Boys soccer: Northwest all-area team
Rafal Borys Elk Grove
Tall, rangy 3-year veteran proved to be the kind of physical, confident defender coach Joe Bush knew he would get when he moved one of his captains from the middle to the backline. Borys' presence helped the Grens to their first MSL East and regional titles while allowing less than one goal per match. “Rafal is our best defender, but he would likely do more if we kept him in the midfield. He knows his role, and is one of the main reasons for our 9 shutouts (through the regional).” MSL East co-player of the year and all-sectional pick.
Jon Clark Palatine
Undoubtedly one of the best juniors in the area this season as his clever movement, excellent touch, determination and ability to beat a player and whip in crosses makes him a feared opponent on the outside. “Jon was our most consistent player in the offensive third all season, and would track back to help us defensively without missing a beat,” says Pirates head coach Willie Filian. “He is also one of the hardest working players that I've ever coached, and has a real passion for the game.” All-sectional pick had 7 goals and 10 assists.
Adam Fetter St. Viator
Transfer from Wheaton St. Francis proved to be just what the defending 2A state champs needed after 2009 co-captain and playmaker Trevor Wheeler moved on to Wisconsin. “Adam is the player we needed badly to fill the role of Trevor, and once he adjusted to his new teammates, learned how we play and our style and system, then you saw us take off as a team,” said head coach Mike Taylor. The all-ESCC, all-sectional junior is technically sound and skilled and hda 3 goals and 4 assists.
Spencer Filosa Fremd
Longest-tenured player on the Vikings championship club secured his place as captain of the 2010 Daily Herald all-area team, then was later top vote-getter with coaches to secure all-state and MSL West player of the year honors. “What else can you say about Spencer, except that he's an absolute joy to coach, who's been a solid three-year player who took his game to another level this season while putting his team on his back, and giving maximum effort, day-in, and day-out for us,” said coach Steve Keller. Had 9 goals and 7 assists.
Charlie Giovenco Barrington
Back after a year away on the club scene, this veteran's move from midfield to the backline would spark the Broncos' exciting late-season run at an MSL West title. “We went from giving up 48 goals last season, to allowing just 21 this year, and 7 in the last 12 matches, and Charlie was a major reason for that turnaround,” said coach Scott Steib, who believes this two-year starter and all-sectional picks perhaps the best 1-on-1 defender in the area.
Jack Horvath St. Viator
Two-year player and starter for state title team last year, the first-time all-ESCC, all-sectional senior grabbed a spot on the all-state roster last week for his work. Horvath seems to relish the extra responsibility heaped upon him by coach Mike Taylor. “Jack is a very good center-mid, but he is playing out of position (up top) but he has responded in a big way to make us a much better club with him as a forward, and has taken the extra weight on his shoulders to succeed extremely well.” Horvath has 10 goals and 9 assists.
Emmett Turner-Jackson Maine West
When the talk of premier defenders begins, this three-year starter has to be a part of the conversation. “Emmett is the player that makes everything work around him,” said coach Mike DiVincenzo. “He works forever, does all the dirty work along the back, is a tremendous leader, and was a major part of our conference championship last year, as well as (us) recording 12 shutouts this season with a first-year keeper.” An all-Central Suburban League, all-sectional pick.
Nick Jordan Elk Grove
MSL East co-Player of the Year also earned all-state honors after making a major imprint on the soccer landscape this season, as well for the division champs. Warrior mentality and ability to go 80 minutes at full speed, whether in the middle, or up top, where his coach would often deploy him as a deep-lying player. “Nick plays at such a high level, and is easily the most versatile player that I've ever coached,” said coach Joe Bush. The senior has 15 assists.
Bill Krawzak St. Viator
Artistic, lightning-quick outside midfielder could play across the front if needed, but helped make Lions' midfield complete when his coach moved a few of the puzzle pieces around midway through the season. “Billy and Jack (Horvath) in a perfect world, are better suited to be together up top, but that wasn't what was best for our team, and the way (Bill) can break people down, up and down the right side, create and score some big goals for us, (just) made us that much better,” says Mike Taylor. All-ESCC pick had 11 goals and 6 assists.
