If something looks awry when the Neuqua Valley soccer captains meet the officials before a match this fall, don’t worry. There’s no need to rub your eyes, do a double take or whip out the cell phone to schedule an emergency appointment with your optometrist.
Even those with 20/20 eyesight will have double vision, times three. Neuqua Valley coach Jim Johns plans to send out all six of his captains if regulations allow it. It’s the first time in more than 20 years of high school coaching that Johns selected so many captains, but he felt each in the group was deserving of the honor.
The Super Six–Chris Clark, Nick Coulson, Drew Degurian, Andrew Monteith, Scott Shugh and Sulav Singh–have a high level of skill not only on the soccer field, but in the classroom as well.
All of the seniors take honors classes with grade-point averages ranging from 3.7 to 4.2 on a 4.0-point scale. This focused group is a major reason the Wildcats enter the season perched atop the Tribune poll.
“They are extremely hardworking kids,” said Neuqua Valley teacher Mike Kennedy, who taught Monteith, Shugh and Degurian in honors physics last year. Coulson will join that trio in Kennedy’s advanced placement physics class this year.
Kennedy added: “These students are people that wherever they are and whatever they’re doing, are going to try to be the best that they can . . . whether it be in academics, whether it’s on the soccer field. They’re very, very driven, very motivated people.”
The drive for soccer success has intensified this season after a frustrating pitfall in the Naperville North sectional last year. Tabbed as the No. 2 team in the region and No. 9 nationally by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America poll, Neuqua Valley saw its quest end in an upset. Naperville North tied the Wildcats late before defeating them 2-1 in overtime.
The unexpected ending left a resolute Neuqua Valley squad even more focused on the upcoming season.
“I think it will be amazing,” said Clark, who displayed his skills alongside Degurian and Shugh with the Chicago Magic Soccer Club’s under-17 national championship team this summer. We know we have so much talent on this team that if we don’t do well this year we’ll be really disappointed. We’re just pushing ourselves right now. We know we have to do well this year.”
The talent and leadership will be spread throughout the field. Clark, Singh and Coulson form the base at the defensive end. Shugh and Degurian will patrol the middle, with an eye on frontliner Monteith, who led the team with 26 goals.
However strong, six players do not make a soccer team. Neuqua Valley graduated only one starter from its undefeated Upstate Eight Conference champions. The experience enhances a team with a high soccer IQ, which manifested itself last year. Johns thinks that the rare quality will serve the Wildcats well.
“I’ve seen varsity teams that can change formations, play different numbers of attackers, midfielders and defenders and do that well,” Johns said. “But that was the first team that I coached that actually changed their style of play depending on the situation. Like I said, they’re very smart.”
Tribune’s Top 10 boys soccer teams
1. Neuqua Valley: How do you top a season in which the Wildcats broke numerous school records, including most victories (22), most goals (87) and fewest goals allowed (20)? By winning some hardware. Neuqua Valley lost only one regular from a 22-3-1 team. Tribune special-mention All-Staters Andrew Monteith (forward) and Chris Clark (defender) fill key roles.
2. Wheaton Warrenville South: Defensive lapses derailed what many thought would be a promising season. The senior-dominated team includes All-Stater Matt Witt. Strider Elass and Alex Mangan set a quick pace on the front line.
3. Waubonsie Valley: There will be a lot of new faces, but two familiar ones return: Senior All-Stater Danny May (18 goals, eight assists) and junior goalkeeper Chay Cain. Both played on the national championship under-17 club this summer.
4. Sandburg: After the graduation of six starters, coach Jack Ferraro believes he has some rebuilding to do. However, the two-time defending Class AA state champion returns senior forward Al Duncan, who led the team in scoring.
5. Brother Rice: Downstate hopes have been derailed by Sandburg the last two years via penalty kicks. Seven starters return, and a bench with experience gleaned from coach Nick Markulin’s open-subbing philosophy. Sophomore goaltender Jeff Wilson replaces injured senior Brett Schaefer.
6. Naperville North: Former coach Dave Bucher got a nice going-away present with a surprise fourth-place state-tournament trophy. Bucher remains as an assistant and hands the reins and seven returning starters to former player Jim Konrad. All-Stater Nick Romano teams with sophomore Joe Sauerman in one of the area’s best midfields.
7. New Trier: Success will begin with an experienced defense. With sweeper Andrew Clark out, New Trier began the season 0-2-6. Clark’s return revived the Trevians, who won 13 straight before being upset in the regional final. Seniors Tim Cwick and Martin Donohoe bolster the back line; senior Baer Fisher the offense.
8. Barrington: The Broncos graduated 12 seniors, including three to Division I. But the third-place state finishers have a strong base with Justin Montrie (17 goals, 6 assists), midfielder/forward Nick Sutter (10 goals, 7 assists) and senior Dirk Pearson back from the club ranks.
9. Downers Grove South: A strong midfield and eight returnees with starting experience should make them contenders. Seniors Chris Rufa and Joe Rusk will key the middle. Junior goalkeeper Jason Curry begins his second year as starter.
10. Libertyville: The Wildcats return eight starters from their North Suburban Conference title team. Team-leading scorer Alen Husidic directs the offense with the help of his sophomore brother, Baggio. Eric Johnson and goalie J.J. Weiland head the defense.
Best of the rest: Buffalo Grove, Carmel, Conant, Evanston, Fremd, Glenbard N., Hersey, Lincoln-Way E., Lyons Township, Maine South.
Top boys soccer players
(In alphabetical order)
FORWARDS
Adam Bieschke, sr., Carmel
Alex Duncan, sr., Sandburg
Brandon Bilbrey, sr., Fremd
Keum Sung Kim, sr., Hersey
Danny May, sr., Waubonsie Valley
Andrew Monteith, sr., Neuqua Valley
Erik Ortega, sr., Lyons Township
Ben Peart, sr., Lake Park
MIDFIELDERS
Kurt Albrecht, sr., Buffalo Grove
Brandon Corday, sr., Niles West
Blake Gotkowski, sr., Lincoln-Way East
Matt Meyer, sr., Schaumburg
Leslie Osei, sr., Evanston
Nick Romano, sr., Naperville North
Chris Rufa, sr., Downers Grove South
Ryan Shanahan, sr., St. Charles North
DEFENDERS
Steve Algozino, sr., Lincoln-Way East
Andrew Clark, sr., New Trier
Chris Clark, sr., Neuqua Valley
Jeff Diehl, sr., Jacobs
Owen Huisenga, sr., Brother Rice
Eric Johnson, sr., Libertyville
T.J. King, sr., St. Viator
Matt Witt, sr., Wheaton Warrenville S.
Eric Yurinich, sr., Brother Rice
GOALKEEPERS
Chay Cain, jr., Waubonsie Valley
Brian Byrne, jr. Buffalo Grove
Lucas Zicher, sr., Hersey
