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SouthWest Suburban Conference
Bolingbrook
Coach: Nick Trotter (second season)
2021 spring record: 5-2, 4-1 in conference
Top returners: Brayan Solis, sr., F; Jason Hufnagle, jr. D; Alejandro Becerra, sr. D; Arthur Navarro, sr., D; Aaron Palacios-Chavez, so., MF
Key newcomers: Victor Ortega, jr., GK
Worth noting: The Raiders return center-back duo of stalwarts Becerra (Herald-News All-Area Second Team) and Navarro who will anchor the back line together for their third straight year. Breakout player Palacios-Chavez and all-conference wide-back Hufnagle return to link up with all-conference attacker Solis. A younger ‘new look’ Raiders’ roster also includes five sophomores and three freshman. Bolingbrook brings an experienced and athletic back line complimented by some creative and skillful attacking players into the always tough SWSC Blue.
Lincoln-Way Central
Coach: Dave Brown (second season, 12th overall)
2021 spring record: 6-3, 2-2 in conference
Top returners: Zack Davis, MF; Brendan Gavin, D; Ryan Marzalak, GK
Key newcomers: Nico Espinosa, F
Worth noting: The Knights return eight starters, including IHSSCA All-Sectional honoree Davis (Herald-News All-Area Second Team), as well as honorable mention all-sectional selections Gavin (Herald-News All-Area Honorable Mention) and Mazalak. Espinosa returns to the squad after playing club soccer in the spring and should boost the team’s attack ability. “This year will be an interesting one for us as we return eight starters from last spring, but we also have many young and hungry players we have added to the varsity team,” Brown said. “At a minimum we will always be a hardworking, well organized team that hopes to make the game difficult for our opponents. Hopefully, once we get some experience under our belt this year we start to click in all facets of the game and become the dangerous team I believe we can be this year.”
Lincoln-Way East
Coach: Matthew Ribbens (second season)
2021 spring record: 1-8-1, 1-2 in conference
Top returners: Casey Butler, sr., CDM; Nic Porada, jr., F; Caden Udani, so., F
Key newcomers: Brian McCracken, fr., STK; Matthew Pomerantz, so., GK; Jackson Rice, jr., MF
Worth noting: The Griffins still are a relatively young team this fall, but return a trio of solid players in Butler (three goals, two assists), Porada (two goals, two assists) and Udani (two goals, two assists). Butler played in four positions last season and is the team leader, while Udani is an explosive scoring threat up front. According to Ribbens, McCracken is a big, creative and technical player with soccer IQ that is off the charts. “My expectation is very high for this season,” Ribbens said. “We are very young, and last year we got the experience we need to compete for conference and regional titles and possibly a sectional championship.”
Lincoln-Way West
Coach: Matt Laude (fourth season)
2021 spring record: 4-5-1, 3-1 in conference
Top returners: Anthony DeSilva, sr., MF, Ross DeGroot, sr., F, Justin Hahs, sr., D, Jack Tower, jr., F, Anthony Carli, sr., F
Worth noting: The Warriors graduated five all-conference players from the spring but also return a number of players that were keys to an unbeaten SWSC Red Division Championship. According to Laude, the team also will feature a number of solid newcomers this fall. “We are a seasoned team with lots of experience in big time games,” Laude said. “We are looking to really make some noise with the addition of some younger players that are quickly learning the ropes from the senior leaders. We look forward to showing our skills on the pitch this year.”
Lockport
Coach: Chris Beal (13th season)
2021 spring record: 9-1, 4-0 in conference
Top returners: Gabe Czako, sr., D; Ryan Pavelka, jr., D; Makonnen Stampley, sr., F; Pat Marshall, sr., GK
Key newcomers: Nathan Blazewski, so., F; Danny Kajtezovic, sr., F
Worth noting: The Porters are coming off of an excellent spring season in which they won the SWSC Blue Division Championship. Czako, who was an all-conference, Herald-News All-Area First Team and IHSSCA All-State selection, returns to lead the back line. Also returning will be Stampley (all-conference), Pavelka, Marshall and a handful of solid newcomers, which will make Lockport a tough team to beat. They have a solid chance to reach a numbers of goals this fall. “The main focus of the season is to stay healthy and enjoy a regular season with tournaments and postseason play,” Beal said. “The team would like to win back-to-back Windy City titles, win conference and compete for a sectional title.”