Jayson LeShen Maine West
Spent a year away honing his skills on the club level, and would return with a vengeance for his final year, having a hand in 14 of the Warriors' 28 goals, while talented and versatile enough to play all three positions before the coaching staff moved him up top to form a deadly duo with freshman sensation Nelson Herrera. “In one phrase, Jayson is a soccer player,” said coach Mike DiVincenzo. “He's the player you love to have on your team, and hate to play against.” All-sectional, NIU-bound senior had 5 goals an 10 assists.
Brayhan Nunez Prospect
While other teammates would dominate the scoring line, this two-year starter always seemed to be the first mentioned during postgame conversations as the Knights' man of the match for his energy, pace and ability to be a constant threat while generating something from nothing. “Brayhan uses his exceptional quickness to beat defenders on the dribble, and can beat when double-teamed with the best of them,” says Knights head coach Kurt Trenkle. All-sectional pick had 6 assists this season.
Arnoldo Reyes Leyden
Impeccable technique and admirable pace and energy are just a few of the attributes of this four-year veteran and three-time all-conference midfielder. An all-sectional pick for the third straight season, Reyes captained the regional champs and has 7 goals and 14 assists this season and 15 and 45 for his career. “Arnoldo is a coaches dream,” said coach Mark Valinitis, “and the driving force for our program as he is always at every lifting session, camp, practice, and game, whether during the season, or in the off-season.”
Kosta Risteski Palatine
One of the few returnees from the 2009 MSL champs was a key figure in the Pirates' youth movement. Three-year starter was ultimate team captain and tireless tackler, who had 4 goals and 8 assists to earn all-sectional honors. “Kosta was a fantastic leader for our entire program, who was well respected by opposing players, coaches and staff members here at the school,” said coach Willie Filian. “He had a calming effect (out) there, and would always help keep us organized and composed.”
Cesar Rodriguez Elk Grove
Grens' all-time leading scorer has been at another level down the stretch for the MSL East champs, including his late heroics in a regional semifinal comeback win over Glenbard East. “Cesar is a naturally gifted soccer player, and more importantly, he has embraced the role of our super-sub, and put his will to win, and his teammates above everything else, single-handedly winning three games for us because of it,” said coach Joe Bush. All-sectional striker has 13 goals and 4 assists this season and 33 and 9 for his career.
Ernesto Rodriguez Elk Grove
Grens' quiet leader was more of a tricky ballplayer than a towering target-man, but one with exceptional technical skills, deceptive speed on the ball, and one who can unlock the meanest of defenses with his uncanny touch and accuracy in distribution. Three-year starter has 17 goals and 8 assists for his career. “Ernesto is one of the fastest, and most crafty players that I've ever seen, and (will) surprise people with his quickness and ability to get a shot off from any location on the pitch,” said coach Joe Bush.
Lorenzo Savino Fremd
Another one of the players which has stayed around to form the core of Fremd's run to MSL and regional titles, this all-sectional striker became one the most exciting and impressive attackers with a penchant for scoring big goals. Has 17 this season and 38 in his career while becoming a more vocal leader. “This year, Lorenzo has scored some brilliant, and important goals for us, and it's because of his decision-making and positional skill, which has made him dangerous with the ball, and so tough to stop in close,” said coach Steve Keller.
David Spudic Prospect
Two-year veteran earned all of his postseason honors thanks to being a specialist in breaking up opposing attacks with 80 minutes of all-out play. Helped Prospect allow just 16 goals in 20 matches, one away from the school record, and was an all-sectional pick. “David is a textbook holding MF, who is capable of winning balls, anticipating passing lanes, as well as man marking when asked to,” said coach Kurt Trenkle of the versatile senior.
Scott Sutarik Fremd
Transfer from Westminster Christian may have been the final piece of the puzzle in Vikings' eventual run to an MSL title as the all-sectional keeper displayed agility, reflexes and awareness for a stingy defense with 6.5 shutouts and a 0.82 goals against average. “The potential is there for Scott to be the best that's ever been here, including former All-American Doug Warren, and for him, if he continues to train and work to improve, the future is very bright,” said coach Steve Keller.
