Soccer Squad Counts On 6 Returning Starters

With a record turnout of more than 150 players for the soccer program overall, and with a half dozen varsity starters returning from a team that posted an eye-catching 17-3-3 record last fall, you might think that things couldn’t get much better for Evanston head coach Franz Calixte.

But like most fishermen, Calixte can’t help but think about the ones that got away.

The veteran coach, a Hall of Fame player in his days wearing an ETHS uniform, can point to at least four outstanding incoming freshmen who are Evanston residents who AREN’T going to wear the Orange and Blue this fall.

As has happened in other high school programs in other sports, elite level players are choosing to play for Academy (club) teams because they think that’s the best path to pursue to claim college scholarships or professional contracts.

It’s not a numbers problem yet for high school programs. But it’s difficult to put your best foot forward when the best players are seeking opportunities elsewhere.

So even on the eve of the 2024 season opener, Calixte can’t help reflecting on the potential that might be realized elsewhere on the individual and club level.

“The newest thing in our sport, with the MLS (Major League Soccer) growing in America, is if you have the chance to make a first division team, you’re going to go for it,” Calixte said. “The Chicago Fire Academy teams (including under 19, under 15 and under 13 age groups) are recruiting players earlier and earlier. I can’t blame the kids because that’s a legitimate path to a pro contract or to maybe playing at a top university.

“The talent is here, but if you do well when you’re younger, the Fire Academy picks them off and we never see them in our program. I’m not making excuses. It’s a new reality and it’s definitely hurting our program at ETHS. It definitely makes it tougher for us to be successful.”

As in sports like basketball and volleyball, club coaches promote their organizations as the only way to succeed at a higher level, and you have to pay them plenty for the privilege of suiting up for them.

“I think the lure of playing for ETHS should be enough. If you want to play somewhere else, more power to you, but at the end of the day it’s their loss. I won’t recruit --- I’m not chasing anybody to play for us,” said Calixte, whose program has produced numerous college players and some pro hopefuls, too.

The record turnout this fall included 65 freshmen, a number Calixte called “crazy.” So the cupboard isn’t exactly bare of talent as the Wildkits seek their first trip to the Illinois High School Association state finals since the 2003-04 school year.

Evanston was supposed to open its season Tuesday, but extreme heat in the Chicago area forced the postponement of that matchup with Hersey until 7 p.m. on Wednesday at Lazier Field.

“We had a solid class of seniors last year, and this senior class is very talented and pretty deep, too,” the coach said. “We didn’t take as many juniors (on the varsity roster) as we usually do, but it’s not going to be as big a jump for those guys because they play against top competition in the off-season. We have our top 3 or 4 scorers back, so I think offense will be our strength this year.”

Three players who reached double figures in goals scored --- Cristiano Hamer (team-high 17 goals), Johnny Hunwick (11) and Joseph Sargent (11) --- head the list of senior standouts. Center back Lincoln Carbray, defender George Lewis and midfielder Orlando Tobin are other returning starters hungry for their last try to make a deep postseason run after losing to New Trier last year in the sectional tournament semifinals in overtime.

Another senior to watch is Johnny O’Carroll, a midfielder who missed almost all of last season with an injury but has the potential to light up enemy defenses and be the distributor every successful soccer squad requires.

At the critical goalkeeper position, senior Charles Dillman and junior Finn Kramer-Mann are neck-and-neck in their bids to win a starting job. Dillman also kicked for the varsity football team in his spare time last year.

“Our biggest concern is making sure everyone stays healthy,” Calixte concluded. “Most of these guys are year-round players and their bodies don’t get much time off. I think our top 11 players can line up with anybody in the state.”