Boys soccer: Scouting Northwest
MSL EAST
Buffalo Grove
Coach: Rick Schoffstall (sixth year, 47-46-14).
Last Year: 7-8-4.
Graduation Losses: Kyle Fiordaliso (Harper), Brandon Edelman, Vincent Rich (Judson College), Nick Rajner, Greg Betz, Dan White (Cornell College).
Ones to Watch: Senior Alex Hughes (MF); juniors Alex Masciopinto (F, 9 goals), Markus Fiordaliso (MF), Nick Landsberger (GK).
New Faces on the Pitch: Juniors Julian Ramirez (D), Matt Bloom (D), Luis Marquez (F), Christopher Racz (MF).
Lowdown: Not since 2006 have the Bison recorded double-digit win totals as injuries and lack of depth have stalled the efforts to return to the top of the table in the division. However, bolstered by a strong offseason from one of their few seniors (Hughes) and a trio of terrific juniors (Masciopinto, Fiordaliso, Landsberger) and key spots in the first-11, the Bison might be ready to move up. "Our strength can also become our weakness, as we are very young (and enthusiastic) but also very coachable and willing to work hard," says Schoffstall, who opens up with 3 sophomores, 9 juniors and just 3 seniors.
Elk Grove
Coach: Joe Bush (sixth year, 32-54-12).
Last Year: 7-8-3.
Graduation Losses: Jon Pachar (all-area, MF, Second Division club, Ecuador), Leif Lundgren (four-year starter), Daiki Abe, Anthony Rogers, Steve Pruim, Kevin Moyo, Bjorn Struttman, Mike Monegato.
Ones to Watch: Seniors Ernesto Rodriguez (F, 7 goals), Cesar Rodriguez (F, 6 goals), Ben Stram (F), Rafal Borys (D), Mike Ginter (D), Matt Ginter (D), Ben Stram (F), Nick Jordan (MF), Dan Cardenas (MF), Trevor Cwiok (MF), Juan Jaramillo (MF), Irving Cruz (MF); sophomore Justin Gavros (MF).
New Faces on the Pitch: Senior Vlado Radanov (F); juniors Eddie Rodriguez (MF), Jesse Schultz (D), Mike Rogano (GK); sophomores Carlos Cisneros (MF), Conor Murphy (F), Nikolay Ivanev (MF).
Lowdown: It has been awhile since the Grens could boast of such a senior-dominated roster as it has, and Bush hopes this veteran presence will give his club that extra something which has been missing of late. "I like having all of (this) experience (12 seniors) but it is important that they help us play with composure, and to stay away from too many peaks and valleys in order to stay in the race for the division and a strong run in the playoffs," offered Bush. The Grens have plenty of strength and depth up front, notably the Rodriguez duo, who each has the talent and determination to give their club the ability to connect in the final third, and help connect with their mates in the middle who have the ability to possess.
Hersey
Coach: Darren Llewellyn (fifth year, 51-26-10).
Last Year: 14-4-5, lost to Lake Forest in regional final.
Graduation Losses: Nick Boyle (D, all-state, two-time all-area, Notre Dame), Greg Janicki (GK, all-area, 13 wins, 12 shutouts), Kyle Pietro (F, 8 goals), Alex Gardasevic (F, all-area, Harper), Eduardo Rodriguez, Chris Naranjo, Johnathan Sauer, Michael Ozga, Matthew Quick (club).
Ones to Watch: Seniors Artur Folta (D), Mike Williams (GK); juniors Jonathan Krok (MF-D), Chase Monkton (D).
New Faces on the Pitch: Senior Jesus Lupian (F, transfer from Glenbrook South); junior Jared Martin (MF).
Lowdown: Huskies' stranglehold on division ended last fall when a talented side from Prospect overtook the defending MSL champs down the stretch, perhaps signaling a changing of the guard for this season and beyond, after the final group of stalwarts from previous championship clubs move on to various collegiate addresses, including Boyle. "We are so young this season," admits Llewellyn, "but we are training them on the foundation of blue-collar, high work rate, disciplined soccer, which we hope, with our young guys, gives us something to build from in the coming years." With Krok and Monkton, coming off an injury from basketball, Llewellyn may give 3-4 freshmen minutes early on to see what his rookies can do.
Prospect
Coach: Kurt Trenkle (fifth year, 35-33-8).
Last Year: 13-4-2 (1st, MSL East), lost to Palatine in MSL Soccer Cup.
