Naperville Central will try to dethrone defending Class 3A state champion Naperville North in the DuPage Valley Conference as Benet moves to the Chicago Catholic League.
Benet
The Redwings (11-5-3) make their Chicago Catholic League debut with nine returning varsity players, including four all-conference selections: senior midfielder Jack Wesley, senior forward Declan Crist, senior defender Julian Mehra and senior midfielder John VanWiggeren.
Wesley returns after missing most of the 2025 season due to injury. His father, former Benet coach Sean Wesley, has rejoined the program as an assistant.
Metea Valley
The Mustangs (6-14-2) had four freshmen in the starting lineup by the end of last season and will be young again. Senior defender Tyler Johnson, who earned All-DuPage Valley Conference and all-sectional honorable mention honors, will lead the way in front of senior goalkeeper Chase Grosrenaud, who had five shutouts.
Freshman forward Andres Morris is the top newcomer.
Naperville Central
The Redhawks (16-3-1) return seven players from a team that lost to rival Naperville North in a Class 3A sectional final. They include two All-DVC selections, senior defender Calum Bohan and senior midfielder Logan Godfrey.
The defense should be stout with Bohan, senior Jacob Adams and junior Knox Held. Senior forwards Brady Strang, an all-conference honorable mention who had 12 goals and seven assists, and Jay Larson lead the offense.
Naperville North
Rebuilding or reloading? That’s the question the Huskies (25-0-4) will answer after winning their fourth 3A state championship in the past decade. Senior midfielder Dylan Healy (Kenyon) is the lone returning starter on what will be one of the youngest teams in coach Jim Konrad’s 23-year tenure.
Senior forward Will Boniface, senior midfielder Cam Brown, junior midfielder Leo Palacios and junior goalkeeper Misael Gonzalez have some varsity experience.
Neuqua Valley
The Wildcats (5-11-3) have five returning starters, including senior midfielder Gavin Majewski (Loyola), who had five goals and four assists last season. Also back are senior midfielder Kyle Robinson, senior defender Oliver Brosnahan, junior goalkeeper Brendan Bauer and senior forward Kalen Davis, who tallied eight goals and three assists.
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The forward line will be bolstered by three newcomers: seniors Noah Stocker and Dominic Noonan and sophomore Blake Taylor.
Waubonsie Valley
Senior forward Lucas Garcia and senior defenders Rihaan Gupta and Evan Wojtowich are the only returning starters for the Warriors (8-9-4). Senior goalkeeper Nolan Watt is the top newcomer.
“We are looking for our seniors to be leaders this year,” Waubonsie Valley coach Jose Garcia said. “We have a lot of returning players who have improved throughout the summer. The team strength is our camaraderie.”
Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter.