Boys soccer: Scouting the Fox Valley
Bartlett HawksCoach: Ben Beary, 6th year (46-49-9)
Conference: Upstate Eight Valley
2013 record: 5-13-4
Top returning athletes: Andrew Gott (Sr., M), Zane Kaiser (Sr., D), Igor Zwada (Jr., F), AJ Santori (Jr., M)
Top newcomers: Saul Espinosa (Sr., D), Oliver Saile (Jr., M).
Season outlook: The last time the Hawks took the field they were ousted in the regional semis to powerhouse Lake Park 5-1, a team that finished fourth in state. It capped off a rough two seasons for Bartlett but 2014 can be the year where everything turns. "Winning can be a habit and losing can be a habit and these guys have the talent to do some interesting things but not if they can't make it over that mental hurdle, figuring out how to get into that winning column and making it a habit," Beary said. "If a couple losses get them down it might take them a little while to get that winning attitude. If we can hammer out those intangibles, we'll be in really good shape because we've got the skill to win a lot of games this year." The front line looks to be the Bartlett primary weapon as a strong core of seniors and talented juniors bolster the attack. Santori looks to be the guy who will benefit in the scoring column and he will be one of the Hawks' top targets. "He definitely has a skill you can't teach and that's speed," Beary said. "When you see him in an open field there's nobody that can hang with him if you give him space to run. He will be marked pretty heavily." Zwada will also contribute and Tony Estanisalo, a senior with 2-years of varsity experience, will see increased minutes. Gott and Marcus Singleton have similar varsity experience and will be looked at to defend and advance the ball up front. It's a deeper-than-ever squad at Bartlett and even defensively, the Hawks will feature Espinosa and Kaiser to anchor their defensive front that has potential to be great, though untested. Kaiser is a three-year starter but Espinosa has been playing club for his high school career. Goalkeeper Jake Hasenstein made the last few starts in goal last season and won the varsity job last year and been really impressing the coaching staff. "A lot of potential to grow, sky's the limit," Beary said. "A lot of potential in every position; I'm really positive on what we've got going on."
Burlington Central RocketsCoach: Mike Gecan, 10th year (123-65-20)
Conference: Big Northern East
2013 record: 22-3, 12-0 (regional champions)
Top returning athletes: Stefan Jochum (Sr., M), Chris Leberect (Sr., M), Nate McMahon (Sr., M), AJ Gouriotis (Jr., D/F).
Top newcomers: Jack Schramme (Fr., F), Luck Schramme (Fr., M).
Season outlook: 2013 posed as a banner year for the Rockets and one of the top seasons in school history. Central notched its best win total ever, its first undefeated conference championship and sixth overall, and a second regional championship. 2014 won't feature Daily Herald all-area selections Sean Fitzgerald, Matt O'Connor and Austin VanAcker up front due to graduation, as they combined for 39 goals and 26 assists. But the Rockets enter 2 freshmen, the Schramme twins, while Jack will join forwards Jochum (4g/5a) and Leberect (4g/4a). "We have three of the top forwards in the area," Gecan said. "Our midfield is stacked with McMahon, Cole Tecza, Luke Schramme and Noah Jahangir, who will be pushing each other for playing time all season." The key for another repeat could be in the Rockets' defense that will feature Gouriotis, senior Nathan Moxness, and juniors Elijah Abejide and Danny Hall. If a team penetrates Central's wall of defenders, they'll have to get past as Gecan calls, their 6-5 monster, Sean Fitzgerald. "(The defense) is improving each day, and will most likely be our biggest strength by postseason," Gecan said.
Cary-Grove TrojansCoach: Mark Olson, 9th year
Conference: Fox Valley Valley
2013 record: 11-8, 2-4
Top returning athletes: Ethan Csoka (Sr., GK), Brad Sigsworth (Sr., D), Josh Gratz (Sr., M), Israel Lopez (Sr., M), Matt Scott (Sr., D/M), Kevin Budreck (Sr., D), Casey Charbonneau (Sr., F), Mike Arenberg (Jr., M), Brett Schuerg (Jr., M/D), Max Green (Jr., D), Luis Lemus (Jr., F/M).