Graduation Losses: Mike Stankiewicz (MF, all-area, DePaul), Sam Slusher (MF, all-area, Northwestern), Kyle Mataloni (D, all-area), Jim Brault (GK, 13 wins, 9 shutouts), Will Hall, Francisco Nunez, Victor LaPorte, Tyler Bengsten, Ray LaTourette.
Ones to Watch: Seniors Bryahan Nunez (MF), Mike Eggert (D), David Spudic (MF), Mike Hamman (D), Mario Morales (MF); juniors Patryk Ruta (F, all-area, 12 goals), Richard Lenke (F, 10 goals).
New Faces on the Pitch: Seniors Patrick Sitko (MF), Erik Larsson (D); juniors Bill Cooney (F), Alex Schnef (F), Stefano Dolomas (MF).
Lowdown: The departure of one of most dynamic MF duo's in the area (Stankiewicz-Slusher) leaves a giant hole in the Knights' attack, and will change the club will go forward with this season. However, the defending MSL champs are fortunate to have a terrific strike-force up top in the junior pair (Ruta-Lenke), who should provide the type of cutting-edge goal-scoring that most are lacking this season. "We won't have the same presence from the middle after our graduation losses, but we have speed and depth to compensate, in addition to a well-balanced backline, that we start with a 3-4-3, which morphs into a 5-3-2 that seems to be working," says Trenkle, whose club should be at or near the top of table come mid-October.
Rolling Meadows
Coach: Peter Mikulak (seventh year, 28-60-13)
Last Year: 3-14-1.
Graduation Losses: Jake Muzcynski (North Central), Matt Banczak.
Ones to Watch: Seniors Attilio Bonasera (F), Josh Koutas (MF), Kyle Krzeski (MF).
New Faces on the Pitch: Sophomore Josh Galvin.
Lowdown: Another MSL East side which has had terrible luck with injuries, and subsequent issues with depth to help send this always hard-playing club to the bottom of the division the last couple of seasons. "We have a number of highly skilled veterans back this fall, and now is the time for (them) to all be leaders, make things happen, while setting a good example for the younger players that we have," says Mikulak, who hopes to find a suitable replacement for its best player in 2009 (Muzczynski) when he takes his club to the mega Pepsi Showdown tournament once again in the early going.
Wheeling
Coach: Ed Uhrik (seventh year, 43-57-5).
Last Year: 6-13-1.
Graduation Losses: Enrique Garcia (MF, all-area, 13 goals, Loyola), Irving Balboa.
Ones to Watch: Seniors Yonic Carillo (F), Dan Speidel (D), Matt Rosen (GK), Arturo Escobedo (GK); juniors Alan Flores (D), Alfonso Noveron (D); sophomore Irving Eloiza (MF).
New Faces on the Pitch: Juniors Giovanni Gomez (F), Sergio Nunez (F); sophomore Alfredo Jimenez (MF).
Lowdown: Wildcats must somehow find a suitable likeness to the departed (Garcia), who was easily the heart-and-soul of a very young club from a year ago. "We'll miss what (Garcia) gave us on and off the field, but we have a good group of talented individuals who can control the ball, and beat players 1-on-1," says Uhrik, who will look for his young club to stay disciplined and accept their roles in this attack-oriented side.
MSL WEST
Barrington
Coach: Scott Steib (12th year, 202-56-11; 261-84-28 overall).
Last Year: 7-15-2.
Graduation Losses: Tim Rudnicki (University of Chicago), Will Farrell (Dayton) Greg Navitsky (Loras), Ryan Foley, Marc Drouin, Andrew Krissinger, Tony Shin.
Ones to Watch: Seniors Dan Barber (D), Erik Buchel (D), Will Cotopolis (GK), Charlie Giovenco (D-MF), Max Mohr (MF), David Pacheo (F), Taylor Williams (F), Steve Polasik (GK), Nikko Maher (MF); junior Grant McAndrew (MF), Reid Strain (F); sophomore Craig Zahour (MF).
New Faces on the Pitch: Seniors Jason Gonzalez (F), John Guntin (F), Connor Hollensteiner (MF), Parker Seagren (GK), Austin Walsh (D); sophomore Ethan Claes (MF), Dylan Nelson (MF); freshman Jonah Muniz (D).
Lowdown: Broncos fall from the soccer stratosphere after a brilliant 10-year run (nearly 200 victories) proved to be a rather loud thump last season when the club lost 15, while giving up goals at an astounding rate to finish near the bottom of the MSL table. "Last year was not a good season for us, and not only did we score (just) 31 goals (in 24 matches) we also gave up 48," began Steib. "We believe we have the players to be better (defensively) and we really feel that this team is capable of plenty of improvement on both sides of the ball." Giovenco, back from a year away on the club scene will help, as will the senior Barber along the back, with Zahour just about ready to emerge either along the back or in the middle of the park.
