The DuPage County All-Area Boys Soccer Team
Matteo Costa, Lake Park
Whether attacking as a midfielder or as a forward option, the senior shined time and time again, receiving all-DuKane Conference and all-sectional honors. "He has a great sense of when to anticipate a play and make runs forward behind opposing back lines," Lake Park coach Sean Crosby said. He had 13 goals and 7 assists, helping the Lancers make their second state appearance.
Eduardo Huerta, Addison Trail
The Blazers locked down on opponents and the end result was 13 shutouts and 17 wins. This senior defender anchored the back line. "His consistency, determination and reliability showed throughout the season why he is one of the best players in the area," Blazers coach Ryan Dini said. Earned all-West Suburban Gold and all-sectional honors.
Colin Iverson, Naperville North
He kept teams from scoring while also beating them with goals on set pieces all year long. An all-state, all-DuPage Valley Conference selection and the All-Area team captain, Iverson has scored the game-winning goal in the last two Class 3A championship games. "Colin's ability to win balls in the air and close out attackers in the final third have made our back line one the most special groups I have ever coached," Huskies coach Jim Konrad said.
Ivan Jaramillo, Fenton
Few, if any, teams in the state had a sophomore contribute like Jaramillo did. He helped the Bison (14-8-1) win their first sectional title. Nicknamed "Little Messi" and "Roadrunner" for his crafty foot work and lightning speed, he was his team's MVP, named all-Metro Suburban Conference and all-sectional and finished with 18 goals and 16 assists.
Jack Kilgallon, Wheaton Academy
This all-Metro Suburban Conference, all-sectional senior was involved in 41 of his team's goals during a 20-3 season. "He was crafty and aggressive," Warriors coach Jeff Brooke said. "His ability to go at people with the dribble allowed us to have a 20-win season." He scored 17 goals and led the Warriors with 24 assists and another undefeated effort in the MSC.
Seamus Kilgallon, Wheaton Academy
The Metro Suburban Conference MVP finished with 21 goals and 17 assists to lead the Warriors to a 20-win season. "His athleticism, pace with the ball, creativity and attack of the goal make him an incredibly special player," Warriors coach Jeff Brooke said. The senior received all-Midwest, all-state and other accolades. He was the driving force and leader for the Warriors.
Ty Konrad, Naperville North
It's nearly impossible to contain a kid with world-class speed and the ability to dribble out of tight spaces. He scored 14 goals and had 19 assists, including finding Colin Iverson for the winning goal in the state championship for the undefeated Huskies (26-0). The All-American junior is well on his way to breaking Naperville North's all-time assists record.
Evan Lang, Metea Valley
This all-DuPage Valley Conference, all-sectional senior midfielder finished his final season as a Mustang by becoming its all-time scoring leader with 31 goals. "His attitude, work rate and dedication to the soccer program has instilled a culture that is far greater than anything you can put on a stats sheet," Mustangs coach Josh Robinson said. He had 11 goals and 10 assists this fall.
James Lynch, Metea Valley
Few players have a nose for the goal like this senior forward. "James is a soccer junkie who transformed the soccer program at Metea from a very defensive-oriented team into a high-scoring, possession-based side that scores at will," Mustangs coach Josh Robinson. This 13-win team scored twice or more 12 times this fall. The all-DuPage Valley Conference, all-sectional scorer had 14 goals and 9 assists.
Joe Meade, York
Called one of the best players in the area by Dukes coach Lukasz Majewski, this junior scored six times and also had 12 assists as primarily an offensive center midfielder as well as a forward at times. He helped the Dukes win 14 games. "His field vision, passing and ability to take on defenders have made him a force and difficult to handle for many teams in their defensive third," Majewski said.
Jesus Meza, Glenbard West
Many of the biggest plays this junior forward made came during some of the biggest matches of the conference season and playoffs. He scored 21 goals and added 7 assists, helping the Hilltoppers to a 12-5-3 season. Coach Maciej Kusmierz said Meza provided an "exemplary display of sportsmanship, talent and teamwork." He was an all-West Suburban Silver pick.
