All-area team profiles: Lake County

Albert Acosta Grayslake C.

(13 goals and 15 assists).

Playing the game wasn't the only area in which he excelled. Acosta also showed heart and endurance for the Rams. "One of the most technical players I've ever coached," Grayslake Central coach Mike McCaulou said. "Not just a workhorse, but he eats and sleeps playing soccer. It's his life. A playmaker and has phenomenal skills." Acosta mostly played on the field, but went back in goal against Grayslake North for penalty kicks and a couple other games.

Gilberto Alfaro Round Lake

(18 goals and 14 assists)

A three-year returning player to the team, each year he's grown to another level. "A little dynamo for us," Round Lake coach Mike Hruska said. "Such a player, each team had to put multiple players on him. Small guy (5-foot-6, 120), but played like a giant and led by example."

Ruben Gaytan Warren

(6 goals and 13 assists)

Warren needed someone who had the ability to take over the controls on the field. Gaytan was that guy - he not only stepped up for the ball, but made it look easy, too. "Gaytan was the engine that ran the machine. Got the ball into space with his unselfish play. Distributed the ball out to the wings and down the middle. It was great to have a team leader."

Thiago Ganancio Warren

(19 goals and 8 assists).

Every team needs a goal-scorer, and Ganancio welcomed the challenge. Ganancio will play next fall at DePaul. "Finisher for the team," Warren coach Jason Ahonen said. "High work rate and high expectations. Calm with the ball and never panics. (Ganancio) waited for his opportunity to score."

Greg Golovan Stevenson

(.55 goals against and 12 shutouts)

Golovan made the right goalkeeping decisions and then had the ability to make timely saves. "Best part was decision making," Stevenson coach Mark Schartner said. "Making great decisions made the difference to winning or losing. (Golovan) doesn't commit, made very ffew mistakes. Just a good on-line keeper."

Tim Grozier Libertyville

(4 goals and 6 assists)

Grozier worked around the field with pure hustle. "Worked his tail off end line to endline and sideline to sideline," Libertyville coach Andy Bitta said. "(Grozier) could have more assists. He was the one setting up the assists in our offensive attack."

Gordy Gurson Stevenson

(23 goals and 9 assists)

Nothing could get in the way of Gurson, who distracted teams with his wide-open style and made them pay the price with his scoring ability. Gurson has made an oral commitment to Memphis. "One true striker," Stevenson coach Mark Schartner said. "We've waited a long time for it. A true gift having him. (Gurson's) endurance makes everybody work on the field. He had one of the top offensive years in Stevenson history."

Ian Heinrich Carmel

(4 goals and 4 assists)

A sophomore, Heinrich played more like a senior, but the Corsairs will welcome him back for a couple of more seasons. "One special player for us," Carmel coach John Halloran said. "Understands the game and has a great technical ability. Plays the game with a lot of heart and mixes it up. (Heinrich) came in with the maturity above his years, a rare talent."

Matt Hussey Lake Zurich

(0 goals and 2 assists)

A lifesaver at times for the Bears, Hussey was the man leading LZ defensively. "A smart, reliable, consistent sweeper," Lake Zurich coach Mike Schmitz said. "Reads plays and was a great communicator between the defense and our goalkeeper (Tyler Raineri). Knows when to make the tackles and handle the one-v-one situations."

Nick Janus Lake Zurich

(18 goals and 17 assists)

In a sacrifice for the team, Janus moved from forward to midfield this year and improved his game along the way. Janus will be playing ball next fall at Wisconsin. "A smart player and sees the field very well," LZ coach Mike Schmitz said. "(Janus) has the ability to make the game look simple. A passionate player brings a lot of energy and emotion to the game."

Steven Johnson Stevenson

(4 goals and 6 assists)

The Patriots' man in the middle, Johnson didn't pull out any tricks, just maintained the middle and with superlative ball skills. "An outstanding ball holder," Stevenson coach Mark Schartner said. "One player who's very unselfish. Just carries a complete package for the game and one complete player."

Steven Korosis Lakes

(9 goals and 14 assists)

Korosis made school history producing the most career assists. He's also No. 1 in goals scored - 90 - in a four-year period. "An extremely valuable player for the team," Lakes coach Kevin Kullby said. "Been in on every play around the field for us. A complete player, one that can put a ball anywhere, anytime on the field."

