All Decade Team's

The Top XI from 1979-1989

The St. Charles Boys' Soccer 40th Anniversary Committee is proud to announce the Top XI Players of the first decade. To be eligible for the team the player had to have graduated by 1989. The Saints soccer program finished its first decade with an overall record of 174 wins, 52 losses, and sixteen ties. (72% winning percentage). Five 20-win seasons, 4 quarter-final appearances highlighted by the 1983 Saints 3rd place finish. The success of the program made selection of the Top XI that much more difficult. The Top XI were not selected by position (i.e. goalie, defense, midfielders, and forwards) but instead by considering the players that made the biggest impact during their career as a Saint. Post high school accomplishments did not factor into their selection. Each player will be recognized at the 40th Anniversary Celebration and will be considered for the Top XI of All-Time. The Top XI of All-Time will be announced on September 7th, 2019, at the 40th Anniversary Celebration.

Jim Heilman: Jim played for the first team in Saints history (1978). Coach Dailey described Heilman has a solid midfielder who showed incredible composure throughout the game no matter what the situation. He made all of his teammates better scoring when needed, dishing out assists, and controlling the middle of the field on the ground and in the air. Jim’s dad, Bob, was one the driving force behind the creation of the Saints soccer program. After graduation Jim attended the University of Illinois and played for the Illinois Club Team.

Chris Hagemann: Chris was a two-year Varsity starter playing for the 1981 and 1982 Saints. Chris was the starting goal for one of the best Saints teams of the first decade. His Senior year the team finished the regular season undefeated and finished with a team record of 23-1-3. He only gave up 15 goals that season which tied a program record that stood as of 1989. Chris controlled the box and left no doubt that he was in control directing the team from the back. After graduation Chris played for Wheaton College where he started in goal when they won the 1985 Division III National Championship. Chris was named a Division III All-American in 1986. He was also the goalie for Sparta when they won the McGuire State Cup with teammates Ralph Grathoff and Mike Miller in 1982 and 1984. His favorite memory as a Saint was how well his team got along his senior year. “We were blessed with great coaches, great mentors and parents, great role models, and great teammates.” His favorite soccer memory was beating West Chicago in Sectionals (the two-day game).

Mike Miller: Mike was a three-year Varsity starter playing for the 1981, 1982, and 1983 Saints. His teams finished with a three-year record of 58-9-8. Mike was named team captain his senior year and was the first player in Saints history to be named All-Area. Mike controlled the midfield. I was fortunate to play on the same team as Mike. He had the ability to anticipate the flow of the game and be the first player on the ball both offensively and defensively. He had great ball control and was the only Saints player that was willing and able to head Chris Hagemann’s booming kicks. After graduation Mike attended Notre Dame and played soccer for a year before focusing on his studies. Mike attended medical school and served his country as a Dr. in the military. His favorite memory as a Saint was Mike Mele (Sam Mele’s dad) taking he and Sam to the Little Owl for pizza after practices and games. Mike said he thought Mr. Mele was just the greatest guy and appreciated the interest he took in Mike.

Brad Drawer: Mike was a two-year Varsity starter playing for the 1982, and 1983 Saints. Brad was a two-sport athlete playing both soccer and basketball for the Saints. Brad started in the mid-field with Mike Miller and was also named captain his senior year. The midfield of Drawer-Miller was one of the best in Saints Soccer history – not just the first decade. Miller controlled the ground – Drawer controlled the air. He was dominant in the air both defensively and offensively. Offensively he scored goals off of corners and set pieces. Defensively teams couldn’t get the ball by him on those same set pieces and corners. Brad was an incredible leader and a competitor that loved to win. Brad led the Saints to a quarter-final finish in soccer and was an integral part of the basketball team that advanced to the Super-Sectionals. Brad was also named the Male Athlete of the Year in 1984. After graduation Brad attended Notre Dame with Miller and played four years of intramural soccer at ND. Brad joined the Peace Corp and represented the Saints in pick-up games in Kenya – a fact that he is very proud of.

Sam Mele: Sam was a three-year Varsity starter playing for the 1982, 1983, and 1984 Saints. Mele was a Captain his senior year. His teams finished with a three-year record of 65-7-6. He finished his career with fifty-two goals, thirty assists, and 134 total points. At the time he graduated he was the leading goal scorer in Saints history. Sam was named All-Area his junior year and received both All-State and All-Midwest Honors his Senior year. Sam led the team his senior year to 24 wins (program record) and a 3rd place finish at the State Tournament. Mele was lightning fast, a fierce competitor, and refused to back down from anyone. One of my favorite memories was watching his goal against Hinsdale South his sophomore year. Hinsdale South was one of the top programs in the State and played STC at STC. Mele received the ball at the eighteen with his back to the net, turned quickly, and fired the ball into the upper 90 leading the Saints to a 1-0 victory. One of Sam’s favorite soccer memories was post-game meals at Wags with the Heilman family. After graduation Sam turned down offers to play Division I college soccer to attend the University of Illinois where he graduated with an engineering degree. Sam played intramural soccer at Illinois teaming up with fellow Saints Matt Ludington, Clint Hull, and John Punis.

