Tri-Cities All-Area Boys Soccer Team

.inStory300 {display:none;}

Mitch Albrecht BataviaThis junior, who is a three-year varsity starter, tallied 7 goals and 13 assists this year (12 goals, 23 assists for his career) and was a Western Sun Conference first-teamer and also earned honorable mention on the all-sectional team. "Mitch is a crafty and creative player that allows our midfield to dominate most teams and retain possession," coach Mark Gianfrancesco said. "He distributes, switches the point of attack, wins fifty-fifty balls, and can score. (He is) everything you want from a center midfielder."

Stephen Walan West AuroraThis junior was a unanimous selection as the best goalkeeper in the DVC and was selected by the coaches' association as the fourth ranked goalie in the state. He made the all-state team and is the highest ranked goalie returning next season. He finished with 9 shutouts and 140 saves in 21 games. "Stephen is a tremendous talent that raised the ability of West Aurora High School," coach Joe Sustersic said. "He was the one constant that all his teammates can trust."

Angelo Catalano St. Charles NorthCatalano, a junior midfielder in his first year on varsity, came up huge for the North Stars in the sectional final game against Geneva, where his two goals were a huge reason why his team upset the Vikings and earned a spot in the supersectional play. He had 9 goals and 10 assists this year. "Angelo is a very crafty player," coach Eric Willson said. "He is a hard-working, skilled central midfielder who is always looking to help his team by setting up goals or scoring them himself."

Luke Friedman MarmionHe is the only player in the area to land a spot on the all-area team three years in a row. The senior, who earned the title of Suburban Catholic Conference MVP two years in a row, also earned all-state honors. He and his 4.81 GPA is leaning heavily toward playing at Washington University in St. Louis next year. "Luke is most certainly a strong leader and a very fine player," coach Kevin O'Connor said of this two-year team captain. "He's very consistent, certainly a strong leader and a very fine player."

Jeff Jones St. CharlesLast year, former coach Jorge Ortiz said Jones was consistent and was going to be a great player this year. He was right. New coach Paul Jennison agreed regarding this two-time all-area senior midfielder/center. "I thought he was one of the best players in the (Upstate Eight) Conference," Jennison said. "He's a complete player. He's one of the reasons why we had such a good season. All the young players really looked up to him."

John McSpadden GenevaThis was McSpadden's first year starting at the varsity level for the Vikings, who played him as a stopper but is really more of an attacking player by nature. He capped the year with 4 goals and 3 assists and was a consistent every game "He's a crafty player," Geneva coach Ryan Estabrook said. "He strikes the ball extremely well, and he's an intelligent kid who knows how to play in big games."

Henrry Perez West AuroraThere were two unanimous defender selections in the DuPage Valley Conference this year, and this junior was one of them. Perez was also an all-sectional selection who was ranked No. 11 overall in Section 3, he was a team captain and also produced 2 goals (one was a game-winner) and 3 assists. "He was the field general for West Aurora," West coach Joe Sustersic said. "He organized the defense in front of (goalie Stephen) Walan to have success. He is quite talented, but sacrificed for the team by moving to the defense from his natural position of center midfielder."

Matt Russo BataviaThis senior center midfielder, who will play at Wisconsin-Green Bay next year, capped his final year with the Bulldogs with 12 goals and 15 assists (for career totals of 14 goals, 30 assists). He was one of three captains and was a three year varsity starter while landing a spot on the Western Sun Conference's first team. "Matt has represented the Batavia program well over his three year," coach Mark Gianfrancesco said. "He has done everything we have asked with the utmost effort and leadership. The program will be missing a big piece next year that will leave big shoes to fill."

Shawn Sloan GenevaSoccer coaches all over the area had no trouble with this senior earning the title of all-area captain in the Tri-Cities Area this season after his 29-goal season with Geneva. He was tough to stop and created chances for his teammates "He's extremely consistent and can score in a number of ways," Geneva coach Ryan Estabrook said of this all-stater and conference MVP, who capped his career with 57 goals.

Kendal Spurgin GenevaThis three year starting senior midfielder, who will play at Eastern Illinois University next year, scored 7 goals and 8 assists this year. "Kendal is one of the more consistent players you will see on the field," Geneva coach Ryan Estabrook said. "He plays very well on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. He's definitely been the engine that makes our team go."

Dan Stanek St. Charles NorthWith 9 goals and 3 assists this year, "Dan has been the workhorse of the team," said coach Eric Willson. "He will run through a brick wall for his teammates. When building the ideal team, Dan is certainly the type of player you want to start with."

Santiago Tovar KanelandIn his fourth and final year with the Knights, Tovar scored 18 goals and tallied 20 assists. He was a team captain for two years, earned Western Sun Conference and all-sectional honors for the past three years and is currently No. 2 in his graduating class. "A great, great player, one of the best in the area," Kaneland coach Scott Parillo said. "(He'd) start on any team in the area. He is such a good person on and off the field. He was a pleasure to coach for four years. I will really miss him."

