Prep soccer preview: Area conference previews
CLASSIC 8
2016 champion: Arrowhead
2017 favorite: Arrowhead.
Other contenders: Oconomowoc, Catholic Memorial, Waukesha West.
Key players: Arrowhead: Benny Boelter, sr., M; Luke Dubnicka, sr., M; Ben Woida, sr., M. Catholic Memorial: Isaac Barta, sr., M; Zach Davis, sr., D; Brendan Christiansen, sr., GK. Kettle Moraine: Blake Wilcox, jr., D; Nate Etzel, jr., M. Oconomowoc: Josh Bobke, sr., GK; Cameron Briggs, sr., M; Sam Garcia, sr., D. Mukwonago: John Reardon, sr., M; David Burgad, sr., D. Muskego: Sam Runyan, sr., M. Waukesha North: Bryan Balerazo, jr., M. Waukesha South: Javier Cardenas, sr., F; Carlos Montes, sr., M. Waukesha West: Evan Donini, sr., D; Mark Durand, sr., M; Sam Bruggink, jr., M; Aric Booth, sr., M; Eric Legut, soph., M.
Outlook: Arrowhead won the league with a perfect 7-0 conference mark last season but has several holes to fill. Still, the Warhawks are ranked No. 2 in Division 1 in the first coaches poll of the year and get the nod here. Newcomer Oconomowoc could be the top challenger as the Raccoons return six players that earned some form of all-conference honors in the now-defunct Little Ten Conference. Catholic Memorial andWaukesha West are also ranked in their respective divisions.
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GREATER METRO
2016 champion: Milwaukee Marquette.
2017 favorite: Marquette.
Other contenders: Brookfield Central.
Key players: Brookfield Central: Austen Schweinert, sr., F; Alex Mirsberger, sr., M; Andrew Schweinert, sr., M; Josh Thistle, jr., M; Mike Windsor, sr., GK. Brookfield East: Ben Heydt, sr., M/D; Morris Seaton, sr., F; Erik Solie, sr., M. Germantown: Austin Holtebeck, jr., M; Joe Mazurek, jr., GK. Marquette: Nicholas Cheung, sr., F; Dominic Lambo, sr., M; Osvaldo Sanchez-Arellano, jr., F; Tom Bruneau, jr., M; Josue Soriano, jr., D. Sussex Hamilton: Joey Hartung, sr., M. Wauwatosa East: Jalen Holley, sr., F; Jim Mroz, soph., M. Wauwatosa West: Phil Fobair, sr., M; Noah Katula, sr., D; Aaron Flierl, sr., D. West Allis Central: Sam Jorgenson, jr., M.
Outlook: Marquette won its third straight Division 1 state title a year ago and is a huge favorite to make it four this fall. The Hilltoppers have fantastic talent and depth throughout their program and return 11 seniors and their top four attackers. While many programs couldn’t survive the loss of state player of the year Ben Leas, Marquette simply finds its next superstar — or stars — and keeps rolling along. Brookfield Central earned a tie with the Hilltoppers during the regular season and then reached the state tournament for the first time since 2001. But in the state semifinals, Marquette rolled past Central, 3-0. The Lancers might have a chance to challenge Marquette again, but a gap certainly remains between the two programs.
METRO CLASSIC
2016 champion: St. Thomas More.
2017 favorite: Racine St. Catherine's.
Other contenders: Racine Prairie, St. Thomas More.
Key players: Dominican: Sam Yarmulnik, jr., MF. Kenosha St. Joseph: Connor Johnston, sr., MF. Martin Luther: Marcus Lemberger, sr., D; David Wrucke, sr., D. Racine Lutheran: Kody Banse, sr., M; Mason Wagner, sr., M. Racine Prairie: Gabe Perez, jr., D; Nolan Wolf, sr., M; Raul Rueda, sr., M; Koda Fletcher, sr., F. Racine St. Catherine’s: Ernesto Gomez, sr., D; Manuel Barajas, sr., M; Andres Villarreal, sr., F. Shoreland Lutheran: Alex Zimmerman, sr., GK; Kaleb Tindall, sr., D. St. Thomas More: Nick Unora, jr., D; Diego Lopez, sr., M.
Outlook: St. Thomas More edged Racine Prairie and Racine St. Catherine’s for the conference title a year ago. St. Catherine’s then picked up steam in the postseason and won the Division 4 state title. The same three teams are expected to vie for the league title again. St. Catherine’s is the favorite with 16 returners and the core of last year’s title team back.