Top newcomers: Eric Fisher (Sr., D/GK), Tom Berrafato (Sr., D/M), Patrick McKune (Sr., D/M), Dan Lincicum (Jr., M), Xavier Nevroski (Jr., F), Nate Weber (Jr., M), John O'Brien (Jr., F), Scott Wilde (Jr., M), Jesse Ives (Jr., D), Esteban Angeles (Jr., M).
Season outlook: It's tough to replace 20 goals from Kevin Wilde's foot but the Trojans can defend and it starts with Sigsworth, Budreck, McKune and Green. Sigsworth will anchor a back line that also returns goalkeeper Csoka. "If you can't defend it's not going to matter how many goals you score," said Olson, whose team lost 6 games by 1 goal last season. "I think it's going to be real important for us to play defense and we're strong defensively." Offensively, a scoring by committee will have to suffice for now. Gratz could very well do so. He was injured for parts of last season and Lopez should also be in the mix but Olson has a lot of flexibility in the midfield. "My goal for a lot of these players is to stay healthy," said Olson, who can go 21 deep. "Josh does a great job in the midfield and Israel played outside for us last year and is playing in the middle with (Angeles) and Scott Wilde."
Crystal Lake South GatorsCoach: Brian Allen, 8th year (96-61-10)
Conference: Fox Valley Valley
2013 record: 9-12-3, 3-3
Top returning athletes: Charlie Ruff (Sr., M), Orlando Tapia (Sr., M), Stefan Harris (Sr., F), Ryan Russmann (Sr., M), Andrew Perrine (Sr., D), Jake Canfield (Jr., D), Andrew Grabowski (So., F).
Top newcomers: Dalton Kause (Sr, GK), Ben Nyman (Sr., M), Julio Campos (Sr., M), Skyler Pentico (Jr., M), Nikolas Getzinger (Fr., M).
Season outlook: South returns most of its team that lost in the regional championship to McHenry in penalty kicks and that means one more go-round for all-conference and 4-year starters Ruff and Tapia. Ruff recorded 2 goals and 8 assists in 2013 and Tapia notched 8 goals and 7 assists. Those two will lead the brigade and will provide leadership and flexibility going forward this year up front and in the midfield. "Charlie's got the armband and Orlando with his ability on the field, with a couple of four-year starters it makes it easier and we have a freshman coming up," Allen said. "They just allow us to move players in spots. Orlando is going to be in a new spot because of the depth we have at center-mid, we have a lot of returning players beyond those four-year (guys), that are back from last year but to have that depth will give us versatility in our formation. We can play a couple different ways that will hopefully pay off this season and hopefully make us difficult to defend." The counterattack returns intact as Perrine and Canfield will anchor a defense that had its growing pains last season as sophomores and juniors. "They've all started so our whole defense is intact which is obviously a nice way to start," Allen said. "We like what we can do on the attacking side of the ball so if we can kind of get them to feed off each other and make each other better at training, that is what we'll be ultimately going for. I like to think they're pretty solid units and if they can mesh well, that will make the whole team stronger going forward." South's new goalie doesn't have to be exceptional, but Kause will be depended on to be consistent throughout the year as Allen praised his footwork, good hands and upside.
Dundee-Crown ChargersCoach: Rey Vargas, 10th year
Conference: Fox Valley Valley
2013 record: 19-1-1
Top returning athletes: Carlos Sanchez (Sr., D), Jose Gonzalez (Sr., GK), William Campos (Sr., M), Ivan Sanchez (Sr., D), Jason Horcher (Sr., D).
Top newcomers: Freddy Martinez (Jr., F), Linsandro Gonzalez (Jr., D), Andrew Janikowski (Jr., M), Jonathan Reese (Jr., D), Brian Madrid (So., M), Jeremy Jareckyj (So., M).