Matt Ludington: Matt was a three-year Varsity player playing for the Saints 1982, 1983, and 1984. Matt was a Captain his Senior year and a two-sport athlete playing both soccer and tennis. Matt had an incredible soccer IQ and could read the game so well that, like Mike Miller, he was the first to ball all over the field. Matt played with Top XI players Chris Hagemann, Mike Miller, Brad Drawer, Sam Mele, George Wendel, and Mike Riley. While all of those players had more goals, more assists, and received more honors during their career Matt was the player that made all of teams’ success possible. He was an incredible leader both on and off the field. His laugh and personality kept everyone loose. He played the entire game and probably led the team in most minutes played his Senior year. He was like the Energizer Bunny “he just kept going and going and going.” Finally, his competitiveness was unmatched. Matt just refused to lose. He wouldn’t let himself lose and he wouldn’t let his team lose and he would do everything within his control to help his team win. After graduation Matt attended the University of Illinois. Matt played intramural soccer at Illinois teaming up with fellow Saints Sam Mele, Clint Hull, and John Punis.

George Wendel: George was a four-year Varsity letter winner playing for the 82, 83, 84, and 85 Saints. His teams finished with a four-year record of 86-11-6. George led his teams to two quarter-final appearances (83 and 85) and a third-place finish (84). George graduated as the Saints all-time leading goal scorer (89), assist leader (45), and total points (223). George was team Captain his Senior year. He was named All-Area and All-State his junior year and All-State, All-Midwest, and All-American his Senior year. George was the first All-American in Saints Soccer History (both Boys and Girls). In his sophomore year George broke an IHSA Finals record for the most shots in a game in a 4-3 loss to Downers Grove. In his junior year George broke an IHSA Finals Tournament record scoring five goals in three tournament games – (1-0 v New Trier; 2-4 vs QND, and 3-2 St. Joes. His career ended in the “mud bowl” loss his Senior year. His best memories as a Saint included making Varsity as a freshman, playing at home in the quarter-finals at Norris Stadium his sophomore year, playing in front of a sold-out crowd at Norris Stadium and finishing 3rd his junior year, and “Mud Mud Mud” his Sr year. His favorite memory as a Saint was being named the programs’ first All-American and attending the National Soccer Coaches Association Annual Meeting in St. Louis with his dad where he received his All-American recognition. He remembers being thankful he could share the honor with his dad.

Chad Gorby: Chad was a two-year Varsity player playing for the 1985 and 1986 Saints. His teams finished with a two-year record of 42-7-1. He was named team Captain his Senior year and was named the team MVP at the end of the season. He was also named All-Area and All-State his Senior year becoming only the third Saint in history to receive All-State honors. Chad finished his career with twenty-nine goals placing him fifth on the all-time list at the end of the first decade. Chad was billed by some as the first “true soccer player” that played for the Saints. What does that mean? In the infancy of the program many of the athletes that played soccer had grown up playing multiple sports and relied on their athleticism not technical skills while playing. Chad was considered one of the first to combine athleticism along with incredible technical ability on the field. Chad had an incredible first touch. He could control the ball with his feet, chest, head, etc. and combined that with offensive moves that hadn’t been seen before at Reid Field. He was a force all over the field helping his teams reach the quarter-finals both his Jr. and Sr. year. After graduation Chad went on to play soccer for University of North Carolina-Greensboro. Chad started all four years and won a Division 3 National Championship in 1987. In the championship game Chad scored two goals and was named Soccer America’s Player of the Week. In 1990 Chad played in the NCAA Division II National Championship game. He continues to play with many of his former teammates winning Veterans Cup trophies at the over 35, 40, and 45 age groups. Chad currently coaches for his local high school in Colorado. His favorite memory as a Saint was playing home games under the lights at Reid Field and Norris Stadim.

