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2005 All-Area team.

Article Excerpt
Ephraim Beard Schaumburg

The junior helped transform an also-ran team in 2004 into a quality side in the Mid-Suburban West. The Saxons won a regional title despite battling various injuries during the final week of the regular season. "Ephraim not only grew physically in the off- season, but also as a player and leader," said coach Hamid Mehreioskouei. "He's got great drive and heart, which was never more evident than in the postseason when he was injured yet still came every day and worked so hard." The two-year starter earned all-conference and all-sectional honors to go along with his 5 goals and 7 assists. His knowledge of the game, effortless pace with the ball and ability to play both as an attacker and defender at a high level make him one of the top returning players at his position for next season.

David Claxton Schaumburg

After returning to the high school ranks following club soccer, the senior assumed the bulk of the workload in the final weeks to help drive the Saxons into the sectional semifinals. "David got us through and into the final at the St. Charles tourney, then afterward helped keep us in matches when we faced the likes of Barrington, Buffalo Grove, Palatine and Fremd," said coach Hamid Mehreioskouei. A tireless worker in training, according to his coach, the keeper has the competitive edge needed to expect nothing less than a shutout while performing

at a higher standard of play for 80 minutes. A terrific shot blocker who also maintains composure in the air to challenge and catch anything, Claxton earned top honors from sectional voters and all-state status to go with his 0.93 goals-against average and 2.5 shutouts.

Chris Date Conant

Ready to be among the area's elite this fall after his best off season of training and playing, the three-year starter suffered a slight muscle pull just moments into the season opener. He later was diagnosed with a virus that sapped his strength. Reduced to sometimes just 30 minutes of play at a time, this classic playmaker still impressed coaches enough to earn all-conference and all- sectional rewards. "Chris came into this season in the best soccer shape of his life," said Conant coach Tony Kees. "He was fit, strong, quick and at his peak technically. It's too bad for him and the team that he went through so many setbacks. But when he was on the pitch, he was a difference-maker for us." A premier striker on free-kick and set-piece opportunities, the senior was graceful in tight spaces and relieved pressure on his teammates with expert passes or by showing patience as others got into their runs. Date has set his sights on Wisconsin-Green Bay or Butler.

Brad DeSimone Buffalo Grove

Perhaps one of the best pure athletes to lace up the shooting boots this fall, the three-year starter fought through an injury- filled season to still earn all-conference and sectional honors for the second straight year. "Brad was an amazing player for us this year in that he overcome a terrible ankle sprain and deep thigh bruise and still came out to answer the bell for 80 minutes and be that warrior that we needed out there," said BG coach Rick Schoffstall. While injuries curtailed his 2005 assist total (6, after 12 last season), they didn't slow him on the attack. "Brad had a great attitude and brought a lot of humor to our club all season to help keep things light. He was a player who was unselfish to a fault, but in the end, just wanted us to win," Schoffstall said. Augustana, DePaul and Iowa are potential next stops next season.

Sean Dwyer Hersey

There isn't much left to say about this four-year starter, who filled his soccer resume to the brim during his stay at Hersey. He ended his...