Top 10 Teams
1. St. Charles East: All-state forward Sebastian Carranza, who had 20 goals and 13 assists last spring, is one of the state’s top players. He leads a potent and diverse attack. Midfielder Joshua Ruiz, defender Connor King and goalkeeper Tyler Benhart form strong nucleus featuring seven returning starters.
2. West Aurora: Blackhawks return three starters and several key players from a team that finished 18-0. Goalkeeper Carlos Garcia leads air-tight defense. Forward Matthew Lopez-Martinez and midfielder Loretto Lopez power attack. “We have a chance to be really excellent,” West Aurora coach Joe Sustersic said. “Our depth from our fifth player down is better than it was in the spring.”
3. Jacobs: The Eagles are an ascending force after reaching a Class 3A supersectional in 2019 and going 12-1-1 during the abbreviated spring season. Forward Ruben Zarate and midfielders Shotaro Seto and Will Blaise are the offensive standouts.
4. Geneva: With seven returning starters, the athletic and skilled Vikings represent top threat to St. Charles East in the DuKane Conference. Forwards Christian Diaz, Ryan Leake and Trent Giansanti are creative and dynamic. Sophomore goalkeeper Hayden Vostal anchors the defense.
5. St. Charles North: North Stars are solid defensively behind Mike DePasquale and Zach Curtis, but must replace their top offensive players from the spring. Most exciting player on offense is Walter Delapaz, an emerging standout in the midfield.
6. Streamwood: Sabres are young and athletic with raw talent. Midfielder Michael Garcia and forward Hugo Marquez make offense click. Bryan Huerta and Marcos Gutierrez solidify defense. Coach Matt Polovin is looking for breakout seasons from two juniors — forward Aaron Taboada and defender EJ Satsatin.
7. Oswego: Panthers return five starters from team that finished 11-3, with offensive reinforcements coming from influx of young talent. Forwards Daniel Avila, Jack Walsh and Jacob Thompson are the offensive leaders. Goalkeeper Logan Wade and defender Alex Nobles are the defensive standouts.
8. East Aurora: Tomcats went 7-2-1 over final 10 games during spring. Defense is expected to be a strength behind two-way standout Hector Huerta, Erick Magallon and Isaac Escobar. Javier Aguirre sparks the attack from the midfield.
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9. Oswego East: Wolves are versatile and deep, led by offensive playmakers Carter Boberg and Kellen Klosterman.
10. Metea Valley: Mustangs showed promise and growth in the spring. Midfielder Colin Bastianoni and forward Henry Moreno are the offensive leaders. Defense turns to talented goalkeeper Oscar Mejia and disruptive stopper in Joseph Fitzgerald.
25 Players to Watch
Daniel Avila, Oswego, senior, forward; Luke Barton, Indian Creek, senior, forward; Colin Bastianoni, Metea Valley, senior, midfielder; Tyler Benhart, St. Charles East, sophomore, goalkeeper; Carter Boberg, Oswego East, senior, midfielder; Jesse Brown, Hampshire, senior, defender; Sebastian Carranza, St. Charles East, senior, forward; Sean Cox, Bartlett, senior, forward; Walter Delapaz, St. Charles North, sophomore, midfielder; Mike DePasquale, St. Charles North, senior, defender; Christian Diaz, Geneva, senior, forward; Ryan Doherty, South Elgin, senior, forward; Carlos Garcia, West Aurora, senior, goalkeeper; Michael Garcia, Streamwood, junior, midfielder; Bryan Huerta, Streamwood, sophomore, defender; Connor King, St. Charles East, senior, defender; Kellen Klosterman, Oswego East, senior, midfielder; Ryan Leake, Geneva, junior, forward; Jorge Leon, Genoa-Kingston, junior, forward; Hugo Marquez, Streamwood, junior, forward; Eagan Reams, Genoa-Kingston, senior, forward; Nathan Siers, Westminster Christian, forward; Nathan Sowers, Marmion, senior, defender; Hayden Vostal, Geneva, sophomore, keeper; Ruben Zarate, Jacobs, senior, forward
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.