The DuPage County All-Area girls soccer team

Kerry Abello, Benet

It's scary to think of the numbers this sophomore would've produced if not for an ankle injury and getting called into a national U-17 camp. She scored 16 goals and had 4 assists. "Kerry is a dynamic athlete that is able to beat defenders 1-on-1 with tremendous speed and ballhandling skills," Benet coach Bob Gros said. "She is a constant threat to score with a rocket of a left-footed shot." Already committed to Penn State.

Abbie Boswell, Naperville North

The captain of the All-Area team was as dominant as any player in the state. She found the back of the net 23 times while helping her teammates out with 9 assists. "Abbie is a special player who every single game was the most dangerous player for us on the field," Huskies coach Steve Goletz said. "She was a joy to coach both on and off the field. The combination of skill and power made her very tough to mark."

Jade Eriksen-Russo, Metea Valley

This senior scored 22 times, including 8 game-winners. She added 6 assists. "Jade has shown tremendous growth from her freshman year and has become our most dangerous scoring option up front," Mustangs coach Chris Whaley said. "She understands the game very well and always seems to make dynamic runs to give herself high-quality scoring chances." Consistently utilized her speed and quickness to create opportunities.

Paige Filipek, Waubonsie Valley

The Warriors have won three state championships during coach Julie Bergstrom's 17 years at the Aurora school, but they'd never had a player score more than 30 goals in a season until this year. This junior netted 32 goals and scored in all but four games. "Paige doesn't just shoot the ball, she has the mental composure and technical ability to finish it," Bergstrom said. Filipek had 10 multiple-goal games, including 5 hat tricks.

AJ Jakuszewski, Wheaton Warrenville South

She was the undeniable leader and an all-state selection for the Tigers. She'll play at UIC. "Along with her competitive drive, AJ is fueled by her desire to be consistent in her ability to lead and impact in all aspects of the game," Tigers coach Guy Callipari said. "She is capable of making those around her better because while demanding more from her teammates she is willing to do the work herself." She finished with 71 points for the varsity.

Niamh Kane, Wheaton North

Stellar defense proved key for the Falcons as they allowed more than one goal in a game just once (a 2-0 loss to New Trier). This sophomore central defender took charge in the back, helping record 9 shutouts. "Niamh displays leadership traits, tactical knowledge and technical abilities far beyond her age and years of experience," Falcons coach Tim McEvilly said. "She helped our very young defense play at an extraordinary level through her calm demeanor and effective communities."

Jacquie Kaufman, Benet

Kaufman scored 11 goals and chipped in with 6 assists to help the Redwings compile a 17-5-2 mark. "Jacquie is a great combination of speed, endurance and competitive spirit," Benet coach Bob Gros said. "She is a three-year varsity starter who has been our most valuable offensive players this season. She is the kind of player who scores important goals and provides key assists in 'big' games." An all-ESCC and all-sectional selection. She'll play at the University of Texas at Dallas.

Morgan Kemerling, Waubonsie Valley

She's the rare player who seems to make everything look easy. This Iowa recruit has meant so much for the Warriors, helping them win 72 games since she joined the team as a freshman. "Morgan plays with such poise and soccer savvy, always taking a difficult situation and making it look easy," Warriors coach Julie Bergstrom said. "Her abilities, leadership and willingness to do the dirty work make her a perfect teammate." She scored 6 goals and had 7 assists.

Alyssa Kovatchis, York

This senior all-state selection was also voted team MVP by her teammates. She scored 20 goals and had 18 assists this spring in helping the Dukes to a 13-6-2 mark. "She is a dynamic player who has scored some big goals in big games for us," York coach Don Vana said. She served as a team captain for the second straight year and will take her game to Illinois.​

Maddie Krejci, Naperville North

It was a breakout season for this junior outside midfielder. She scored 11 goals and had 4 assists for the 17-3-0 Huskies. "She was consistently dangerous as an outside mid, being able to generate and finish scoring chances," Huskies coach Steve Goletz said. "Her work rate and attention to detail turned her into a true two-way midfielder who we counted on very much this year."

Sophia Moreau, Neuqua Valley

Through the supersectional, the Wildcats had posted 13 shutouts, including 6 of their previous 7 opponents. Moreau, who will play at Bowling Green State, was a difference-maker in back. "Sophia is rarely caught out of position, is disciplined to maintain defensive shape and consistently makes the right choice in terms of playing the ball out of pressure quickly to change the point of attack," Wildcats coach Joe Moreau said.