Season outlook: Dundee-Crown has the unenviable task of replacing 11 players from its undefeated FVC championship squad last season that fell victim to Larkin in the regional semifinal. All-area selections Ben Stone, Carlos Ramos, Eduardo Arellano as well as Francicso Nava are 3 of those 11 departing but the Chargers have reloaded and will look to Campos and goalkeeper Jose Gonzalez, who recorded 10 shutouts on 75 saves (9 goals allowed), to set the tone.
"I really like the team chemistry, it's really going to be our strength, if we come together and we play as a team that's really a key to most of this. Working hard for each other. We certainly have talent, there's no doubt it," Vargas said. "But putting that talent together and making it work, that's the tough part." Offensively, Campos will provide much of the spark with Martinez in the fold. Campos recorded 8 goals and 4 assists while Martinez, who played his freshman year and sat out his sophomore year but has looked good according to Vargas. Defensively, the Chargers are in relatively good shape as Sanchez and Horcher will help bring along some impactful newcomers, such as Johan Arias, who should vie for playing time. All of that provides another wall of defense in front of Gonzalez, who should prevent a few goals. "(Jose) does do well when we do break down. He kept us in games and he gave us a chance to win. That's all you can ask for from a goalie. He's an excellent goalie. I feel he's the top goalie in this area," said Vargas.
Elgin MaroonsCoach: Dave Borg, 14th year
Conference: Upstate Eight River
2013 record: 8-9-4, 1-4-1
Top returning athletes: Joey Chavez (Sr., M), Juan Flores (Sr., M), Eleno Montes (Jr., GK), Danny Geory (Jr., D/F).
Top newcomers: Herman Arce (Sr., F), Richard Sosa (Jr., M), Oleitan Ajayi (Jr., F/D), Andy Zavala (Fr., M) Jesus Lopez (Fr., M), Herman Arce (Fr., F)
Season outlook: Elgin has one of its deepest rosters in recent memory and with a defense of Geory, Edward Zavala and Ajayi hoping to anchor, it should help with returning goalie Montes. "I think the defense is solid, we're probably as fast as we've ever been," Borg said. "If and when we put Ajayi back there, defense is outstanding. Geory runs track … we're pretty good. Edward Zavala is slotted in at stopper." The Maroons will have 3 freshmen and Arce returns to the program after some time away. Arce played for Borg during his freshman season and has experience and with the expectation of winning more than 8 games last season, the sky is only the limit for Borg's group. "We feel we have the deepest team we've had since I've been coaching together (with assistant John McCreery). We're quick. On paper we feel we have our most talented team but will that equate to beating teams like St. Charles East and the traditional teams like the Larkins and everyone else, time will tell."
Elgin Academy HilltoppersCoach: Kevin Talbot, 1st year
Conference: Independent School League
2013 record: (3-10-1, 0-8)
Top returning athletes: Karl Raushenberger (Jr., F), Julian Romano (Jr. F), Elliot Wittmeyer (So. M).
Top newcomers: Spencer Schael (Sr., GK), Drew Wilmington (Jr. F).
Season outlook: Kevin Talbot may be new to the boys' program, but Talbot is no stranger to Elgin Academy. Talbot debuted as the girls' head coach last spring and now it's his turn to develop a new system for the boys' program. "The goal is to develop a system of play that will require us to be solid defensively," Talbot said. "I want to make a good soccer environment in that we play good soccer, control the ball, we defend as a team, but as we attack we're creative, we're not afraid to attack and throw numbers up front. Create pressure on the other team's goal and be good sportsmen and come out and look like a real soccer team. The boys have experience, we want to play good soccer and defend well but we want to have a organized attack." There is something to build on as the Hilltoppers return a bulk of their players who know how to play soccer at the club level and have some speed as well. One of those is Wittmeyer, a midfielder, who should see time on the defensive side while Raushenberger and transfer Wilmington will lurk in midfield. Romano looks to make waves up front and those four provide a core for Elgin Academy to build off. "It's a good core. I haven't seen what it's like to play the other schools but I feel we have a good core that will help us compete to be at least in every game," Talbot said. "Our strength will be in our attack. Our defense will be decent, the way I am looking at one junior and three seniors. We have experience. The attacking players have the most experience." There's a possible wild card and that's senior goalkeeper Spencer Schael. A former basketball player, this 6-4 transfer committed over the summer and is playing soccer for the first time. "(Spencer's) very agile for a big guy, He's fast, I think when guys are crossing balls up into the box now he's going to reach up and grab some of those which to other keepers they let them go by."
