All-area team profiles: Northwest
Alan Aboona St. Viator
Big, strong striker for Lions is typical old-fashioned prowler in the box, who can always be found where the chances fall. Ice-cool in his finishing, which he delivered 31 times this season through regional play. "Alan has a real nose for the goal, and is one of those true finishers every coach wants to have," said coach Mike Taylor. Two-year starter is also unselfish, almost to a fault, and the all-ESCC, all-sectional pick had 12 assists. Can make an imprint on a match when it is most needed for one of the top 2A clubs and was an all-area point guard in basketball last winter.
Nick Boyle Hersey
Obvious choice for second call to all-area team after another superb season for coach Darren Llewellyn, who credits the three-year starter with the success of the club during that time. "There is not been a time when Nick hasn't gone full speed, or at 110 percent, and has easily been the driving force for our team, and the model for others to follow," Llewellyn said. Hersey captain relishes the battle against the finest attackers and is a commited, fierce tackler, who combined aerial ability, a fiery personality and soccer intelligence to earn all-state honors.
Erhan Caglayan Schaumburg
When the chance finally came for the two-year starter to prove he can be a striker to be reckoned with, the hard-driving senior did just that with a team-high 11 goals, including plenty of match-changing strikes the final two weeks to help the Saxons to a regional title. "Erhan is a dynamic player who can take on defenders and score goals in a very impressive manner," says coach Hamid Mehreioskouei. Mobile, gutsy, and equally adept at creating, the four-year veteran packs a powerful shot from a distance, or inside the box, and stands at 33 career goals through the regional.
Kevin Cavers St. Viator
Wonderfully gifted two-year starter can influence run of play because of great vision, awareness and technical and tactical knowledge that is second to none. "Kevin has a true passion for the sport, and he plays that way with terrific energy and pace which makes him one of the best in the area," said coach Mike Taylor. Cavers heads into the final two weeks of the season with 14 goals (19 career) and 11 assists despite missing the first six matches with an injury. Composed on the ball and blessed with a quick turn of pace and eye to tackle on the defensive side or to create going forward.
Josh Clark Palatine
Clark's arrival following an early season injury gave the Pirates needed balance as this first-time all-MSL, all-sectional and all-area striker became one of the most exciting offensive stars around, while adding a touch of steel to the attack-minded MSL champs. "Josh is a dangerous attacking player who is confident enough to break down opponents in 1-on-1 situations, and accurate in his shot," said coach Willie Filian. The Wheaton College-bound senior took up the scoring slack after potential all-state teammate Matt Marturano was lost for the season early with 10 goals and 11 assists in 14 matches.
Willie Filian Palatine
Owner of perhaps the single most feared weapon in the entire area, this two-time all-area, all-MSL and MSL West player of the year made for plenty of sleepless nights as coaches tried to defend the searing long throws from the Pirates captain which would create so many scoring opportunities. "One of our most athletic players, who has logged plenty of miles in our midfield on both sides of the ball," said his coachand dad Willie Filian Sr., of the Pirates leading scorer. Four-year veteran has terrific work rate and has 24 career goals with 20 of his 38 career assists this season.
Enrique Garcia Wheeling
One of just four holdovers from gifted 2008 club, it was easy to see why coach Ed Uhrik gave this two-year starter the captain armband this season. "Ricky is a very respectful young man, who works hard both on and off the field, and a student-athlete who represents the attitude, effort and high standards that we want from each and every player in our program," said Uhrik, of his senior who could transfer easily from the middle to up top. Sparkled with 13 goals and 7 assists for a young and inexperienced team and converted 5 penalty kicks.
Declan Geraghty Schaumburg
A degree of intensity unmatched throughout the area, whether on the floor or in the air, the Saxons' captain had 8 goals and 9 assists, tackles with gusto, while nearly flawless in the 50-50 battles. Geraghty has rare flair for breaking up attacks, while equally effective going forward and directing traffic up top, which many noticed when the four-year veteran earned all-state honors. "He is the best example of a great teammate because he demands more of himself than any other player, and takes responsibility for our team's errors and mistakes," said coach Hamid Mehreioskouei.
