LTHS Boys Soccer Team Prepares to Defend State Championship

After winning the Illinois State Championship last year, the Lyons Township High School boys varsity soccer program looks to build on that reputation with another successful campaign in 2010.

Ending with a 24-3 regular season record, the Lions are to open this season at home against Carl Sandburg High School on Aug. 25. Tryouts began Aug. 11 for the team ESPN Rise ranks at 17th in the country pre-season, with potential to move even further up in the standings depending on the results of the first few weeks of play.

The Lions' dream run in the IHSA playoffs last year ended in pure bliss with a 2-1 victory over state powerhouse Lake Zurich in overtime to clinch the state title. Billy McGuiness, who graduated in 2010, scored the winner off a corner kick from agile wing player Chris Meingast, who also graduated. Those two, along with five other starters, have moved on to various universities, leaving holes in the roster.

Head coach Paul Labbato and members of the team responded to questions by e-mail.

"We lost a lot of seniors, including our four captains and two All-State players," said Kyle Kurfirst, an incoming senior who started at center midfielder last year. "The seniors we had were talented players, but they were also strong leaders. They will be missed, and we need to replicate their leadership this season."

Despite obstacles facing the team, which also include an 8th-in-the-nation rival in Naperville North High School, returning players are confident the team can mirror its triumphs of last year.

"Our goal is to repeat," Kurfirst said. "But we have to accomplish many other goals along the way to get there. Last year's success was grounded in our team chemistry and the intensity we brought to practice. This year, we need to get the most out of each player in every practice and game."

Though revisiting the state finals as reigning champions is a complicated objective to say the least, the Lions are able to return some very capable players to the varsity squad for an added level of post-season familiarity.

"We have several returning players from last year, so that gives us some experience," Kurfirst said. "We know what to expect if we are able to make it far in the playoffs again."

Fortunately for the Lions, their top goal-scorer, senior Horacio Sanchez, and assist leader, junior Elliot Borge, are both among those returning. Seniors Kevin Beglen, Peter Kralovec-Kirchherr, Peter Gabrek and Alex Economou are the four other returning varsity players.

Sanchez, who scored the winning goals in both the sectional final against Hinsdale Central High School and the super-sectional final against Neuqua Valley High School, agrees that team bonding will be a crucial factor in the Lions' attempts at re-gaining post-season honors.

"One of the [team's] intangible goals is to have team chemistry like we did last year," Sanchez said in an e-mail. "The reason why last year was so much fun was because everyone was getting along with everyone. There were no class divisions."

With Sanchez playing a central striker role, both Kurfirst and Borge are a dynamic duo in the middle of the field.

"Both players are very calm on the ball," head coach Paul Labbato said in an e-mail. "Their skill level is high, from years of practice. You can tell they are high quality players."

With such prowess returning, it appears the team will possess a disciplined and well-organized midfield with good speed and tactical awareness up front, as they did in 2009.

"As a team, our ability to keep possession in the middle and attack up top will be something we should maintain," Sanchez said. "Losing the seniors will only hurt us in the back because we'll have to reorganize our back line."

The team hopes new additions not only plug defensive voids, but provide more depth and balance to the group as well.

"Depth is very important," Kurfirst said. "Last year we had guys coming off the bench that never let the level of play drop. It's crucial that we have role players that can do the same this year."