First games of the boys soccer season have started. Here we take a look at our schools and what they anticipate for the upcoming season. Don’t see your school? Contact Michael Wojtychiw at mmwojtychiw@cps.edu to get your team on the site!
*All coaches were contacted multiple times for this article. Those responses are listed below.
School name: Amundsen High School
Last year’s record: 6-8-1
Starters returning (name, position, year in school):
Miller Avery – Mid, 12th,
Maxwell Perez – Goalie, 12th
Alejandro Mora – Def, 12th
Alec Martinoli – Def, 12th
Eric Marin – Mid, 12th
Gavin Wentworth – Def, 12th
Nicolas McKinley – Mid, 10th
Gabriel Contreras Paricio – Mid, 12th
Juan Clara- Forward, 12th
Key reserves returning (name, position, year in school):
Diego Chinchilla – Def, 12th
Eduardo Aguilar – Mid, 10th
Jack Duffy – Mid, 12th
Jonathan Reyes – Forward, 12th
Issac Roman – Goalie, 12th
Key newcomers (name, position, year in school):
Coach’s season outlook: These boys have had to work hard to get to this point and are the type of players that will leave it all on the field.
School name: Hancock
Last year’s record: 4-9
Starters returning (name, position, year in school):
- German Barrientos Jr., 12th Grade, Defender, Captain
- Omar Garcia, 12th Grade, Forward, Co-Captain
- Erick Gutierrez, 12th Grade, Goalkeeper
- Alexander Herrera, 12th Grade, Forward
- Alec Olivas, 10th Grade, Midfielder
- Emanuel Reyes, 12th Grade, Midfielder
- Daniel M. Ramirez, 12th Grade, Midfielder
- Aaron Sanchez, 10th Grade, Defender
- Juan Carlos Vazquez, 12th Grade, Midfielder
Key reserves returning (name, position, year in school):
- Andrzej Blachuta, 12th Grade, Goalkeeper
- Yahir Jacobo, 10th Grade, Forward
Key newcomers (name, position, year in school):
- Santiago Arevalo, 12th Grade, Defender
- Marlon Gutierrez, 9th Grade, Defender
- Eduardo Hernandez, 12th Grade, Forward
- Oscar Martinez, 11th Grade, Defender
- Max Romero, 11th Grade, Midfielder
- Lorenzo Soto, 9th Grade, Midfielder
- Jesus Torres, 10th Grade, Midfielder
- Adrian Vega, 10th Grade, Midfielder
- Alexander Vazquez, 10th Grade, Defender
- Luis Zuniga, 9th Grade, Midfielder
Coach’s season outlook: Last year, we had a winning home record and want to improve on our away games. We have a positive outlook for this season, with a lot of young talent and high hopes. We are excited for what’s ahead.
School name: Jones College Prep
Last year’s record: 10-9
Social media handle: https://www.facebook.com/JonesCollegePrep/; https://www.instagram.com/jonescollegeprep/
Starters returning (name, position, year in school):
Vincenzo Perez, Mid, Senior
Nico Lamagna, Def, Senior
Danny Rico, Mid, Senior
Cristian Barrientos, FW, Senior
Mateo Arevalo, FW, Senior
Henry Cole, G, Senior
Felix Bosch, Def, Junior
Oliver Boroski, FW, Junior
Nikolas Dabic, FW, Sophomore
Key newcomers (name, position, year in school):
Santiago Escalante, Mid, Sophomore
Luca Miranda, Mid, Sophomore
Noah Wissner, FW, Sophomore
Gabriel Elhofy, Mid, Sophomore
Diego Mancilla, Mid, Junior
Xavier Jenkins, Def, Junior
Jonah Rockrohr, Def, Senior
Coach’s season outlook:
We have a strong collection of senior leadership and young talent. Our group is highly motivated to make a statement this season. After getting barely nudged out of the Premier division, our number one goal is to finish first in our conference and get promoted.
School name: Kelly College Prep
Last year’s record: 1-3-1
College commits: 4
Starters returning (name, position, year in school):
Diego Calderon, Forward/Midfielder, Senior
Alan Landa, Midfielder, Senior
Benjamin
Julian Plasencia, Midfielder and Forward, Senior
Key reserves returning (name, position, year in school):
Leyandro Custodio, Midfleilder Freshmen
Key newcomers (name, position, year in school):
Andres Quintero, Defender, Junior
Juan Riquelme, Defender and Midfleider Junio
Alfredo Socorro, Forward, Junior
Coach’s season outlook:
This season’s main goal is to continue building our program and establish a positive, inclusive, and uniting team chemistry. Tradition: “We aim to compete for a conference title and compete in the city playoffs and state tournament. Beyond winning, we want to grow in skill and character as a team. We are excited to see our players push each other to be their best and proudly represent the Kelly program.”
