no one wants to play in the playoffs."

Jacobs Golden Eagles

Coach: Jim Dzialo (ninth year)

Conference: Fox Valley (Valley)

2008 record: 15-7-4, 7-3 (second in Valley, reached Class 3A sectional final)

Top returning players: Danny Trevor (Sr., GK), Taylor Pignatoro (Jr., M), Ian Treacy (Jr., M)

Top newcomers: Anthony Moscatello (Fr., F), Mario Rako (Fr., F)

Season outlook: The Golden Eagles lost much of the talent that helped them reach a sectional final last season and return only three seniors to the roster. Goalkeeper Danny Trevor is a state qualifier in track and an excellent athlete with some playoff wins under his belt. A young team overall will rely on his leadership. "We're real young," Dzialo said. "I'm starting four sophomores and a lot of juniors. We only have three seniors and we lost a lot, but a lot of these guys were along for the ride. We're hoping they've seen that and, therefore, will step it up. We've seen evidence of that already. We have a lot of sophomores that were a little immature last year but now are taking it seriously and getting on the younger kids." Pignatoro missed the regular season with a cracked vertebrae but returned to score a goal in the regional title game. Starting striker Kowalski (6 goals) is the team's leading returning scorer. Jacobs will face good tests this weekend, when they travel to Peoria to play Missouri programs Chaminade and Christian Brothers Academy.

Larkin Royals

Coach: Ken Hall (ninth year)

Conference: Upstate Eight

2008 record: 22-2 (UEC champion)

Top returning players: none

Top newcomers: Alex Sanchez (Jr., D), Manny Aguilar (Fr., M), Erik Rodriguez (Fr., F), Tony Hernandez (Fr., M), Michel Gomez (Fr., M), Danny Ramirez (So., D), Roberto Torres (So, M), Jose Hurtado (So., D)

Season outlook: Graduation claimed the entire starting lineup and the top four substitutes from last year's Upstate Eight Conference title team, thus, a youth movement is under way on Larkin Ave. Four freshmen and three sophomores will play major roles as the Royals look to rebuild for the future. None of the returning upperclassmen played significant minutes in a meaningful game a year ago. However, youth does not equate to untalented in this case. The freshmen elevated to the varsity were part of the Elgin Pumas club team that took the Illinois State Cup and advanced to nationals last summer. The three sophomores all played at the sophomore level last year as freshmen. Through Tuesday the Royals were 0-3-1 but each loss was by 1 goal, meaning these kids can play at a competitive level. "They're used to winning," Larkin coach Ken Hall said of his underclassmen. "They just have to get used to the smaller field in high school and playing against older guys. The biggest adjustment will be the speed of the game. They're playing big minutes for us and they're very good."

South Elgin Storm

Coach: Mark Neville (fifth year)

Conference: Upstate Eight

2008 record: 6-11-1

Top returning players: Bart Mazurek (Sr., F), Mike Kozielek (So., M), Devin Crockett (Sr., D)

Top newcomers: Bret Hildebrandt (So. M), Bryan Irwin (So., M),

Season outlook: South Elgin looks to improve its standing within the Upstate Eight Conference with a mostly veteran lineup. Of the 28 players on the 2009 roster, 14 are seniors and 10 are juniors. Mazurek was an all-area honorable mention selection last season. Irwin and Hildebrandt join the varsity to play with classmate Kozielek, who played a key role as a freshman a year ago. "This is the most veteran class of players in program history with plenty of scoring options," South Elgin coach Mark Neville said. "If the defense can continue to improve, this year's squad may finish in the middle of the table in a very talented Upstate Eight."