Brittany Paganucci, Glenbard East

The offensive leader for the Rams produced 20 goals and contributed 13 assists during a 13-11-2 season. She now has 46 goals and 34 assists for the Rams varsity and is second overall in school history in goals scored and total points. She's also only a junior. She was named all-conference for the third straight season. "Brittany is an incredibly dangerous player who has the ability to take players on and find her teammates," Rams coach Kent Overbey said.

Kendra Pasquale, St. Francis

After losing arguably its two best, and most experienced, players to injuries, the Spartans still found a way to win regional and sectional titles. No one made a bigger impact than this 5-foot-4 freshman who led them with 17 goals. "She had a great season," Spartans coach Jim Winslow said. "It was a strange year with the conference and then losing two players to injuries early on, but Kendra showed that she's a special player."

Lexi Pelafas, Wheaton North

The Falcons had a breakout year thanks to this senior. Pelafas scored 22 goals for a 16-3-3 team that earned huge wins against Naperville North and Naperville Central among others. "Lexi proved not only that she is one of the top one or two offensive threats in the state, she also exhibited traits of a player that has the ability to help others raise their performance," Falcons coach Tim McEvilly said. Key fact: She netted 12 game-winning goals.

Ava Porlier, Downers Grove South

The leader of the Mustangs was an all-state selection after scoring 13 goals and having 7 assists. "This year Ava really stepped into a leadership role," Mustangs coach Chris Hernandez said. "Ava was one of the loudest voices in the team room who demanded that the team match the same expectations she set for herself." More than half her goals were game-tying or game-winning.

Emma Rigby, Waubonsie Valley

Despite being only 5-foot-4, this senior made all the big saves. Utilizing great instincts and athleticism, she put the finishing touches on a great varsity tenure this season for the 14-4-3 Warriors. "Besides Emma's outstanding technical ability with both her hands and feet, it's her ability to read the game and organize her teammates through a calm but direct approach that makes her an excellent keeper," Warriors coach Julie Bergstrom said. She'll play at Iowa.

Alena Sidwell, Metea Valley

This four-year starter delivered numerous big goals and assists this spring. She scored 13 times and contributed 11 assists. "Her best attribute is her work ethic and ability to defend and control the middle of the field," Mustangs coach Chris Whaley said. "She can best be described as the motor of the team because she works hard and her presence is what gives our team energy and confidence."

Molly Thorson, Wheaton Academy

The Warriors were extremely young this season, with just five seniors, but their inexperience didn't show in posting a 19-4-1 record. Defense was key as the Warriors recorded 16 shutouts. This senior was the leader of that backline. All three regular-season losses came to Class 3A schools. She was also selected as all-sectional and all-conference. Thorson is staying close to home, playing at Wheaton College.

Meredith Tunney, Naperville Central

"Meredith was the most versatile player we have had at Naperville Central in quite some time," Redhawks coach Ed Watson said. "She could play anyplace on the field. She was one of the top midfielders in the area, but due to our scoring issues, it became clear that we needed to keep the opponent at zero to win. That is why Meredith finished the year as a center back." She scored 6 goals and had 3 assists. Attending College of Charleston.

Dannah Williams, Neuqua Valley

Helped her team advance to the Class 3A finals for the first time in 10 years. "She's an extremely competitive person and has a great battling mentality. She simply doesn't get beat very often," Wildcats coach Joe Moreau said. "She has great pride in her game and works at understanding the tactical side of the game and developing skills she knows she needs to succeed at the next level." The all-state selection and Purdue recruit also had 5 goals and 2 assists.

Honorable Mention

Alyssa Bombacino, Fr., Neuqua Valley; Ellie Bumpus, Jr., Benet; Arianna Callard, Sr., Glenbard North; Tori Christiansen, Sr., Waubonsie Valley; Kiley Czerwinski, Sr., Neuqua Valley; Emma Dannhausen-Brun, Jr., Hinsdale Central; Bridget Doran, Jr., St. Francis; Molly Doran, Jr., St. Francis; Ava Fickle, Jr., Wheaton Warrenville South; Sarah Griffith, So., Waubonsie Valley; Casey Harris, Sr., Lake Park; Emma Hlavin, Sr., Benet; Becca Kouwe, Jr., Wheaton North; Morgan Krause, So., Naperville North; Stephanie Mata, Sr., West Chicago, Jamie Netzley, Jr., Wheaton Academy; