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The boys soccer season is in its early stages, and teams across the state are searching for trips to the state finals in late October (Class 1A) and early November (Classes 2A and 3A). Here are the outlooks for Glenbard South, Glenbard West, Wheaton North, Wheaton Warrenville South and other area teams as they look to make the push to state:
Glenbard South Raiders
Coach: Adam Szyszko
2015 record: 4-16
Top players
Name Year Position
Matthew Waters sr. F
Alex Schuchardt sr. GK
Luke Vazzano sr. D
Lukas Lorusso sr. F
Key newcomer
Name Year Position
Spencer Pyle so. MF
Outlook: The Raiders took their lumps in Szyszko’s first year at the helm in 2015, but they do have a proven finisher in Waters, a four-year starter who bagged more than 20 goals last fall. Sixteen players have varsity experience, including four sophomores.
With a tough schedule that includes Metro Suburban Conference foes Wheaton Academy, Riverside Brookfield and Fenton as well as a nonconference slate peppered with Class 3A teams, Szyszko doesn’t expect a huge improvement in the record, but it is all part of a plan.
“Record-wise we won’t be pretty, but come tournament time we’ll be a tough out,” he said.
Glenbard West Hilltoppers
Coach: Maciej Kusmierz
2015 record: 6-13-1
Top players
Name Year Position
John Dugan sr. D
Connor Strait sr. F
Jack Alving sr. D
Key newcomers
Name Year Position
P.J. Knapke so. MF
Joav Garcia sr. GK
Luke Andreasik jr. F
Outlook: The Hilltoppers look to improve behind eight returning varsity players, led by co-captains Dugan and Strait. West was 0-6 in the West Suburban Silver last year, so improving that mark is the first priority.
“[We are] relying on contributions from a large group of juniors with the addition of three sophomores,” Kusmierz said. “[We’re] looking for younger players to adjust to the varsity game pace.”
St. Francis Spartans
Coach: Kevin Ward
2015 record: 16-2-4
Top players
Name Year Position
Zach Crescenzo sr. F
Ethan Grosam jr. D
Carney Herard sr. D
Jacob Power jr. D
Zach Zygmunt sr. MF
Key newcomers
Name Year Position
Sean Conley so. MF
Henry Roback jr. MF
Ryan Scharf jr. GK
Outlook: The Spartans enjoyed a terrific 2015 season, winning a sectional title for just the second time in school history before losing against Peoria Notre Dame on penalty kicks in the supersectional.
Ten seniors graduated, taking most of the offensive production with them. Nevertheless, expectations remain high.
“We’re young, so that’s one of my biggest things right now is can we stay focused and stay on task without letting our young minds wander a little bit,” Ward said. “We’re not battle-tested, but we’ve got a saying, ‘We’re just trying to keep the tradition going right now.’”
The Spartans showed resiliency in their opener, overcoming a 1-0 halftime deficit to beat Wheaton North 3-1 as Crescenzo scored two goals.
Wheaton Academy Warriors
Coach: Jeff Brooke
2015 record: 19-4-1
Top players
Name Year Position
Isaac Anthony sr. F/MF
JD Gunn jr. GK
Elias McCloud sr. MF
Luis Rocha sr. D
Simon Spivey sr. MF
Timothy Steininger sr. MF
Ethan Stoneman sr. MF
Outlook: The Warriors lost several key pieces from the team that advanced to the sectional final last season, including career 100-goal scorer Ty Seager, but they already have shown they should remain competitive this season.
Wheaton Academy notched a pair of ties against West Chicago (1-1 score with Riley Kearney scoring the goal) and CVCA of Ohio (scoreless draw Aug. 27) to start the season.
Wheaton North Falcons
Coach: Rob Stassen
2015 record: 5-13-2
Top players
Name Year Position
Michael Pfaff sr. D
Jake Dzarnowski jr. F
Joseph Simon jr. MF
Jack Prendiville sr. D
Key newcomers
Name Year Position
Aniel Patel sr. F
Jack Tegart so. D
Jorge Petino jr. MF
Carlos Saavedra jr. D
Outlook: Stassen inherited the team just before the start of last season and the Falcons struggled to find their identity. He has a much better handle on the personnel now.
“We’re going to have a real young team this year, which is nice,” Stassen said. “I like a young team with a lot of depth.”
Depth was lacking last year as the Falcons didn’t get much of a contribution from their bench. This year, Stassen believes the team can go 15 or 16 players deep. Pfaff, an Olivet Nazarene recruit, will provide leadership from the back, while Patel and Dzarnowski are athletic offensive threats.
Wheaton Warrenville South Tigers
Coach: Guy Callipari
2015 record: 6-13-2
Top players
Name Year Position
Nathan Friedle sr. GK
Charlie Kerby sr. F
Carlos Rosas sr. MF
Jackson Keske sr. D
Adam Kelly sr. D
Key newcomers
Name Year Position
Gabby Lozcano so. D
Noah Kettle sr. D
Will Buxton jr. MF
Outlook: The Tigers struggled last season, especially defensively. Most of the back line returns and is eager for redemption.
“We need to become a little bit more solid, and I’m hoping with the people that are returning they’re a bit more seasoned because that’s what defense is all about,” Callipari said. “It’s being able to anticipate, it’s being able to read, it’s being intense in the right moments and knowing when to take risks, and I don’t think we were that way last year.
“We need to be a little bit more collective in our ideas defensively. If we can do that, then that will allow us to be competitive.”
Kerby started at center back last year but is showing his versatility early this season playing center forward. Kerby had both goals in a 2-0 season-opening win against Plainfield Central and delivered the game-winner in a 2-1 victory against Batavia.