Boys soccer / Scouting Lake County
Northern Lake County Conference
Antioch
Coach: Maddie Lyon (3rd year).
Last year: 1-18-0 (0-7-0).
Top returning players: Seniors Ben Bozovich (D), Max Mehring (MF), Liam Palbicke (F); sophomore Jack Nelson (MF).
New players to watch: Freshman Lukas Aleska (F-MF)
Outlook: It will be difficult to replace the all-sectional, four-year star, Cade Ternes. But the Séquoits returning core of Bozovich, Mehring, Nelson and Palbicke will make things a little easier to do so for coach Maddie Lyon. "We have a truly committed group of returning seniors who will provide leadership and experience, who are ready to bring along are young players who are eager to learn and grow,“ Lyon said.
Grant Community
Coach: Benjamin Burnet (3rd year)
Last year: 8-12-1 (2-5-0, 6th, NLCC)
Top returning players: Senior Emilio Vargas (MF); juniors Jayden Bueno (GK), Alex Luna (MF), Andy Rendon (MF).
New players to watch: Senior Kyle Danicic (F); junior Alan Sanchez (F); sophomore Christian Dabrowski (MF).
Outlook: A strong second half a year ago gives coach Benjamin Burnet reason to believe his club will enjoy even greater success this fall. "(We) have a talented team with the majority of players knowing each other so well, and they really enjoy playing soccer with one another. Plus the leadership from our senior is very strong as well," said Burnet. All-NLCC juniors Jayden Bueno and Alex Luna will be among others in which Burnet will rely on, particularly in the early going.
Grayslake Central
Coach: Keith Andersson (8th year)
Last year: 12-4-1 (7-0-0, NLCC champs)
Top returning players: Seniors Uriel Alonso (D), Cory Hayson (MF), Damian Sereno (MF), Ivan Sereno (F), Michal Taradays (GK).
New players to watch: Seniors Altin Balazhi (MF-F), Corey Hayson (MF).
Outlook: Reigning league champs lost all-state and NLCC POY Anderson Chevrier, but there is plenty of quality back for Keith Andersson, including senior Ivan Sereno, himself named all-state last fall. "This is the fastest, most technical team we've had (here) with a good mix of big strength in the back, which we've been lacking of late," said Andersson. "I feel if we stay healthy, we could make a very long run in the postseason this year." Central placed seven on all-NLCC team, including GK POY, Michal Taradys.
Grayslake North
Coach: Adam DeCaluwe (20th year)
Last year: 12-5-3 (4-3-0, 4th, NLCC)
Top returning players: Seniors Danny Fabela (MF), Alonso Morales (D), Steven Valdivia (MF), Javi Villegas (F); junior Max Dupor (MF), Brady Ronin (F).
New players to watch: Sophomores Nate Aguirre (MF), Brayden Pulido (D); freshman Leo Roque (F).
Outlook: Coaching rivals in the NLCC suggest the Knights will be one to watch this fall, no doubt due to a terrific group of seniors back — Fabela, Morales, Valdiva and Villegas — whom coach Adam DeCaluwe will lean on while his younger players acclimate to the speed of play at this level. "We have a nice mix of experience and youth, with the majority of that experience in the midfield, which we hope will lead to some good ball control, and chances created," said DeCaluwe. "There's no easy games in our conference, so we expect tough games from all of our NLCC rivals."
Lakes Community
Coach: Kevin Kullby (21st year)
Last year: 5-13-2 (3-4-0, 5th, NLCC).
Top returning players: Seniors Jorge Castillo (MF), Sean Collins (D), Luke Pfeiffer (MF), Jayden Wenkus (GK).
New players to watch: Freshmen Adam Alexander (MF), Jacob Kelly (D).
Outlook: The Eagles struggled on both sides of the ball last season. But its long-time coach Kevin Kullby hopes the returning quartet of Castillo, Collins, Pfeiffer and Wenkus along with two back from club will help his club going in a positive direction this fall. "Our strength should be our defense, and in goal with Spencer (Wenkus), but we have to find a way to score goals this year," said Kullby.
Round Lake
Coach: Hugo Tellez (16th year)
Last year: 11-10-1 (6-1-0, 2nd, NLCC).
Top returning players: Senior Alessandro Valadez (MF); junior Jaden Albarran (MF).
New players to watch: Senior Carlos Tapia (GK); junior Eduardo Gonzalez (D); sophomore Cristian Valadez (MF).
Outlook: Hugo Tellez does a wonderful job of always keeping his men in the NLCC race year-after-year. However, heavy graduation losses, including his captain and all-state star Jorgie Morales (24 goals), will test the resolve of the Panthers this fall. "We lost a lot, so our weakness will be our youth, but our strength is (that) our youth will be underestimated," said Tellez.
Wauconda
Coach: Tim Miller (8th year)
Last year: 14-7-1 (5-2-0, 3rd, NLCC, regional champ)
Top returning players: Erick Ramos (D), Seniors Mario Torres (F), Antonio Valdes (F), Diego Valdes (D); juniors Paxton Chartier (GK), Nathan Pakosta (GK); sophomore Aiden Werner (MF).
Outlook: With the luxury of having the all-sectional duo of Mario Torres and Antonio Valdes, and a total of seven starters returning for the 2025 campaign, there's reason for the Bulldogs’ NLCC opponents to be wary of Tim Miller's men. "I am very proud of the NLCC, we have some of the best talent and coaches in the state, and for us, our focus in to create a strong team culture that will lead to steady improvement as the season continues," said Miller, who has the luxury of two fine keepers (Chartier, Pakosta) as well as sophomore Aiden Werner, who bagged eight goals last season, and is entrusted in running the show for the Bulldogs.