MIDWEST CLASSIC
2016 champion: University School.
2017 favorite: University School.
Other contenders: Brookfield Academy, Lake Country Lutheran.
Key players: Brookfield Academy: Michael Lo, sr., M; Jack Beckett, sr., D; Alex Pelligrini, sr., F. Lake Country Lutheran: Jake Schumacher, sr., F; Mitch Reid, sr., M. Living Word Lutheran: Michacadet Gethand, soph., F. Matthew Axtman, sr., M. St. John’s Northwestern: Andrew Burrow, sr., D; Joe Craten, soph., GK; University School: Joey Wells, jr., D; Cole Wilson, sr., M.
Outlook: University School went undefeated in the conference for a second straight season last. But Brookfield Academy and Lake Country Lutheran could challenge in 2017. “I believe this year is going to be a toss-up,” Brookfield Academy coach Lee Rogers said. University School suffered some heavy losses to graduation, although it always seems to have capable replacements. Brookfield Academy returns three all-conference players, while Lake Country Lutheran’s Jake Schumacher led the conference in scoring last season.
MILWAUKEE CITY
2016 champion: Milwaukee Bradley Tech.
2017 favorite: Bradley Tech.
Other contenders: King, South, Pulaski
Key players: Audubon: David Reyes, sr., M. Bay View: Christian Rodriguez, jr.; Bae Reh, jr.; Hoe Ri Da, soph.; Adrian Sarmiento, sr.; Emmanuel Aranda, sr. Bradley Tech: Johnny Argueta, jr. Hamilton: Sam Uk, sr., GK; Victor-Biak Nung, sr., F/M; Edwardo Raymundo, sr., F/D. King: Toussant Webb, sr., MF. Marshall: Kebin Nkowkou, sr.; Bryan Morales, sr.; Tou Phia Lor, jr. Reagan: Elijah Wall, jr. Riverside: Jose Cervantes, jr.; Alex Garcia, soph.; Andres Leija, sr. School of Languages: Cameron Polley, jr., GK. South: Ismael Vences, sr., MF; Eduardo Sanchez, sr., GK. Washington: Boeillo Gauthier, jr.; Jordan Dinsmore, sr.; Erku Adem Jr., sr.
Outlook: Tech has won the league four straight years and is viewed as the team to beat again. Milwaukee King, South and Pulaski all have intriguing rosters, though, and could challenge Tech.
NORTH SHORE
2016 champion: Whitefish Bay.
2017 favorite: Whitefish Bay.
Other contenders: Cedarburg, Homestead.
Key players: Cedarburg: Eric Peterson, sr., M; Willy Kornetzke, soph., M; Ian Nelson, jr., D. Hartford: Christian Trypak, sr.; Ethan Hanisko, sr.; AJ Driesen, sr. Homestead: Jack Finney, jr., M; Jackson Bogli, jr., M; Luca DeMartino, sr., D. Nicolet: Noah Hernandez, sr., F; Logan Lafferty, jr., M; Andrew Muenster, sr., M; Nathan Hernandez, jr., D. Port Washington: Ben Hughes, sr., F; Josh Holtebeck, sr., D; River Clark, sr., GK. Slinger: Will Weiss, sr., F/M. West Bend East: Blake Furlano, sr. West Bend West: Charlie Danaher, soph., M. Whitefish Bay: Elian Haddock, sr., GK; Jackson Dryden, sr., F; Matthew Comiskey, sr., M; Drew Nelson, sr., M; Shawn Azcueta, sr., D; Jeremy Haddock, sr., D; Anthony Giunta, sr., D.
Outlook: The Blue Dukes rolled to a perfect mark in the league last year and then cruised to the Division 2 state title. With seven all-conference players back — led by all-state keeper Elian Haddock — Bay is the clear frontrunner again. Cedarburg, with three all-conference players back, is the most likely challenger. Homestead, led by legendary coach Rich Dorn, could be a darkhorse. West Bend East, West Bend West, Hartford and Slinger — all formerly of the Little Ten Conference — join the league, as well.
SOUTHEAST
2016 champion: Oak Creek
2017 favorite: Oak Creek.
Other contenders: Kenosha Tremper, Franklin.