Conant
Coach: Jason Franco (third year, 35-18-16).
Last Year: 13-3-3 (second, 9-2-0, 27 points, MSL Table).
Graduation Losses: Kevin Reddington (F, all-area, 13 goals, Illinois), Alex McKenna (D), Dan Kitzinger (D).
Ones to Watch: Seniors Shivam Patel (F, 7 goals), Michael Zentner (D), Thomas Kozlowski (F), Bobby Potratz (GK, 6 shutouts), Stefan Zaharinov (MF); juniors Billy Belmonte (D), Nathan Cornell (F), Joe Bosco (MF).
New Faces on the Pitch: Senior Hugo Gonzalez (GK, 1.00 G.A.A. in 2008), juniors Zach Conrad (MF), Dan Ruzich (D); freshman Tristan Conrad (MF).
Lowdown: Cougars were the Cinderella club a year ago as they quietly stayed in the race right until the very end, before a 2-0 loss to Palatine ended their hopes for their first trip to the MSL Cup since winning it in 2002. Without a genuine superstar on its roster, and one lone and deadly striker (Reddington) the club conceded just one goal per match, and manufactured several stirring victories, including four in OT to help keep its fans on the edge. "Expectations are high this season for an athletic group of experieced players who found ways to overachieve when they needed to last year," says Franco, who will have a deep and competitive club once again, featuring most of his first-11 from a year ago. The addition of 2008 starting keeper (Gonzalez) after one-year club hiatus could help give the Cougars something extra at the position, or another terrific player in the mix in the middle.
Fremd
Coach: Steve Keller (13th year, 153-94-47).
Last Year: 7-10-3.
Graduation Losses: Michael Heika (Carthage).
Ones to Watch: Seniors Spencer Filosa (MF-F), Lorenzo Savino (F, 10 goals), Alex Prelipceanu (D), Al Bochat (D); juniors Brian Hindle MF), Garret Peters (D).
New Faces on the Pitch: Senior Scott Sutarik (GK); junior Yuseke Kanada (MF); sophomores Nick Tambellini (MF), Riota Wada (F); freshman Eric Leonard (D-MF).
Lowdown: If you're looking for a surprise team this fall, it might be Fremd. After three straight seasons of single-digit victory totals, the Vikings might be ready to take control of the division as Keller welcomes back his entire backline, says hello to a solid GK (Sutarik) and talented freshman (Leonard) and a trio of veterans (Filosa, Hindle, Savino) who are each ready to make significant contributions this fall. "The work ethic, and approach this team (takes) to training and playing gives us hope for a very promising season," says Keller, who remains cautiously optimistic while some pollsters see his lads as potential top-20 material. "Time will tell, but if we continue to have a high work rate, and our midfield can play quick and smart for 80 minutes, we could have a nice season waiting ahead of us."
Hoffman Estates
Coach: Matt Sriver (seventh year, 40-70-15).
Last Year: 6-10-2.
Graduation Losses: Brad Powszok (F-MF, all-area, 13 goals, Illinois), Michael Mertel (D, three-year starter, Augustana), Reona Oishi (MF, Illinois), Fernando Reyes (MF), Luis Vargas (MF), Joe Gordon.
Ones to Watch: Seniors Sishuh Zerihun (F, 11 goals, 8 assists), Cesar Vargas (MF), Terry Maksymovych (F), Jovan Navarro (MF); juniors Michael Gordon (GK), Alex Corna (F), Oscar Salas (D), Gilberto Cuellar (D).
New Faces on the Pitch: Juniors Lenin Roa (MF), Kevin Castro (transfer from Schaumburg); sophomores Jake Kobota (D), Luis Colin (MF).
Lowdown: The Hawks talented striker (Zerihun) appears primed to have a breakout year, despite losing the talented and energetic four-year star (Powszok) who was the type of unselfish partner to give the club a scary attack force up top. "Brad will be a tough one to replace, but we fully expect Sishuh to step forward and have the type of goal-scoring year he's capable of," says Sriver, who welcomes back Roa from club soccer to help ignite his club out in the middle, while providing much needed pace and energy in the Hawks attack. Question marks again will be experience and depth, especially along the back.
Palatine
Coach: Willie Filian (20th year, 275-116-39).
Last Year: 21-2-1 (first MSL West), d. Prospect 5-1 in MSL Soccer Cup, regional champions, lost to Lake Forest in sectionals.