Hampshire Whip-PursCoach: John Gosling, 7th year (29-72-6)
Conference: Fox Valley Fox
2013 record: 5-15, 0-5
Top returning athletes: Jose Hernandez (Sr., F), Peter Panagakos (Sr., D), Andy Pederson (Sr., GK), Michael Boutin (Jr., D)
Top newcomers: Jose Cruz (So., M), Tyler Fairwood (So., M).
Season outlook: The Whip-Purs look for a balanced diet on the field and will look to a 3-5-2 formation to help solidify their midfield. Coming back is Hernandez, who scored 15 goals his freshman year and 17 goals last season. Gosling and Co. have high hopes for their standout forward."He's double marked and (teams are) putting their best defender on him" Gosling said. "We just have to get him free a little better." The role players will try to get Hernandez as many touches as possible but Hampshire might have success with two young midfielders, Cruz, a mid who's lanky and Fairwood, who has a good sense of balance when Hernandez is out of it. It does come down to the Whip-Pur defense, which has allowed a plethora of shots through to Pederson, a near 4-year starter with a 2.8 goal allowed average. "They're falling hard on their mark," said Gosling. "Unfortunately, we're leaving him high and dry."
Harvest Christian Lions
Coach: Jason Acres, 4th year (23-28-2)
Conference: Northeastern Athletic
2013 record: 10-7, 3-2
Top returning athletes: Noah Fox (Sr., GK), Rapheal De Souza (So., F), Cesar Velazquez (So., M), Antonio Navarez (So., M)
Top newcomers: Austin White (Sr.,), Westin White (So., D) Zach Floyd (Fr., D), J.T. Frantz (Fr., D), Mark Davila (Fr., M/F).
Season outlook: The Lions won 10 games last season, a school record, and will look to build on that with a younger squad that features 3 freshmen newcomers and 3 returning sophomores. The trade-off with their inexperience is that the Lions will be tougher physically and mentally. And that starts with Navarez, last year's team MVP, who scored 6 goals and 4 assists last season as a midfielder. "He has great technical ability and incredible vision on the field," said Acres. "His ability to play-make sets him apart as one of the best (sophomores) at the 1A level in Northern Illinois." Not to be outdone, De Souza led the team in scoring as a freshman with 8 goals and 3 assists up front and he'll team with Velazquez, a sophomore who led with 6 assists. Fox returns in goal and his 22 saves and 6 shutouts and this protypical high school keeper has great hands, jumping ability and quick reflexes. Floyd, Frantz and Davila should add depth as freshmen and the White brothers should contribute. Austin is a transfer with lightning speed and can score, says Acres, while Westin should get big minutes. "I look forward to seeing a new level of discipline and play from (the team)," Acres said.
Huntley Red RaidersCoach: Kris Grabner, 12th year
Conference: Fox Valley Valley
2013 record: 21-3-1
Top returning athletes: Angel Sanchez (Sr., D), Manuel Menjivar (Sr., D), Michael Zembrzuski (Jr., M), Travis Walsh (Jr., F).
Top newcomers: Allesandro Vergara (Jr., M), Mario Carlo Vergara (Jr., M).