School name: Lake View High School
Last year’s record: 4-8-2
Starters returning: We have a Senior heavy squad this year. Players are hungry and eager to define their tenure on the pitch! Key Seniors are:
Damian Alvarez
Alfredo Aragon
Diego Camacho
Jared Chavez
Steven De Jesus
Dehren Gutierrez-Aguillon
Erik Martinez
Daniel Nunez
Melvin Padilla Martinez
Jorge Santillan
Leonel Segura-Miranda
Jose Vasquez Cervantes
Coach’s season outlook: We have a lot of talent at Lake View with a great history of soccer success. This year we will be adjusting through a coaching change and embarking on a return to our storied culture as we also celebrate the 150th Anniversary of our school. Time to merge the best of the past with the opportunities of the future! Go Wildcats!
School name: Lane
Website: lanetechsoccer.com
Returning players:
Evan Burgess, Goalkeeper, Junior
Andrew Hwu, Defender, Senior
Filip Glodz, Defender, Senior
Jasper Grove, Defender, Junior
Julien Audinelle, Midfielder, Senior
Kanan Krause, Midfielder, Junior
Grayson Trinter, Forward, Senior
William Huge, Midfielder, Senior (All Sectional 2023)
Cam Chitnis, Defender, Senior
Adrian Onofre, Defender, Senior
Alexander Bornstien, Mid, Senior
Bryan Gauto, Forward, Junior
Benicio Lacerda, Forward, Senior
Robert Mann, Midfielder, Senior
Eduardo Aburto, Midfielder, Senior
Key newcomers:
Oren Rehm, Sophomore, Midfielder
Adrian Szkolnik, Sophomore, Midfielder
Coach’s Outlook:
I think we have a competitive team and we have a very difficult schedule. We are in the Premier Division and our non conference games are York, Lake Forest, Libertyville, Lyons (on their homecoming), and Morton. All of those teams except Lake Forest have won the state championship in their history. Lyons finished second in state last year. I hope we can stay up in the Premier Division and challenge for the City title.
School name: Marine Leadership Academy
Last year’s record: 11-7-5
Starters returning (name, position, year in school, honors):
William Mejia, Striker, Senior, All City
Lex Alvarado, Defender, Senior, All Conference
David Solache, Winger, Junior, All Conference
Coach’s season outlook:
Perhaps the deepest team in school history with a talented pool of attacking players.
School Name: North-Grand High School
Last Year’s Record: 4-8-1
Social Media Handle: Instagram – @ngboyssoccer
Key Returnees (name, year in school, position, any accolades):
Kevin Delgado – Senior, MF, Team Captain
Santiago Jaimes – Senior, MF, Team Captain
Alexander Amaya – Senior, FWD, Team Captain
Eduardo Bahena – Sophomore, MF
Key non-starters returning (name, year in school, position):
Manuel Estrada Pita – Junior. DEF
Abel Gutierrez – Senior, FWD
Delio Fajardo – Junior, DEF
Key newcomers (name, year in school, position):
Axel Reyes– Senior, DEF
Samuel Delgado – Freshman, FWD
Christian Zavala – Freshman, MF
Coach’s Season Outlook: With a solid group of seniors and a very young group of freshman and sophomores, we are looking to build from last year and being competitive throughout the city and state tournaments.
School name: Northside
Last year’s record: 7-8-2, 4th in First Division Northwest
Social media handle: @ncp_soccer (instagram)
Starters returning (name, position, year in school, honors):
Jonathan Alvarado, midfield, sr., All Conference (2023)
Lorenzo Borzutzky, defender, sr.
Key newcomers (name, position, year in school):
Matthew Sterniuk, forward, sr.
Coach’s season outlook:
After graduating a large proportion of key players, this may be a rebuilding year. However, the core group of returners are poised to improve on our record of last year.
School name: Senn Bulldogs
Last year’s record: 9-9-1
Social media handle: @Senn_soccer
Starters returning (name, position, year in school, stats):
Sr. Vicente Quintero – MF – 2 goals 2 assists
Sr. Baribefee Denuate – FWD – 10 goals 4 assists
Jr. Jordi Mercado – MF – 3 goals 4 assists
Sr. Jack Shanley – DEF
Sr. Piotr Stepinski – DEF
Sr. Daniel Perez – DEF
Key reserves returning (name, position, year in school):
Sr. Edwin Gonzalez – MF
Sr. George Prater – FWD
So. Xavier Paredes – MF
Key newcomers (name, position, year in school):
Sr. Dorde Matovic – DEF
Sr. Brandon Achankeng – FWD
Fr. Yani Arzamendi – GK
Coach’s season outlook: This year’s team should continue to build off of last year. The midfield core, and returning attackers should make for an exciting attacking phase of our game. Some exciting newcomers joined the squad this year and are hungry to make an impact.