All-area roster

Player School Pos. Yr.

Mitch Albrecht Batavia C/MF Jr.

Angelo Catalano St. Charles North MF Jr.

Luke Friedman Marmion D Sr.

Jeff Jones St. Charles East MF Sr. John McSpadden Geneva D Sr.

Henrry Perez West Aurora D Jr.

Matt Russo Batavia C/MF Sr.

Shawn Sloan Geneva MF Sr.

Kendal Spurgin Geneva D Sr.

Dan Stanek St. Charles North F Sr.

Santiago Tovar Kaneland MF Sr.

Stephen Walan West Aurora GK Jr.

Special mention

Victor Alfaro, West Aurora, jr., F; Brandon Bautista, St. Charles North, sr., F; Beto Del Toro, Marmion, sr., MF; Sam Duffield, Marmion, jr., MF; Mike Faraone, Batavia, sr., F; Matt Haffner, Kaneland, sr., D; Mike McCabe, Geneva, sr., MF; Sam Peniak, Geneva, sr., MF; Rob Soutar, St. Charles East, sr., D.

Honorable mention

Steve Anderson, Marmion, jr.; Loren Galloway, West Aurora, jr., D; Zach Hosler, St. Charles North jr., GK; Steve Kuk, Aurora Central Catholic, sr., F; Ty McCoy, Batavia, jr., C/MF; Brian O'Donnell, Aurora Central Catholic, sr., GK: Ben Orr, Geneva, sr., D; Ralph Palmeri, Marmion, jr., F/MF; Luis Ramirez, St. Charles North, sr., F; Johnny Schnell, St. Charles East, jr.,; Tyler Scofield, Geneva, sr., D; Adam Spencer, Batavia, sr., GK; Nick Williams, Kaneland, sr., F/MF.

Most Improved

Scott Detrow, St. Charles East, jr.; Hyrum DaSilva, Batavia, jr., F; Kevin Durrenberger, Kaneland, sr., F; Loren Galloway, West Aurora, jr., D; Grant Johnston, St. Charles North, sr., F; Alex Rindone, Marmion, sr., F; Tyler Scofield, Geneva, sr., D; James Younce, Aurora Central Catholic, jr., D/F.

Players to watch out for next year

Mario Alvarez, West Aurora, so., F; Noah Anthony, St. Charles North, so., MF; Jon Bren, St. Charles East, so.; Sam Duffield, Marmion, jr., MF; Genaro Garcia, Kaneland, jr., MF/F; Ty McCoy, Batavia, jr., MF; Shane Samuels, Aurora Central, so., F/MF; Brady Wahl, Geneva.

Champions

Conference: Geneva (Western Sun Conference); Marmion (Suburban Catholic Conference).

Regional: St. Charles North, Geneva

Sectional: St. Charles North

<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Related documents</h2> <ul class="morePdf"> <li><a href="/pdf/cook01.pdf">Cook Co. Sports Monthly Page 1 </a></li> <li><a href="/pdf/cook04.pdf">Cook Co. Sports Monthly Page 4 </a></li> <li><a href="/pdf/cook05.pdf">Cook Co. Sports Monthly Page 5 </a></li> <li><a href="/pdf/cook06.pdf">Cook Co. Sports Monthly Page 6 </a></li> <li><a href="/pdf/dupage01.pdf">DuPage Co. Sports Monthly Page 1 </a></li> <li><a href="/pdf/dupage02.pdf">DuPage Co. Sports Monthly Page 2 </a></li> <li><a href="/pdf/dupage03.pdf">DuPage Co. Sports Monthly Page 3 </a></li> <li><a href="/pdf/lake01.pdf">Lake Co. Sports Monthly Page 1 </a></li> <li><a href="/pdf/lake04.pdf">Lake Co. Sports Monthly Page 4 </a></li> <li><a href="/pdf/lake05.pdf">Lake Co. Sports Monthly Page 5 </a></li> <li><a href="/pdf/lake06.pdf">Lake Co. Sports Monthly Page 6 </a></li> <li><a href="/pdf/foxvalley01.pdf">Lake Co. Sports Monthly Page 1 </a></li> <li><a href="/pdf/foxvalley02.pdf">Fox Valley Sports Monthly Page 2 </a></li> <li><a href="/pdf/foxvalley03.pdf">Fox Valley Sports Monthly Page 3 </a></li> <li><a href="/pdf/foxvalley04.pdf">Fox Valley Sports Monthly Page 4 </a></li> <li><a href="/pdf/tricities01.pdf">Tri-Cities Sports Monthly Page 1 </a></li> <li><a href="/pdf/tricities03.pdf">Tri-Cities Sports Monthly Page 3 </a></li> <li><a href="/pdf/tricities06.pdf">Tri-Cities Sports Monthly Page 6 </a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>