Taylor Williams Barrington
Big, strong, hard-running striker came into his own this fall to become the Broncos' leading scorer, as well as the leader of a club which went from just 7 wins in 2009 to inches away from being MSL West champions. “Taylor is such a great kid, who never stops working, and it's because of his work ethic that he became such a dangerous player up top for us, and one of our dynamic leaders as well,” said coach Scott Steib. All-sectional pick had team-high 9 goals and 18 for his career.
David Wisniewski Leyden
Only repeat all-area pick after yet another sensational season where the four-year starter and all-stater broke free to strike for 26 goals and 8 assists, giving him 62 (20 assists) in his career, good for third overall in school history. “A player like (David) does not come along too often,” said coach Mark Valintis. “He all has the physical skills, speed, strength, quickness, finesse, which allows him to rise to the occasion in big games, against top level opponents to do what few that I've seen can do, and that's score.”
Michael Zentner Conant
In a vintage crop of backline stars this fall, this two-year starter chose substance over style, according to coach Jason Franco, to earn all-sectional honors. “It's not about flashy numbers in the scoresheet, or highlight film tackles, but instead, with Michael, he's obviously a very good defender, who reads the game well, and is always in the right place at the right time,” said Franco. “He's so athletic, and a big reason why we've limited teams to so few chances this season, and just 14 goals in 20 matches.”
Sishuh Zerihun Hoffman Estates
All-sectional striker combines lightning quick speed on and away from the ball, making the 3-year starter plenty dangerous each and every time the Hawks senior has a touch. Had 19 goals and 11 assists in two varsity seasons. “Sishuh is a game changer,” said coach Matt Sriver. “His ability on the ball was second to none in the area this past season, and his capacity to see the whole field allows him to find his teammates on a consistent basis”
Special mention
Nick Abel (St. Viator, Jr., D), Dan Barber (Barrington, Sr., D), Jorge Caballero (Palatine, Sr., F), Juan Carlos Duarte (Leyden, Sr., MF), Irving Eloiza (Wheeling, So., MF), Scott Faul (St. Viator, Sr., GK), Markus Fiordaliso (Buffalo Grove, Jr., MF), Hugo Gonzales (Conant, Sr., MF-GK), Mike Hennek (Christian Liberty, Jr., MF), Nelson Herrera (Maine West, Fr., F), Brian Hindle (Fremd, Jr., MF), Alex Hughes (Buffalo Grove, Sr., MF), Thomas Kozlowski (Conant, Sr., F), Jonathan Krok (Hersey, Jr., MF), Dan Loizzi (St. Viator, Sr., D), Max Mohr (Barrington, Sr., D), Brad Reibel (Prospect, Jr., GK), Jecsan Torres (Maine West, So., GK), Luis Colin Vargas (Hoffman Estates, So., MF-F), Ryan Ybarra (Maine West, Sr., F).
Honorable mention
Arthur Bernaciak (Leyden, Sr., D), Al Bochat (Fremd, Sr., D), Fernando Camacho (Leyden, Jr., D), David Colbert (Christian Liberty, So., F), Zach Conrad (Conant, Jr., MF), Bill Cooney (Prospect, Jr., F), Nathan Cornell (Conant, Jr., F), Will Cotopolis (Barrington, Sr., GK), Declan Delaney (Rolling Meadows, Sr., MF), Joe Faleni (Schaumburg, Jr., MF), Arthur Folta (Hersey, Sr., D), Ivan Garcia (Palatine, Sr., MF), Justin Gavros (Elk Grove, So., MF), Matt Ginter (Elk Grove, Sr., D), Mike Gordon (Hoffman Estates, Jr., GK), Steven Kay (Rolling Meadows, Sr., D), Kyle Krzeski (Rolling Meadows, Sr., D), Nick Landsberger (Buffalo Grove, Jr., GK), Richard Lenke (Prospect, Jr., F), Eric Leonard (Fremd, Fr., D), Alex Maciopinto (Buffalo Grove, Jr., MF-F), Blake Nelson (Schaumburg, Sr., MF), Austin O'Toole (Maine West, Sr., D), David Pacheo (Barrington, Sr., MF), Dan Speidel (Wheeling, Sr., D), Cesar Vargas (Hoffman Estates, Sr., MF), Craig Zahour (Barrington, So., MF).