High school boys soccer: 2018 team previews

FOX VALLEY CONFERENCE

Cary-Grove

Coach: Mark Olson (13th season)

Last year: 4-9-1, 2-7 FVC

Top returners: Kolin Fadden, sr., D; Chase Osimowicz, sr., M; Drew Szydlo, jr., M; Eric Szydlo, jr., D; Ethan Logan, sr., D; Dario Gamboa, so., M; Drake Robinson, sr., D; Mateo Nunez, jr., M; Michael McEvoy, sr., F; Nick Reineking, sr., GK

Key newcomers: Jesus Padilla, so., F; Felipe Castillo, sr., F; Preston Gonzalez, sr., M; Daniel Kroll, sr., M; Sebastian Sproch, jr., M; Jason Pusic, so., GK; Collin McAlpine, jr., M; Issac Rands, jr., D; Nicholas Behm, sr., GK

Worth noting: The Trojans graduated seven starters. "They're all chomping at the bit to go ahead and be given the opportunity to prove that they deserve to be on the field," Olson said. Fadden has emerged as a leader, Olson said. Drew Szydlo is a third-year varsity player.

Crystal Lake South

Coach: Brian Allen (12th season)

Last year: 12-11-2, 3-5 FVC; Class 3A regional champions

Top returners: Nick Langdon, sr., D; Alex Canfield, jr., F; Andrew Edge, sr., D; Jack Wruck, sr., M; Ricky Cristante, sr., M/D; Ryan Coughlin, sr., M; Brandon Wilson, sr., D; Tommy McSweeney, sr., D; Brad Grabowski, sr., M; Evan Carlson, jr., D; Sabien Raymond, jr., M

Key newcomers: Oscar Estrada, sr., GK; Matt McCaleb, sr., GK; Garett Schneider, jr., F; Ty Getzinger, so., M; Tom Coughlin, fr., M; Michael Dejworek, fr., M/F

Worth noting: In Allen's words, the Gators have a "deep and experienced roster." South has seven players who are entering at least their third season on varsity. Langdon and Canfield were both Northwest Herald All-Area Second-Team in 2017. Canfield scored 12 goals and had seven assists.

Crystal Lake Central

Coach: Jay Schwarzrock (11th season, first since 2010)

Last year: 5-13-2, 1-8 FVC

Top returners: Joseph Perez, sr., GK; Jairo Aguilar, jr., M

Key newcomers: Brandon Bruski, so., M

Worth noting: Schwarzrock served as the Tigers coach for 10 seasons from 2001 to 2010. After a seven-year hiatus, he has returned to the varsity boys soccer coaching position. "We were a young team last year and battled hard," Schwarzrock said. "We hope to learn from our mistakes and get some better outcomes."

Dundee-Crown

Coach: Rey Vargas (14th season)

Last year: 18-1-2, 8-0 FVC

Top returners: Damian Smiech, sr., GK; Jabari Washington, sr., D; Ivan Aviles, sr., M/D; Aldair Ortega, sr., M/D; Kevin Juanchi, sr., D; Roland Dearborn, jr., M

Key newcomers: Samuel Lopez, sr., M; Thomas Sarmiento, jr., F; Abraham Arias, sr., D

Worth noting: Vargas said the Chargers hope to pick up where they left off last season. They lost their top scorer, Julian Ajroja (who now plays at Michigan State), but have the majority of players returning from last year's team. "[We] feel that players will step up and fill in to make up for the loss," Vargas said. Washington was an All-Area First-Team defender last season. Smiech is one of the top goalkeepers in the FVC.

Hampshire

Coach: Richard Schuster (second season)

Last year: 14-9-3, 3-4-1 FVC; Class 3A regional champions

Top returners: Jack Fairwood, sr., M; Jose Marquez, sr., F; Jesus Rivera, jr., M

Key newcomers: Sawyer Shores, jr., F; Ryan Heileman, jr., D

Worth noting: Hampshire won a Class 3A regional championship last year with a penalty kick shootout victory over Elgin. The Whip-Purs have plenty of experience returning. "The competitiveness within the team has improved," Schuster said. "We have been working hard in the offseason, and the players are dedicated to having a better season than last year."

Huntley

Coach: Kris Grabner (16th season)

Last year: 9-13

Top returners: Brandon Ruffner, sr., M; Axel Solis, sr., F; Noah Michael, sr., D; Rory Hicks, jr., M; Sam Bellantuono, jr., M; Josh Guyer, sr., D

Key newcomers: Skyler Briarton, so., M; Austin Killen, fr., F; Lucas Clementsen, sr., GK

Worth noting: Grabner expects the Red Raiders to "be quicker and more technical this season." Huntley returns a number of experienced upperclassmen. The Raiders believe they can compete in the FVC.

Jacobs

Coach: Colin Brice (first season)

Last year: 14-7-2, 6-2 FVC; Class 3A regional and sectional champions

Top returners: Austin Snobel, sr., M; Johnny O'Connor, jr., M; Alex Nicastro, jr., M; Liam Armstrong, so., M; Preston Krahl, jr., GK

Key newcomers: Aaron Henning, jr., D; Chris Loizzi, jr., D; Jesse Nunez, so., F

Worth noting: Brice, a 2007 Jacobs graduate, takes over for departed coach A.J. Cappello. Brice hopes to continue the Golden Eagles' winning tradition, which includes back-to-back sectional titles in 2016 and 2017. A number of key seniors graduated, such as Wisconsin-bound Noah Melick. "We have a lot of guys that will make an impact this season and hope to surprise a lot of teams," Brice said.