Sunday Moo, Wheaton North
More than just a player with a truly unusual background story as a Thailand refugee, this senior defender put together a dynamite senior season to help lead the DuKane Conference co-champs. He won tackles and headers and his great vision sped up counterattacks. "Sunday is one of the greatest all-around defenders in high school soccer," Falcons coach Rob Stassen said. He earned all-DuKane Conference and all-sectional accolades and scored 3 goals.
Melvin Mora, Addison Trail
Utilizing a solid mix of speed, size and versatility, this senior forward was a matchup nightmare for opponents and it showed in his numbers. He scored 15 goals and added 8 assists to lead the Blazers to a 17-win season and a regional title. An all-West Suburban Gold, all-sectional selection, Mora finished with 25 goals and 20 assists during his time at Addison Trail.
Jose Navarro, Neuqua Valley
Regularly double-teamed, Navarro still led the offense for the Wildcats, going on powerful dribbling runs and delivering passes that provided opportunities to score. "Jose was a force of nature on the field of play," Wildcats coach Arnoldo Gonzalez said. The senior midfielder was recognized as all-sectional and all-DuPage Valley Conference for the 8-8-2 Wildcats, scoring 5 goals and adding a pair of assists.
Franco Presta, Lake Park
What a tremendous final season for this all-state, all-DuKane Conference midfielder. He led the Lancers to a fourth-place finish at state and a 21-win season. He also scored 17 goals and had 8 assists. "His ability to control the ball and score inside and outside the box has helped us to win key games in significant moments," Lancers coach Sean Crosby said.
Spencer Pyle, Glenbard South
This talented senior also kicked for the football team. He led the Raiders with 20 goals and 6 assists. "We emphasize production and that's what Spencer has done for us the past season and four years overall," Raiders coach Adam Szyszko said. "He has over 50 career goals despite being the focus of opposing defenses."
Nick Renfro, Benet
The rock in the middle all year long for the Redwings was this junior midfielder who scored 9 goals and added 5 assists to help his team place second in the East Suburban Catholic Conference with only one loss and to win a regional title. "He was great defensively last year but added in the attack this year scoring big goals," Benet coach Sean Wesley said. He was named all-conference and all-sectional.
Franklin Rutkowski, Benet
This all-East Suburban Catholic Conference and all-sectional selection has been a dominant presence since making his presence known as a sophomore. "One of the most talented players Benet has had in a long time," Redwings coach Sean Wesley said. Rutkowski finished with 10 goals and 6 assists after an especially strong effort in the postseason.
Cameron Strang, Naperville Central
The Redhawks struggled to find success through a difficult schedule this fall, winning only six times. But they were competitive in most games with this 6-foot-3, two-way defender leading the way with 7 goals and 3 assists. "Cam's value to us as a defender and as an attacking weapon cannot be overstated," Redhawks coach Troy Adams said. "He allowed us to be organized in the back and dangerous in the final third."
Tommy Welch, Naperville North
An absolute game changer. He had 20 shutouts and only allowed 4 goals in 24 games to help the Huskies win a third straight state title. The 6-foot-7 All-American "has to be considered one of the most dominant players at his position in the history of Illinois soccer," Coach Jim Konrad said. "He finishes his career at North as the most decorated player in our history."
Honorable mention
Rohan Bhargava, jr., Naperville Central; Emmanuel Castanon, sr., Glenbard North; Gandhi Cruz, jr., Metea Valley' Seth Dillworth, sr., Glenbard West; Ode Emena, jr., Glenbard North; Mario Giase, sr., Willowbrook; Noah Glorioso, jr., Waubonsie Valley; Enrique Gonzalez, jr., Downers Grove South; Nicholas Gulli, sr., St. Francis; Jessie Hernandez, jr., West Chicago; Sumani Husseini, sr., Wheaton Warrenville South; Kyle Johnson, sr., York; Adler Joiner, sr., Glenbard East; David Kuhn, sr., Neuqua Valley; Adam Kukielski, sr., Downers Grove North; Christian Lekki, sr., Lake Park; J.P. Lteif, sr., Hinsdale Central; Cesar Recendez, jr., Naperville North; Erik Rozanski, so., Wheaton North; Zack Smith, jr., Naperville North.