Mike Riley: Mike was a three-year Varsity player playing for the 1984, 1985 and 1986 Saints. His teams finished with a three-year record of 66-10-1. He was named team Captain his Senior year. Mike’s teams reached the IHSA State Tournament all three years finishing 3rd in 1984. Mike was a versatile player playing where Coach Daily needed him to play to help the team win. I was surprised when I didn’t see Mike’s name listed as All-Area or All-State. Upon further research what I discovered is that because of his versatility and “team first” approach high school coaches never saw him at the same position twice which hurt his chances for post-season honors. His sophomore year Mike played defense for the Saints and despite giving up years and size was a dominant defender. Mike scored the game winner in a a 1-0 win over West Chicago to win the Regional Championship. Mike’s junior year they moved him up to offensive mid and forward because they needed scoring. Mike’s senior year he played striker scoring 14 goals and dishing out 13 assists – 2nd in both behind Top XI teammate Chad Gorby. After graduation Mike went on to play soccer for University of Wisconsin-Parkside from 1987-1990. During his four years Mike’s teams won 62 games. Mike was named Captain his Senior year – one of his proudest moments as a player. Mike was a two-time All-American, 3rd team in 1989, and 1st team in 1990. He played in the prestigious Senior Bowl his Senior year. His teams won the N.A.I.A. District Championships in 1987, 1989, and 1990. His favorite memory as a Saint was his Senior year playing on a team filled with friends that he had played soccer with since grade school.

Karrsten Goettel: Karrsten was a two-year Varsity player playing for the 1987 and 1988 Saints. He was named Co-MVP his senior year with Ryan Lakin. He was also named All-Conference both his Jr and Sr year and was named All-Area his Senior year (7th Saint to earn this honor). Ryan Lakin, Top XI, described Karrsten’s game as follows: “Karrsten was technical and had great vision for the game. He was a #10 thru and thru. A player in the 10 spot is the play maker often a center mid or a forward who can take over the game and make something happen at any point. Ryan went on to say “he was almost always in the right spot and had a sense for the flow of a game that most players didn’t. He made solid decisions on the ball and always seemed to rise to the occasion in the biggest moments of the biggest games when the team needed him the most.” High praise from another player named to the Top XI. After graduation Karrsten went on to play soccer for University of Wisconsin for three years. He was one of the first Saints to play Division One soccer and along with Austin Gibbons (Northwestern) was just the second player to play in the Big 10 – one of the toughest soccer conferences in the country. Karrsten had a tough time coming up with just one favorite memory as a Saint. He said he will never forget the camaraderie the team had and he still remembers practices, bus rides, and the locker room after Saints victories.

Ryan Lakin: Ryan was a two-year Varsity player playing for the 1988 and 1989 Saints. He was named a Captain his senior year. He was also named All-Conference both his Jr and Sr year and was named All-Area his Senior year (8th Saint to earn this honor). Ryan was a two-sport athlete starting for the basketball team as well. Ryan anchored the backline for two years and dominated the game in the air. His goal was to win the ball and then distribute it to the “skill” players who played in front of him. His teammates described him as a leader both on and off the field. He was a student of the game and a coach on the field. His talent and technical ability improved each year due to his never-ending work ethic and his love for the game. After graduation Ryan went on to play soccer for Division One soccer at Illinois State University. He played for ISU from 1990-1993 and was a two-year letter winner. He was named Captain his Senior year and won the Commitment Award. He was named to the All-Midwest Team by the National College Soccer Coaches Association in 1993 in addition to being named an All-Conference Defender in the Missouri Valley Conference. He had a “cup of coffee” in the pros playing for the Chicago Power for one game against the St. Louis Steamers. No one will be surprised to learn that Ryan became a college soccer coach and is currently the head coach at Aurora University recruiting the St. Charles area hard. Ryan has a number of fantastic memories including but not limited to: losing to Granite City with 2 seconds left on the clock in the 1989 quarter-finals, breaking his nose his senior year, and losing to Batavia his Sr year. On an upside he remembers teammate Mike O’Brien pulling up to practice each day blaring “Don’t Worry, be Happy” competing with Derran Smith’s car playing “Once Bitten, Twice Shy.” He also remembers playing against Batavia’s star Tommy Waters and he, David Stege, and Lance Hendershot doing all they could to contain him. His best memory was playing against his best friend growing up, Andrew Ricks, who had moved from St. Charles to Elgin and played for Larkin High School.

The Second XI from 1979-1989

Each team needs a bench. Players mentioned for consideration as a Top XI player include: Gary Cole, Jim Daniels, Mike Finnegan, Paul Heilman, Jim Hartwell, Clint Hull, Kirk Nelson, Austin Gibbons, Bryan Long, Chris Denker, Tom Sandstrom, Mike Denker, Mike Bettini, and Pat VanLehn.