Lake County /Boys soccer all-area team
Evan Borden Vernon Hills
Borden had a height advantage up on offense for the Vernon Hills attack and used it well to earn a second straight all-area team appearance. The junior forward knocked in 13 goals and had 2 assists. “With a 6-foot-2 frame, Evan was a big target for us up top,” Vernon Hills coach Shannon Etnyre said. “He's strong on the ball, and is excellent at finishing off the cross. He did a great job of finding open space inside of the 18 off dead balls and service from our midfield.”
Scott Brugioni Lakes
One of the best playmakers the Eagles have ever seen, the senior midfielder flew around the field and set a team season record with 18 assists. “He is one of the finest passers of the ball that I have been fortunate enough to coach,” Lakes coach Kevin Kullby said.” He can pass a ball to any place on the field, short or long, flighted or driven. He delivers great dead balls into the box.”
Asa Goldsmith Grayslake Central
Experience means a lot, and Goldsmith, a senior defender, added that for the Rams over four years. He was a big part of the united effort that kept the Rams playing together. “(Goldsmith) has great size and athleticism,” Grayslake Central coach Mike McCaulou said, “which allowed him to get up and down the length of the field, to get involved in the attack as well as focus on his defensive role.” Goldsmith scored a key amazing long-range goal off the post which lifted the Rams to a Class 2A regional title over Marian Central.
Ian Heinrich Carmel
The Corsairs needed a midfielder to take control and be a leader. Heinrich, a senior, accepted that role and delivered with 11 goals and 7 assists. “Ian was our playmaker this year, connecting our backline with our attacking players,” Carmel coach John Halloran said. “He was a key for us defensively, on the attack and either took — or was the target of — all our dead-ball opportunities. He just was at the heart of everything we did.”
Iven Hernandez Antioch
A freshman and certainly a player to watch in the future, Hernandez was a good addition to a young Sequoits team. Evidence of his talent: 18 goals and 14 assists, with time served at midfield and up front. “Iven is one of the most dynamic players I have ever coached,” Antioch coach Marni Polakow said. “He can be the playmaker or the goal-scorer and is very difficult to mark. He works hard on and off the ball and makes everyone around him better.”
Sam Kaplan Libertyville
Getting through the heart of the Wildcats defense proved to be a tough task all season long. Senior defender Sam Kaplan was a big reason why, as he made sure the best opposing team's players didn't get by him. “He's our best tackler on the team,” Libertyville coach Andy Bitta said. “One of the best defenders ever to play at Libertyville. He also had a deadly right foot on dead balls.”
Carson Klarck Grayslake North
Taking on a different roles isn't easy, but this junior forward/midfielder made it work. He led the Knights with 11 goals and 5 assists. “Our team had to deal with a couple key losses,” Grayslake North coach Adam DeCaluwe said. “Carson showed his ability to be versatile. Often we needed him to drop back from playing up top and sacrifice his ability to score. He had the ability to bring the ball down, control the flow of the game, and utilize his vision to run our attack and distribute.”
Jeff Kreutz Lake Zurich
All year long, the Bears were asking for consistency along the last line of defense. Senior goalkeeper Jeff Kreutz provided that and much more with a 1.2 goals-against average and 7 shutouts. “He's a talented keeper who uses his quickness and athleticism to stop scoring chances,” Lake Zurich coach Mike Schmitz said. “Jeff is also capable of making the spectacular game-changing save when necessary. His presence in the goal has allowed our team to be successful because he anchors the defense and keeps us in every game.”
Peter Kolb Carmel
It was a dirty job, but somebody had to do it. And Kolb, a junior midfielder, worked awfully hard to do it well. “(Peter) did our dirty work as the holding midfielder,” Carmel coach John Halloran said. “He was the key for breaking up our opponent's attack, building possession from the back and keeping everyone's work rate high. Just a fantastic natural leader and competitor.” Kolb finished with 7 assists and 1 goal.
Ricky Lekakh Stevenson
Over the last few years, Lekakh has improved and developed into one of the principle defenders for Stevenson. This year the senior was asked to take on a bigger role, moving to midfield. He thrived and earned a second straight all-area appearance. “He became our top midfielder and displayed outstanding leadership,” Stevenson coach Mark Schartner said. “He will go down as one of the premiere four-year starters in Stevenson history.”
John Pothast Lake Zurich
A catalyst on offense, this senior midfielder worked well in all parts of the field and was a big reason for the Bears' success. Pothast contributed 16 goals and 5 assists this season, and he will extend his soccer career next fall at Marquette. “John has done it all for our team this year,” Lake Zurich coach Mike Schmitz said. “He is responsible for getting our offensive attack started and also contributes to a very solid defense. John is a great player who uses a combination of skill, vision and effort to be one of the best players on the field each and every game.”