Season outlook: After a 21-win season the Red Raiders come into the 2014 campaign in rebuilding mode after losing 13 to graduation which included all-area players Niko Mihalopoulos (27 goals, 9 assists) and Eduardo Gonzalez (14 goals and 15 assists) as well as Austen Emery's 0.65 goal allowed average in goal. "It's more than a newer nucleus, so we really lost 15 players but we also had a freshman that would have started for us who is playing club soccer," Grabner said. "That makes it tough plus it was a great group of seniors on top of that." However, that opens the door for new talent to supplant itself and already some players have stepped up that didn't get a lot of playing time last year. Zembrzuski, Walsh and the Vergara brothers look to seize some offensive roles, as Zembrzuski and Walsh, according to Grabner, both strike the ball well and possess good quickness, technical skills, strength and ability to create space and get shots off. "I think they can definitely score goals. It's really going to boil down to us moving the ball up the field," Grabner said. "We're young and we've always played a possession-style of soccer. It's a different team, start from ground zero and rebuild all of that." The Red Raiders do have good news. Two of their top defenders return in Sanchez and Menjivar, highly technical players who defend hard and tackle the same way. "They were our wings," Grabner noted. "We'll slide those two inside. We'll surround them with guys who will have a pace to play the position and they bring a decent technical skill to add to it. Manuel is really long, he's about 6-2 and his legs are six feet long. I think his torso is two inches. That's what it looks like when he's playing." During last year's Pepsi Challenge, Menjivar scored 4 goals in his first game and he provides versatility to play up top as well and the key for the Red Raiders this season will be its ability to possess and build the attack. "Once we're there, there's no question, we have five or six guys who can score. We have a number of guys that can put the ball in the back of the net," said Grabner.
Jacobs Golden EaglesCoach: Anthony Cappello, 4th year (25-29-1)
Conference: Fox Valley Valley
2013 record: 6-13-1, 2-4
Top returning athletes: Erik Merdinger (Sr., D), Konrad Wasileweski (Jr., F), Ean Wilson (Jr., F/D), Nick Voss (Jr., M), Daniel Kim (Jr., M)
Top newcomers: Eduardo Guimaray (Jr., GK), Andrew Craig (Jr., M/D), Chris Rigby (Jr., M/F), Ethan Pickering (So., GK), Noah Melick (Fr., F), Colin Walsh (Fr., F).
Season outlook: The Golden Eagles took their bumps last season with a relatively young team but there was growth to say the least. Last year the goal was to be .500 in the FVC. This year, their intent is to take the crown and they have some firepower that will certainly add to their intrigue. "I think we'll be a little bit more dangerous and a little bit more dynamic," Cappello said. "We're pretty much bringing our midfield back and added a couple nice players in Rigby, who elected not to play high school soccer last year, and Andrew Craig who tore his ACL last year. Those two kids are coming into the mix that will make us more dangerous as well." Rigby has good speed down the sideline and his ability to cross will make him an effective forward up top. Last year's leading goal scorer Wasilewski (5 goals) returns and Wilson, who recorded 3 goals and 2 assists as an all-FVC forward/defender, will see a switch to outside back because of his speed, stamina, strength and ability to create and set up. Melick and Walsh, according to Cappello, are natural goal-scoring freshmen who should complete the Golden Eagle front line while Voss (3 goals) and Kim (3 assists) return as junior mids. All-in-all, the camaraderie is there and the team goals are in order. "They're all on the same page on the same style of soccer they want to play," Cappello said. "The kids talked about it in training, and they're pushing each other the way they want to play."
Larkin RoyalsCoach: Ken Hall, 14th year
Conference: Upstate Eight River
2013 record: 12-11-4 (lost to Lake Park in Class 3A supersectional)
Top returning athletes: Leo Perez (Sr., GK), Hector Mendoza (Sr., D), Freddy Jungo (Sr., M), Diego Ramirez (Jr., M).
Top newcomers: Bryan Dominguez (So., M), Roberto Escobar (So., M), Chris Alvarez (Fr., D).
Season outlook: After winning their eighth sectional in 10 years, the Royals finally gave Hall and Larkin its first sectional crown. Now, they reloads after graduating all-area forward Pancho Garcia (12 goals, 6 assists), all-area defender Tito Velazquez and two others from their back line. "We're very young," Hall said of his 4 juniors, 6 sophomores and 3 freshmen. "(We have) 10 returners back. It's a good mix because we have experience from a team that went pretty far in the playoffs and we've got some really good young talent. I have no idea what to expect. It depends on how well the young guys play." It'll also depend on who will score for the Royals, as Mendoza moves back from the midfield to anchor the defense, leaving the midfield to Jungo and Ramirez, with sophomores Dominguez and Escobar to fill in. New scorers will be abundant at Larkin but Leo Perez is back in goal and Hall claims he is the Royals' best player. "Up front we'll be OK. In the back … in the midfield … we'll be looking to score," Hall said. "We're hoping the freshmen and sophomores grow up."
