Season preview: Grayslake Central
By Tom Hamilton II
When athletes dream of the accolades they hope to accumulate over the course of their careers, it’s safe to say they aren’t envisioning sharing titles with others. Still, Grayslake Central was happy to settle for such a scenario in the COVID-altered spring season. The Rams finished 8-2-0 overall and 6-1-0 in the Northern Lake County Conference after a thrilling 2-1 victory over Round Lake in the final match to earn a three-way tie atop the league standings alongside Lakes and Round Lake.
Rams coach Keith Andersson -- who also leads the Grayslake Central girls program -- has set his sights higher in his first season with the boys.
“Our first goals are to be solo conference champs and hopefully have a long state series run,” said Andersson. “As coaches, we are fortunate to have such a great group of boys and we look forward to each season.”
Andersson has already established rapport and understanding with the boys after three successful seasons coaching at the lower levels of the program, and he likes what he’s seen from his Rams, especially after such a successful spring.
“Their unity, they really came together as a unit,” said Andersson of what he saw in the recent campaign. “As a team, you could see they knew what the other was going to do and it was amazing to watch the progress.”
The forward movement of the program was unquestionable. The Rams scored 36 goals and, more impressively, conceded just nine in the course of the 10-game season. Considering that the Rams conceded 110 goals over the previous 40 games before that spring season, “progress” might be an understatement for what they achieved.
While the Rams graduated seven seniors from the spring season, including center midfielders James Rohlfing (Lewis) and Christian Hinestrosa (Carthage), they also return a staggering 15 players who have played varsity-match minutes.
Up-top, the Rams see the return of brothers Daniel (junior striker) and Marko (senior midfielder) Marynevych, who have scored a combined 35 goals (21 for Daniel, 14 for Marko) in their two varsity seasons with the Rams. Their pace and skill on the ball, combined with their penchant for mazy dribbling runs and relentless pressure when out of possession, will cause plenty of headaches for opposing teams in the fall.
Six-foot-3 senior winger Ben Berry (eight goals, three assists in two varsity seasons) and slick-dribbling junior winger Alan Alonso (two goals, two assists in the spring) figure to create plenty of opportunities for the Rams. Junior striker Cameron Paul will also look to build on his red-hot finish to the spring season, when he scored three goals in his last two appearances. He finished with four goals and two assists.
In midfield, the Rams will look to gifted senior playmaker Lafuntae Floyd to provide pinpoint passing in the attacking third of the field. Juniors Raymond Sereno and Lucas Veenstra will help marshall the midfield in support of Floyd after strong play in the spring season.
Sophomore goalkeeper Brendan Kirkner (eight goals allowed in 470 minutes) and junior center back Eric Garcia-Perez will look to build on impressive debut spring seasons and maintain the defensive organization that proved instrumental in earning the seat atop the conference standings.
Despite losing both spring captains -- Rohlfing and IHSSCA All-Sectional center back Damian Makowski -- to graduation, Andersson believes this season’s Rams have strong leaders among them. He especially likes the leadership potential he’s seen from the elder Marynevych and Berry, who have been named tri-captains along with Veenstra.
Even though the Rams are poised to challenge for top of the standings once again with so much experienced talent coming back, Andersson is careful not to take anything for granted, particularly with respect to preseason preparations. Specifically, Andersson wants to emphasize the importance of fitness for his student-athletes.
“High school soccer normally comes down to the fittest team winning,” said Andersson, whose team has focused on its fitness. “We can work on technique and strategy in practice, if we don't have to work on conditioning. If we can focus on that, [we] will be a very strong team.”
After a year without a state series, every member school within the IHSA will be eager to make their mark in the return of Illinois playoff soccer. Coach Andersson is confident that Grayslake Central can be among those making noise in the Class AA postseason, and he certainly expects them to make a go of it. However, what excites him most in anticipation of his first season at the helm is what he hopes his players will experience regardless of results.
“Just building a great rapport with the program,” he said. “Making sure they have a memorable season and will be excited to come back the following season.”
If Grayslake Central can continue building on their recent success and come together as Andersson has seen them do before, then this season could certainly be a memorable one for the Rams.
