Boys soccer: DuPage County all-area team

Peter Beasley

Naperville Central

The Northwestern-bound Beasley proved to be selfless this season as he made the transition from defense to midfield and helped the Redhawks take second place in the DVC and collect 11 wins. “When you can play soccer, then you can play soccer and that's the great thing about the sport,” Naperville Central coach Troy Adams said. “He was instrumental this season and we agreed that if moving him to midfield didn't work then we would move him back.”

Jacob Brindle

Neuqua Valley

It didn't take Brindle very long to give the Wildcats the first of many highlights this fall. Brindle's goal on Aug. 31 gave Neuqua Valley a 1-0 victory over Naperville North. It proved to be the Huskies' only loss to an Illinois team in the regular season. A captain and leader for the Wildcats. Described as a “heady, clever and prolific attracking midfielder” by Neuqua Valley coach Tony Kees, Brindle finished the regular season with 17 goals and 8 assists.

Daniel Burns

WW South

After graduating 14 seniors from last fall's 20-5-2 team, there were a lot of concerns for the Tigers this year. No single player was able to do as much as junior Daniel Burns, who led the team in six offensive categories, including goals (14), assists (8) and minutes played. “(Daniel) has been instrumental in scoring three times as many goals as the next player,” Tigers coach Guy Callipari said. Burns demonstrated confidence and maturity when called upon to finish in the final third of the field.

Will Butler

Neuqua Valley

As fun of a player to watch as you will find, the clever Butler showcased excellent footwork and a great ability to receive and turn well even with players draped on his back. “He was our best player on several occasions,” Neuqua Valley coach Tony Kees said. “He's a busy, pesky center forward with a big engine.” Butler, who is considering schools to play at next fall, had 10 assists and 9 goals in the regular season.

Kyle DalSanto

Benet

Being the last line of defense is a difficult job and not for the squeamish, but the efforts of this sophomore have left opposing teams feeling nauseous. “The best compliment you can give a goalie is that he makes it look easy, and it's not an easy job,” Benet coach Sean Wesley said. “Kyle is special in that he makes the hardest things in soccer look very easy.” DalSanto always seemed to be in the right place, rarely didn't catch the ball and limited rebound opportunities.

Patrick Doody

Neuqua Valley

The senior hasn't been 100 percent healthy all season but that hasn't slowed him down much this fall. “He's been asked to play in several different positions and he's been terrific,” Neuqua Valley coach Tony Kees said. “He's become a better soccer player and not just an athlete and has developed some of the nuances of the game. It's been a fun evolution to see.” Athletic, and a mature presence on the field. Doody will play at Indiana University.

Lee Grander

Naperville North

Those pesky back-line defenders never seem to show up in any box scores, nor do they get their names in the headlines like the big-scoring forwards, but those who follow the game closely know how imperative their play is to the team's success. Grander has been the leader of the Naperville North defense. Along with Jimmy Butler, Max Auden, Matt Vogel and keeper Kevin Anderson, the Huskies surrendered just 11 goals in their first 22 games.

Paul Hogan

Downers Grove North

Toward the end of last season, senior Paul Hogan was moved midfield to forward. The move has paid off incredibly well for Hogan and the Trojans this season as Hogan collected 23 goals goals and 7 assists in 21 regular-season games. “A team has to have that goal scorer,” Downers Grove North coach Brian Gervase. “In order for a team to really look at themselves as a contender they have to have that piece.”

Hunter Hollingshead

Neuqua Valley

Neuqua Valley goalkeeper Hunter Hollingshead finished the regular season with 10 shutouts, but it was a trio of shutouts that will be remembered most. “Steady, technical, hard-working and vocal leader at the back of the team,” Neuqua Valley coach Tony Kees said. “Timely saves, good distribution and organizational skills are his assets.” Hollingshead finished the regular season with a 0.89 GAA average in 19 games.

Kyle Lindberg

Naperville North

It took the Huskies about a half dozen games before they found the ideal place for Lindberg. After scoring 9 goals in its first six games, Naperville North coach Jim Konrad wanted to kick start his team's offense and it led to moving Lindberg from a defensive midfield position to forward. The team proceeded to score five goals in its following two matches and had an 18-2-2 record entering sectional play. “Lindberg up top changes things because any ball that goes up there makes us immediately a dangerous team,” Konrad said.

