The North Suburban Conference and Northern Lake County Conference will be strong at the top.
TOP 10 TEAMS
1. Lake Forest (10-5-5): The Scouts are aiming for a second straight Northern Suburban Conference title with senior forward George Thomas (10 goals, 6 assists), senior forward Connor Gustafson and sophomore midfielder Lucas Whiteley. Senior forward Emerson Buettner is a key addition.
2. Stevenson (12-5-5): The Patriots bring back a strong nucleus after winning a Class 3A regional title last season. Senior goalkeeper Matthew Rutcosky is a rock in the back, where senior defenders Cole Dirks and Brady Meng are players to watch. They’re joined by senior midfielders Navaan Kistanna and Matthew Roehl, junior midfielder Jacob Goldstein, senior forward Hayato Eto and sophomore forward Asher Lee.
3. Lake Zurich (10-4-6): The Bears will lean on a strong group of returnees led by senior defender Sean Irvin, senior defender Matthew Chilinski, junior midfielder Trevor Smith, senior forward Devin Hun and senior forward Jacob Chilinski. Experience is the Bears’ greatest strength.
4. Wauconda (14-7-1): The Bulldogs have a significant number of players returning, including senior forward Mario Torres (7 goals, 7 assists), one of the top players in Lake County. Senior midfielder Antonio Valdes and sophomore midfielder/forward Aiden Werner also are key players, and two goalkeepers, juniors Paxton Chartier and Nathan Pakosta, return too.
5. Libertyville (11-3-5): The Wildcats lost a lot of starters to graduation, but expectations remain high. Senior midfielders Nathan Gifford and Jackson Kern will lead the way.
6. Waukegan (4-11-2): Senior defender Pedro Valtierra, senior midfielder Alex Diaz and senior forward Oswaldo Lopez will anchor a young team.
7. Grayslake Central (12-4-1): Senior forward Ivan Sereno, an all-state pick last season, headlines an experienced group for the Rams that also includes senior midfielder Damian Sereno, senior defender Uriel Alonso, senior defender Cory Hayson and senior goalkeeper Michal Taradys.
Grayslake Central’s Ivan Sereno (10) challenges Grant’s Diego Vazquez (8) for the ball during a Northern Lake County Conference game in Fox Lake on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024. (Brian O’Mahoney / News-Sun)
8. Grayslake North (12-5-3): The Knights also are experienced with senior defender Alonso Morales, senior midfielder Danny Fabela, senior midfielder Steven Valdivia, senior forward Javi Villegas, junior midfielder Maksim Dupor and junior forward Brady Ronin.
9. Mundelein (11-10-2): The Mustangs have just three players back: senior defender Brandon Reyes, senior midfielder Leo Rendon and senior goalkeeper Olivier Piasecki. They have high hopes for sophomore defender Israel Villegas, sophomore forward Cristos Acosta and sophomore forward Valentino Acosta.
10. Warren (6-9-5): The Blue Devils have depth but lack significant varsity experience. Senior forward Christian Albarran (7 goals), senior midfielder Charlie Crowson (5 goals, 2 assists) and senior defender Gunnar Zajac are among the top returnees.
TOP 25
Sam Ackermann, Highland Park, senior, midfielder
Jayden Albarran, Round Lake, junior, midfielder
Emerson Buettner, Lake Forest, senior, midfielder
Charlie Crowson, Warren, senior, midfielder
Danny Fabela, Grayslake North, senior, midfielder
Connor Finn, Vernon Hills, junior, midfielder
Nathan Gifford, Libertyville, senior, midfielder
Connor Gustafson, Lake Forest, senior, forward
Sean Irvin, Lake Zurich, senior, defender
Jackson Kern, Libertyville, senior, midfielder
Navaan Kistanna, Stevenson, senior, midfielder
Oswaldo Lopez, Waukegan, senior, forward
Edeson Maradiaga, Zion-Benton, senior, forward
Brady Meng, Stevenson, senior, defender
Brandon Reyes, Mundelein, senior, defender
Matthew Rutcosky, Stevenson, senior, goalkeeper
Damian Sereno, Grayslake Central, senior, midfielder
Ivan Sereno, Grayslake Central, senior, forward
George Thomas, Lake Forest, senior, forward
Mario Torres, Wauconda, senior, forward
Pedro Valtierra, Waukegan, senior, defender
Javi Villegas, Grayslake North, senior, forward
Aiden Werner, Wauconda, sophomore, midfielder/forward
James Willemsen, Carmel, senior, midfielder
Gunnar Zajac, Warren, senior, defender
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/08/26/2025-lake-county-boys-soccer-preview/