Billy Hamilton St. Viator
Vital role of being one of the key creative forces behind the Lions' main striker (Alan Aboona) and others who helped strike for 89 goals through the regional. Hamilton took on the role of playmaker while Kevin Cavers was gone, then would flourish after his teammate returned to finish with 18 assists and 6 goals. "Billy has a lot of skill, and was the perfect complement in the middle to Trevor (Wheeler) and to Cavers before we moved him up," said coach Mike Taylor. Reliable, tireless worker, who will go touchline-to-touchline unselfishly for high-flying Lions.
Kyle Held Palatine
An inspired shot-stopper who can intimidate even the most confident, especially in penalty kicks, where the 6-foot-7 senior can squeeze the goal area down to nothing for would-be shooters. "Kyle is very quick and agile for someone his size, who is not only a dominating figure, but a very sure-handed and outstanding shot-blocker, who has allowed his defenders in front of him to play with confidence," said coach Willie Filian. The two-year starter boasts 13 shutouts (22 career) through the regional while recording a stingy 0.54 goals against average.
Angel Herrera Maine West
A brave and robust player who leads by example, this three-year starter began as the Warriors sweeper, then moved forward to help the club gain a regional title. "Angel has always done a marvelous job, regardless of where we've put him, and is the type of player that puts the team before himself each time he goes out to train or play," said coach Mike Divincenzo. The two-year captain and Western Illinois-bound Herrera has always been a threat in the air off set pieces, or when defending, and has scored 16 times (10 assists) in his career.
Greg Janicki Hersey
A rare breed at keeper, Janicki not only has superb shot-blocking skill, but also the ability to strike one of the most accurate and deadly free-kicks from 50 yards and in, which resulted in the senior recording 1 goal and 3 assists. "Greg has made many, many game-changing saves the past two seasons, and has played at an elite level which makes him one of the best in the state as far as I am concerned," said coach Darren Llewellyn. School records include most shutouts in a season (12) and career goals against average and has 19.5 shutouts over two years.
Anes Kadiric Maine West
Opportunistic, powerful in the air and bristling with determination, Kadiric was also voted as one of the best in the CSL this fall. "Anes really came out of his shell this year, starting in the back early on, then just exploding for us when we moved him up more to be one of our chief attacking players," said coach Mike Divincenzo. Capable of creating play for his team or destroying it for the opposition, the two-year veteran led the team in conference points, an amazing stat since he played more than a third of the season on the backline. Had 7 goals (3 game-winners) and 9 assists.
Kyle Mataloni Prospect
Value of three-year varsity player was never clearer when Knights captain was unable to go at full strength due to recurring back problems which limited the defender's minutes in two losses to end season. "Kyle took control of a young, inexperienced backline and helped turn that group into one that allowed just 16 goals in 18 games, and it was evident in the end how much he meant to our club when he wasn't close to 100 percent," said coach Kurt Trenkle. A fearsome marker, and almost unbeatable in the air, the senior was a one-man barrier, who would confound opponents defensively.
Jon Pachar Elk Grove
Four-year veteran came back from injury-filled 2008 season. "Jon is a tireless worker who has transformed into an attacking player capable of taking people on, or setting others for success in front of the goal," said coach Joe Bush. Modest stats (4 goals, 3 assists) do not measure true worth of a player who can easily slot into a variety of roles thanks to what Bush calls his world-class dribbling ability, which allows plenty of trickery in tight places. Selected to be a part of the Chicago Fire Academy and a student of former Conant and current Neuqua Valley coach Tony Kees in offseason.
