High school boys soccer practices started across Illinois this week. Here are five storylines we’ll be watching in The Times’ coverage area.

Ottawa looking to build off solid back-to-back seasons

The Pirates have 13 wins in each of the past two seasons, the program’s most in a two-season stretch since the early 1990s. While the team lost several key performers from last season’s roster, players such as juniors Jorge Lopez (F), Alexio Fernandez (MF) and Maddox Mathews (D), along with sophomore Rory Moore (MF), will be expected to help lead the way to another solid season.

Lopez scored 13 goals last year and was a Times All-Area first-team selection and an Interstate 8 Conference honorable mention pick.

Can Streator put together a bounce-back season?

The Bulldogs finished last season 9-15-2, and battled every step of the way. One key to turning things around will be cutting down opponents’ scoring chances after allowing 71 (2.7 per match) goals, while scoring just 41.

Despite losing several key players to graduation, Streator will return a lot of experience across the roster. Two key players are senior defender Joe Hoekstra (the team’s defensive player of the year and Illinois Central Eight All-Conference) and sophomore striker Carlos Cueto.

Expect strong defense, another successful season from Somonauk co-op

The Bobcats finished 14-6-3 a season ago, outscored their opponents 62-32, and posted seven shutouts. With returning seniors Jackson Brockway (six assists, unanimous Little Ten All-Conference pick, Times All-Area first team), Cole Gudmunson (MF, 3 G, 7 A) and Nolan Kerley (MF, 4 G, 1 A), as well as juniors Brady Andrews (MF, 4 G, 3 A) and Titus Banister (MF, 3 G, 3 A), it looks like opponents will have to struggle to find scoring chances this season against Somonauk-Leland-Newark.

Can Serena and Earlville find their footing?

The Huskers (5-14-2) and Red Raiders (4-14-2) are looking for improvements this season after a tough 2024. Serena returns experience in Times All-Area first-team and All-LTC selection senior Finn Rosengren (MF, 2 G, 3 A), as well as juniors Damien Gonzalez (F/MF) and Nolan Muffler (D).

Earlville will need to replace the production of graduated unanimous All-LTC pick Easton Fruit, who scored 12 goals and had 10 assists.

Who will make the 2025 Times All-Area Boys Soccer Team, and who will be Player of the Year?

Seven of the 11 first-team selections on the 2024 Times All-Area Boys Soccer Team have graduated, including our 2024 Player of the Year, Streator’s Noah Russow. That opens the door for this year’s group of players to make their mark.

Projected contenders for those spots?

Ottawa’s Lopez, Streator’s Hoekstra, Somonauk-Leland-Newark’s Brockway, and Serena’s Rosengren are all coming off seasons that produced first-team honors.

Also, don’t count out second-team picks in Ottawa’s Fernandez and Mathews or S-L-N’s Garcia and Gudmunson. Don’t be surprised if honorable mention selections such as Ottawa’s Moore, Streator’s Cueto, S-L-N’s Andrews, Kerley and Banister, or Serena’s Gonzalez and Muffler find their way into the mix.