Must-see: New Trier senior midfielder Logan Weaver. He is a fourth-year varsity player who committed to Northwestern last fall. Having previously played as a right back and a defensive-minded midfielder, Weaver took over as the team’s creative force in 2017, when he finished with 10 goals and 17 assists. He helped the Trevians finish 19-4 (4-1 Central Suburban South) and win the conference title. “We’ve always seen (Weaver’s) ability to compete,” New Trier head coach Matt Ravenscraft said. “Last year, we saw his ability to play at high speed and read the team, see two, three, four passes ahead. He transitioned seamlessly to the No. 10 (attacking) role and did a great job making it easier for the guys up front.” Others to watch: Jimmy McMahon and Gavin Morse, Glenbrook South; Ben Sollinger and Reed Hurtig, Evanston; Daniel Gunther and Andrew Kuhn, New Trier; Sam McGinnis, Maine South; Ilija Jerinic, Niles West.
Save the date: Sept. 28. That’s when the IHSA will announce seeding for the Class 3A postseason, and New Trier and Evanston will learn when they might meet for another playoff classic. It will be hard to match the drama of the teams’ 2016 sectional semifinal, when Evanston prevailed 6-5 on penalty kicks to earn a 4-3 victory. However, last season’s sectional semifinal came close, as the Wildkits won 3-2 on New Trier’s home field. The teams’ regular-season matchup will take place Sept. 20 in Northfield. “There is something special with rivalries like that. You can’t manufacture it,” Ravenscraft said. “(The rivalry) has a history, two skilled teams with a strong pedigree, and we push each other to be better.” Other top games: Evanston at Glenbrook South, Sept. 17; Glenbrook South at New Trier, Sept. 25; Niles West at Niles North, Sept. 25.
Beyond the box score: Evanston and New Trier must figure out which players will be capable goal-scorers. The Trevians lost prolific winger Ryan Krueger (23 goals) and center forward Will Felitto (15), while the Wildkits lost their top three scorers: forward Nate Pollack (13), midfielder Miguel Jimenez (12) and forward Colin Thompson (11). Evanston’s returning players accounted for only 13 of the team’s 72 goals in 2017. Both Ravenscraft and Evanston coach Franz Calixte said they will resist the urge to play midfielders or defenders out of position to address this issue. Instead, the coaches will count on less-experienced forwards to get the job done.
#ThrowbackThursday: After going 12-7-4 (2-1-2 CSL South) last season, Glenbrook South hopes to show it is among the conference’s elite in 2018. The Titans appeared to be in that class on Sept. 22 last year when they upset New Trier 2-1 in Glenview. David Joseph scored both Glenbrook South goals as the Titans held on against the eventual conference champs. “It was a great night,” said Glenbrook South head coach Reggie Lara, who enters his second year leading the program. “The atmosphere was rocking for that Friday-night lights game. The boys were so pumped and were practicing with a different edge and focus that week. (Before the game) I told them to make the most of their opportunities, because we might not have many.” The excitement was short-lived, however, as Glenbrook South lost four of its next five matches. Lara said the team might have been emotionally drained after the win. Injuries also took a toll.
On the rise: Niles North (11-7-7 last season) will be looking to build on a 2017 campaign that was a turning point for the program. An undefeated run through the CSL summer league has only heightened expectations for fourth-year coach Filip Cejovic’s squad. Leading the way for the Vikings will be midfielder Philip Krause, forward Jalen Succes and midfielder Elliot Allahverdy. “We will play more offensive this year and be braver going forward,” Cejovic said in an email. “We have reached the point in our program where our expectations have shifted from believing we can win to expecting we can win every game.”
Oh Captain! My Captain!: Morse, Glenbrook South’s senior center back, helped the Titans earn 10 shutouts last season and hold several other high-powered offenses in check. The 6-foot-1 Morse, who also plays on the Titans basketball team, has a high soccer IQ, endless motor and is a fine leader, Lara said. “Gavin is someone who has the respect of his teammates. Even when he was a sophomore, seniors and juniors still looked up to him,” Lara said. “He’s such a well-known figure in the school and embodies what it means to be a leader: dedication, work ethic and the ability to inspire those around him.” Other top leaders: Weaver and Dominic de Boer, New Trier, McMahon, Glenbrook South.