Scouting Tri-Cities area boys soccer teams
Aurora Central
Coach: Mike Bond
Last year: 2-16-2; lost 8-0 to Yorkville in Class 2A Lakes regional semifinal.
Top players: Juan Arroyo, So., MF, Kevin Bond, Jr., D, Alex Dunn, Jr., D, Nick Holman, So., F/MF, Jose Jacquez, Jr., D, Keith Latham, So., D, Joaquin Macho, So., F, Irving Martinez, So., F/MF, Nick Mowka, Sr., D, Mike O'Donnell, So., GK, Liam Rettenmeier, So., D, Rafa Reyes, Sr., F/MF, Shane Samuels, Sr., F, Joe Vonderhaar, Sr., MF.
Outlook: Entering only its eighth season, Aurora Central remains a young program which hasn't enjoyed much success. The Chargers had 44 kids come out for the team this year, and interim coach Mike Bond is hopeful that the large turnout and a solid group of returnees will lead to some success this fall. "It's tough to have a losing season with a lot of young kids and get beat game in and game out," Bond said. "I think we're going in with a renewed attitude. We got some of the growing pains out last year and it's encouraging to already see the hard work in the offseason paying off." The Chargers expect to play as many as 14 sophomores and freshmen this year. With a bigger roster number, the Chargers finally have more depth which should bode well late into games when in the past they've seen a drop off in play. "We'd play tough in the first half and then wear down in the second half and get sloppy and let the other team score," Bond said. "Now we're going to keep 22 (players) and should be able to go 100 percent all the time."
Batavia
Coach: Mark Gianfrancesco
Last year: 9-8-4, 5-1-1, third in Western Sun Conference; lost 2-1 to West Aurora in Class 3A Plainfield North regional semifinal.
Top players: Calvin Baez, Jr., MF, Eduardo Cuautle, Jr., MF, Anton Kondaurov, Sr., F, Justin Reyburn, Sr., MF, Anthony Torres, Jr., D, Cody Witkowski, Jr., F
Outlook: The Bulldogs will certainly miss Ty McCoy, a Daily Herald all-area selection a year ago (10 goals, 7 assists) and standout Mitch Albrecht, who is continuing his career at the University of Illinois-Chicago, but with Eduardo Cuautle and Anthony Torres among an outstanding group of juniors, the Bulldogs expect to compete for a conference division title. "Eduardo (Cuautle) and Anthony (Torres) will be pretty key in controlling the defense with Cody (Witkowski) up top and Calvin Baez in a mid role," coach Mark Gianfrancesco said. "Those four guys we plucked right away as freshmen and they will be pretty key to us." In addition, the Bulldogs are excited about six junior newcomers. Look for immediate contributions from Cody Balogh, Nick Barstatis, Cameron Callipari, Justin Carey, Michael Hindel and Ben Steskal. The junior-heavy group appears to have great team chemistry. "They all hang out together and share the common goal to do really well," Gianfrancesco said. "It really shows in how well they move the ball. So it's a nice group and it's rare that you get this kind of chemistry." Cuautle, who was banged up late last season, is expected to take on more offensive responsibilities this fall while Steskal replaces graduate Ty Witkowski in goal.
Geneva
Coach: Ryan Estabrook
Last year: 18-5-2, 6-0-1, first in Western Sun Conference; lost 2-0 to Schaumburg in Class 3A Hoffman Estates sectional semifinal.
Top players: Craig Hancock, Sr., MF, Robbie Johnson, Sr. D, Seamus Kaminski, Sr., F, Josh Poythress, So., F, Brian Ruane, Sr., MF, Brady Wahl, Sr. MF
Outlook: Geneva dominated the Western Sun Conference, compiling a 32-1-1 record since 2005. This fall, the Vikings will have a new challenge, facing familiar foes such as Batavia, St. Charles East and St. Charles North but this time as part of the Upstate Eight Conference. The Vikings have arguably the best player in the area returning in senior Brady Wahl, an Ohio State recruit. "You won't see a more gifted player on the field," coach Ryan Estabrook said. "Last year he was sidelined with mono early in the season, but already he looks faster and stronger than he did last year. He's a great leader for the guys and wants the team to do well." The Vikings also return standouts Seamus Kaminski, Josh Poythress and Craig Hancock and a strong defensive group led by Robbie Johnson and seniors Brian Ruane and Andrew Walton. "We have six returning starters with a lot of experience and they know the tradition here," Estabrook said. "We also know what those guys did (that graduated) and some of the things we need to replace." The Vikings biggest losses were Daily Herald all-area selections Kevin Hilgart (14 goals, 8 assists in 2009) and goalkeeper Ryan Ward. They also will miss sophomore Brandon Sloan whose family relocated to Michigan. Junior Steve Soderstrom takes over in goal.
