Scouting DuPage County boys soccer
Top teams: Benet, Hinsdale Central, Naperville Central, Naperville North, Neuqua Valley, Waubonsie Valley, Wheaton Academy.
Top players: Anthony Berardi (Wheaton Warrenville South, jr., MF), Wes Bergevin (Hinsdale Central, sr., GK), Jon Braun (Waubonsie Valley, sr., MF), Nick Coon (Naperville Central, sr., MF), Grant Borg (Naperville North, jr., MF) Brian Cochrane (St. Francis, sr., MF), Eric Diaz (Downers Grove South, sr., F), Chris Ensign (Naperville North, sr., F), Jesus Fernandez (West Chicago, sr., D), Evan Floersch (Hinsdale Central, sr., D), Jordi Heeneman (Naperville Central, sr., F), Oliver Horgan (Lake Park, sr. F), Zach Jones (Glenbard North, sr., D), Elliot Kettle (Wheaton Warrenville South, sr., MF), Kyle Kenagy (Benet, sr., F), Derek Kerbs (Naperville Central, sr., D), William Lanzillo (Glenbard West, sr., MF), Elias Leyva (Addison Trail, sr., MF), Sergio Marin (Addison Trail, sr., D), Connor Mote (Benet, so., F), Dan Norton (Wheaton North, sr., MF), Xavi Ortiz (Neuqua Valley, sr., MF), Ryan Ross (Neuqua Valley, sr., F), Dakota Rowsey (Metea Valley, sr., MF), Ty Seager (Wheaton Academy, jr., F).
Outlook: Naperville Central has advanced to state three years in a row but hasn't been able to bring home a state championship. The Redhawks have been so very close to winning it all. As usually is the case, they lost a great deal of talent and leadership from last year's third-place team. Still, the cupboard is far from bare with Jordi Heeneman, Nick Coon, Jordi McCormack, Ethan Mohr and Derek Kerbs, among others, returning.
Naperville North is coming off a regional title campaign and will look to battle for a DuPage Valley Conference title. It will be key for the Huskies to find a way to score so Chris Ensign and Chris Sullivan are going to have their work cut out for them. The Huskies feature strong play in back, led by Brandon Hipp and Wesley Wong, and a very reliable and athletic Christian Robert in net.
Lake Park went undefeated in conference last year but it no longer has the Daily Herald's All-Area Captain, Mike Catalano (Wisconsin). Oliver Horgan will lead the team while coach Anthony Passi expects newcomers, Miguel Ramirez and Joshua Solarz to solidify the defense. "No one knew of us last year," Passi said. "Now we have a huge target on our backs."
Glenbard North looks to be a team on the rise. The Panthers went 11-7-4 last year, and perhaps more significantly, had success in the conference (4-2-1). "Very optimistic after a real successful summer league run," Panthers coach Gregg Koeller said. "Although still a very young varsity team, we return a great core of players from last year's successful squad." The Panthers appear well balanced, with a half-dozen players capable of scoring. Junior goalkeeper Nathan Chalus had 8 shutouts last year and is protected by all-conference defender, Zach Jones.
Another up and coming team in the DVC is Wheaton North, which finished 8-12-1 last year but played better than its record would indicate. The Falcons captured a regional title. "We have a very experienced and cohesive group of players," Falcons coach Tim McEvilly said. "They were able to turn around the program last year by the mid-point of the season after a few less productive seasons. They are very confident, possess terrific speed and have a high level of talent." Aaron Deeke, Dan Norton, Zach Oslund, Jason Szumski and Zoran Tanasic all return, while senior forward Sam Mason is a key newcomer.
Wheaton Warrenville South once again will participate in the Barrington tournament and Pepsi Showdown. The Tigers return seven players from last year's 7-11-4 squad. "Our midfield will return the greatest number of players and their experience will allow us to acclimate through the middle and offensive third of the field," Tigers coach Guy Callipari said. Senior captains Elliot Kettle and Luis Cruz will lead the Tigers. The team welcomes three Chicago Fire Academy players, which Callipari anticipates will help on the offensive end.
In the Upstate Eight Valley, Metea Valley looks to defend its title coming off a fantastic, 5-0-1 conference season. "Looking to build off last year's conference title and develop a string and tradition of success from year to year," Mustangs coach Josh Robinson said. "Looking for young talent from last year to lead and play with a mature style against extremely tough competition in the area." Jake Celinski and Dakota Rowsey both return for the Mustangs.
At Neuqua Valley, the Wildcats once again expect a big-scoring season from senior forward Ryan Ross. The Wildcats have concerns in goal. It's up to senior Ricky Rolbecki and sophomore Brady Moody to rise to the occasions and take on that important position. Xavi Ortiz and Reed Kurtenbach will look to lead in the midfield and defense, respectively.
Waubonsie Valley looks to use momentum from last year's deep postseason run to get off to a strong start. The Warriors were a modest, 10-8-2, last year but won a regional title, as well as a sectional semifinal game before losing to Naperville Central. The Warriors are also with a new coach, as former assistant Jose Garcia takes over for Angelo DiBernardo. The Warriors have seven starters back, including midfielders Jon Braun and Henry Zehnal and goalie Eddie Sanchez.