McHenry

Coach: Tony Caruso (21st season)

Last year: 9-10-2, 3-5 FVC

Top returners: Nate Reinhart, jr., F; Jose Lira, jr., F; Alex Fiorita, sr., D; Alec Gasmann, sr., F; Austin Litchenstein, jr., GK; Danny Quinonez, jr., M; Hunter Elsberg, jr., D; Johann Mota, so., D; Jason Mendez, sr., M; Tony Vazquez, jr., D

Key newcomers: Edwin Navas, fr., M; Kenneth Barranco, fr., M; Manny Anaya, so., M

Worth noting: Fiorita has emerged as a leader on the defensive end. "He's a great kid who knows how to play our style of soccer," Caruso said. Reinhart and Lira will lead the attack on the offensive end. Caruso is confident they can put the ball in the net consistently.

Prairie Ridge

Coach: Mark Lewis (first season)

Last year: 18-3, 6-2 FVC

Top returners: Noah Smeja, sr., M/F; Luke Kim, so. M; Lucas Rietz, sr., D; Michael Thompson, jr., M/F

Worth noting: Former coach Colin Brice has moved on to his alma mater, Jacobs. Lewis steps in after serving as the Prairie Ridge girls soccer varsity assistant. Following a 5-11-2 season in 2016, the Wolves engineered a turnaround last year, reaching a Class 2A regional title game. Prairie Ridge hopes to build on that success in 2018.

KISHWAUKEE RIVER CONFERENCE

Harvard

Coach: Victor Gonzalez (fourth season)

Last year: 14-9, 10-2 KRC

Top returners: Marcos Morales, sr., D; Adrian Gorostieta, sr., F; Brayan Sanchez, sr., M; Hugo Escobar, sr., GK; Ivaan Gomez, sr., M; Danny Robles, sr., M; Danny Juarez, sr., M; Danny Mercado, sr., M

Key newcomers: Gustavo Mercado, so., F

Worth noting: Morales was an All-Area Second-Team defender last season. He is a solid defender with a knack for winning the ball in the air and distributing from the back line. Harvard has plenty of senior experience returning for a team whose only conference losses came against unbeaten Woodstock.

Johnsburg

Coach: Adam Bronars (second season)

Last year: 9-10, 7-5 KRC

Top returners: MJ Alvarez, sr.; Nathan Grudner, sr.; Ryan Roos, sr.; Michael Grunder, jr.; Tyler Mickelsen, sr

Key newcomers: Jeff Comstock, jr

Worth noting: Johnsburg hopes to keep improving on last year's mark and play its best soccer at the end of the season. Bronars enters his second season at the helm of the Skyhawks program.

Marengo

Coach: Sergio Orozco (first season)

Last year: 1-18, 0-12 KRC

Top returners: Richard Macias, sr.; Derek Peters, sr.; Riley Mitchell, sr.; Anthony Gailloreto, sr.

Worth noting: The Indians will be led by four key seniors, first-year coach Sergio Orozco said. Marengo struggled in 2017 with only one victory, but the Indians have plenty of room for improvement.

Richmond-Burton

Coach: Casey DeCaluwe (eighth season)

Last year: 3-15, 2-10 KRC

Top returners: Cole Vogt, sr., D; Payton May, jr., M; Jacob Maldonado, jr., GK; Billy Restis, jr., D; Aidan Hannigan, jr., M; Pierce Rockwell, jr., D; Liam Weck, jr., M

Worth noting: The Rockets struggled in 2017, but DeCaluwe said R-B has lots of returning varsity players. "We are looking to grow as a team throughout the season," DeCaluwe said. "Each training session and match is a chance for us to become a stronger team and build on what we did last season."

Woodstock

Coach: Matt Warmbier (second season)

Last year: 23-1, 12-0 KRC; Class 2A regional champions

Top returners: Caleb Warmbier, sr., M; Jose Tolentino, sr., D; Oscar Escorza, so., M; MacLean Buckley, jr., M; Ryan Azzaline, sr., M

Key newcomers: Brian Rico, sr., M; Dylan Gonzalez, so., D; Denis Gjoni, so., F

Worth noting: Woodstock has toughened up its schedule this season, including a spot in the PepsiCo Showdown. Caleb Warmbier led the team in assists the past two seasons. Tolentino is a leader on the defensive end. The Blue Streaks are coming off their first regional title since 1994.

Woodstock North

Coach: John Liuzzi (second season)

Last year: 6-16, 4-8 KRC

Top returners: AJ Guanci, sr., GK; Damien Alonzo, jr., M; Bartek Scheibe, sr., M; Ethan Ritter, sr., D; Cole Dillon, sr., F

Key newcomers: Noe Hernandez, sr., D; Eliel Reynoso, jr., D

Worth noting: North graduated only three seniors off last year's unit. The Thunder dealt with key injuries at a number of positions. With a healthy squad, they hope they can keep seeing improvement.

EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLIC CONFERENCE

Marian Central

Coach: Art Dixon (second season)

Last year: 12-12-1, 4-5-0 ESCC

Top returners: Jonathan DePrey, jr.; Dominik Drwila, jr.; Jacob Farley, sr.; Nicolas Iafigliola, jr.; Sebastian Kielsa, jr.; Mateo Raso, so.; Robert Sbarounis, sr.; Paul Serdar, jr.; Zach Simmons, sr.; Conor Werfelmann, sr.

Key newcomers: Kevin Blaz, jr.; Derek Emmert, fr.; Christopher Ghita, so.; Zaid Haque, fr; Matthew Jablonski, jr.; Aiden McCrea, sr.; Aidan Robertson, so.; Paul Sweeney Jr., fr.; Caleb Taylor, jr.; Brandon Widmayer, sr.

Worth noting: The Hurricanes graduated 11 seniors off last season's team. "We still have a strong balance of experience and youth," Dixon said. Dixon hopes to see strong defensive play with high intensity.