Boys Soccer

Boys soccer: 2021 Northwest Herald All-Area team

First Team

Juan Martinez, Hampshire, F, so.

Martinez made a major impact for the Whip-Purs as he scored 18 goals and had six assists. Martinez’s goal total was second among area player to Huntley’s Hayes Porsche. “He is only a sophomore and is very coachable,” Whips coach Chayanne Martinez said.

Hayes Porsche, Huntley., F, sr.

Porsche was tough to stop for the Red Raiders (20-3-2), who tied the school record for wins and won a Class 3A sectional, their first in school history, and won the Fox Valley Conference title. Porsche scored an area-best 20 goals and had six assists. Raiders coach Matt Lewandowski said Porsche’s play always seemed to create chances for the other players.

Juan Silva, Harvard, F, sr.

Silva was voted the Kishwaukee River Conference Field Player of the Year after helping the Hornets (14-5, 9-1) to the conference championship. Silva scored 12 goals and had three assists.

Ashton Ajroja, Dundee-Crown, M, sr.

Ajroja scored 11 goals and had eight assists for the Chargers (14-4-2), who won a Class 3A regional for the third consecutive year. Ajroja tied Juan David Pacheco and Miguel Angel Pena for the team lead. “He is a four-year varsity player and had his best season by far,” D-C coach Rey Vargas said. “He is a team player and was always willing to play wherever we needed him.”

Cade Collins, Prairie Ridge, M, jr.

Collins played forward at times and also took on a role of defensive midfielder for the Wolves. He scored five goals and had four assists and earned Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association All-Sectional honors. Collins was an All-Area second-team selection in the 2021 spring season.

Tom Coughlin, Crystal Lake South, M, sr.

Coughlin was selected as Northwest Herald Player of the Year after helping the Gators to their third consecutive Class 2A regional championship. He scored 13 goals and had 10 assists and constantly drew the attention of opponents’ defenses. “I believe he’s the best midfielder to come through this area since (Cary-Grove’s) Drew Conner (now playing professionally),” Gators coach Brian Allen said. “What he does on and off the ball is basically not measurable.”

Juan David Pacheco, Dundee-Cown, M, sr.

Pacheco ranked high on most coaches’ lists of the top FVC players. He tied for the Chargers’ lead in goals with 11 and had one assist. He earned IHSSCA All-Sectional honors. “Juan is a fantastic player that has great ability,” Chargers coach Rey Vargas said. “He created most of our offense. He was involved in most, if not all, of our attacking and contributed to most of our scoring opportunities.”

Matt Garrelts, Marian Central, D, sr.

Garrelts was voted All-East Suburban Catholic Conference for a second-straight year and was named ESCC Defensive Player of the Year this season. Even as a defender, he had six goals and five assists and Hurricanes coach Art Dixon considered his leadership invaluable. Garrelts was an All-Area second-team selection in the 2021 spring season.

Zach Heitkemper, Huntley, D, jr.

Heitkemper was one of the premier center backs in the area and notched 10 assists, many coming off of set plays when he boomed big kicks in front of the goal. He was an integral part of the Red Raiders’ FVC and Class 3A sectional championship team that finished 20-3-2.

Tomasz Slawek, Crystal Lake South, D, sr.

Slawek was another tough center back in the FVC this season, using his 6-foot-3 size to head balls out of danger, as well as heading several into the goal on offense. He finished with nine goals and six assists and was a favorite target on corner kicks. South’s defense allowed only 17 goals in 24 games as the Gators lost in the Class 2A Vernon Hills Sectional championship.

Ethan Kornas, Huntley, GK, sr.

Kornas was the FVC’s top goalkeeper, using his athleticism and aggressiveness to keep things clean in the back for the 20-3-2 Red Raiders. Huntley coach Matt Lewandowski thought Kornas was as important in the back as Porsche was in the front. Kornas had 87 saves and a goals-against average of 0.723. He was an All-Area second-team choice in the 2021 spring season.

Second Team

Elijah Burleson, Crystal Lake Central, F, sr.

Miguel Angel Pena, Dundee-Crown, F, jr.

Ruben Zarate, Jacobs, F, sr.

Eric Aquino, Harvard, M, sr.

Gerardo Marquez, Hampshire, M, sr.

Mikey Dejworek, CL South, M, sr.

Jake Pinkerton, Prairie Ridge, M, jr.

David Marin, Woodstock North, D, sr.

Jefferson Leon, Dundee-Crown, D, sr.

Jake Motz, Cary-Grove, D, sr.

Kyle Schultz, Hampshire, GK, sr.

Honorable Mention

Mateo Alcazar, Woodstock, M, sr.

Eloy Bernal, Woodstock North, M, sr.

Oger Bernal, Harvard, M, sr.

Matthew Burley, Marengo, GK, jr.

Ethan Demers, Richmond-Burton, M, sr.

Erik Hermannson, Woodstock North, M, sr.

Andres Hernandez-Flores, Harvard, GK, jr.

Tyler Juergensen, McHenry, GK, jr.

Sam Kedzior, Cary-Grove, GK, sr.

Nate Luedke, McHenry, D, so.

Tim Maidment, Woodstock, F, sr.

Joey Moore, Crystal Lake Central, GK, sr.

Chance Pickett, Huntley, D, sr.

Martin Quintero, Harvard, M, so.

Thomas Rodriguez, Huntley, M, sr.

Trevor Roos, Johnsburg, D, sr.

Shotaro Seto, Jacobs, M, sr.

Sawyer Shea, McHenry, M, sr.

Deven Tinajero, Crystal Lake South, M, sr.

Alex Trojanowski, Marian Central, M, jr.

Nevin Volarath, Jacobs, M, so.

Dawson Yegge, Marian Central, GK, jr.

Joe Stevenson

Joe Stevenson

I have worked at the Northwest Herald since January of 1989, covering everything from high school to professional sports. I mainly cover high school sports now.