The 2024 Heartland Conference Division 1 season saw some remarkable performances, with Chicago House AC‘s Ricardo ‘Kikis’ Avalos standing out as the top goalscorer. For the second consecutive year, Avalos claimed the prestigious Bob Gansler Sr. Golden Boot Award, netting 8 goals throughout the season. His consistent scoring played a crucial role in Chicago House AC’s attack, making him an indispensable asset to his team.
In a heartfelt message, Avalos expressed his gratitude:
“I would just like to say thank you to my family and fans for supporting us throughout the season. Most importantly, the coaching staff and my teammates that pushed me to be better every day at practice and games. Without my teammates’ hard work, none of my goals would have happened. So, this award is a reflection of my teammates’ daily hard work that helped me earn this award.
Our season went pretty well, with lots of things we can take out and learn from. We went through several changes throughout the season, but I am very proud of how the team stuck together, stayed disciplined, and fought for the badge every single game. We had an opportunity to win the title, but things did not go our way. That is something to look forward to for next season. I am not sure where I will be next season, but we shall see… #Upthehouse.”
Avalos was not the only player to shine in Division 1. The list of top goalscorers also included Bavarian United SC‘s Buran Heini, Czarni Jaslo‘s Brandon Dolezal, who played a pivotal role in helping his team escape relegation, champions RWB Adria‘s Zahkar Shkidchenko, and another Chicago House AC star, Nico Williams.
Meanwhile, in Heartland Conference Division 2, Morais Lee of AFC Roscoe emerged as the top goalscorer, driving AFC Roscoe to success in their debut season. His goals were pivotal in helping the team secure promotion to Division 1 as division champions. Reflecting on his achievement, Lee said, “I’d like to thank Adam for creating a team with purpose. That gave me a drive to perform at my highest.” Lee’s outstanding performance this season sets the stage for an exciting future as he leads the charge in Division 1.
Morais Lee’s competition for the top spot in Division 2 included Rockford FC’s Waleed Shaibi who finished with 8 goals followed by Edgewater Castle FC‘s Jake Krueger, and Green Bay Glory‘s Osvaldo Ramirez, who also helped his side earn promotion to Division 1 next year.
The 2024 Heartland Conference season was filled with excitement and drama, with these top goalscorers leading the charge. Their individual performances, coupled with the support of their teammates, made this season one to remember for fans across the region. As the dust settles, anticipation builds for what the 2025 season will bring, with these players and others looking to leave their mark once again in the MWPL Heartland Conference.
Editor’s Note
A previous version of this post listed Rockford FC’s Waleed Shaibi as the leading goalscorer in Heartland Division 2 with 8 goals, and included Morais Lee (AFC Roscoe) with 7 total goals in the 2024 season. After receiving an updated game report, it was determined that Morais Lee scored an additional 2 goals and finished as the top goalscorer in the division, with 9 goals.