Streamwood Sabres

Coach: Matt Polovin (eighth year)

Conference: Upstate Eight

2008 record: 17-5-4 (lost in regional title game to Wheaton North)

Top returning players: Alex Perez (Sr., F), Mike Chwistek (Sr., D), Ulises Manjarrez (Sr., D), Roger Romero (Sr., D), Roma Patino (Sr., F), Ivan Arce (Jr, F), Edgar Leyva (Sr., GK), Rolando Moreno (Sr., M)

Top newcomers: Miguel Juarez (Sr., M), Gilberto Alba (Jr., D), Logan Thompson (Fr., D)

Season outlook: The Sabres have a veteran, talented team and hope to make a run at their first UEC title in 20 seasons, led by senior forward Alex Perez. Perez was an honorary co-captain of the Daily Herald all-area team in 2008 after scoring 17 goals to go with 10 assists. He isn't the only weapon. Sweeper Mike Chwistek, who played on back-to-back Illinois State Cup title teams with Eclipse Select, returns to anchor the back line. Joining Perez on the attack are speedy forwards Patino and Arce, the latter of whom scored a hat trick in the season opener. He played with the Elgin Pumas this summer. Patino is a four-year starter who can blast shots equally well with his left foot and his right. Chavez is a solid defender. Romero bolsters the defense after sitting out a year. Leyva, says his coach, has gotten quicker, thinner and has worked hard to improve his foot skills and lateral movement in goal. Moreno is a third-year varsity performer at a midfield position. Alba is a hard tackler on defense. Juarez gets a starting nod at center midfield. Thompson, a freshman, plays for the Chicago Magic and is a superb marking back who won't start immediately but will play significant minutes. On the whole, it is a collection of talent that has the Sabres thinking big despite a 1-2-1 start as they aim to improve on a third-place finish in the UEC a year ago. "Every single returner played for a club team this summer, which was unheard of when I started here eight years ago," Streamwood coach Matt Polovin said. "We've been building and building and these guys want to win it all. They don't want to finish second or third. They think they can win a state title, which is something you're not used to hearing around the hallways at Streamwood. We'd like to get at least 20 wins. We've been in the regional championship game four of the last five years. We want to get over that hump and win at least a regional and, hopefully, a sectional. Our goal is to get to state."

Westminster Christian Warriors

Coach: Mike Richardson (second year)

Conference: Northeast Illinois

2008 record: 9-9-1

Top returning players: J.J. Marshall (Sr., F), Ryan Beachler (Sr., D/M), Josh Beachler (So, M/F), Scott Sutarik (Jr., GK)

Top newcomers: Ishmael Yemoh (Sr., M)

Season outlook: The Warriors enter the new Northeast Conference with a roster of 20 ranging from seniors to freshmen. They get a big boost from the return of Marshall, a senior who missed all of last season except the playoffs with a broke collarbone. He has scored a couple of goals already and should make an impact up front. The Beachler brothers follow the family tradition of playing fundamentally sound soccer. Both will be key players again this season. Sutarik returns in net. He posted 7 shutouts a year ago. Newcomer Yemoh, a transfer student from Ghana, is making an impact immediately. He has become one of the Warriors' go-to scoring options. He practiced with the team last year but could not play. "We'll have some tough games in the new conference against Keith (Country Day School) and the Rockford schools but, ultimately, the goal is to be better in the postseason," Westminster coach Mike Richardson said. "The core group of returning guys have been with me as an assistant or head coach since they were freshmen. They know what my expectations are and are trying to improve each and every week."

St. Edward Green Wave

Coach: Tim Brieger (15th year)

Conference: Suburban Christian Conference

2008 record: 6-15-2

Top returning players: Jim Cholewa (Sr., GK), David Smith (Sr., D), Alex Koller (Jr. D), Alex Ptak (Sr., D), Kevin Dodgen (Sr., M)

Top newcomers: Logan Johnson (So., M), Mark Olenek (Jr., F), Nick Semler (Fr., M)

Season outlook: St. Edward seniors like Colewa, Smith, Ptak and Dodgen will be asked to bring along a very young, inexperienced team otherwise. Dodgen is the team's leading returning scorer. A small soccer-playing sophomore class is followed by a freshman class that includes two starters and two players who will be the first subs off the bench. Cholewa is a busy man. After soccer practice he heads to the football field, where he acts as the kicker for the Green Wave. He's also the student-body president. His leadership will be counted on to help nurture an inexperienced group overall. "We'll have growing pains," St. Edward coach Tim Brieger said, "but the guys really get along well and are jelling fast. We can be a very good defense when we're working together. The older guys realize we're going to have these growing pains and know they can't expect the younger guys to pick it up right away."