Southwest Prairie Conference
Joliet Central
Coach: Erick Estrada (fourth season)
2021 spring record: 0-7-1, 0-6 in conference
Top returners: Luis Alvarez, sr., MF; Aaron Razo, sr., MF; Felipe Martinez, sr., F; Christian Villagomez, jr.; GK, Jonathon Mendez, jr., MF
Key newcomers: Jesus Hernandez, sr., D; Jorge Carbajal, sr., D
Worth noting: The Steelmen struggled in the spring season, but Estrada feels with the experience and improvement up front from Martinez and Mendez, as well as in the midfield from Christian Diaz, Oswaldo Azpeitia and Razo, his club will have a number of threats for opposing teams to focus on. “We were in a bit of struggle last season with the pandemic,” Estrada said. “We lost all of our games, but there was improvement in every game with ball possession, just a lack of finishing. We’re very excited to start the season with a renewed sense determination to accomplish a proper style of play that’s entertaining and at the same time effective.”
Joliet West
Coach: Mike O’Shea (12th season)
2021 spring record: 3-3-7, 3-3-7 in conference
Top returners: Tony Kochev, sr., MF; Michael O’Shea, sr., MF; Collin McIntyre, sr., D
Key newcomers: Joseph Karnezis, so., MF; Adrian Maldonado, so., F
Worth noting: The Tigers return Kochev, who is a four-year starter that earned all-conference, Herald-News All-Area First Team and was a IHSSCA All-Sectional selection in the spring. McIntyre is a three-year starting back liner who also was part of a regional title in 2019, while winger O’Shea, also a third-year varsity player, sees the field well and is the vocal leader of the squad. “After losing a fantastic senior class after 2019 we struggled last season, however it gave us the opportunity to get some young players into the mix,” Coach O’Shea said. “Giving these young players playing time on the varsity level got them ready to contribute right off the bat this year. Our goal is to top 2019 and bring West their first boys sectional championship home.”
Minooka
Coach: Nate Spriggs (fifth season, seventh overall)
2021 spring record: 7-6, 6-5 in conference
Top returners: Logan Kalafut, sr., MF/D; Zac Monnett, sr., MF; Kaleb Lowden, sr., D; Tyler Colwell, sr. F; Diego Escobedo, so., MF
Key newcomers: Carson Messina, jr., MF; Mateo Reyes, sr., OMF
Worth noting: The Indians return seven starters, numerous contributing role players and 10 seniors, including all-conference and Herald-News All-Area Honorable Mention selections Kalafut and Monnett (11 goals). “We have a challenging nonconference schedule that will help us once the postseason arrives,” Spriggs said. “A solid backline will solidify our defense, and we will work to put pressure on our opponents on the offensive end by utilizing our team speed. The strength of our team will be in the middle with skilled players who make the correct reads. Team chemistry, senior leadership and our player’s work ethic will hopefully lead to a successful season. They are a great group of young men who thoroughly enjoy being together on and off the field.”
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Plainfield Central
Coach: Kevin Fitzgerald (20th season)
2021 spring record: 3-7-1, 3-7-1 in conference
Top returners: Moses Mata, Beckham Wesselhoff, Lukas Rupeika, Neil Soans
Worth noting: The Wildcats will be a young team but they return four key players in Mata (12 goals, all-conference, Herald-News All-Area Second Team), Wesselhoff, Rupeika and Soans, all of which will be counted on even more this fall. “We hope to be competitive throughout the season even with a difficult schedule,” Fitzgerald said. “Although still a young group, there’s talent and many gained experience in the spring.”
Plainfield East
Coach: Cosimo Patano (eighth season)
2021 spring record: 6-4-3, 5-3-3 in conference
Top returners: Max Ibarra, Alejandro Barriga, Alan Saldivar, Yandel Reyes, Luis Orizaba, Matthew Manzella
Key newcomers: Tyler Hill, Peter Basta, Bryant Tchoffa
Worth noting: The Bengals return six starters, including Ibarra, who was an all-conference, IHSSCA All-Sectional and Herald-News All-Area Honorable Mention selection. Barriga was an all-conference and All-Sectional Honorable Mention selection, while Saldivar was on the all-conference honorable mention list. “We have the potential and depth to be competitive and play some attractive soccer,” Patano said. “The goal will be to finish in the Top 3 of our conference and compete for a regional. We will need to utilize the pool of talented players we have and find a system that will work best. Being consistent and ready to compete will be a major focus for our team.”
Plainfield North
Coach: Lukasz Majewski (second season, ninth overall)
2021 spring record: 13-3-1, 13-3 in conference
Top returners: Noah Horner, sr.; Brady Harwood, jr; Sean Elster, jr.; Justin Williams, jr.; Timi Usikalu, jr.; Cooper Allen, jr.
Key newcomers: Aiden Smith, so.; Jonathan Martinez, fr.
Worth noting: The Tigers lost Herald-News Player of the Year Shea Bechtel to graduation and will have a young team this fall. They have seven players that started or played important minutes in the spring as sophomores to help the club finish second in the conference behind West Aurora – dropping a pair of one-goal games. “We are a fast and technically gifted squad with the ability to possess the ball for prolonged periods of time,” Majewski said. “We pressure other teams to turnover the ball and capitalize on their mistakes. When playing our game we can maintain possession in the offensive third [and all over the field] for extended periods of time and try to exploit their weaknesses. We’re young but still are looking to have another productive and a successful season.”