Edgar Rodriguez Round Lake
This senior sacrificed individually, and the team benefited collectively. Rodriguez made the move from forward to outside back on defense and helped turned the Panthers into a stingy defensive outfit. “He was one of the best defenders Round Lake has had in years,” Round Lake coach Hugo Tellez said. “For a 5-foot-8 outside right defender, he made the switch well and still scored 7 goals and had 4 assists. His leadership in the back helped our defense and made it a threat.”
Leo Rodriguez Mundelein
Mundelein needed a knowledgeable player to be an anchor in the midfield. Rodriguez, a senior, was the answer. Smart move. “Leo was a very technical player with a high soccer IQ,” Mundelein coach Ernie Billittier said. “His field vision was excellent and he saw the game develop a couple of plays ahead of the ball. He consistently connected his passes with the proper weight and provided his teammates with the right pass.”
Jordi Rubio Round Lake
Rubio was a part of another outstanding season for Round Lake. He netted 27 goals and dished out 17 assists on his way to school records of 85 goals and 47 assists. A potential all-state player, and a repeat all-area selection. “Rubio does everything you want in a forward — he plays with heart, and each year he has gotten stronger,” Round Lake coach Hugo Tellez said “His teammates call him ‘cheetah' because of his speed. He has two different speeds and has a great touch, as if the defense and goalie was his prey.”
Joey Ruppert Libertyville
Ruppert's wide-ranging skill set paid off handsomely for Libertyville. He was comfortable with the ball, but always made an impact away from it. He had a knack for deception and initiating offensive sequences. And his athleticism set him apart from the competition. “He was a very fast player with or without the ball,” Libertyville coach Andy Bitta said. “He had the best vertical on the team and was excellent in the air.”
Mauricio Salgado Round Lake
Attacking from different parts of the field, Salgado found plenty of success. Salgado, a junior, produced 28 goals and 19 assists and is a repeat all-area selection. “A special player, who switched from center midfield to forward,” Round Lake coach Hugo Tellez said. “This year he had a great year, from scoring hat tricks to a 47-yard kickoff goal. Just a hard-working player who scores at will and earns every goal.”
Brenden Seeger Lake Zurich
Seeger was a game-changer for the Bears' offense. The senior forward scored 6 goals and had 10 assists and was always a threat near the goal on his way to a second straight all-area selection. “Brenden is a dangerous offensive player because of his combination of speed and skill,” Lake Zurich coach Mike Schmitz said. “Brenden has been a consistent threat all season and has shown the ability to set up his teammates for chances and score himself. He is a hard-working player who is capable of providing instant offense at any moment.”
Patrick Schultz Warren
Schultz' strength in the back defensively typified Warren's success this season. The Marquette-bound sweeper played that role to near perfection and also managed to deliver 4 goals and 2 assists. “He's one of the best defenders Warren has ever had,” Warren coach Jason Ahonen said. “He kept the back line organized and his knowledge of the game from the defensive side of the ball is unmatched. Very good in the air and reads the game extremely well.”
Jonathan Stanley Lakes
A key figure in the Eagles' run to the North Suburban championship game and Class 2A postseason run. The senior midfielder/forward knocked in 23 goals and 4 assists and set a school record with 46 career goals while earning a second straight all-area appearance. “He is very strong on the ball defensively and can dribble the ball effectively against any team. More than half of his goals have been scored on headers, set pieces and crosses. He is a threat in any game and held his own against the best teams in the area.”
Daniel Szczepanek Warren
This potential all-stater showed all his considerable skills, helping carry an injury-challenge team through some of its toughest stretches. The junior midfielder contributed with 19 goals and 20 assists, many of them in important games. “Daniel was one of the most skilled and gifted offensive players in the area and state,” Warren coach Jason Ahonen. “He is blessed with great vision, and his outstanding speed and ability to control the ball are huge reasons we are having a very successful year.”
Robbie Thomashow Stevenson
A strong defender on a young team, senior defensive/midfielder Robbie Thomashow provided the kind of example that helped inspire confidence. “He anchored the outside defender position,” Stevenson coach Mark Schartner said. “Truly one of our best defenders, an outstanding leader and played with a heart of a champion. A lot of his hard work and determination will be difficult to replace.”
Andres Velarde Grant
Leading by example comes naturaly for Velarde, a junior midfielder who had 13 goals and 2 assists for the Bulldogs. “Andres was our playmaker and ball winner,” Grant coach Shane Rivette said. “As a center mid, he was dominant in the air, both at winning balls in the run of play and on corners and set pieces. He was our leading scorer, and the most intense and hard-working player on our team.”