Glenbard East is new to the conference. "This team has some great skill, ability to possess and a strong desire to get better," Rams coach Josh Adler said. "The team itself is very young with varsity experience. At this point the biggest weakness will be the inconsistency of a young team adjusting to varsity play." Senior keeper Elvin Husetovic returns, along with senior defender Jackson Zetterquist and junior midfielder Juan Torres. Adler hopes sophomore midfielders Librado Olivares, Justin Murphy and Pawel Wilisowski can mature quickly.
West Chicago also is making a change, moving to the Upstate Eight River. "We are looking to grow from our mistakes last year and with a good number of returners from last year's team that got experience, I believe that we will be able to compete against any team," Wildcats coach Jose Villa said. Third-year starter Jesus Fernandez is back to anchor the back line. The Wildcats had more than 100 kids try out program-wide, so competition for roster spots was pretty intense. Villa is hopeful it proves beneficial to the win column. "We have a lot of potential," he said. "It is going to depend on how we respond every single day."
Addison Trail has high hopes this season as it returns an experienced group of players who went 9-11-1 last year but played a very tough scheduled too. "We really took on a tougher scheduled last year as we played four teams that finished in the final eight of the state series," Blazers coach Ryan Dini said. "We beat one of those teams and look to build onto the success that we had last year." Elias Leyva, who missed most of last season with an injury, will look to dominate at center mid. Sergio Marin, Tom Kania, Jonah Moran and Uriel Martinez are also expected to lead the Blazers, while Dini is excited about newcomers Jonathan Hernandez and Izvic Hernandez.
Downers Grove South is expected to contend for a conference title as well with seniors Eric Diaz, Andrew Dobosenki and Jason Galik leading the way. "I feel one of our strengths this season is out depth," Mustangs coach Jon Stapleton said. "We have a number of players who are competing for starting jobs which makes training more competitive and helps us improve as a team. Hopefully our depth can be an advantage this season."
Hinsdale South (2-19-1) and Willowbrook (1-13-3) didn't find much success last year, but both have a chance to begin anew this fall.
Hinsdale Central looks to be the top team in the West Suburban Silver, as well as one of the best in the state again this season with seven starters returning from a squad that won two invitationals and went undefeated in the regular season a season ago. "Good depth and experience from returning starters will look to build on last year's success," Red Devils coach Michael Wiggins said. "I am excited for this team has shown great chemistry both on and off the field." The Red Devils feature a dynamic finisher in senior Sam Johnson and especially strong play in back with Evan Floersch anchoring the line and Wes Bergevin in net. Rounding out the rest of the conference's area teams, you have Downers Grove North which welcomes new coach Mike Schmitt, who played for the Trojans in 2000-2001. York should have some depth and experience with 11 seniors. Glenbard West also possesses a veteran roster with 12 seniors and an experienced junior goalkeeper in Alex Ruckstaetter. "Good group of players willing to work hard together and improve their level of play," Hilltoppers coach Maciej Kusmierz said. "Newcomers will have to adjust to the pace and physical aspect of varsity level."
Glenbard South welcomes new coach TJ King. "Good core group of talented seniors and younger role players to support them," King said. "Look to compete for a conference championship and make a deep run in 2A playoffs." Senior midfielders Chris Enright, Jonathan Gutierrez and Connor Livingston all return. King anticipates that the Raiders will be strong in attacking and the midfield but will struggle out of the gate defensively until they mature and become more organized.
Benet's put together several successful seasons in a row and there's no reason that shouldn't continue with senior, all-state forward Kyle Kenagy leading the attack. Kenagy, a Yale commit, is one of five returning starters. "With Kyle returning we should be a dangerous team in the attacking third, but we need to prove we can defend as a team and are still looking for pieces of the puzzle in the back," Redwings coach Sean Wesley said. Connor Mote transitions from the Fire Academy so he should be able to make a significant impact. Daniel Morefield, Richard Michalik, Trenton Wray and goalie Konrad Bayer all play significant minutes last year as a sophomores and likely will be asked to do even more this season.
Montini senior Mark Kalal will lead the Broncos. The four-year starter will have his work cut out for him after the Broncos graduated 10 seniors last year. He'll have two freshmen, Nathan Lukasik and James White, added to the mix, while senior defender Anthony Vosicky and junior defender Danny Kopsky also have experience from a season ago.
"We can hold our own against schools our size, but we have a very tough schedule with many big schools with quality programs this year," Broncos coach Barry Briggs said.
Timothy Christian is optimistic that last year's deep post-season run, as well as a strong senior class, can help it make another strong season in Class 1A. A trio of senior three-year starters will lead the way as midfielders Tyler Vlasak, Andrew Wieringa and defender Greg Biesboer are back. "Our hope is that our tough strength of schedule prepares us to return to another supersectional final," first-year coach Joe Grit said.
Lisle is another Class 1A team that will challenge itself against bigger schools in the regular season. The Lions have a mix of newcomers and some veterans on their roster, including 12 underclassmen.
- Chris Walker