Plainfield South
Coach: Nick Skrip (first season)
2021 spring record: 0-8-3, 0-8-3 in conference
Top returners: David Sanchez, jr. MF; Melchizedek Mensah, sr., F; Adriel Rivas, jr., MF; Collin Wanta, sr., MF; Harper Joy, jr., MF
Key newcomers: Fernando Delgado, sr., D; Abraham Mensah, jr., F; Mofeed Altorkmani, jr., D; Rene Saldivar, jr., MF; Edgar Fernandez, jr., F
Worth noting: Skrip – a Plainfield South alum with 13 years of club and two years of college coaching experience – takes over a Cougars program that will return a number of experienced players but also will be looking for its first win in 2021 after a tough spring season. “Coming off of a tough season there is a lot of optimism to turn things around, being able to evaluate some solid individual players early on,” Skrip said. “Playing faster in possession, efficient defensively and being competitive in every game played will be the focus for this group. We plan on learning quickly, adjusting and taking the steps to build as both individuals and as a team this coming season and represent the school well.”
Romeoville
Coach: Nick Cirrincionen (12th season)
2021 spring record: 7-3-2, 7-3-2 in conference
Top returners: Lucas Ortiz, John Renteria, Adrian Lechuga, Christian Lechuga
Key newcomers: Josef Duarte, Demian Martinez
Worth noting: The Spartans had a solid spring season led by graduate Edrik Padilla, a Herald-News All-Area First Team pick after scoring 19 goals with 10 assists. They return Renteria (Herald-News All-Area Honorable mention) and will look to take another step forward this fall. “This team is a mix of young and old players,” Cirrincionen said. “It’s a group that brings a lot to the table and should have a great brand of soccer on display. We are excited to compete and have a full season.”
Chicago Catholic League
Providence Catholic
Coach: Bernard O’Donnell (second season)
2021 spring record: 1-5-1, 1-3-1 in conference
Top returners: Luis Sanchez, sr., RMF; Ryan Ondracek, sr., CMF; Mason Gadomski, sr., CMF; Matt Orszulak, sr., F
Key newcomers: Joe Baumhardt, jr., LMF; Joey Popovits, jr., CD; Dean Lavaas, fr., F; Jimmy Piko, fr., F/LMF
Worth noting: The Celtics suffered through a tough spring in O’Donnell’s first season, but he feels with a 24-player roster (six seniors, 11 underclassmen) and a varsity only schedule the results will improve this fall. “We had a tough season last year due to low numbers on the team and the long break from COVID-19,” O’Donnell said. “However, this upcoming season I believe will be better. The guys have been putting the work in and it shows in these early training sessions, and we are already in a better place then we were at any point last season. With only one team this season every player is fighting for a spot, increasing competition in practice making the team better as a whole. Our goal this year is to win half of our games. Last season, every team was better than us. So, I know that this year every game is going to be a battle to get the result. But if we continue to put in the work every day I believe that our goal is very much achievable.”
East Suburban Catholic
Joliet Catholic
Coach: Tom Cranmer (11th season)
2021 spring record: 1-7-2, 0-7-2 in conference
Top returners: Alec Galyon, sr., MF; David Conners, sr., D; Aldo Estrada, jr., F; Ramon Rios, jr., F/MF/D
Key newcomers: Patrick Durkin, so., F/MF/D; Miles Czerkies, so., F
Worth noting: The Hilltoppers return seven starters, including four-year starter Galyon, who was an all-conference, Herald-News All-Area Second Team and IHSSCA all-sectional pick in the spring. Conners will be a starter for the third season, while the club will look for added scoring from Estrada and Rios. “It’s going to be an interesting year,” Cranmer said. “We are going to be a young team, one of the youngest I have coached, but with a solid core of senior leadership. We are going to need a lot of time to grow and experiment with players in different positions to ascertain the spot that lets them succeed the most. We are going to build for the Pepsi Showcase Tournament that we are in for the first time and for the playoffs to try and win our third regional in a row.”
South Suburban Conference
Lemont
Coach: Rick Prangen (30th season)
2021 spring record: 4-5-2, 4-5-2 in conference
Top returners: Peter Borzecki, sr., D; Adam Hornik, sr., MF; Richard Myalik, sr., MF; Lukas Rabianski, jr., F; Marek Skotnicki, jr., MF
Key newcomers: Tyler Chrisman, fr., F/MF
Worth noting: Lemont returns all 11 starters this fall with Rabianski (five goals), Myalik (four goals), Skotnicki (three goals) and Hornik (two goals, three assists) back looking continue their assault at the net. However, the key, according to Prangen, will be how well his team keeps the opponents away from the target. “We are returning the core of our team from last spring season,” Prangen said. “If we can commit to defending as a unit we should be able to field a competitive team.”
