2024 Daily Chronicle Boys Soccer All-Area Team

Daily Chronicle Boys Soccer Player of the Year

Aiden Sears, jr., MF, Sycamore

All-area first team

Sycamore’s Jameson Carl tries to get by a DeKalb player Wednesday, July 17, 2024, during their scrimmage game at Sycamore High School. (Mark Busch)

Jameson Carl, sr., F, Sycamore

The striker scored 16 goals and had nine assists this past season despite missing the last 12 games due to an ankle injury. He was third on the team in total points and was an honorable mention on the all-sectional team.

Mauricio Jasso, jr., F, DeKalb

An efficient scorer for the Barbs, he had six goals and assisted on six others. He was a first-team selection both in the DuPage Valley and on the all-sectional team. He was named the program’s offensive MVP as well.

DeKalb's Brandon Cervantes and Kaneland's Jovani Ruiz go after the ball during their game Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, at Kaneland High School in Maple Park. (Mark Busch)

Jovani Ruiz, sr., MF/F, Kaneland

Ruiz finished the season with 15 goals and eight assists, helping the Knights reach the Class 2A Freeport Regional championship game. He was an all-conference selection in the Interstate 8.

Sycamore's Gavin Crouch carries the ball ahead of a tumbling Burlington Central player Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, during their Class 2A Sycamore Regional semifinal. (Mark Busch)

Gavin Crouch, jr. MF, Sycamore

Crouch finished with 18 goals and eight assists, helping the Spartans claim the Interstate 8 Conference title. He ended up on the all-conference team.

Sycamore's Noah Daykin tries to keep the ball away from Kaneland's Abe Paulino during their game Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, at Kaneland High School in Maple Park. (Mark Busch)

Noah Daykin, jr., MF, Sycamore

The distributor finished with 11 assists this season and added a goal. He was an all-conference selection in the Interstate 8 Conference.

Kaneland's Matthew Mitchinson heads the ball in front of DeKalb's Joaquin Medina-Benitez during their game Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, at Kaneland High School in Maple Park. (Mark Busch)

Matthew Mitchinson, sr., MF, Kaneland

The all Interstate 8 Conference selection scored 17 goals and had 12 assists. He also earned a spot on the all-sectional team.

Sycamore's Javier Lopez (left) and Kaneland's Cameron Guernon go after a loose ball during their game Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, at Sycamore High School. (Mark Busch)

Cameron Guernon, sr., MF, Kaneland

Guernon scored 14 goals and assisted on four others. He was an all Interstate 8 Conference pick as well.

DeKalb's Henry Garcia-Alvarez gets ready to head the ball past Kaneland's Abe Paulino during their game Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, at Kaneland High School in Maple Park. (Mark Busch)

Henry Garcia-Alvarez, sr., D/MF, DeKalb

Garcia-Alvarez usually plays at midfield but switched to centerback to help the Barbs out on the pitch. He had a goal and an assist on the season, earning a spot on the DuPage Valley all-conference team.

DeKalb's Henry Garcia-Alvarez (left) and Sycamore's Javier Lopez race to the ball during their game Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, at DeKalb High School. (Mark Busch)

Javier Lopez, sr., D, Sycamore

Lopez anchored an experienced back line for the Spartans and earned a spot on the Interstate 8 all-conference team. He also had two goals and three assists on the year while being named the team’s defensive MVP.

Brandon Wolcott, sr., D, Genoa-Kingston

The defense was a strength for the Cogs this year, and Wolcott was a big part of that success. He was a first-team selection in the Big Northern Conference, an all-sectional pick and scored twice.

Alex Casanas, jr., GK, Hinckley-Big Rock

The Royals split the Little 10 Conference title this season, and Casanas was a unanimous all-conference selection. He helped the Royals claim a regional title and made 275 saves on the year, fourth most in the state in Class 1A.

DeKalb's Erick Talamantes tries to kick the ball over Kaneland's Matthew Mitchinson during their game Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, at Kaneland High School in Maple Park. (Mark Busch)

Second team

Tyler Bogle, sr., F/MF, Indian Creek

Sawyer Smith, jr., F/MF, Hinckley-Big Rock

Jason Brewer, soph., MF/F, Indian Creek

Matais Gutierrez, sr., MF, DeKalb

Erick Talamantes, sr., MF, DeKalb

Noah McKittrick, jr., MF, Kaneland

Adrian Delgado, jr., MF, Genoa-Kingston

Henry Bumpus, sr., D, Sycamore

Ian Wickens-Walther, sr., D, DeKalb

Isaac Willis, soph., D, Indian Creek

Jacob Coulter, sr., GK, Indian Creek

Hinckley-Big Rock's Austin Roop tries to hold off Indian Creek's Cayden Gaston during their game Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, at Hinckley-Big Rock High School. (Mark Busch)

Honorable mention

Chandler Gatbunton, sr., D, Sycamore; Ronaldo Ocelotl, sr., MF, Sycamore; Ryan Guzinski, jr., GK, Sycamore; Fernando Flores, sr., D, Genoa-Kingston; Joaquin Medina-Benitez, MF, DeKalb; Ruari Bengford-Breneisen, sr., F/D, DeKalb; Diego Rayos, sr., GK, DeKalb; Dom Garcia, sr., GK, DeKalb; Zach Murray, jr., MF, DeKalb; Edwin Cortina, sr., F, DeKalb; Cooper Van Wagoner, sr., GK, Kaneland; Cayden Gaston, sr., D/MF, Indian Creek; Parker Murry, soph., MF/F, Indian Creek; Jacob Orin, jr., D, Hinckley-Big Rock