North Suburban Conference (NSC)
Lake Forest
Coach: Rob Parry (20th year)
Last year: 10-5-5 (5-0-2, 1st, NSC)
Top returning players: Seniors Connor Gustafson (D), George Thomas (F); sophomore Lucas Whiteley (D-MF).
New players to watch: Senior Emerson Buettner (F-MF).
Outlook: The Scouts were able lift the NSC trophy with a stingy defense led by Gustafson and Whiteley, who return along with the rest of ittheir backline mates. "We're fortunate to have all four of our starters along the back, but we lost our starting center-mids and forwards," said coach Rob Parry.
Lake Zurich
Coach: Mike Schmitz (19th year)
Last year: 10-4-6 (3-1-3, 4th, NSC)
Top returning players: Seniors Jacob Chilinski (F), Matthew Chilinski (D), Devin Hunt (F), Sean Irvin (D), Trevor Smith (D).
Outlook: Three draws in league play likely cost the Bears a chance at the top spot last fall; however, Mike Schmitz feels he has a nice blend of talent to make another run for the trophy. "There are no easy days in the NSC, but we have a good mix of seniors, junior and sophomores,“ Schmitz said. ”The experience from the guys back should be something we will lean on as the season progresses, while the energy of the new players should help push everyone to be better."
Libertyville
Coach: Kevin Thunholm (9th year)
Last year: 13-5-5 (4-1-2, T2, NSC)
Top returning players: Senior Nathan Gifford (MF); juniors Sam Bownas (MF), Jackson Kern (MF-F), Max Marubio (MF).
Outlook: The NSC was hit hard by graduation, but none harder than the Wildcats, who lost 19 in its program, including all-state center-back Nick Snow. "We will be a young, and extremely talented group, however there is not a lot of experience at the varsity level on our roster," said coach Kevin Thunholm.
Mundelein
Coach: Sebastian Falinski (6th year)
Last year: 11-10-2 (2-5-0, 5th, NSC)
Top returning players: Seniors Olivier Piasecki (GK), Leo Rendon (D-MF), Bradon Reyes (D).
New players to watch: Junior Damian Wydra (MF); sophomores Cristos Acosta (F-MF), Valentino Acosta (F-MF), Israel Villegas (D).
Outlook: Like nearly the rest of his coaching brethren in the league, Sebastian Falinski saw most of his 2024 club graduate, leaving just three back from a year ago. "We have a group of players that have talent, and show potential, but the lack of experience at the varsity level may hinder us in the early going," said Falinski, who will lean on the veteran duo of Rendon and Reyes.
Stevenson
Coach: PepeJon Chavez (6th year)
Last year: (12-5-5, 4-1-2, T2, NSC, regional champ)
Top returning players: Seniors Cole Dirks (D), Navaan Kistanna (MF), Matthew Roehl (MF), Matthew Rucosky (GK), sophomore Asher Lee (F).
New players to watch: Senior Hayato Eto (F); junior Jakey Goldstein (MF).
Outlook: The Patriots fell short in their bid to win a NSC, but they came back to claim a regional title before an OT loss to eventual 3A state champ Hersey in sectional play. PepeJon Chavez lost 2024 Lake County All-Area Captain Mohit Damodaran and 20-goal scorer Jack Bacher, but return a splendid cast including captain GK Matthew Rucosky. "We have a great belief in our culture and brotherhood early on in the season, with a good technical foundation in all positions," said Chavez. "Our Achilles heal last year was scoring goals, and not play for possession only."
Warren
Coach: Jason Ahonen (18th year)
Last year: 6-9-5 (1-4-2, 7th, NSC)
Top returning players: Seniors Christian Albarran (F), Charlie Crowson (MF), Gunnar Zajac (D); junior Quinn Lockwood (F).
New players to watch: Junior Luis Sandoval (MF).
Outlook: The Blue Devils will rely on a trio of seniors Albarran, Crowson and Zajac to lead the way for a young roster looking to improve upon its finish in the bottom half of the NSC a year ago. "Our strength will be our overall depth, while our inexperience will be a concern early on," said coach Jason Ahonen
East Suburban Catholic Conference
Carmel Catholic
Coach: Colin Spude (2nd year)
Last year: 4-13-1 (3-5-0, 6th, ESCC)
Top returning players: Seniors Jaiden Fajardo (MF), James Willemsen (F); juniors Brady Del Carmen (D), Garryn Thornberry (D); sophomore Jacob Burke (MF).
New players to watch: Seniors Danny Espinoza Cruz (MF), Vincent Mital (F); junior Vinny Fiore (GK).
Outlook: The Corsairs and the rest of the ESCC will continue to chase Benet Academy, Notre Dame and St. Patrick. After losing a large group of seniors, Colin Spude will rely on his veterans to lead the way. "It all starts with strong leadership, setting high expectations for their teammates," said Spude. "Our players carry a true passion for the game (bringing) a relentless work rate, intensity, grit and technical ability as they look to build on the momentum from our last playoff game."
Central Suburban League
Vernon Hills
Coach: Mike McCaluwe (24th year)
Last year: 6-13-1 (2-3-0, T4, CSL-North)
Top returning players: Seniors Tyler Ling (D); juniors Alex Gral (GK), Coonor Finn (MF), Isaac Simpson (MF).
New players to watch: Daniel De Leon (MF), Mason Freed (MF), Illya Kopanytsa (MF), Nick Roussev (MF)
Outlook: Like the rest of its CSL North rivals, Vernon Hills will look to unseat reigning division champion Niles North, which has claimed the top prize in three of the last five years. "They (Niles North) are usually the team to watch during the regular season, and this year will not be any different," said coach Mike McCaluwe. "We'll be young but hungry, and we are hoping our team chemistry is strong, and (this) chemistry helps us stay disciplined on both sides of the ball," said McCaluwe.