By Tom Hamilton II
When athletes dream of the accolades they hope to accumulate over the course of their careers, it’s safe to say they aren’t envisioning sharing titles with others. Still, Grayslake Central was happy to settle for such a scenario in the COVID-altered spring season. The Rams finished 8-2-0 overall and 6-1-0 in the Northern Lake County Conference after a thrilling 2-1 victory over Round Lake in the final match to earn a three-way tie atop the league standings alongside Lakes and Round Lake.
Rams coach Keith Andersson -- who also leads the Grayslake Central girls program -- has set his sights higher in his first season with the boys.
“Our first goals are to be solo conference champs and hopefully have a long state series run,” said Andersson. “As coaches, we are fortunate to have such a great group of boys and we look forward to each season.”
Andersson has already established rapport and understanding with the boys after three successful seasons coaching at the lower levels of the program, and he likes what he’s seen from his Rams, especially after such a successful spring.
“Their unity, they really came together as a unit,” said Andersson of what he saw in the recent campaign. “As a team, you could see they knew what the other was going to do and it was amazing to watch the progress.”
The forward movement of the program was unquestionable. The Rams scored 36 goals and, more impressively, conceded just nine in the course of the 10-game season. Considering that the Rams conceded 110 goals over the previous 40 games before that spring season, “progress” might be an understatement for what they achieved.
While the Rams graduated seven seniors from the spring season, including center midfielders James Rohlfing (Lewis) and Christian Hinestrosa (Carthage), they also return a staggering 15 players who have played varsity-match minutes.
Up-top, the Rams see the return of brothers Daniel (junior striker) and Marko (senior midfielder) Marynevych, who have scored a combined 35 goals (21 for Daniel, 14 for Marko) in their two varsity seasons with the Rams. Their pace and skill on the ball, combined with their penchant for mazy dribbling runs and relentless pressure when out of possession, will cause plenty of headaches for opposing teams in the fall.
Six-foot-3 senior winger Ben Berry (eight goals, three assists in two varsity seasons) and slick-dribbling junior winger Alan Alonso (two goals, two assists in the spring) figure to create plenty of opportunities for the Rams. Junior striker Cameron Paul will also look to build on his red-hot finish to the spring season, when he scored three goals in his last two appearances. He finished with four goals and two assists.
In midfield, the Rams will look to gifted senior playmaker Lafuntae Floyd to provide pinpoint passing in the attacking third of the field. Juniors Raymond Sereno and Lucas Veenstra will help marshall the midfield in support of Floyd after strong play in the spring season.
Sophomore goalkeeper Brendan Kirkner (eight goals allowed in 470 minutes) and junior center back Eric Garcia-Perez will look to build on impressive debut spring seasons and maintain the defensive organization that proved instrumental in earning the seat atop the conference standings.
Despite losing both spring captains -- Rohlfing and IHSSCA All-Sectional center back Damian Makowski -- to graduation, Andersson believes this season’s Rams have strong leaders among them. He especially likes the leadership potential he’s seen from the elder Marynevych and Berry, who have been named tri-captains along with Veenstra.
Even though the Rams are poised to challenge for top of the standings once again with so much experienced talent coming back, Andersson is careful not to take anything for granted, particularly with respect to preseason preparations. Specifically, Andersson wants to emphasize the importance of fitness for his student-athletes.
“High school soccer normally comes down to the fittest team winning,” said Andersson, whose team has focused on its fitness. “We can work on technique and strategy in practice, if we don't have to work on conditioning. If we can focus on that, [we] will be a very strong team.”
After a year without a state series, every member school within the IHSA will be eager to make their mark in the return of Illinois playoff soccer. Coach Andersson is confident that Grayslake Central can be among those making noise in the Class AA postseason, and he certainly expects them to make a go of it. However, what excites him most in anticipation of his first season at the helm is what he hopes his players will experience regardless of results.
“Just building a great rapport with the program,” he said. “Making sure they have a memorable season and will be excited to come back the following season.”
If Grayslake Central can continue building on their recent success and come together as Andersson has seen them do before, then this season could certainly be a memorable one for the Rams.