IMSA
Coach: Jim Mueller
Last year: 4-18-1, 2-4, fourth in Northeast Athletic Conference, lost 3-0 to North Chicago in Class 2A Burlington Central regional quarterfinal.
Top players: Evern Dogan, Sr., MF, Kenny Harvey, Sr., GK, Samir Mishra, Sr., F, Jonathon Munoz, Sr., D, Adiyta Suresh, Sr., F
Outlook: IMSA took its lumps last season, but with a new system being implemented and a solid group of seniors to execute it, the Titans hope to surprise some teams and even challenge for a conference title. "We gave up way too many goals last year and didn't have the talent to cover the fast guys on the opposition," coach Jim Mueller said. "We'll be doing a more defensive system this year. We had to shift some people around and I think this is the team that can get on way back. I don't think IMSA is going to be an automatic 'W' anymore." Samir Mishra, who led the Titans in goals and assists in 2009, is back for his senior year, along with forward Adiyta Suresh, midfielder Evern Dogan, defender Jonathon Munoz and goalkeeper Kenny Harvey. The Titans also expect contributions from sophomores Kazami Brockman and Anthony Mercado.
Kaneland
Coach: Scott Parillo
Last year: 7-14-1, 2-5 in Western Sun Conference; lost 6-0 to Antioch in Class 2A Kaneland regional semifinal.
Top players: Jordan Escobedo, Jr., MF, Alex Gil, So., MF/F, J.P. Minogue, Sr., GK, Pedro Perez, Jr., D/MF, Chad Swieca, So., MF/F, Derek White, Sr., MF/F, Anders Winquist-Bailey, Jr., MF/F
Outlook: Kaneland coach Scott Parillo cannot recall the last time he had a team with this much depth. The Knights hope to use that depth, including the return of several key players from last year's squad, to battle for a conference title in the new Northern Illinois Big 12 conference. "We had 68 kids come out this year which made tryouts really difficult for the coaching staff," Parillo said. "The nice thing is that this year when someone needs a breather we can put someone in and there won't be a huge drop in the talent level." Senior Derek White returns as the leading scorer, along with Alex Gil (8 goals) and Chad Swieca (7 goals), who both made an impact as freshmen last fall. J.P. Minogue is back in goal for the Knights. The Team MVP and All-WSC player has a lot of experience returning on defense with Alex Dorado, Thanasi Pesmajoglou, Sam Rymarz, Trevor Wolf and Alec Koczka, along with newcomers Alex Weiss and Jason Biddle. Freshmen Anthony Parillo, Tyler Siebert and Ignacio Toscano, and sophomores Kushtrim Ismali and Fernando Ramos, are all expected to play important roles. "Many of the guys have stepped up their games and are looking better," Parillo said. "We've got some speed this year, which is nice for change, but we're still young. It should be fun. They're a good group to work with and we've got a shot to win conference which should be nice and competitive for us."
Marmion
Coach: Kevin O'Connor
Last year: 21-6-1, 7-1, second place in Suburban Christian Conference; lost 2-1 to Freeport in Class 2A Barrington supersectional.
Top players: Mike Frasca, Jr., MF, Juan Pablo Jasso, So., MF, Tyler Kramer, Sr., F/MF, Evan Lefelstein, Sr., GK, Mike Maley, Jr., D, Antonio Ortiz, Sr., D, Joe Romanos, Jr., F, Matthew Switzer, So., MF, Bradley White, Jr., GK
Outlook: The 2009 season will never be forgotten as the Cadets went 21-6-1, won their first sectional title and advanced to the Elite Eight for the first time in school history. Duplicating that success won't be easy, especially since standouts Steve Anderson, Sam Duffield, Tommy Cruger and Max Rosenfelder graduated. Still, the Cadets return plenty of talent, led by juniors Mike Maley and Mike Frasca (10 goals, 8 assists in 2009). "We're going to have a very different look," coach Kevin O'Connor said. "You don't lose (those guys) and not feel the effects of that. I'm not sure where our goals are going to come from especially you lose your top three scorers who had 51 between them. That's a lot of firepower to lose." O'Connor said the team will tinker with multiple formations, sometimes changing in the same match, and that he expects the team to steadily improve as the season progresses. "We have a nice foundation to build around but they're not forwards, but more defensive-minded," O'Connor said. "The hardest thing to do is put the ball in the back of the net and I'm still not sure where that is going to come from." The Cadets lost midfielder Connor Lefelstein who transferred to St. Charles North but have added sophomore Juan Pablo Jasso.
