Riverside-Brookfield Preps

The 2023 boys soccer season starts this week. Here are previews of teams from around the Suburban Life coverage area.

Riverside-Brookfield senior quarterback Diego Gutierrez, in his third varsity season, said he is more comfortable in the offense and able to "let his creativity run free." He'll lead the Bulldogs into the tough Southland Conference this season.

Stefan Cicic has grown to 7 feet, reshaped his body and put down roots in his second season at Riverside-Brookfield, as the senior center with five scholarship offers continues to be a prospect to watch. 'He’s very talented now, but he’s not close to a finished product.'

Coastal Carolina recruit Emily Petring added to her illustrious career this week, helping lead Downers Grove South past Morton to clinch its third straight West Suburban Gold title and run its win streak in the league to 25. That, plus notes on Morton and Lyons from Bob Narang.

Led by "late bloomer" Troy Stukenberg, Lyons Township is in the hunt for the West Suburban Silver title and riding a hot streak as the postseason nears. That, plus notes on Riverside-Brookfield and Nazareth from Bob Narang.

On a Nazareth team full of D1 I talent, sophomore Jaden Fauske is one of its biggest stars, the Louisville commit a driving force behind the Roadrunners' unbeaten start and drive to a repeat state title. That plus notes on Wheaton Academy and Riverside-Brookfield from Bob Narang.

Hazel Hall delivered the shocking, decisive blow Monday night, heading home a corner kick from Niahm Larson with 2:31 remaining in the second half to give the visiting Bulldogs a stunning 2-1 upset of Morton.

The girls soccer season starts this week. Here are previews of teams from around the Suburban Life coverage area.

Riverside-Brookfield junior point guard Will Gonzalez coming into his own as the catalyst for the surging Bulldogs, plus Wheaton Warrenville South's loss Wednesday sets up a huge DuKane showdown Friday at Lake Park in Bob Narang's basketball notes.

Lyons senior and Yale football recruit Graham Smith met his physical match Saturday against Riverside-Brookfield's 6-foot-11 Stefan Cicic, but responded to the challenge with a team-high 14 points and seven rebounds in a 61-49 win over the Bulldogs.

Stefan Cicic followed up a monster game against Aurora Christian with another double-double, 18 points and 10 rebounds, powering Riverside-Brookfield past IC Catholic Prep 66-48 to stay unbeaten in the Metro Suburban Blue.

Ben Oosterbaan's 26 points powered Hinsdale Central past Homewood-Flossmoor into the Hinsdale Central Holiday Classic semifinals, Lyons and Riverside-Brookfield advanced to the Jack Tosh quarterfinals and Montini, Nazareth and York rolled at Montini.

Winona State recruit Arius Alijosius hit seven 3-pointers and scored 29 points, sending Riverside-Brookfield past Schaumburg 59-38 in Monday's Jack Tosh Holiday Classic first-round game.

Sweet-shooting Arius Alijosius is taking a lead role this season for Riverside-Brookfield, and he's off to a good start after a 30-point game against Curie. That, plus notes on IC Catholic and Wheaton Warrenville South in Bob Narang's boys basketball notes.

Here is the 2022 Suburban Life All-Area soccer team.