Scouting Fox Valley girls soccer
Burlington Central Rockets
Coach: Mike Gecan (6th season)
2010 record: 12-5-6, 7-1-2 Big Northern East (second place)
Top returning players: Seniors Michelle Fowler (midfield-forward), Gabriella Mazzarisi (midfield, forward), Heather Krup (midfield-forward), juniors Caitlin Solberg (goalie), Katherine Cappas (midfield-forward), Courtney Andrew (midfield-forward), Keianne Santarromana (midfield-forward), Anna Masciopinto (defense-midfield), Catherine Kaynish (midfield-forward), Madalene Stoneman (midfield-forward), Jessica Martinez (midfield-forward), Chloe Plum (defense-midfield), Lindsey Puccio (defense-midfield), sophomores Karrington Bell (midfield-forward), Alex Weigand (defense-forward), Camille Dela Cruz (midfield-forward)
Key newcomers: Junior Sarah Nelson (midfield-forward), sophomores Paige Nyman (defense-midfield), Lexi Kern (midfield-forward), Paola Ascencio (goalie), freshmen Bailey Panjkovich (defense-midfield), Taylor Martin (defense-midfield), Alyssa Messina (defense-midfield), Cali Andrew (midfield-forward), Karina Reynoso (midfield-forward)
Outlook: The Rockets have an ample supply of fuel coming back on offense. Stoneman scored 23 goals last year, while Krup had 13 goals and seven assists. Dela Cruz had 4 goals and added 15 assists. “This season we will be moving more girls into the attack in comparison to previous years,” said Gecan, who has transitioned the team into a zone formation on defense. “Offensively, this is one of the more creative teams that I have coached. We have the capability of producing a lot of scoring opportunities. The next step will be turning them into goals.”
Cary-Grove Trojans
Coach: Ray Krystal
2010 record: 15-8, 7-3 (FVC Valley)
Top returning players: Seniors Mary Schneider (midfield), Allie Simon (midfield), juniors Korey Kronforst (forward), Jae Jay Usab (midfield), Beth Hughes (defense), Sierra Romano (defense), Liz Koch (midfield), sophomore Jamie Simon (defense)
Outlook: The Trojans are fresh off a 2010 season where they won a regional title and advanced to a sectional championship game. “The girls have quickly bonded and have begun developing chemistry both on and off the field,” said Krystal. “The returning players have welcomed newcomers. A positive work ethic and attitude permeates the group. Many players have improved as the result of hard work throughout the months between high school seasons and will stronger players excited to step into new roles. We expect to be a team that develops and strengthens as a unit throughout the season with the goal to be playing our best soccer at the end of the year. The girls remain committed to maintaining the program quality and values. This team will be characterized by its desire and a love for the game.”
Crystal Lake South Gators
Coach: Brian Allen (3rd season)
2010 record: 17-8-2, 8-2 (FVC Valley; second place)
Top returning players: Seniors Kali Loescher (forward), Elizabeth Quinn (goalie), Vivian Qian (defense), Karli Schumacher (forward), Ellen Brunner (defense), sophomore Mackenzie Taldone (midfield)
Key newcomers: Junior Cella Albuquerque (midfield), sophomore Emily Schoenfeldt (midfield), freshmen Audrey Collard (defense), Alex Romano (forward-midfield)
Outlook: The Gators lost six players that went on to play a sport collegiately, but do return a strong mix of players. “We have a great blend of youth and veterans along with athletes and skilled soccer players, so getting them to mesh is going to be an early-season key,” said Allen. “Throughout the year, we need to stay true to the core values this year’s team has established for the season and focus on improving each day at training and in each game. If we can get better and learn from our mistakes and our successes, I feel good that we will be in the mix in the FVC race and hopefully have another opportunity to play for our first regional title in 7 years.”
Dundee-Crown Chargers
Coach: Sebastian Falinski (4th season)
2010 record: 5-14-3, 1-9 (FVC Valley)
Top returning players: Seniors Mallory Fryer (defense), Clare Mazurkiewicz (defense), Stephanie Letheby (center-mid)
Key newcomers: Sophomore Emicelda Conejo (center-mid)
Outlook: Fryer is a returning all-conference player, plus the Chargers return five of the six offensive positions. “We should have a better feel for each other and play more as a unit,” said Falinski. “Our team’s strength on defense this year will be the return of entire back line. It contains experience and speed.” Teamwork is something Falinski feels will be a key this season. “The one thing that will make this team good will be our ability to play as a unit,” he said. “With nine returning girls from last season, it should be an easier transition to reach this goal. The returning girls gained valuable playing/game experience from last year, so I expect us to be more competitive and determined to win the close games we lost last year. We should show more consistency this season since many of the girls have been playing together for the past three seasons.”
