Scouting DuPage County boys soccer

Players to watch: Martin Argirov (Glenbard North, Sr, GK), Alex Barger (Naperville North, So, F), Josh Bode (Timothy Christian, Sr, F), Sam Bull (Downers Grove North, Sr, F), Oliwier Cholowinski (Glenbard West, Sr, GK), Brian Flores (Addison Trail, Sr, F), Javier Gonzalez (Waubonsie Valley, Sr, MF), Trey Gora (St. Francis, Sr, MF), Hans Haenicke (Benet, Sr, F), Anthony Hernandez (Addison Trail, Sr, F), Josh Kaufman (Naperville North, Sr, D), Anthony Klos (Benet, Sr, MF), David Kuehn (West Chicago, Sr, GK), Anthony Magner (Lake Park, Sr, D), Solomon Pitts (Wheaton Academy, Sr, D), Caden Redpath (Naperville Central, Sr, GK), Erik Rozanski (Wheaton North, Sr, MF), Kyle Schauer (Wheaton North, Sr, D), Zach Serafin (Benet, Sr, F), Ben Snukst (Montini, Sr., MF/F), Lukas Stary (West Chicago, Sr, D), Jack Storrs (Downers Grove South, Sr, D), Gavin Wooldridge (Glenbard East, Sr, F)

Season outlook: Reigning DVC champ Naperville North only returns two starters in Alex Barger and Josh Kaufman, and a couple other players who earned minutes from last year's 19-5-2 team. The 27-time DVC champs are looking for inexperienced newcomers to step up to continue the program's dominant play.

Troy Adams said 90% of Naperville Central's goals scored last year were from recent graduates so the Redhawks need to find scoring right away. They have a dynamite stopper in Caden Redpath with Mateo Lopez, Benny Tietjen and Patrick Longhitano anchoring the backline, but who can find the back of the net?

Many Mustangs should get a chance to make their mark for Metea Valley (9-7-6). Only defenders Clarke Simonich, Adam Casselman and Joe Fitzgerald and midfielders Colin Bastianoni, Drew Marquardt and Nick Sanchez have experience from 2019.

Tyler Madsen will look to lead Neuqua Valley in a defender/midfielder role. The Wildcats will look to rebound from a 2-9-4 season, welcoming back 11 players, including Jack Georgi, Declan Nugent and John Pochlyly.

Waubonsie Valley will look for its 7 seniors to finish strong, including Javier Gonzalez and Aaron Griffith. Junior Zach Stanley and newcomers Gean Riberio and Joey Haddad will look to make an impact.

With DuKane Golden Glove winner Martin Argirov, DePaul recruit Nathaniel Enriquez and Gabe Jurado among 9 returnees, Glenbard North (12-9-3) should be tough to beat.

Lake Park returns a wealth of experience through a large senior class and 10 players total from a 9-10-2 team. Goalkeeper Kyle Czeremuga, midfielders Jakub Zych and Edgan Villagran and defender Anthony Magner highlight the returning Lancers.

Wheaton Warrenville South (7-10-2) is going to look a lot different after graduating 12 Tigers, but Guy Callipari's squads always compete.

Erik Rozanski is a beast in the midfield and has a good amount of experienced players around him from a 13-7-1 Wheaton North team, including defender Kyle Schauer and forward Jarrett Baumgartner.

Gavin Wooldridge, who set a new single-season goal record (24) at Glenbard East last season, returns for the Rams. Midfielders Vas Karanxha, Josue Sarabia, Thomas Sotelo and Mitch Zetterquist are among 7 returning players from 2019.

Glenbard South (10-8-3) is playing two defending state champs (Benet and West Chicago) so the Raiders are in for quite an interesting and challenging spring. Dario Stojakovic, Owen Lange and Patrick McMahon key the back line while Kian Sandoval and Lance Evans look to score.

Defending Class 3A state champion West Chicago returns 6 starters including goalkeeper David Kuehn, center back Lukas Stary and midfielders Brian Nieves and Tristan Alfaro. The Wildcats also welcome a talented group of newcomers.

In the West Suburban Gold, Downers Grove North (7-11-3) has an experienced group with 13 players back from 2019 including Brian Benton, Sam Bull, Gavin Crowson, Trygve Hansen, Andrew Janowiak and Owen Lesley.

Glenbard West is coming off a successful 11-7-2 campaign but graduated 14 seniors and only returns six players, including senior goalkeeper Oliwier Cholowinski. Lots of new Hilltoppers will have an opportunity to contribute.

York said goodbye to guys like Paolo Favuzzi, Parker Gawne, Joe Meade, Jack Musial and Ethan Oder, but welcome new coach Jordan Stopka.

Team speed and skill should translate into another strong team at Addison Trail with Anthony Hernandez, Brian Flores, Eric Garcia and Alex Sandoval back to lead the Blazers in the West Suburban Gold.

Jon Stapleton begins his 19th season in a different season of the year at Downers Grove South. The Mustangs welcome back 12 players, including defenders Kyle Fenner and Jack Storrs, midfielders Aaron Vanouziou and Jony Flores and forward Josh Venouziou. They will attempt to improve upon last year's 8-11-3 mark.

Riley Johnson takes over in goal for Willowbrook. The Warriors will look to midfielder Kevin Kapica and defenders Alvaro Gaspar and Ruben Valle to improve on a 7-13-1 performance the fall before last.

Benet is looking for lots of guys to fill the for open positions that were left from graduation of some of last year's Class 2A state champion squad (21-1-2). Anthony Klos and Zach Serafin are back to lead a stellar defense and Hans Haenicke is a proven scorer. Watch for freshman Nic Roe. Who will score on the Redwings?

IC Catholic Prep (6-14-1) should have a notable defensive line featuring Jake LaSpisa, Carlo Arenas. Goalkeeper TJ Mandra and midfielders Antonio Serrano and Braeden Borninkhof also are among the 12 players returning for the Metro Suburban Blue champs.

Montini goes as senior Ben Snukst goes. The Broncos are coming off a regional championship and 11-11-1 record, but lost a lot from that team as only 5 players return, including Nick Ashley and Colin May.

St. Francis has 11 players back from its 10-10-1 squad, including midfielders Trey Gora (15 goals, 5 assists in 2019) and Brendan Yarusso, forward Nico Lajewski and defender Cameron Crawford.

Timothy Christian (18-3-2) returns five starters and Josh Bode (5 goals, 4 assists as outside back last year) moves to striker. Jalen Wallace (10 goals) and Mike Vogt also return for a tough Trojans squad.

Wheaton Academy is encouraging its players to look at all of 2021 as one big season. It makes a lot of sense for a Warriors program that graduated 11 and is young. Solomon Pitts, Andrew Ramirez, Haetham Nasr. Giovanni Nicoski and Kaiden Massie return.