Boys Soccer: Evan Trychta’s scoring carried Naperville North to new heights

Updated: November 29, 2011 6:22PM

When it comes to selecting the Naperville Sun 2011 Player of the Year recipient, there are as many candidates as there are hopefuls for the GOP presidential nomination.

And the debates could easily last as long.

With so much talent, it’s impossible to base the decision on any one criterion — statistics, postseason awards, team success, quality of each school’s depth or collegiate potential. It basically takes a mixed measure of all areas, plus coaching endorsements during and after the season.

Unscientific as the process may be, the consensus choice is Naperville North’s Evan Trychta. Outgoing Huskies soccer coach Jim Konrad’s program includes a few other Player of the Year candidates, which is why his assessment of Trychta proves noteworthy.

“Evan’s one of those rare kids that is always dangerous. He could be quiet for 78 minutes and somehow score two goals in the last two minutes,” Konrad said. “He can create chances for himself or for others and in so many crucial matches; his scoring carried us for the third year in a row.”

The standout North forward is one of three North seniors named to the Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association All-State squad and a prime reason the Huskies were ranked No. 1 in state polls for the majority of the year. A 1-0 sectional championship loss to rival Naperville Central produced the only loss of the year.

“It’s definitely one of the most memorable seasons I’ll ever had and I’m proud of what we accomplished as a team,” Trychta said. “Postseason honors are nice and always flattering, but they’re most often a result of teamwork.

“I believe going undefeated in the regular season, winning the Best of the West, were all a good way for us to send coach Konrad out,” Trychta added. “Hopefully it’s just the end of a chapter for me and its motivation to succeed at the collegiate level.”

Trychta has verbally committed to Illinois-Chicago, citing his “love for the city and having gotten to know the coaches and players in the (Flames) program. I’m convinced they’re people who can help me become the best I can be.

“In that respect, I already owe so many thanks to my parents, coach Konrad, all the coaches at North, and every club coach who has helped me develop to this point,” Trychta said.

This point for the All-DuPage Valley Conference honoree includes a senior season featuring a team-best seven match-winning strikes as part of 15 goals and a team-high 12 assists for 42 points.

“In Evan’s first year on the varsity as a sophomore, he had both goals in a 2-0 win over Hinsdale Central. His ability as our top scorer essentially salvaged what might have been a mediocre year,” Konrad said.

“Last year was better and now he’s leaving the program ranked among the top five all-time scorers (51 goals) and top 10 all-time for assists (34). And I think if not for the strength of schedule we always have, those numbers could have all been much higher.”

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