Graduation Losses: Kyle Held (GK, all-area, 21 wins, 13 shutouts, St. Xavier), Willie Filian (MF, two-time all-area, 20 assists, Indiana), Josh Clark (F, all-area, 9 goals, 8 assists, Wheaton College), Josh Feldman (D, Colorado College), Matt Marturano (F, 2008 all-area, missed all of last season with injury, Notre Dame), Tim Conklin (D, St. Louis), Jake Velinski (F, 12 goals, ISU), Jeff Burda (D, Montana State), Dan Schweikert (Illinois), Allan Curtis (MF, ISU), Alejandro Tapia (NIU), Jose Luis Atilano (Iowa Wesleyan).
Ones to Watch: Seniors Kosta Risteski (MF, 7 goals), Martin Rodriguez (MF), Stephan Thabuteau (F); juniors Jon Clark (MF, 7 goals).
New Faces on the Pitch: Juniors Jack Reynolds (F), John Livaditis (MF), Ivan Garcia (MF).
Lowdown: Are the Pirates capable of winning another MSL title this fall? Why not, but it's not going to be easy. Defending champs established themselves as one of the best-coached clubs in the area with a strong and imposing MF and backline, including superb GK Held, to record one of the top overall records during the past few seasons in the area. However, the Pirates lost nearly the entire core from this entertaining side, including a trio of all-area players (Held, Clark, Filian), while leaving just a few holdovers to help begin a new era. "There's still a good nucleus for us to build from, and some depth as well, but inexperience along the back, as well in goal, will test us early while we sort things out," said Filian, who was named to the Illinois High School Coaches Association (IHSSCA) Hall of Fame last spring.
Schaumburg
Coach: Hamid Mehreioskouei (seventh year, 75-46-6).
Last Year: 13-6-1, regional, sectional champions, lost to Lake Zurich in super-sectional.
Graduation Losses: Declan Geraghty (MF, all-area co-captain, 8 goals, 9 assists, Illinois Wesleyan), Erhan Caglayan (F, all-area, 15 goals), Maciej Herda (MF), Tim Olson (F), Mike Grassa (MF-F), Jimmy McFarland (F).
Ones to Watch: Seniors Mark Bielanski (D), Blake Nelson (F), Bobby Khalili (MF); juniors Jake Savino (MF), Ben Beard (GK), John Franco (MF, ACL injury), Kacper Wasilewski (MF).
Lowdown: Marvelous two-year streak, including remarkable run into supersectional last season, would also signal the end of a terrific prep career from all-area co-captain (Geraghty) and several others who helped Saxons win 31 during that time and come this close both years to post-season heroics. An advocate of system soccer, former Saxons star Mehreioskouei will ask this club to play up to the tradition he and his staff have done well to instill, while counting on team defense to keep the club in every match. "Our boys work hard enough to give themselves a chance to compete, and for us to contend this season, we will really have to focus on executing our system and to remain unpredicable each time out," says Mehreioskouei.
NORTHEASTERN ATHLETIC
Christian Liberty
Coach: Jed Bennett (second year, 2-14-2).
Last Year: 2-14-2.
Graduation Losses: Greg Macauly, Aaron Johnson, Adam Aksnowicz, Taylor Crawford.
Ones to Watch: Senior Shamil Tajuddin (MF); juniors Kiefer Bennett (F, 6 assists), Gabe Clayborne (MF), Noah Johnson (D); sophomores David Colbert (F, 7 goals), Tom Salsgiver (D), Jack Salsgiver (GK).
New Faces on the Pitch: Mike Hennek (MF), Mike Milkowski (MF).
Lowdown: Chargers went through the usual growing pains in their first season in conference and IHSA play, and despite its early ouster in the postseason, Jed Bennett looks forward to a much better season the second time around. "We should have a strong midfield this year, and our strength will be our ability to possess and make plays from those positions," says Bennett, who has both of his top strikers back in Colbert and Kiefer Bennett to help a club which still remains young with just one senior on its active roster.
WSC GOLD
Leyden
Coach: Mark Valintis (fourth year, 28-29-11).
Last Year: 13-9-2 (5-1-0, first in WSC Gold).
Gradution Losses: Luis Adame (F, 14 goals, 13 assists), Edgar Mendez (F), Eric Ruiz (MF), Jose Lopez (GK), Szymon Kesek (MF), Adrian Camacho (MF).
Ones to Watch: Seniors David Wisniewski (F, all-area, 27 goals, 10 assists), Arnoldo Reyes (MF, 10 assists), Juan Carlos Duarte (MF), Oscar Martinez (D), Edwin Sanchez (MF, 8 assists).
