The DuPage County All-Area boys soccer team

Angel Barriga, Fenton

At times, this senior would draw three or four defenders, but he was still so crafty that he'd find a way to score or set up a teammate. The All-Area team captain scored 35 goals and also had 24 assists to help the Bison win a school-record 17 games. "Angel was our difference-maker and playmaker on the field," Bison coach Victor Ruiz said. "He would find ways to help his teammates in practice and help set them up to score in games if he was not scoring himself."

Seth Dilworth, Glenbard West

This junior was seemingly always involved in the team's offensive threats, scoring 16 goals and adding 3 assists for the 11-9 Hilltoppers. "Seth is a competitive, goal-driven soccer player that displays continuous improvement in many aspects of the game," Hilltoppers coach Maciej Kusmierz said. Dilworth earned all-West Suburban Conference Silver Division honors and is one of the key reasons why the program should continue to rise next season.

Ethan Grosam, St. Francis

The Spartans played their best at season's end, winning 11 of 12 games, including nine by shutout. A huge key to their success was the play of this four-year starter at outside fullback who shut down the attack of opponents and helped ignite the offense with quick transitions. "He has been instrumental in our championship runs in conference regionals and sectionals," Spartans coach Kevin Ward said. He was an all-conference and all-sectional selection. Committed to Dominican University.

Ethan Harvey, Naperville North

This senior is looking at a few colleges to play this year after shining in the midfield this fall. "Ethan's athleticism, technical ability and ball striking have made him an integral part of the Naperville North midfield this year after moving from left back," Huskies coach Jim Konrad said. "He has the special ability to win balls and quickly get into the attack." He scored 7 goals and added 9 assists through the sectional finals and earned all-DuPage Valley Conference and all-sectional recognition.

Billy Heniades, Neuqua Valley

The Wildcats became one of the most dangerous teams in the state once mid-September arrived. They won 10 straight games, and this senior had a lot to do with their success. Heniades was one of the most dangerous scorers, if not the most dangerous, in the DuPage Valley Conference and finished with 16 goals and 11 assists. "Billy is the type of phenomenal young man you feel lucky to get the opportunity to coach," Wildcats coach Arnoldo Gonzalez said. He earned all-state and all-conference honors and was the team MVP.

Luke Holwerda, Wheaton Academy

Through sectionals, this senior had 31 goals and 15 assists and had earned all-conference and all-state honors. "Luke has been a force in the final third for us all year," Warriors coach Jeff Brooke said. "He has been our most improved player on our roster and made an impact on our season that not many people could have predicted." He will play at Olivet Nazarene or Indiana Wesleyan University.

Colin Iverson, Naperville North

Good luck finding a more dangerous offensive threat on set pieces. He was rewarded with all-state honors while also getting recognized as all-sectional and all-DuPage Valley Conference with 14 goals and 8 assists heading into supersectional play. "Colin has been a dominant presence in the air at both ends of the field," Huskies coach Jim Konrad said. "His dominating physical presence has protected the Huskies' back line and made them dangerous in the attack."

Seamus Kilgallon, Wheaton Academy

This junior was a dynamic central midfielder who displayed great technical ability, scoring 17 goals and adding 8 assists through sectional action. "He is smooth on the ball and allows us to play a position style of play," Warriors coach Jeff Brooke said. "He is a fierce competitor and sets the standard for himself and the team at a high level." He earned all-Metro Suburban Conference Blue Division and all-sectional accolades.

Zack Kokes, Naperville Central

As the Redhawks' leading scorer, Kokes earned all-DuPage Valley Conference and all-sectional honors with 11 goals and 5 assists. "Zack's work up top winning balls and possessing is one reason we have been successful in our attack," Redhawks coach Troy Adams said. "He has a knack for finding open pockets and then connecting with teammates. His composure in front of the goal is the reason he is our leading scorer."

Evan Lang, Metea Valley

There was a reason why this junior was named all-sectional and a unanimous DuPage Valley Conference selection - he was excellent for a Mustangs team that had the best season in school history. Lang finished with 16 goals and 4 assists. "Evan has been our catalyst all year, continually coming up big in big games," Mustangs coach Josh Robinson said. "His leadership, work rate and dedication are something that allowed Metea to make the run we did this year."

James Lynch, Metea Valley

The Mustangs won the most games (15) in program history, went 6-2 in the DuPage Valley Conference and earned championship wins in the Warrior Invite and in a regional. As a junior, Lynch was fantastic, especially in the postseason and finished with 10 goals and 14 assists overall. "His quiet demeanor changes once he steps on the pitch into a playmaker that all of his teammates benefit from," Mustangs coach Josh Robinson said. He earned all-sectional and all-conference honors.

