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Boys Soccer: Kane County Chronicle boys soccer preview capsules

The boys soccer season starts this coming week. Here are previews of teams from around the Kane County Chronicle coverage area.

Batavia

Coach: Mark Gianfrancesco

Last season’s record: 1-11-3

Top returners: Ryan Kahley, sr., M.; Will Bardol, sr., M; Ben Hanson, sr., M; Logan Saenz, sr., GK.

Key newcomers: Ryan Horlock, jr., GK; Nathan Feller, jr., M; Eder Sanchez, jr, F.

Worth noting: The spring can be viewed as a developmental season with just one win. However, the Bulldogs return a number of players from that team to help carry over into the fall. Kahley and Bardol headline the group, while Horlock, Feller and Sanchez could earn playing time.

“We are looking to build relationships on the pitch throughout the season. We have some nice talent that we will work to bring out as the season progresses,” Gianfrancesco said.

Burlington Central

Last season’s record: 0-8-2

Coach: Dimitri Tsoukalas

Top returners: Mason Freeman, sr.; Frankie Mazziotta, sr.; Luciano Metallo, sr.

Key newcomers: Charlie Ames, so.; Kaleb Boer, so.; Daniel Nava, so.

Worth noting: The Rockets are re-tooling this fall after a difficult spring. Tsoukalas is taking over for former coach Mick Gillespie and he has high expectations for the program. It can be viewed as a fresh start for all involved, but the Rockets have some seniors to jumpstart the rebuilding process in Freeman, Mazziotta and Metallo.

“I expect this group of young men to play with tempo, intensity and be well organized,” Tsoukalas said. Expect us to make a statement this fall.”

Geneva

Coach: Jason Bhatta

Last season’s record: 7-4-6

Top returners: Hayden Vostal, so., GK; Braeden McPheron, sr., D; Christian Diaz, sr., F; Trent Giansanti, so., F; Ryan Leake, sr., F.

Key newcomers: Liam O’Donoghue, so., M; Luke Easter, jr., D; Colin Hasty, jr., D; Nathan Branstad, jr., M.

Worth noting: The Vikings return eight starters from the spring. Offensively, their top three scorers are coming back, headlined by Diaz. Vostal is one of the emerging goalkeeper talents in the conference, and is expected to take another leap.

“We will be tough to play against with strength in each section of the field and look to compete with the top teams in the state on our schedule,” Bhatta said.

Kaneland

Coach: Scott Parillo

Last season’s record: 9-6-1

Top returners: Jack Rissman, sr.; Sean Gannon, sr.; Cade Ory, sr

Key newcomers: Sam Keen, so; Michael Happ, so.; Tommy Watson, so.

Worth noting: Kaneland returns 12 from the spring team and will be formidable in the Interstate Eight Conference. All-area selection goalkeeper Rissman had 78 saves in 16 matches last season and will anchor the defense. Gannon also offers a lot of skill all over the field.

“…[We hope] to build a cohesive unit as quickly as possible, as this years non-conference schedule is very competitive,” Parillo said.

Marmion

Coach: Gerardo Alvarez

Last season’s record: 9-4-1

Top returners: Nate Sowers, sr., D; Barry O’Neill, sr., M; Danny Jankowski, jr., GK.

Key newcomers: Giovanni Magana, fr.; Diego Tellez, fr.

Worth noting: The Cadets are returning seven starters and 10 overall players from the spring, which is a positive sign for continued development. Sowers and O’Neill are returning all-conference selections and will anchor the team. The Cadets do lose all-area selection Drew Noecker, who graduated. Noecker had eight goals for the Cadets.

“[We are] looking for our first ever conference title since joining the Chicago Catholic League,” Alvarez said.

St. Charles East

Coach: Vince DiNuzzo

Last season’s record: 12-4-3

Top returners: Sebastian Carranza, sr., F; Luca Avendano, sr., M/F; Tyler Benhart, jr., GK.

Key newcomer: Will Orloff, sr., M.

Worth noting: The Saints bring back six starters from the spring, including returning Kane County Chronicle Player of the Year in Carranza. Carranza had 20 goals and had 13 assists last season and will continue to be the centerpiece to the Saints’ offense. Carranza will be flanked by Avendano, as the Saints are one of the more potent teams in the Conference. They also bring back a number of starters on their backline and goalie Tyler Benhart.

“Across the board varsity through freshmen, so we’re excited [about] the direction of the program, and obviously, we have some goals set for ourselves,” DiNuzzo said. “But, we have a long way to get there and we’re excited for the journey.”

St. Charles North

Coach: Eric Willson

Last season’s record: 8-4-2

Top returners: MIchael DePasquale, sr.; Zach Curtis, sr.

Key newcomer: Walter DelaPaz, so.

Worth noting: The North Stars lost significant pieces of their offense due to graduation in Luke Persenico and Jared Sinnaeve. So whoever picks up that lost production will be a key development to watch unfold. The North Stars backline played well last year and should have some experience back to maintain that.

“They work hard and understand the game. We will do our best to try and compete in this very competitive conference,” Willson said.

Source: The Daily Chronicle

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