Boys soccer: Scouting the 2021 season in the Northwest suburbs
It's time to gaze into the future of the Northwest suburbs' boys soccer teams.
Here's a look at what to expect.
MID-SUBURBAN EAST
Darren Llewellyn turned in a magnificent job as head coach of Buffalo Grove last spring, taking a super young roster all the way into the MSL Soccer Bowl. All-State forward Brian Perez will be next to impossible to replace, but Llewellyn has most back from his championship club including sophomore Dan Alfaro. "We are still very young, and almost all of our sophomores have a full year of league play under their belts, but I know the guys will be focused, and not overconfident," Llewellyn said.
Alex Stavropoulos is back in charge at Elk Grove after taking a one-year hiatus as the Grens' head coach.
Mike Rusniak remains optimistic of his chances at Hersey despite the loss of two-time all-state MF Ronan Wilcox (Western Michigan) as well as the marvelous duo of keeper Reese Delahanty and center-back Tommy Steger.
"Even though we had big-time graduation losses, we have some key returning players who are ready to establish themselves as impactful players, so with a healthy mix of players coming back, along with some new faces, we'll look to continue to be very competitive this season," Rusniak said.
Prospect lost 17 to graduation but a Mike Andrews-led club is always well organized and ready to play 80 minutes each time out.
"We'll basically be a brand new team this fall, but there's talent competing for spots with energy, skill, and determination during summer league. so if we stay focused, organized, fit, and play smart, we'll compete in the MSL," says Andrews, who will have a trio of players back from club this season.
Brett Olson put together one of the top clubs in the league last season, and despite a couple of key losses to his roster, there's reason to believe Rolling Meadows are ready to be a force once again.
"Gage Lockley has all-state potential, and along with him we return a lot of goal scoring potential which should make our front 6-7 very dangerous," says Olson, who will need to revamp his back line but plans on being a high-pressing team for the first time during his tenure.
It was not your typical season for Wheeling, which has been in the thick of the MSL East race right into the final week of the season, however coach Kevin Lennon believes things are on the upswing this fall.
"We'll be young, but we have a great group of new players into our program, all of which want to work hard, improve each day, and ready to contribute," he said.
MSL WEST
Barrington is the reigning king of the MSL after its thrilling Soccer Bowl victory over Buffalo Grove last April in what was one of the most entertaining championship games in recent history.
Daniel Hesselbein was brilliant between the sticks, as was his all-state teammate, Niko Argyros, both of whom are gone, along with two marvelous center-backs Jo Cidulka, Nate Horn and several others who helped lead the Broncos to glory.
"We lost a very talented, and deeply experienced senior class to graduation, and while we cannot replace their quality and leadership, we do have 12 seniors who believe in their ability to step in and carry to torch," offers head coach, Scott Steib.
Like many of his league rivals, coach Jason Franco brings a young bunch onto his roster at Conant. "We have one of the most talented attacking groups in quite some time, but we'll have a lot of sophomores and juniors in our lineup and we'll be inexperienced along the back as well," says Franco.
Ryan Sapiente and Eli Schoffstall are just two of several first-rate players coach Steve Keller will count on to make Fremd the team to beat this fall. "We have a strong, and talented senior group that has a history of playing together, combined with a great group of juniors, so our experience, and depth can make us a strong team," said Keller.
Sean Armstrong hopes his inexperience will be offset by great attitude, a strong work ethic, and the return of Bryan Flores, Logan Garcia, Ethan Knapp, and Connor Kurzynski to make Hoffman Estates a difficult club to compete with
Coach Willie Filian is closing in on 400 career victories as he enters his 31st season at Palatine, and will do so sans all four of his all-conference players from the spring season.
And, coach Eric Sorby would like nothing more for his club at Schaumburg to get into the middle of the league table at season's end following a tough season a year ago.
"I expect this team to bounce back," Sodrby said. They overcame a lot of adversity that has helped bring them together, and with a team with plenty of experienced players, we'll look to compete in each and every game."
CENTRAL SUBURBAN LEAGUE
Maine East remained in the CSL North right into the final week of the regular season, thanks in part to its shot-stopping, acrobatic keeper Ramy Atia, who took several balls out of the net for the Demons. Atia has moved on to Western Illinois, making a new man between the stick top priority for head coach Jeff Bishop.
Look for a big roster turnover at Maine South this fall after Dan States said so long to 13 seniors, including his all-state forward, John Cronnolly and both keepers as well as half of the Hawks' midfield.
The injury bug took a big bite out of coach Alan Matan's roster at Maine West last season, with the longtime head coach only able to start four of his games with a full and healthy club.
"Obviously staying healthy will be key this season, but we will also have seven returning starters, which we hope will help us contend for a CSL North title this fall," says Matan, who has all-sectional MF Kacper Woroszylo leading the way.
ESCC
Coaching Hall-of-Fame legend Mike Taylor has moved on from St. Viator, leaving behind a brilliant record and resume, which included 701 victories, 13 state trophies, 14 ESCC titles, and two state championships.
Maine East girls head coach Byron DeLeon will take over a boys program which lost its superb keeper, Matt Marchiori plus all-ESCC players Conrad Goldz and David Lavindar.
NORTHEASTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
Coach Jed Bennett will take his team back into the 12-team NAC, which spans as far west as Yorkville, and to the state line with South Beloit and Alden-Hebron.
WEST SUBURBAN GOLD
Mark Valintis may have lost a superb group of players to graduation, but the longtime and highly successful head coach at Leyden likes what he has despite his young, and inexperienced roster. "We'll be able to attack, create chances, play possession soccer, and will be very good in our 1v1 opportunities, but it's important that our new guys learn quick because of our very challenging schedule," admits Valintis.