Pat Pliszka Maine West
Anchor of stingy Warriors' backline, three-year starter is strong in the air, anticipates and reads the game well and is comfortable on the ball during times of stress or when going forward. "Pat has great speed, and is so tenacious in the back as our sweeper, and is one of the main reasons we have gone 41-18-16 in his three years in our first-11," said coach Mike Divincenzo of the Central Suburban North player of the year. Pliszka helped the Warriors record 19 shutouts during his time at sweeper, including 12 through regional play.
Brad Powszok Hoffman Estates
A firecracker whether in the middle or alongside his dangerous partner up front (Sishuh Zerihun), the senior had a sterling four-year career in which he led the Hawks, while wearing the captain's armband the last three seasons. "Brad is a hard-working kid, who has the ability to raise his level of play to make everyone around him that much better," said coach Matt Sriver. His work rate on the pitch mirrors that of his effort in the classroom, where he excels as well. Flair for scoring goals led to 31 career and 24 assists following his best season as prep with 13 and 10 respectively.
Kevin Reddington Conant
Pivotal figure in the Cougars' surprise regular-season run proved to be a powerhouse attacking talent when given the chance. "Kevin has a great work rate, has a strong will to win, and consistently leads by example as one of our captain," said coach Jason Franco. The team leader in scoring (13 goals, 4 assists) brims over with energy, but it is his work going forward that catches the eye with blinding acceleration, and speed on the ball to help break down opponents in their own end. The three-year veteran is the owner of a handful of dramatic game-winners.
Patryk Ruta Prospect
The sophomore is the youngest member of 2009 all-area team and showed he can be a force in an always-tough defensive league with some fine performances, including four game-winning strikes, as he scored nine in the MSL. "It's still hard to believe Patryk scored only once as a freshman, but after a terrific offseason of hard work, he came back and said he would be that goal-scorer that we so sorely missed last season, and he was," said coach Kurt Trenkle, of his team scoring leader. A quality marksman who can also bamboozle defenses with a barrage of weapons.
Sam Slusher Prospect
High-energy, tactically-aware midfielder was a mainstay who would help drive the Knights to their third MSL Cup appearance. "Sam took on the leadership role this season, and he just flourished because of it, and so did our team," said coach Kurt Trenkle, who believes Slusher has the tactical knowledge to become a terrific head coach one day. Fantastic passing and crossing ability from wide areas and a high work ethic made the senior one of the hottest properties at his position in the area. A shrewd and deceptive attacker, overall numbers (6 assists) would be greater if not for unselfish play.
Mike Stankiewicz Prospect
Towering, battle-hardened senior would influence in the center of the park with sublime dribbling, defense-splitting passes and merciless free-kick shooting, that did not go unnoticed when honored with all-state recognition. "Mike kind of flew under the radar last season, but not this year when everyone knew who he was," said coach Kurt Trenkle, who feels the MSL East player of the year could have tripled his overall stats if the second assist was entered in the scoreboard as in hockey. Finished with 4 goals and 6 assists and never backed down defensively.
Trevor Wheeler St. Viator
All-area co-captain earned all-state and East Suburban Catholic Conference player of the year honors. "Trevor means so much to our ball club, and our program, and I really don't know where we would be without him," said coach Mike Taylor. Four-year star represents the heartbeat of the Lions, offering incisive running with and without the ball, accurate distribution, free-kick expertise and the willingness to go 80-plus minutes at full throttle each time he steps onto the pitch. Wheeler had 13 goals and 12 assists through the regional and 29 and 27 respectively for his career.
David Wisniewski Leyden
Became one of the most feared strikers in the area this fall to help lead Leyden to a West Suburban Gold title. "David is so much fun to watch, because he can do many things on his own, or with a team concept," said coach Mark Valinits. Can take on and beat defenders at every possible opportunity, and has the razor-sharp reactions to strike quick and at a moments notice when given the chance. Two-year starter amazed with 26 goals and 8 assists, which included hat-tricks twice, and 2-goal games six other times this season.