Brady Walsh Warren
Walsh showed nothing but ability and improving skills over his four years on the varsity, including his senior season as a standout goalkeeper. Walsh is a return all-area pick and has all-state potential. The results speak for themsevles: Walsh has a goals-against average of .53 with 12 shutouts. “ He has excellent quickness, athleticism, skill and is fearless,” Warren coach Jason Ahonen said. “He controls the box as well as anyone I've seen. His desire to win and keep and to keep his team in the game is a true testament to his leadership and skill set.”
Adam Witucki Libertyville
There aren't too many players who can use a throw-in as a huge advantage, but this senior defender is one of them. Witucki made sure he could get assists with his monster throws and even score off defenders. He was also a plus on defense and scored the game-winner in the Showdown championship game at Toyota Park. “He has an excellent skill for a defender,” Libertyville coach Andy Bitta said. “He starts many offensive attacks for the team. But has the best throw-in distance that I have coached since returning in 2007.”
Tim Worzala Wauconda
Being a sweeper was no easy task for this junior, but he handled the position with a calming demeanor game in and game out for the Bulldogs. “Worzala had great skill with the ball,” Wauconda coach Pat Heckmann said. “He provided great leadership, work ethic, and had the ability to remain calm under pressure from attacking forwards, which made him a huge part of our varsity team.”
Boys soccer all-area roster
Evan Borden Vernon Hills Jr. F
Scott Brugioni Lakes Sr. MF
Asa Goldsmith Grayslake Central Sr. D
Ian Heinrich Carmel Catholic Sr. MF
Iven Hernandez Antioch Fr. F
*Marshall Hollingsworth Libertyville Sr. MF
Sam Kaplan Libertyville Sr. D
Carson Klarck Grayslake North Jr. MF
Jeff Kreutz Lake Zurich Sr. GK
Peter Kolb Carmel Catholic Jr. MF
Ricky Lekakh Stevenson Sr. MF
John Pothast Lake Zurich Sr. MF
Edgar Rodriguez Round Lake Sr. D
Leo Rodriguez Mundelein Sr. MF
Jordi Rubio Round Lake Sr. MF/F
Joey Ruppert Libertyville Sr. F
Mauricio Salgado Round Lake Jr. F
Patrick Schultz Warren Sr. D
Brenden Seeger Lake Zurich Sr. F
Jonathan Stanley Lakes Sr. MF/F
Daniel Szczepanek Warren Jr. MF
Robbie Thomashow Stevenson Sr. D/MF
Andres Velarde Grant Jr. MF
Brady Walsh Warren Sr. GK
Adam Witucki Libertyville Sr. D
Tim Worzala Wauconda Jr. MF
Honorable mention
Christian Avalos (Carmel Catholic, Jr. F), Mark Beadle (Lakes, Sr. D), Jorge Bermudez (Lake Zurich, Sr. F), Austin Bitta (Libertyville, Jr. F), Nate Brune (Mundelein, Sr. MF), Alex Brunell (Warren, Sr. MF), Kyle Callender (Lake Zurich, Sr. D), Lloyd Chatfield (Libertyville, So. F), Jeremy Cohen (Vernon Hills, So. MF), Lorenzo Cortez (Round Lake, Jr. MF), Ryan Foster (Warren, Sr. MF), Ryan Geidner (Antioch, Sr. F), Justin Gibbons (Carmel Catholic, Sr. D), Diego Gomez (Grayslake Central, Sr. D), Joseph Hugener (Stevenson, Jr. F), Jeremy Jenich (Carmel Catholic, So. D), Allen Johnson (Lakes, Sr. MF), Jacob Jost (Antioch, Sr. D/MF), Arnold Laroche-Bataille (Grayslake North, Jr. D), Nick Ledvora (Wauconda, So. MF), James Lee (Vernon Hills, Sr. F), Philip Longenecker (Grayslake Central, Jr. MF), Ryan Lovett (Stevenson, Sr. MF), Quinten Low (Stevenson, Jr. GK), Caleb Munk (Grayslake Central, Sr. D), Toshiki Niimi (Stevenson, Jr. MF), Irving Ramirez (Wauconda, Sr. MF), Shane Reilly (Libertyville, Sr. MF), Zack Reimer (Lakes, Sr. D), Harrison Richards (Mundelein, Jr. D), Zack Semitka (Antioch Sr. MF), Tony Severini (Warren Jr. F), Steven Streeter (Grayslake North, Sr. GK), Andreas Thedorf (Grayslake North, So. D), Abraham Valadez (Round Lake, Sr. D), Sergio Valdivia (Round Lake, Jr. D), Gabriel Velarde (Grant, Sr. D), Daniel Villa (Grant, Sr. F).
Selections and profiels by Rusty Silber