Providence's Cichon among most improved players

Who are the most improved players in the area in soccer this year? Who are the surprises? We surveyed area coaches, and this is what they told us:

Providence Catholic

The Celtics have benefited from improved play from sophomore Brian Cichon, coach Daniel Potempa noted.

"He plays outside midfield exceptionally well by spreading the field and giving his teammates options out wide," Potempa said.

Potempa tabbed defender Kyle Starr as the surprise player on the Celtics.

"We have found him a home in our defense," Potempa said.

The Celtics may need more Starrs. They fell short in a 3-1 decision to Loyola on Thursday, dropping their record to 3-10-1, 0-2 in the Catholic League Blue.

Lockport

Senior forward Ryan Turner was tabbed as Lockport's most improved player by coach Dan Baumhardt, and that was before Turner contributed his fourth assist of the season in the Porters' 2-1 victory over Andrew on Thursday. The win improved Lockport's record to 8-1 overall, 3-0 in the SouthWest Suburban Blue. Turner also has six goals this season, doubling his career output.

"The team leadership, effort and focus Ryan brings daily is a true asset to the team and will help it be successful the rest of the way this season," Baumhardt said.

The surprise among Porters players is Tom Hu, a junior outside defender. Baumhardt said he and assistant coach Steve Bentley knew Hu would be good, but not this good.

"He's really come through for us in a big way, exceeding our preseason expectations," Baumhardt said. "He brings a skill set that will allow him to continue to grow and develop. He exhibits leadership on and off the field and has been a real asset to our team."

Lincoln-Way Central

The Knights are going through a tough season - they were 3-8-1 through Wednesday's play, 1-1 in the SouthWest Suburban Blue - but coach Dan Radz has found a couple of bright spots in a pair of underclassmen.

Radz selected sophomore Jeff Stevens as his most improved player.

"He is smaller than other varsity players but plays with a big heart," Radz said of the striker. "He never gives up on balls in his area. He fights to win balls back."

In the back, Radz believes Cody Styx, a junior, is the team's biggest surprise.

"From watching him in the summer, he has gotten faster, quicker to react to balls, and quicker to read the game," Radz said.

Tinley Park

Titans coach Mike Boniface picked a pair of players as his most improved - Gavin Kline, who suffered a broken leg at the beginning of last season, knocking him out for the year, and forward Tony Swierczewski.

"Tony started the year a player who really felt he needed to take the game into his own hands," Boniface said. "He felt the need to carry the weight on his shoulders. As he's grown through the season, he has gone from a goal scorer to a goal assister."

Swierczewski still is the man to stop on the Titans. He had a hat trick against Richards, the lone goal in a victory over St. Laurence and broke up a shutout in a loss to Oak Lawn.

The Titans stood 6-7 overall, 2-3 in South Suburban Blue play, at the midpoint of last week.

Boniface tabbed two players as surprises: defender Kevin Kutis and midfielder Raul DeLacruz. Kutis, Boniface said, "has surpassed all my assumptions and has become the core of our defense."

DeLacruz, meanwhile, came out of nowhere. The freshman didn't attend the school's summer soccer camp, but quickly impressed Boniface and assistant coach Paul Dorney en route to becoming a starter. Boniface called DeLacruz one of the team's best ballhandlers.

Tim Cronin can be reached at tcronin@southtownstar.com or (708) 633-5948.