School name: Taft High School
Last year’s record: 14-7-1
Social media handle: @Taft_HS @TaftAthletics
Starters returning (name, position, year in school): Kurmanbek Madaripov, MID, Senior
Key reserves returning (name, position, year in school): Max Gonzalez, FWD, Sophomore; Idris Bachir, FWD, Senior; Krstan Omcikus, MID, Senior; Andres Flores, MID, Senior; Andres Garcia, FWD, Junior
Key newcomers (name, position, year in school): Valentyn Solomchak, FWD, Junior; David Dabek, DEF, Sophomore, Maksymilian Potyrala, GK, Junior; Dominik Flis, GK, Sophomore, Karim Ziyat, MID, Junior
Coach’s season outlook: Coming off our second straight CPL championship appearance, and first CPL title, we are in a “rebuild”. We replace 13 seniors and lost All-State players at forward and goalkeeper to transfer and MLS Next. Despite these losses, we reload with talented players all over the field and our expectations are to win the revamped CPL Premier Conference and get back to the CPL Championship match to defend our title. Valentyn Solomchak, Max Gonzalez, and Kuma Madaripov will cause problems for everyone in the CPL. The big question will be how we replace one of the top defenses in the entire state of Illinois and if we can maintain the levels expected of a Taft team.
School name: Washington HS
Last year’s record: 12-7-1
Social media handle: IG: gwhs_boyssoccer, X:@GWHS_BoysSoccer
Starters returning (name, position, year in school, stats/honors if available):
Dylan Castillo G Sr – All-Sectional
Alexis Leyva G Sr
Juan Rodriguez D Sr
Jareth Perez D Sr
Osmar Lopez M Sr
Key reserves returning (name, position, year in school, stats if available):
Aaron Cortez M Sr
Key newcomers (name, position, year in school):
Joshua Ocampo F Sr
Ricardo Paredes M Jr
Coach’s season outlook:
As we step into a new season, the excitement and anticipation are noticeable among our players and coaching staff. With the departure of our legendary Coach Perez after 30 years, we find ourselves at the beginning of a new chapter. This transition presents both challenges and opportunities for our program. The graduation of a talented senior class has left us with considerable gaps to fill. Of the 63 goals scored last year, an astounding 55 were netted by players who have now moved on. This statistic underscores the reality we face this season. We return only 4 starters from last year’s squad. While these returning players bring valuable experience, the majority of our team will be composed of new faces eager to make their mark. We are excited to be competing in the CPS Premier Conference and hope to be competitive.
School name: Wells
Starters returning (name, position, year in school, stats/honors if available):
– Jesus Bravo, winger, senior
– Jeremias Hernandez Archila, defender/winger, sophomore
– Kleinreyer Marin Olivo, striker, sophomore
– Rosman Aleman-Goenaga, CDM, senior
– Christopher Gutierrez, defender, sophomore
Key reserves returning (name, position, year in school, stats if available):
– Saul Peralta, defender, sophomore
– Bryan Resendiz, defender, sophomore
– Geovonni Green, defender, junior
– Terrell Brooks, defender, senior
Key newcomers (name, position, year in school):
– Bradley Alvarez-Figuera, midfielder, sophomore
– Mario Yandel Quintero Patron, midfielder, sophomore
– Alejandro Pichardo Villasmil, midfielder, sophomore
Coach’s season outlook:
After a conference-winning season last year, the Wells Raiders are looking to rebuild following the departure of several key senior players. We are excited to welcome a lot of new and young talent into our team and are excited about our prospects this season.
School name: Westinghouse College Prep
Last year’s record: 12 wins, 5 losses
Social media handle: @GWCPSoccer (X and Instagram)
Starters returning (name, position, year in school, honors):
Eric Lopez, Defender, Senior, All Conference
David Gomez, Midfielder, Senior, All Conference
Michael Ceron, Goalkeeper, Junior
Josue Balbuena, Forward, Sophomore
Joseph Fillmore, Midfielder, Junior
Marco Lorenzo, Defender, Junior
Gabriel Lopez, Forward, Junior
Key reserves returning (name, position, year in school):
Nicholas Arvizu, Defender, Sophomore
Miguel Gómez, Forward, Senior
Key newcomers (name, position, year in school):
Alexander Tolayo, Defender, Freshman
Myles McElrath, Forward, Senior
Coach’s season outlook:
We lost a set of seniors that were influential in our record last year. Our core this year consists of a lot of juniors and seniors that need to step up to maintain the same level. I hope for a similar season as last year, having over a .500 record throughout the season.
School name: Whitney Young
Last year’s record: 15-7-3 in 2023
Social media handle: twitter: @wyboyssoccer
Returning starters:
John Stanton, MID, Sr. , 9 goals, 3 assists
Sam Henle, Sr. MID, 3 goals, 15 assists
Aidan Leatourneau, Sr. DEF, 4 assists
Ernie Camerena Sr. , DEF
Leo Antoniewicz, Sr. , MID
Key Reserves:
Oren Epstein, Sr., MID,
Season Outlook:
We’re looking to maintain and improve upon the standard set by the last 2 senior classes.
