Led by the 18 goal, two-assist effort of Minooka senior forward and All-Area MVP Mo Esquivel, the 2012 Morris Daily Herald All-Area Boys Soccer Team has been announced. Fifteen players make up the squad this season, including seven from Minooka, five from Morris and three from Coal City.
Chava Villanueva
Junior, Morris
Villanueva scored 15 goals and added eight assists assist this fall.
"Chava has been a success since his sophomore year. Twice he has been All-(Northern Illinois Big 12) Conference. He helped in the final game to win in our first streator tournament. He scored two vital goals to help us win the regional title again," Morris coach David Valdivia said. "He became a captain this year and learned to lead not just in games but practice. He is dangerous because of his of his dribbling skills and he is left footed which changes the game but also can score with his right foot as well."
Joe Koenig
Senior, Minooka
Koenig scored three goals and had four assists for the Indians.
"Joe is the complete player who understands how to compete and how to win. While he was out most of the season with a foot injury, he still made his mark every time he was on the field," Minooka coach Chris Brolley said. "He controlled the game and his team like a captain should. He's a great player and sees the game better than many soccer players."
Zack Pierard
Senior, Coal City
Pierard scored nine goals and five assists this fall for the Coalers.
"Zack lead our team in both goals and assists. Zack was a two-year captain. Zack was voted as an All-(Interstate Eight) Conference and All-Area selection last year. He is a 2012 All-Conference player," Coal City coach Branden Petersen said. "Our offense was run through him. He has great ball control and always finds himself in the right place. He plays great defense as an offensive player."
Nestor Rodriguez
Junior, Morris
Rodriguez scored nine goals and eight assists for the Redskins in 2012.
"Nestor has grown tremendously from last year as a sophomore coming up to varsity both physically and as a player," Valdivia said. "He is an all-around player with a poweful shot. He not only can put goals in but lead the team in assist. He was honorable mention in the NIB12."
Sergio Reyes
Junior, Minooka
Reyes scored four goals and added two assists for the Indians.
"Sergio will be leading this team next year as a senior and as a coaching staff, we're excited," Brolley said. "His ability to create opportunities for his teammates is amazing. He puts his teammates in great positions to succeed and is dedicated to play at the next level. Great soccer player, you'll hear his name a lot next year."
Tony Norris
Senior, Coal City
Norris scored eight goals and added five assists this past fall,
"Tony Norris was an All-Conference selection as a sophomore. He was also named as a 2012 All-Conference player. He has an amazing ability to get touches on the ball no matter the situation," Petersen said. "In an offense that struggled to score he was a bright spot.Tony gave other teams problems defending him. He can play any position — including goalie."
Ricardo Del Toro
Sophomore, Morris
Valdivia said that Del Toro played well above his eight goals and five assists this past fall.
"Ricardo is no sophomore and does not look like one. He is fast quick discipline and is always hungry for goals," Valdivia said. "He can not only put the goals with his feet but will find it in the air with his head. He played very well with Nestor and I predict he will double his goals for next year. He was also mentioned honorable at conference."
A.J. Bever
Senior, Minooka
Bever scored two goals this fall.
"A.J. held our defense together all season," Brolley said. "His physical stature enables him to excel with the many talents he has as a soccer player and put himself in a great position to succeed. We'll miss him as well as all the seniors."
Ayhan Ozgen
Senior, Minooka
A goalie, Ozgen made "too many saves to count" according to Brolley while adding one assist.
"After taking a year off, he came back with a resurgence to help lead this team to a 12-9-1 record and the most (team) wins in five years," Brolley said. "His competitive nature and knowledge of sports and soccer enabled him to control the game from the back, making solid saves all year that kept us in games."
Matt Thayer
Junior, Morris
Thayer scored five goals and dished five assists for the Redskins.
"This kid is a pass-master he has great vision as his assist dominated his goals," Valdivia said. "He can make great one touch passes and is fast to the ball. He has put accurate goals. He dominated the passing."
Giacomo Raimondi
Junior, Minooka
Raimondi had three goals and seven assists for the Indians this fall.
"Giac is a great player, he set up many plays for us up top, he'll step in a leadership role next year and lead this team to the top of the conference," Brolley said.
Clay Kauzlaric
Junior, Coal City
Kauzlaric had a goal and three assists for the Coalers in 2012.
"As a stopper, Clay added the support to the midfield that was needed," Petersen said. "He was very durable and a tough defender. He was very flexible and able to play all of the defensive positions at a high level."
Jacob Komperda
Senior, Morris
A defender, Komperda had no goals and two assists in the back.
"This was my coach's award player because he grew every game and was dedicated at practice. He would run on the offseason as I would literally run by him on our five-mile trail," Valdivia said. "He dominated his side of the field his height played a huge advantage and his last game against Morton was his peak of play as he defensively won 98 percent of every ball that was in his area. I am very proud of him."
Craig Phillips
Senior, Minooka
A captain for the Indians, Phillips scored three goals and added seven assists.
"Craig was a great asset to our team," Brolley said. "His aggressive play and ability to control the ball allows him to create options for himself, not a lot of players have this ability."