South Elgin StormCoach: Nate Bowman, 2nd year
Conference: Upstate Eight Valley
2013 record: 9-10-2
Top returning athletes: Juan Carlos Lujan (Sr., F), Jose Gomez (Sr., D), Luke Bohlin (Sr., D), Sergio Pedroza (Sr., F), Jake McKee (Jr., D).
Top newcomers: Colton Wenig (Sr., GK).
Season outlook: Second-year coach Nate Bowman, a native of Spain, has all but two starters coming back (Adam Smith, all-area) from a 2013 squad that was Cinderella-like, losing to Larkin in penalty kicks after upsetting top seed Streamwood in regional play. And there isn't much Bowman wants out of his group, which knows each other really well. As long as they buy into his system, a possession-laden effort, the Storm and its experienced group should be there to compete every single time. "I would expect they should control every game we play, with the system we play there's no reason they can't control the game and dictate the pace," Bowman said. "There's no excuse why not to. I'm not asking anyone to go one-on-one and take on five guys, I'm not asking them to run like crazy (in reference to their win against St. Charles North on August 26), it's jut not the system we're trying to play." Lujan, a 2013 Daily Herald all-area choice, is one player up front the Storm should count on for some goals. Gomez, Bohlin and McKee will anchor a defensive backfield that will have to welcome Colton Wenig into the fray, who replaces their Dutch goalie Richard Groenewegen. "We have a strong, all-around team," Bowman says. "In some ways, our starting 11 should be better since they played as starers last year anyway."
St. Edward Green WaveCoach: Tim Brieger, 20th season
Conference: Metro Suburban East
2013 record: 9-11-2
Top returning athletes: Joe French (Sr., F), Matt Hesch (Sr., GK), Austin Pfeiffer (Sr., F), Emilio Guia (Sr., D), Joe Martell (Sr., D), Alex Semler (Jr., M), Alex Uscila (So., M).
Top newcomers: AJ Franklin (Fr., M/F), Wil Gaston (Fr., M)
Season outlook: The Suburban Christian Conference is no more, and the Green Wave have to set foot in the new Metro Suburban East Division. There's only a few SCC foes remaining - Wheaton Academy, Guerin, Chicago Christian and Aurora Central - but there's plenty of familiarity with those teams and Brieger's team itself. The Wave has its most experience in years with 8 returning starters. Up front, all-area selection Joe French and Austin Pfeiffer should bring the punch offensively and in front of Hesch in goal is a back line anchored by Guia, Martell and sophomore Isaac Nordan. "We have a nice line up the middle and some calm leadership," said Brieger. "We've moved Franklin into the center-mid and he's kind of groomed right in there with the two other guys, Uscila and Kevin Bardan. It allows the guys to be a little more relaxed, we have such a strong middle." Franklin and Gaston and new defensive starter Nordan provides Brieger his deepest and most talented bench in a long time as well. "We have these young guys who can learn from the ones who have been around," Brieger said. "They're very excited about our complimentary players." With Hesch lurking in goal and a 3-year starter Martell, along with Guia and Nordan it sets up to be an exciting year in the Metro Suburban, albeit an unknown MSC. "We're going into this blind," Brieger said. "It's a crap shoot. There's nothing common."
Streamwood SabresCoach: Matt Polovin, 15th year
Conference: Upstate Eight River
2013 record: 15-3-3-, 4-1-1
Top returning athletes: Mike Delaney (Sr., D), Christian Balbino (Sr., D), Sergio Blanco (Sr., GK), Edwin Rueda (Jr., M), Jasminko Dizdarevic (Jr., M).
Top newcomers: Alan Camarena (Sr., F), Aaron Villgas (Jr., D), Rafael Gil (Fr., F), Alex Herrera (Fr., F), Oscar Chavez (Fr., F), Donnie Sosa (Fr., F).