Arturo Marquez, West Chicago

The Wildcats won a regional title and this senior was a team captain and their leader with 14 goals and 5 assists. He was recognized for his efforts by being named all-Upstate Eight Conference Valley Division, all-sectional and to the Joe Novy Invitational all-tourney team. "He leads by example and is a workhorse up top for us," Wildcats coach Jose Villa said. "Arturo has a great finishing ability with great vision to feed his teammates when they are in a better position to score." Marquez is considering several colleges.

Giacomo Parrino, Waubonsie Valley

There were some good moments for the Warriors - including wins against Benet, Glenbard West and Lake Park - and times when the team would struggle, finishing 10-11-1. When things went well, a lot of it had to do with this senior's offensive abilities. He finished with 7 goals and 10 assists and earned all-DuPage Valley Conference and all-sectional honors. "He had a great season leading in assists," Warriors coach Jose Garcia said. "And he became a good leader on and off the field."

Brandon Pineda, Glenbard East

As the Rams team captain and an all-Upstate Eight Conference Valley Division and all-sectional selection, Pineda led his team to a regional title and sectional semifinal win. "He has been our problem solver throughout the 2017 campaign," Rams coach Josh Adler said. "He has been instrumental in holding down the back and at times has been asked to become more of a playmaker in the middle of the field." He displayed the ability to read plays, control tempo and to patiently wait for opportunities to attack.

Franco Presta, Lake Park

This junior defensive midfielder was a rock for the 11-7-4 Lancers. "The overwhelming majority of our attack and transition started with Franco," Lancers coach Sean Crosby said. "Our transition attack ran through him. Although he did not receive the stats this year to blow spectators away, he was the player setting up the first pass to lead to most of our goals." He was named all-sectional and all-DuPage Valley Confererence, as well as to the Hillner Classic all-tournament team.

Spencer Pyle, Glenbard South

The future is bright for the Raiders, and success has already arrived after a 12-8-1 season and just the second regional title in school history. Leading the way was this junior with 22 goals and 7 assists, which earned him all-Metro Suburban Conference Blue Division accolades. "Spencer has been a force for us all season," Raiders coach Adam Szyszko said. "Scoring in every game in which we scored, he was our go-to guy when we needed a goal to answer."

Joe Reinhofer, York

The Dukes didn't have this senior and three-year starter for the entire season due to injuries, but he still scored 10 goals and had 8 assists. He received all-sectional and all-West Suburban Conference Silver Division honors. "His speed, vision and ability to take on defenders have made him a force and difficult to handle for many teams in their defensive third," Dukes coach Lukasz Majewski said. "Joe is also a relentless worker who puts defenders/midfielders under pressure, forcing them into mistakes on the field."

Nicholas Trakszelis, Benet

The Redwings started off uncharacteristically at 1-6-1 and moved this natural midfielder to try to solve their problems. After that change Benet closed the season 8-1-1 in its final 10 games and even earned a share of the East Suburban Catholic Conference championship. "It was his leadership, effort and positive attitude, along with the 9 goals and 6 assists that turned our season around," Benet coach Sean Wesley said. He earned all-conference and all-sectional honors and will play at Carthage College.

Tommy Welch, Naperville North

The Huskies were dominant all over the field, including in net with this all-state junior providing a stellar last line of defense. Through the sectional finals Welch has only surrendered 10 goals with 15 shutouts. "Tommy has been masterful in the net this year making incredible saves look routine," Huskies coach Jim Konrad said. "His athleticism and soft hands make opponents truly earn each goal they score." Also earned all-sectional and all-DVC honors.

Nate Zain, Naperville Central

Naperville Central coach Troy Adams called Zain "the most dynamic player on the field in every game we played." Others took notice as he was selected as all-state, NSCAA all-Midwest and to the All-America game watch list. "Nate is a tireless worked who was involved in almost every one of our attacks," Adams said. "His ability to dribble at speed while in a crowd makes him very dangerous as both a scorer and as a set-up man." He scored 9 goals and had 6 assists.

Honorable mention:

Jack Barry, jr., Naperville North; Justin Brinegar, sr., Lisle; Sean Conley, jr., Sr. Francis; Matteo Costa, jr., Lake Park; Jake Dzarnowski, sr., Wheaton North; Best Emena, sr., Glenbard North; J.D. Gunn, sr., Wheaton Academy; Tomas Hernandez, sr., Willowbrook; Leo Herard, sr., St. Francis; Mitch Konrad, sr., Naperville North; Edon Kosova, sr., Neuqua Valley; Gabby Lazcano, sr., Wheaton Warrenville South; Michael Martens, sr., Timothy Christian; Melvin Mora, jr., Addison Trail; Mitch Mueller, sr., Waubonsie Valley; Jose Navarro, jr., Neuqua Valley; Nick O'Brien, jr., Glenbard East; Franklin Rutkowski, jr., Benet; Rokas Stadalninkas, sr., Naperville Central; Cameron Strang, jr., Naperville Central.