Tim Kreutz Lake Zurich

(18 goals and 17 assists)

Michigan State-bound Kreutz, a three-year starter, played all four years on varsity. One of a few who helped the Bears win its fourth straight North Suburban Conference championship. "Great player, dangerous, speed and skill," Lake Zurich coach Mike Schmitz said. "Very few players can match his ability, He can go right through defensive lines. Just a goal-scorer who plays at a high caliber."

William Lebavitz Lakes

(7 goals and 2 assists)

His strength as a stand-up defender made all the difference for Lakes. "One of the best sweeper backs I've seen," Lakes coach Kevin Kullby said. "Most consistent and hardly ever made a mistake. A rock-solid player and our most important player in the back. Great in the air and exceptional on set pieces."

Robbie Munnings Mundeldein

(1 goal and 1 aasist)

For the second straight year, Munnings helped out Mundelein defense in a lot of critical times. "Very good handling the defense," Mundelein coach Dave Ekstrom said. "Also helped us with the attack. (Munnings is) a strong, fast, physical player and hard working too."

Alex Murua Round Lake

(3 goals and 5 assists)

There's no telling just how much Murua impacted the Panthers' successful season. Impressive overall results suggest he was a big part of the story. "Determination and grit," Round Lake coach Mike Hruska said. "His effort was out there for a solid 80 minutes every game. Started for us on defense and eventually moved up to midfield. He also filled in other spots for us."

Robert Nogle Antioch

(20 goals and 4 assists)

The Sequoits counted on Nogle leading by example, and that helped Antioch's strong late season run. Maybe his knack for anticipating the play was the key. "(Nogle) carried great vision and one-team player," Antioch coach Marni Polakow said. "A role model for others on and off the field. Will be solely missed."

Aaron Ogunro Carmel

(13 goals and 6 assists)

The Corsairs got more out of Ogunro as the level of competition rose. "(Ogunro) got the big goals in the big games," Carmel coach John Halloran said. "Understands the game more than most players and finds ways of scoring one-on-one and finishing."

Eric Pothast Lake Zurich

(13 goals and 8 assists)

The all-area captain was indispenable for Lake Zurich, both for his ability and his leadership. "A workhorse for us," Lake Zurich coach Mike Schmitz said. "Every kid would like to be like him. Skills are something to see in practice and in games. He just plays all the time."

Tyler Raineri Lake Zurich

(.44 goals against and 9 shutouts)

Stabilizing the spot between the posts, Raineri made big saves all year. "A big kid not afraid to come out in the air," Lake Zurich coach Mike Schmitz said. "(Raineri) can also go down side to side making the big save. The best thing he stays in the game and does well organizing the defense. Just a real consistent keeper making the saves he has to make."

Eduardo Sanchez Round Lake

(3 goals and 2 assists)

Forward first, then defender. Asked to take on a new role, Sanchez made it work beyond expectations. "Placed on defense and learned the position very quickly," Round Lake coach Miike Hruska said. "Can challenge any player for the ball and found way getting the ball cleared easily. Carried a great attitude and did a great job."

Shawn Singh Stevenson

(6 goals and 3 assists)

Singh was the last line of defense in what turned out to be a most impressive Patriots defense. "There's so much you've got to give him credit for," Stevenson coach Mark Schartner said. "His gift is timing; he's never misplaced a ball and hits the first time to clear it out. One of the best sweepers we've had in a while."

Andre Sippy Antioch

Taking over the controls for the Sequoits, Sippy took personal charge of keeping foes scoreless. "Difficult beating (Sippy) one-on-one," Antioch coach Marni Polakow said. "Knew how to control our defense and midfield together. Also, (Sippy) could swing a ball out 40 to 50 yards out setting up the offense."

Jack Stefanski Carmel

(2 goals and 7 assists)

Stefanski put this team first by making the move back to defense. "Our 'Rock' on defense from the first game to the last game," Carmel coach John Halloran said. "Read the game exceptionally well and played 100 percent in every game. Something you need out of a center-back."

Brian Stout Grayslake North

(9 goals and 6 assists)

Time was on the Knights' side when it came to Stout. He missed only one game this year and four other as a freshman. "He played more minutes than anybody in school history," said Grayslake North coach Adam Decaluwe, for whom Stout played all four years. "Adjusted well with a new role, moving from defense to midfield. (Stout) never quit and scored the large amount of our goals on dead balls and free kicks."