Key players: Franklin: Connor Kapczynski, sr., F; Nolan Atkinson, sr., D; Joe Heup, jr., GK. Kenosha Bradford: Zach Borden, sr., D; Victor Andrade, sr., F. Kenosha Indian Trail: Casey Kaelber, jr., F; Jake Laurent, jr., M. Kenosha Tremper: Michael Jensen, sr., F; Mitch Nyberg, sr., D; Kolden Johnson, sr., D; Alex Wajerski, soph., M; Eduardo Vilchis, soph., D. Oak Creek: Roman Waszak, sr., D; Ty Stulo, sr., F; Peter Villafuerte, sr., GK; David Cox, jr., M; Kevin Rebollo, jr., D. Racine Case: Ethan Hoard, jr., F. Racine Park: Joseph Krueger, sr., M; Jonathon Munoz, jr., M. Racine Horlick: Xavian Cruz, sr., F; Michael Shields, sr., M; Luis Valencia, sr., GK; Alejandro Patino, jr., D.
Outlook: Oak Creek broke through and won the league a year ago. Now, the Knights bring back eight players that received some form of all-conference honors and should be even better. The best of the bunch are Waszak, Villafuerte and Stulo, who were all first-team all-conference selections in 2016. Tremper finished second a year ago and has more depth than it has had in recent seasons. Franklin could be a sleeper but had some big graduation losses.
SOUTHERN LAKES
2016 champion: Delavan-Darien.
2017 favorite: Delavan-Darien.
Other contenders: Elkhorn, Lake Geneva Badger.
Key players: Burlington: Marco Hernandez, sr., M. Delavan-Darien: Jamie Rodriguez, sr., D; Pablo Guzman Martinez, jr., F; Jason Cano, sr., F; Zeus Huerta, jr., M. Elkhorn: Devon Davey, soph., M; Kevin Romero, sr.; Adam Reigle, jr., M. Lake Geneva Badger: Payton Aranda, sr., F. Union Grove: Logan Farrington, soph., M; Michael Polzin, sr., GK. Waterford: Jacob Woulfe, sr., M; Michael Hyland, jr., GK; Chris Estrada, jr., F. Wilmot: Anthony Poco, sr., F.
Outlook: Delavan-Darien has developed into a state power. The Comets have won two of the last three Division 3 titles — including last year’s — and are 71-4-3 over the last three seasons. With four all-conference players back, Delavan-Darien is the odds-on favorite to win the league again and a good bet to capture a third state title in four seasons.
WOODLAND
2016 champion: Pewaukee.
2016 favorite: Pewaukee.
Other contenders: Greendale, New Berlin Eisenhower.
Key players: Brown Deer: Cameron Williams, jr., F; Liam McGuire, sr., D. Cudahy/St. Francis: David Jaimes-Rodriguez, sr., M; Cristian Martin, sr., M. Greendale: Michael Miksic, sr., M; Andrew Mitchell, soph., D. Greenfield: Arsenius Adogamhe, sr., M; Nikola Kresanovic, soph., M. Milwaukee Lutheran: Logan Alles, sr., D. New Berlin Eisenhower: Dominic Quirk, sr., F; JR Stehofsky, jr., M; Hunter Hildebrand, jr., D. New Berlin West: Nate Garris, sr., F; Dominic DeLuca, sr., D; Mason Church, sr., M; Corbin Neutgens, jr., M. Pewaukee: Jack Marks, jr., M; Samuel Adams, jr., M; Tyler Kiser, sr., M; Joe Meilke, sr., D; Adam Samuel, sr., D; Collin McGowan, sr., GK. Pius: Kemp McNealey, sr., F; Ivan Cuellar, jr., M. Shorewood: Jaison James, sr., F; Cole Stephens, sr., M; Garrison Ferone, sr., M. South Milwaukee: Ryan Adamec, sr., M; Connor Eaton, sr., M. Whitnall: Anthony Scortino, sr., M; Anthony Schauer, sr., M; Jason Dundas, sr., D; Sam Thut, jr., GK. West Allis Central: Sam Jorgenson, jr., M.
Outlook: Dave Zindler, the ultra-successful girls soccer coach at Waukesha West, takes over the boys program at Pewaukee this season. Zindler, an English teacher and literacy coach at the school, inherits a terrific team that won the Woodland Conference a year ago. Greendale and New Berlin Eisenhower also should contend in this revamped league.