2024-25 Boys Soccer Season Preview

 Our area has had a lot of success in soccer over the past few years, and we think that trend will continue for the 2024 season. Here's some info about each team this year, along with our opinion on where they'll be at this year.

Cahokia (Illinois)

Lebanon are the returning conference champion, and with plenty of pieces returning, we believe the Greyhounds are in a good position to do so again, and maybe make a push for a regional title. Deion Washington and Lincoln Hamm are two field players we expect to do a lot of scoring, and goalkeeper Blake Goetter will hold things down well between the posts. Wesclin will look to challenge for the conference crown as well, with an experienced forward group led by Everardo Diaz and Owen Szpila. Carlyle return starting goalkeeper Matthew Guthrie, as well as some field players, leading us to expect an improved season for the Indians. Valmeyer return their goalkeeper as well in Jake Coats, and with an expanded schedule the opportunity for wins will be there for the Pirates this year. 

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Cahokia (Mississippi)

As time passes on, some things change, and some things stay the same. One of those constants in this particular setting is the performance of Columbia. The Eagles have established themselves as one of the premier programs in our area, and following a 1A 3rd Place finish last year, the capability is there for another State run. Hayes van Breusegen and Brady Hemminghaus are back at Forward and Goalkeeper, respectively, providing some key experience. Freeburg will have a young group this year, but we expect the performance to not drop off too much, owing to the impressive work Coach Krauss and company have done in building the program as of late. Sophomores Dathan Krauss and Ethan Zobrist will be key pieces this season. Salem return a few pieces from last year's regional semi-finalist team. Where exactly the Wildcats slot in remains to be seen, but success tends to produce more success, so we expect positive growth for them this season. Breese Central have some shoes (or cleats) to fill, with a lot of production from last year's team lost to graduation. But, in an athletic program as strong top to bottom as the Cougars have been, enough talent will be there to keep them competitive. East Alton-Wood River will be a competitive bunch, with returners in goal (Keaton Magurany) and in the midfield (Cashtion Gaunt, Brad Garrison) providing a framework for new players to fill in. Roxana have a new coach this year, but return enough pieces to be able to fight for wins in their schedule.

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Independents

Gibault return most of their midfield, but not much at defender or forward. Michael Wessel is the leading returning scorer for the Hawks, who look to go back-to-back for regional titles. Granite City will be an intriguing squad to keep an eye on this year. Most of the production returns from a growing year last year, including forward Armando Hernandez. Tyler Lakin will provide some experience in goal for the Warriors. Mater Dei may be the independent that takes the biggest step forward this year, with key players back at goalkeeper and in the field. Andy Palma and Cam Albers are our picks to do yeoman's work in regards to scoring for the Knights. 

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Gateway Metro

What has become one of the deepest conferences in the area looks to provide more of the same this year. Althoff return some major pieces in Luke Smith and Bo Gomric, as well as intriguing junior Tyler Birdsong. The Crusaders played for a Sectional title last year, can they make a similar run this year once again in 2A. We think it is certainly possible. Marquette find themselves in a unique off-the-field situation, after temporarily losing their traditional home field at Gordon Moore Park due to a sinkhole. They have found a new home (Glazebrook Park in Godfrey), and will look to challenge for conference and playoff titles this year. Jude Keller (Midfield) and Will Fahnestock (GK) will be recognized returners, and Maicol Gonzalez is another intriguing midfield piece for the Explorers. Father McGivney's season ended in heart-breaking fashion last year, and plenty of returners are back for the Griffins, who will be looking to wash the bitter taste of defeat away with new success this year. Aaron Broadwater and Spencer Martin will be a great 1-2 combo for scoring purposes, and goalkeeper Patrick Gierer, who impressed us a lot last year, is back for his sophomore season. Maryville Christian have some young players who got a lot of time last year, and we think that experience will provide some dividends for the Lions this year. Look for juniors Jonah Christian and Cole Pritchett to exemplify that this year. Metro-East Lutheran return a fair bit from last year's squad. Improvement is a goal we think the Knights can achieve this season. Jack Schwarz and Rodrigo Fuertes will be key pieces in the green and gold this year.

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Mississippi Valley

Traditionally, the MVC has been dominated by two teams in the sport of soccer. We think that those two teams will be the frontrunners again this year. Triad have been one of the best teams in the area for the past several years. However, the large majority of their scoring from last year has departed. As the saying goes, however, defense wins championships, and with defense (and goalie) being the area that has the most experience returning, we think the Knights are still going to be a significant challenge for anybody they face. Waterloo have been the other traditional power, and with more returners back, the Bulldogs will certainly be gunning for conference and playoff success. Ty Kinzinger and Caeden Wille were key pieces last year, and GK Parker Lacroix also saw significant time last year. Sep. 17 and Oct. 10 will be dates circled on the calendar for both of these teams. Mascoutah will try to play spoiler this year, and the Indians have enough talent returning for that to be achievable. F Kannon Creamer is the leading returning goal scorer for Mascoutah, and enough other pieces return for an experienced group to make a push. Civic Memorial have had a solid run of success over the past few seasons, and we think that trend will continue for 2024. Tyler Wilson is a name to watch for the Eagles this year. Highland have a lot of production to make up for this year, but we think they will still be competitive this year. Jersey have some talented juniors in Adam Kribs (F) and Brady Maxeiner (GK), who will keep the Panthers competitive.

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Southwestern

Collinsville lose some key pieces from last year's super-sectional squad, but return enough that we think the Kahoks will still be a strong team. Juan Carlos Doria and Chris Munoz will be the key field players, and Braden Henson does return in goal as well. Edwardsville preview very similarly, with an experienced goalkeeper in Collin Schelecte, as well as some intriguing field players, most notably Owen Lunsford at midfield and defender Henry Vivian. O'Fallon will have some things to say as well in regards to the race for the conference title. Carson Nix and Harrison Schroeder are strong returners in the midfield, and Robbie Greene returns at keeper. The matchups between these 3 teams, as per usual, will be very competitive. Belleville West are coming off of a solid season, and will try to make a push into the top half of the conference this year, with more returning than most other teams. Keeper Jacob Mathenia and the midfield duo of Braden Missey and Jerard Perez are key among those. Belleville East will play a tough style that's difficult for anybody to match up. Mason Moore and Mikah Allen look to be the main scorers for the Lancers this year. Alton return star midfielder Dillan Cowan, as well as a few other pieces who will keep the Redbirds competitive this season.

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Thank you all for reading our 2024 Boys Soccer Preview! Best of luck (and skill) to all area teams this season.