Elgin Academy Hilltoppers
Coach: Peter Glon (1st season)
Top returning players: Senior Emma Stone (forward), junior Ashley Barnes (center-mid)
Key newcomer: Freshman Veronica Clemens (center-back)
Outlook: First-year coach Glon takes over a team short on varsity experience. “We have a lot of inexperienced players,” said Glon. “We have three very experienced players and everybody else is virtually new to the varsity.” Glon was pleased with how his team fared in a 2-1 season-opening loss to St. Edward. “I thought we played a nice game against St. Edward,” said Glon. “I thought we did OK for a first game.” Barnes, Stone and Clemens give the Hilltoppers a strong nucleus to build around. “The three of them are superior players.”
Hampshire Whip-Purs
Coach: Pat O’Brien (8th season)
2010 record: 18-6-1, 9-0-1 Big Northern East champions
Top returning players: Seniors Kelsey Anderson (midfield), Karla Vietinghoff (midfield), Alex Dumoulin (midfield-goalie)
Key newcomers: Freshman Alex Zeller (forward)
Outlook: Anderson is a returning all-conference performer for the Whip-Purs. O’Brien is confident his squad will be able to score from a number of different positions. The eighth-year coach is also stressing limiting the number of shots against on defense. Hampshire went undefeated in conference play last year. “Every game in the conference will be a tight affair,” said O’Brien. “The team will have a fine season if they come to play and play hard every night.”
Huntley Red Raiders
Coach: Kris Grabner
2010 record: 21-3-1, 9-1 (FVC Valley champions)
Top returning players: Seniors Aimee Wronski (forward), Alyse Williams (defense), Sam Zobott (defense), Bre Burry (midfield), Emily Konior (defense), Kaitlyn Owens (goalie), Priscilla Jara (midfield), Rachel Chapius (defense)
Key newcomers: Freshmen Delaney Loprieno (midfield), Abigail Nordeen (midfield)
Outlook: Each of the top returning players listed will play the sport in college next year. All-state selection Wronski (29 goals in 2010) and Williams are both headed to Illinois State. Williams is regarded as one of the best defenders in the state. She was sidelined for much of last season due to injury. Zobott (Wayne State), Burry (Viterbo), Konior (Wisconsin Parkside; 12 goals in 2010), Owens (Iowa Wesleyan), Jara (Judson) and Chapius (defense; 11 goals in 2010) will also be key contributors for a Red Raiders team that started the season ranked No. 14 in the nation by ESPN Rise. “We will have experience all over the field this season,” said Grabner. “Our midfield is very tenacious to start with. They will be covered by very aggressive, technically skilled and athletic defenders. This should be a very special group defensively.” Grabner is looking forward to another prolific season. “I expect a similar season to last season,” he said. “We should compete for the Valley Division title again and we should be very competitive in the Pepsi Showdown. The senior leadership is exceptional on this team. They are a very experienced group. They are also very close.”
Jacobs Golden Eagles
Coach: Anthony Cappello (2nd season)
2010 record: 10-11-2
Top returning players: Monica Orjeula (midfield), juniors Cassidy Sherman (midfield), Erin Flores (defense), sophomores Catie Sherman (defense) and Margart Rivera (defense)
Key newcomers: Senior Shannon Grady (forward), juniors Lauren Grady (midfield), Meghan Minogue (goalie)
Outlook: The Golden Eagles return 8 of 11 starters from their 2010 team. “We are looking to build on last year,” said Cappello. “We felt that we were competitive in every game last year and dealt with a very difficult schedule. We are a young team carrying more experience this year.” Shannon Grady and Lauren Grady are transfers from Marian Central. Cappello feels teams like Huntley, Cary-Grove and Crystal Lake South will be top-tier contenders in the FVC Valley Division this season.
St. Edward Green Wave
Coach: Tim Brieger
2010 record: 5-18-2, 2-6
Top returning players: Seniors Mallory Malone (forward), Shelby Shepherd (midfield), Enza Ranallo (defense), juniors Jordyn Madden (midfield), Paige Gannon (goalie), Katie Ayello (defense), sophomores Rena Ranallo (defense), Kimmi Smith (midfield)
Key newcomers: Freshmen Allison Kruk (forward), Monica Ramirez (midfield), Corey Lepoudre (midfield), Emily Witt (defense)
Outlook: Brieger has a roster packed with talent this season. “We have a lot of depth on this team, more so than we’ve had in a long time,” said Brieger. “Our offense is going to be a little stronger to start this year. We’re trying some new things in the back and we’ve got some freshmen on defense. Once they catch their groove that could be a strength.” Malone and Shepherd had their 2010 seasons derailed by sickness and injury. “I think we’re better,” said Brieger. “Mallory is back at full strength and Shelby was beat up last year. It will be nice to give them a little breather because we have more depth.” In the team’s first two games, Kruk had 2 goals and 3 assists, while Lepoudre had two goals and an assist. “The freshmen have come out in a blaze already,” said Brieger. “We started 4 freshmen in our second game.”