Season outlook: Replacing one of the top players in the country in midfielder Nestor Ascencio will be a tough task for the Sabres, but that doesn't mean Streamwood can't have a new identity. Polovin already is implementing four new freshmen into the fray on top of the commitment to speed and physicality on the fast, refurbished Millennium Field surface. The Sabres' defense is still well intact from last year that featured 12 goals allowed and it only helps to have Blanco protecting the pipes, a goalie who collected 13 shutouts last season. But what can we expect from the Sabres, who have a slew of freshmen in the mix and Burlington Central-transfer Camerena, who was known for his "magic' in the Class 2A playoffs last season? "(Camarena's) legit. He's a big-time player. He's got a lot of great skill, he's very fast with or without the ball," Polivin said. "We have a lot of speed up top to begin with and a proven goal scorer definitely helps. You're definitely not just focusing on one player, basically three or four players up top that at any given time can be a big part of a game." Rueda is one of them. A four-year starter at center-mid, Polovin sees qualities similar to Ascencio which will definitely help others get involved. "He's not a protégé of Nestor but he does try to play like him. He's pretty much under his wing the last couple years," Polovin said. Gil, Hererra, Chavez and Sosa are the four freshmen that will get plenty of playing time and according to Polovin you wouldn't think Gil is a freshman with his calmness around the goal, let alone his speed and skill set. Hererra brings brains and doesn't force the issue. Sosa should bring shot power and Chavez is speedy. But defensively, all the gears are back in place from a team that amassed 8-straight shutouts at one point, which included powerhouse St. Charles East twice. Spearheaded by all-area selection Delaney and Balbino, "they were just part of our big puddle of defenders where we only allowed 12 goals and 13 shutouts. Both of guys improved even more with their club teams over the summer. It's very hard to get by them. If you get by one of them you have to get by the other. They both have height and muscle, solid soccer players," said Polovin. Balbino will look to incorporate his speed, tenacity, power and toughness to get involved on both ends. Delaney will be a force in the middle with his strength and aggressiveness whether it's in the air or on the ground and you can't forget about all-area keeper Blanco. "I'll be honest, Sergio's one of top two goalies in the state. What Blanco did last year in the big games, if you ask (Coach Paul) Jennison from St. Charles East, we tied 0-0 twice and Blanco was a huge reason behind that. That was the first time they were shutout that season and we did it twice in a span of four days on their field."
Westminster Christian WarriorsCoach: Erik Schwartz, 4th year
Conference: Northeastern Athletic
2013 record: 9-7
Top returning athletes: Robbie Kleczynski (Sr., F), Sam Carani (Sr., D), Noah Gannon (Sr., F/M), Joey Tyrell (Sr., M), Michael Beusse (Sr., M), Dave DiGrazia (Sr.), Chad Thomason (So., F).
Top newcomers: Lee Grasemann (Fr., F) Ben Versluys (Fr., GK), Will DeHaan (Fr., F), Zack Zeiman (Fr., D/M).
Season outlook: The Warriors are a senior-laden team and according to Schwartz, those seniors are hungry. "It's their last hurrah and they've been playing together for four years and they're really hoping to make a run," said Schwartz. Westminster will be stronger up front and in the midfield as Kleczynski brings back the 20 goals and 5 assists he had last year while Gannon will move up front from the midfield to form a tandem. Tyrell and Buesse will control the midfield and a slew of freshmen will give Westminster an edge up front and in the midfield. The only thing that may stymie the Warriors is the depth of role players. One top defender backed out two days prior to the start of the season and another day into the season another forward also left the program. There are still questions on defense but the core is there to compete in the state tournament and it's just a wait and see for some other players to grab reigns to the roles that are now open. "The Lord has different plans and try to do the best for His glory and let the rest fall where it does. That's been kind of our mentality.," Schwartz said. "They just continue show me their maturity through their devotions and their desires to make sure their priorities are in order, that soccer stays where it should be and family stays where it should be and the Lord stays where He should be."