St. Charles East
Coach: Paul Jennison
Last year: 11-9-2, 3-5-2 in Upstate Eight Conference; lost 2-0 to Geneva in Class 3A St. Charles East regional at Streamwood.
Top players: Jonny Bren, Sr., MF, Austin Jackman, Jr., D, Eric Messenburg, Sr., GK, Jesse Nagelberg, Sr., F, Eric Russell, Sr., D, Dylan Tucker, Sr., MF
Outlook: While the Saints lost several key players, including goalkeeper Charlie Lyon (Marquette), to graduation, they return a great deal of experience and feature 13 seniors on their roster, including midfielders Dylan Tucker and Jonny Bren and defender Eric Russell. Senior Eric Messenburg, who started as a sophomore, returns in goal to fill Lyon's vacancy. "We're going to go 24 guys deep and we expect them all to come in and play," coach Paul Jennison said. "We should have a fairly good mix of ages and just because you're a senior doesn't mean you have an automatic right to be there. Everyone we carry can play." While the Saints expect to be competitive, Jennison said it's going to take several matches before he knows what the team really can do. "You certainly never know what you're going to get," he said. "We're always positive and looking forward to starting the year."
St. Charles North
Coach: Eric Willson
Last year: 11-11-3; 3-4-2 in Upstate Eight Conference; lost 2-1 to Wheaton North in the Class 3A Hoffman Estates sectional semifinal.
Top players: Noah Anthony, Sr., MF, Garrett Creasor, Jr., GK, Connor Lefelstein, So., MF, Nick Lutsch, Sr., D, Zach Matuszak, Sr., D, Drew Smith, Jr., D, Mike Winhoffer, Jr., MF,
Outlook: The North Stars have played their best soccer the past couple years down the stretch. While they only earned the No. 9 seed in 2008 and No. 10 last fall, the team went on lengthy postseason runs, so one has to wonder if this year is the one where the team can excel in both the regular and postseason. One thing is a given for the North Stars, and that's the dynamite tandem of Noah Anthony and Mike Winhoffer. The North Stars were held to a single goal or less 64 percent of the time last season, so scoring has been at a premium for team that lost standouts James Reed and Angelo Catalano to graduation. The North Stars welcome the return of eight other players from last season's roster, including seven who are seniors. Joe Stone and Zach Matuszask are back as forwards, midfielders Matt Rasmussen and David Farr are in their final years and defenders Trent Coyle, Nick Lutsch, Brandon Stanko and junior Drew Smith provide the team with several experienced veterans. Smith also isn't the only former Marmion Cadet to transfer to St. Charles North in recent years as sophomore Connor Lefelstein, a key contributor to Marmion's 21-6-1 team in 2009, is now a North Star.
West Aurora
Coach: Joe Sustersic
Last year: 18-4-2, 4-2-1, second in DuPage Valley Conference; lost 3-2 to Naperville Central in the Class 3A Plainfield North regional title match at Naperville Central.
Top players: Mario Alvarez, Sr., MF, Cesar Garcia, Sr., F, Matt Koth, Jr., D, Josue Martinez, Sr., D/MF, Ben Ness, Sr., MF
Outlook: The Blackhawks are coming off arguably the best season in school history. Last year's 18-win campaign shattered the school-record for wins in a season (15 in 2002), but this fall the Blackhawks will try to reload as it replaces an extremely talented group of seniors (Henrry Perez, Loren Galloway, Rodolfo Jimenez, Victor Alfaro, Jesse Perez, Humberto Laguna) who graduated, along with the loss of junior Adrian Aceves who proved to be an explosive scorer last year. "Mario Alvarez and Josue Martinez are our top two players by far," coach Joe Sustersic said. "They have a lot of experience and the rest of the team doesn't have so much." Sustersic learned a lot about his roster during the summer campaign, but recognizes that scoring 70 goals while holding the opponents to only 17 - what the team did last fall - isn't realistic. "We'll have some kids without varsity experience, and kids that are smaller than in the past but they have a lot of fight in them." Abel Diaz (12 shutouts in 2009) is back for his senior season but junior Fernando Ortiz is expected to battle him for playing time.