New Faces on the Pitch: Juniors Arthur Bernaciak (D), Fernando Camacho (D), Krystian Drozdz (F), Oscar Chavarria (F), David Nowicki (MF), Marco Granda (GK).
Lowdown: Eagles won first division title since Valintis took over with a vibrant MF and plenty of attacking power in Wisniewski, who returns as the top goal-scorer in the area after finding the net 27 times, while giving teammates plenty of opportunities as the marked man in the opponents final third. "We have the focal point in (Wisniewski) but there a five or six others who are capable of scoring 5-10 goals, so we should be able to create chances with a well-balanced attack," said Valintis. Eagles should contend with Morton and Downers Grove South for top Gold honors, but will need to have inexperienced backline come together.
CSL NORTH
Maine West
Coach: Mike DiVincenzo (10th year, 97-71-33)
Last Year: 17-5-2 (1st, CSL North), regional champs, lost to Maine South in sectionals.
Graduation Losses: Angel Herrera (F-MF, all-area, Oakton), Anes Kadiric (F-MF, all-area, 7 goals, 9 assists, Western Illinois), Pat Pliska (D, Dominican), Cody Uidl (D, Judson College), Alberto Sanchez (Oakton CC), Mike Bednarz (GK, 8.5 shutouts, NYU), John Contreras (club), Frankie Garcia (club).
Ones to Watch: Seniors Ryan Ybarra (F, 12 goals), Emmett Turner-Jackson (D, three-year starter), Austin O'Toole (D), Jayson LeSeth (D), Alex Blancas (MF), Cristian Perez (F); juniors Tom Ceri (F), Ramon Contreras (MF), Tait Jensen (MF).
New Faces on the Pitch: Seniors Arturo Alegria (MF); juniors Bruno Velazquez (F), Spencer Walton (MF); sophomores Jecsan Torres (GK), Agustian Bolanos-Quintana (D), Chayanne Trejo (D-F), Jerry Espinoza (MF)
Lowdown: Record-setting 2009 season helped fuel first divisional title since 1978, in addition to school-record 17 victories, making Warriors thirsty for more despite after losing the heart of their backline and classy two-year captain Herrera. "This team is quick, fast and has more technical ability than any other than we've had since I've been here, and if we can get some of younger guys to get up to speed, we're going to be in real good shape this season," says DiVincenzo, whose club won the Oak Park summer tournament and went 9-5 overall during that same time. Warriors backline trio (Turner-Jackson, O'Toole, and LeSeth, back from club soccer) have the potential to be one of the best in the area, as each can tackle, mark and go forward with ease and confidence.
ESCC
St. Viator
Coach: Mike Taylor (31st year, 361-112-76; 424-172-96 career).
Last Year: 24-4-1, 7-1-1 ESCC, Class 2A state champions.
Graduation Losses: Trevor Wheeler (MF, all-state, Daily Herald all-area co-captain, 13 goals, 9 assists, Wisconsin), Kevin Cavers (MF-F, all-area, 17 goals, 12 assists, Loras College), Alan Aboona (F, all-area, 35 goals, Washington University, playing basketball), Billy Hamilton (MF, 17 assists, Carthage), Brendan King (D, Illinois), Joe Schmidt (F) Patrick Windle (GK).
Ones to Watch: Seniors Jack Horvath (MF, 11 goals, 9 assists), Joe Surdam (D), Billy Krawzak (MF), Scott Faul (GK), Dan Loizzi (F), Matt Morches (MF), Tim Hogaboom (D).
New Faces on the Pitch: Juniors Nick Abel (D), Adam Fetter (MF, transfer from Wheaton St. Francis); sophomores Michael Decker (MF-F), Troy Wheeler (D-MF), Ashwin Cornelius (MF).
Lowdown: So how can a club still be part of the conversation for a final four berth after losing three all-area players, nearly 100 goals, its best defender, playmaker and countless years of experience? "There is a terrific mix of youth and experience, with enough players (back) who were involved in our run to the 2A state title, who all know what level they have to be in order to be among the best," offers Taylor, who awaits an IHSA ruling on the Lions official status as either a 2A or 3A team for the 2010 campaign. Taylor says MF (Horvath) is ready to assume leadership role in which Wheeler relished, while the long-time head coach figures he has enough firepower on the roster to help find the 35 goals his star striker (Aboona) poured into the back of the net. State finals hero (Faul) is back as the Lions keeper to help guide the next generation of talent coming through this soccer powerhouse.