The York boys soccer team went 0-1-1 in a pair of games recently at the highly regarded Naperville North Tournament of Champions event.
In a 2-2 tie against Palatine Fremd, York led 2-1 at halftime. Sophomore Moses Palaci (midfielder) scored two goals, while sophomore midfielder-forward Will Roubitchek had an assist.
Senior goalie Jake Evans made four saves.
The Dukes also dropped a 2-0 game to host Naperville North (2025 Class 3A state champions). Evans made four saves in 73 minutes of work, while sophomore Dion Hoxaj made one save in seven minutes of action.
Earlier, York lost a close 1-0 contest to Chicago St. Patrick in non-conference action. Evans made four saves in goal.
The Dukes also lost 3-1 in non-conference play to Chicago Lane Tech (also a 2025 Class 3A state finals qualifier). Senior Andrew Ambrosino had York’s goal on an assist from senior Cole Shearer. Evans made seven saves in goal.
York is coming off a 2025 season where it went 9-9-1 overall and finished 3-3 and took fourth place in the tough West Suburban Conference Silver Division play.
Back for the Dukes are Palaci (1 goal, 2 assists), along with senior defender-midfielder Jacob Roubitchek (2 assists) and senior midfielder Patrick Nazar (1 goal, 6 assists last fall).
“These boys are going to see their production rise, for sure, this year,” York coach Jordan Stopka said.
Key newcomers include sophomore defender-midfielder Benjamin Flores, sophomore Will Roubitchek and junior defender Sebastian Janowski.
Jacob Roubitchek earned all-WSC Silver and all-sectional honors a year ago. Stopka said Jacob Roubitchek is planning to play the sport in college but is undecided on a destination at the moment.
“Jacob is a captain, a leader and the engine of the team,” Stopka said.
York has eight sophomores on this year’s team, along with the strong leadership of 11 seniors, Stopka noted.
“This team is strongest in the midfield with many players that play in the middle of the park having to play other positions,” Stopka said. “We are hoping to control the flow of the game with possession and see where that takes us.”
Stopka said there are a lot of new names on offense, but he is looking for a big scoring season from Shearer and then hoping a sophomore such as Jair Hernandez or Will Roubitchek “can step up and contribute some goals,” he said. “Cole is looking to take a big leap in goals and had a strong summer. He is long and lanky and can be a problem for outside backs. We’re hoping to score more than last year’s team.”
The coach noted York’s defense is going to be younger, but Micah Jones will be starting the year at center back after being a central midfielder last year. “Micah is calm and poised as well as extremely intelligent,” Stopka said.
Stopka added Jones at center back pushes Jacob Roubitchek from center back to center mid. “We are hoping a pairing of (Sebastian) Janowski and Jones will solidify the back four,” he said.
Evans steps between the sticks for his first run as goalkeeper after a strong summer, Stopka noted.
Stopka is also excited about Palaci’s prospects. “Moses is a small technician with the ball,” he said. “He is creative and can take a huge step forward after being the only freshman on the team last year.”
In terms of the conference, Stopka called the WSC Silver a gauntlet, per usual. “I would argue this is the best conference in the city and even the state,” he said. “There are no easy games.”