Illinois Central Eight Conference
Coal City
Coach: Steve McCleary (sixth season)
2021 spring record: 6-5, 4-5 in conference
Top returners: Alex Baudino, sr., D; Colin Hart, sr. GK; Luke Hawkins, jr., F; Owen Christopher, sr., D
Key newcomers: Carter Nelson, jr, F/MF/D; Timi Shebani, so., MF
Worth noting: Coal City lost a hand-full of talented seniors to graduation, but McCleary said the program also have a lot of returning players with many years of varsity experience. The Coalers had the lead in a number of losses, so the hope is those experiences help find a way to close out games this fall. Baudino (Herald-News All-Area Honorable mention) is four-year starter and Christopher a three-year starter that will provide a solid back line, while Hawkins will be asked to build on his offensive game in his third varsity season. “We are excited to be in a couple new tournaments – Somonauk Bobcat Breakout and Rivals Cup in Manteno,” McCleary said. “We also hope to be towards the top of our conference standings.”
Peotone
Coach: Justin Meyers (fourth season)
2021 spring record: 4-7, 4-5 in conference
Top returners: Kyle Coners, jr., D; Niko Balaskas, jr., F; Wil Graffeo, jr., MF
Worth noting: The Blue Devils return a trio of solid players in Coners (all-conference), Balaskas and Graffeo – all in their third varsity season. “This year’s squad is a young group that will certainly grow as the year progresses,” Meyers said. “We saw a solid group of seniors graduate this past year, but had plenty of underclassmen see significant playing time at the varsity level. Our starting 11 will include only juniors and sophomores this year. Kyle is a very smart defender who is calm under pressure and fantastic at supporting the attack. Wil is strong on the ball in the middle of the field and does a great job finding his teammates. Niko is dangerous with the ball at his feet and is always a threat to score. They will look to lead the way with many underclassmen who have improved over the summer.”
Reed-Custer
Coach: Andy Gleixner (16th season)
2021 spring record: 1-9, 1-6 in conference
Top returners: Danny Kuban, jr., F; Mendi Alieu, jr., MF; Stephen Condreay, jr., GK; Braxton Brassard, sr., MF; Braeden Hirsch, sr., D
Key newcomers: Sam Dennis, sr., GK; Wyatt Crater, fr., MF
Worth noting: The Comets have only three seniors with 11 juniors on the roster this fall. Gleixner said despite the record in the spring, the fact this season is a quick turnaround may help his squad. “We are a year older and have actually benefitted from a spring season due to COVID-19,” Gleixner said. “We have been able to stay together and play for going on six months straight with summer games and workouts. We have a strong junior group as well some solid seniors and role players at the younger group. We also have the most kids (18) in the program that I have had in a long time. We are in one of the toughest soccer conferences in the state, and we feel like this is a year we can start to rise up the ranks a little bit. The team has molded together well and the attitude is great.”
Wilmington
Coach: Travis Ivanoff (third season)
2021 spring record: 3-6-1, 2-5 in conference
Top returners: Erik Osthiem, sr., F; Josh Girot, sr., MF; Talin Yakima, so., D
Key newcomers: Gabe Cravens, fr., GK
Worth noting: The Wildcats return a solid trio in Herald-News All-Area Honorable Mention honoree Osthiem (eight goals, four assists), Girot (two goals, four assists) and Yakima (one goal, one assist). “We have several strong, competitive players this year that will give everything they got on and off the field,” Ivanoff said. “Our starting lineup will include several new players to the game, but they are learning fast. We are looking to build a competitive team come playoffs and for many years to come. Success will come in the form of new players learning from the veterans, buying into the system that has created some success in the program and working together as a team towards a common goal.”
Interstate Eight Conference
Morris
Coach: David Valdivia (11th season)
2021 spring Record: 4-7-3, 2-2-2 in conference
Top Returners: Nick Webber, jr, LMF; Ben Salzmar, jr, MF; Kaden Welch, jr, D
Key newcomers: Vidal Torres, jr, F; Avel Torres, jr. F; Connor Ahearn, fr.; D; Ryker Anderson, so., MF/STK
Worth noting: Morris will have a young team this fall with no seniors on the roster, but Valdivia feels his team still can have a solid season. Webber is expected to be the leader of the team. Salzmar is returning to the pitch from an injury and Welch is a state qualifier in the mile. “We are a very young team, but our goals are to win Earlville’s War on 34 tournament, win conference, win regional and be the first team to win a sectional, “ Valdivia said. “We do have a lot of goals, but we are ambitious, and I feel confident with this small group of players, we are very close like family. We have a very good core of soccer players. We will have our difficult games, but I feel this team learns from their mistakes. I am excited for the season to start.”