Tony Lumani

Glenbard North

The Panthers tied for second place in the DuPage Valley Conference with single-goal victories against Glenbard East, Naperville Central, West Aurora and Wheaton Warrenville South. “Tony provides us with senior leadership along the back line,” Glenbard North coach Greg Chrisman said. “He has been a real asset to me by organizing the back line during games and by providing leadership not just in the game but also by setting the tone and level of play during training.”

Marcin Modzelewski

Downers Grove North

You could argue that Modzelewski was the best defender in the state this year, and you'd have a lot of support on your side. His play helped the Trojans enjoy an eight-game winning streak on their way to a 17-5-2 season with 7 shutouts. “I have not seen a better defender on any field this season than Marcin,” Downers Grove North coach Brian Gervase said. “I would guess most coaches would agree. He's a shutdown kind of guy.”

Sean Mogan

Benet

The West Point-bound recruit could do just about everything with the ball for the Redwings. “Technically, he's the best player we've had in years,” Benet coach Sean Wesley said. “We've had him play defensive mid, offensive mid and forward all in the same game and those type of kids are special.” Because of an assortment of injuries, Mogan had to be utilized in back where he excelled in winning 50/50 balls. “If he doesn't do that against Naperville North and Downers Grove North, we're not in those games,” Wesley said. “We talk about soccer I.Q. and he knows every position. He may be a coach someday.”

David Pyle

Glenbard South

Glenbard South won 16 of 18 games in the regular season and if you took a close look at each one you'd probably see fourth-year player David Pyle doing a little bit of pretty much everything to help the Raiders win. “David Pyle has done an outstanding job no matter what task I had to give him this season,” Glenbard South coach Melissa Pero said. “Whether that meant filling in for sweeper, playing stopper, man marking another team's top player, scoring winning goals and setting up other teammates to score easily by playing them to a spot.” Pyle entered the playoffs with 8 goals and 4 assists.

Michael Pyle

Glenbard South

While his twin brother, David, is more keen on doing the dirty work that ensures that Glenbard South is performing at an optimum level, Michael Pyle is more of a finisher, tying Isaac Aguirre for the team lead in regular-season goals (13) and leading in assists (8). “He's definitely the more offensive-minded twin,” Glenbard South coach Melissa Pero said. “He has a great attitude and loves playing soccer.”

Mitch Reavis

Hinsdale Central

This hard-nosed junior received six staples on his head after cutting it going for a loose ball against Sandburg, and he scored 6 times on the season to lead the Red Devils to an 11-8-2 record. “Mitch has an ability to occupy teams in the attack that causes problems for opponents, while creating chances for us,” Hinsdale Central coach Michael Higgins said. “His work rate is unlike any player I have coached here.”

A.J. Seaman

Naperville Central

With teammate Peter Beasley moving from defense to midfield and several players getting acclimated to varsity play, Seaman began the season playing in back before moving to the top. Success on both ends led to coach Troy Adams nicknaming him “Mr. Versatility” as his ability to transition to both ends of the field. “He's probably our most dynamic player with the speed to go forward in back or up top,” Adams said. “He was a huge help for us. He served a good ball, gave us good spacing and his versatility was huge.”

Nick Suker

Downers Grove South

This senior's stats (7 goals and 5 assists) don't represent how significant his contributions were for the Mustangs. “Nick technically is a very skilled player with the ability to make those around him better,” Downers Grove South coach Jon Stapleton said.” “His tireless work ethic and ability on the ball gives us as a team the opportunity to control the middle of the field.” Many of Suker's goals have been important ones to close out or win games.

Evan Trychta

Naperville North

The junior didn't catch anyone off guard after scoring 17 goals and dishing 7 assists as a sophomore last fall. A deadly combination of speed, competitive hunger and cleverness once again made Trychta as fun of a player to watch (unless you were the opponent) in DuPage County. Trychta entered sectional play with 14 goals on the season.

Tyler Yanisch

Waubonsie Valley

Waubonsie Valley won five straight games to close out the regular season and a critical reason for their turnaround was the play of Yanisch. “Tyler has great dribbling ability and because of that he is able to create opportunities for his teammates and himself,” Waubonsie Valley coach Angeo DiBernardo said. “He has made us better defensively since we moved him to the center mid position, where he feels more comfortable and is much more involved with the play.”