Top 10 Teams
1. Lake Central: Indians have high expectations, losing two starters from first semistate team since 2010. Coach Jereme Rainwater said this team is one of the deepest in his 19 seasons. Josh Dulski leads the defense. Indians have talented offensive players including Chris Baranowski and Cole Rainwater, and Josh Ramirez anchors the midfield. Goalkeeper Noah Osearo, who suffered a knee injury, is expected to return in September.
2. Chesterton: Midfielder Derek O’Dell, forward/midfielder Owen Hallas and midfielder/defender Tyler Schroeder, all seniors, provide a formidable foundation for the Trojans. They graduated an accomplished class that included Trent Weller, Jameson Sensibaugh and David Mudd. Trojans still have a mix of experience and youth to excel.
3. Munster: Mustangs extended their state record to 14 straight sectional titles. Senior midfielder Kiriako Tsoukalas is a talented player for a team that might be on the young side. They will try to compensate for the graduation loss of standout forward Brett Kaufmann.
4. Crown Point: Bulldogs were hit hard by academy and graduation losses. They still have a solid defense, led by Boze Spaseski and Zach Carpenter, with Filip Stefanoski returning in the midfield. Star midfielder Brad Kurtz joined the Indiana Fire Academy, as did sophomore forwards Karsen Henderlong and Michael Anderson. Crown Point graduated 13 seniors, including goalkeeper Connor Keaveney and defenders Scott Garcia and Michael Tanchevski.
5. Valparaiso: Vikings coach Danny Jeftich, who missed almost all of last season after undergoing heart surgery, expects a much better 2016. Valpo’s roster includes five seniors, 13 juniors and three sophomores. Jeftich expects the goalkeeping to be solid with senior Brenden Gerig and juniors Andrew Fletcher and Blake Mersman as options.
6. Highland: Trojans fielded one of their best teams in recent seasons, and are poised for another strong run. Kyler Tanis made a major impact as a freshman defender. Mitchell Moynihan controls play as a center midfielder. Michael Johnson has speed up front, and Darnell Harwood is another senior forward. Highland has nine seniors.
7. LaPorte: Slicers return much of team that went 12-5-1, tying the program record for most wins and setting the mark for fewest losses. LaPorte’s 63 goals and 22 against also were program bests. Jon Williams is a standout goalkeeper and Juan Villa a dangerous forward.
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8. Portage: Senior forward/midfielder Josh Gonzalez, last season’s Post-Tribune Boys Soccer Player of the Year, leads the Indians. Ethan Warne also returns in the midfield, as does Zack Wefler on defense. Forward Danny Prohl and midfielder Diego Cardenas both started as freshmen and should make strides.
9. Rensselaer: Bombers return virtually intact after advancing to a regional final to finish 14-3-4. Senior forward Grant Myers paces the offense. Senior Evan Brandenburg is back in goal. Rensselaer graduated leading scorer Pierce Van Houten.
10. Boone Grove: Wolves graduated several important players, including forward David Ooms. That class was instrumental in leading Boone Grove to sectional, Northwest Indiana Soccer Conference and Porter County Conference titles. Wolves have the ability for success again.
Top 20 Individuals
Chris Baranowski, Lake Central, senior, midfielder/forward; Carson Bosak, Andrean, senior, midfielder; Josh Dulski, Lake Central, senior, defender; Josh Gonzalez, Portage, senior, forward/midfielder; Owen Hallas, Chesterton, senior, forward/midfielder; Nikko Kolintzas, Lake Central, senior, defender/midfielder; Alejandro Lopez, Clark, junior, forward; Brenden Melvin, Wheeler, senior, midfielder; Mitchell Moynihan, Highland, senior, midfielder; Grant Myers, Rensselaer, senior, forward; Derek O’Dell, Chesterton, senior, midfielder; Cole Rainwater, Lake Central, sophomore, forward; Danny Salazar, Bishop Noll, sophomore, goalkeeper; Tyler Schroeder, Chesterton, senior, midfielder/defender; Boze Spaseski, Crown Point, senior, defender; Nick Surber, Hebron, senior, forward; Kyler Tanis, Highland, sophomore, defender; Kiriako Tsoukalas, Munster, senior, midfielder; Juan Villa, LaPorte, senior, forward; Jon Williams, LaPorte, senior, goalkeeper.
Twitter @MichaelOsipoff