Top boys soccer teams, players

Updated: August 27, 2011 3:45PM

Top 10 teams

1. Naperville North: Coach Jim Konrad is high on underclassmen Madison Gonzalez, Austin Maggard and Matt Vogel.

2. Libertyville: The Wildcats return seven starters from their Class 3A runner-up, led by midfielders Marshall Hollingsworth and Joey Ruppert and defender Sam Kaplin.

3. Lyons: Senior midfielder Elliot Borge ‘‘is the best player in Chicago,’’ Hinsdale Central coach Michael Wiggins said. Also watch out for Matt Thomas and Brett Heimerdinger.

4. Neuqua Valley: Despite heavy graduation losses, the Wildcats will reload behind keeper Hunter Hollingshead and senior midfielder Nick Smith.

5. East Aurora: Coach Jason Rollins returns seven starters from a 17-3-4 team. Midfielders Abraham Kanneh, Eddie Gaytan and Juan Luis Perez are dynamite offensively.

6. Lake Zurich: Coach Mike Schmitz returns 14 seniors that saw extensive action last season. Midfielders Brenden Seeger and John Pothast are players to watch.

7. Crystal Lake South: First-team All-Area senior forward Charlie Oliver leads a team ‘‘that technically could be better than last year’s [21-2-2] team,’’ coach Brian Allen said.

8. St. Charles North: The North Stars were the only team to beat Class 3A champion Boylan last season. Midfielders Mike
Winhoffer, Connor Lefelstein and Tyler Davis and keeper Garrett Creasor headline the 2011 edition.

9. Oak Park-River Forest: Junior midfielder Elias El Metennani was a third-team All-Area selection last season. He is joined by forward Stephen Golz and defenders Zach Weigel and Gian Luca Locasto.

10. New Trier: The offensively gifted Trevians feature two of the best midfielders in the state in juniors Alex Underwood and Jeff Farina.

Others: Warren, Morton, Larkin, Stagg, Benet, Niles West, Naperville Central,
Glenbrook North, Deerfield, Evanston.

Top players

Goalies: Zak Allen, St. Ignatius, sr.; Kevin Anderson, Naperville North, sr.; Garrett
Creasor, St. Charles North, sr.; Kyle Dal Santo, Benet, jr.; Hunter Hollingshead, Neuqua Valley, sr.

Defenders: Max Auden, Naperville North, sr.; Lee Grander, Naperville North, sr.; Greg Healy, Stagg, sr.; Sam Kaplin, Libertyville, sr.; Ben Kucera, Benet, sr.; Mick Maley, Marmion, sr.; Lane Mita, Niles West, sr.; Michael Tabar, Niles West, sr.; Zach Weigel, Oak Park-River Forest, sr.; Craig Zahour, Barrington, jr.

Midfielders: Bobby Aiello, Bartlett, sr.; Elliot Borge, Lyons, sr.; Dan Burns, Wheaton Warrenville South, sr.; Manny Chavez, Lake Forest Academy, sr.; Drew Connor, Cary-Grove, sr.; Eduardo Cuautle, Batavia, sr.; Jeff Farina, New Trier, jr.; Marshall Hollingsworth, Libertyville, sr.; Abraham Kanneh, East
Aurora, jr.; Connor Lefelstein, St. Charles North, sr.; Kyle Lindberg, Naperville North, sr.; Jesus Medina, Waukegan, sr.; Elias El Metennani, Oak Park-River Forest, jr.; Juan Luis Perez, East Aurora, sr.; John Pothast, Lake Zurich, sr.; Mitch Reavis, Hinsdale Central, sr.; Brenden Seeger, Lake Zurich, sr.; Matt Thomas, Lyons, sr.; Alex Underwood, New Trier, jr.; Mike Winhoffer, St. Charles North, sr.

Forwards: Tim Adelman, Lake Park, sr.; Joey Calistri, Deerfield, sr.; Jonny Colucci, Glenbard North, sr.; Alex Cruz, Bolingbrook, sr.; Cullen Cummings, Downers Grove North, jr.; Stephen Golz, Oak Park-River Forest, sr.; Brett Heimerdinger, Lyons, jr.; Ulises Hernandez, Bremen, jr.; Dan Lojek, Sandburg, sr.; Miseal Martinez, Washington, sr.; Chisom Ogbonna, Mather, jr.; Charlie Oliver, Crystal Lake South, sr.; Carlos Posada, Crete-Monee, sr.; Erik Rodriguez, Larkin, jr.; Joey Ruppert, Libertyville, sr.; Joel Salmeron, Morton, sr.; Michael Simon, Glenbrook North, sr.; Nick Smith, Neuqua Valley, sr.; Ryan Solomon, Metea Valley, sr.; Evan Trychta, Naperville North, sr.

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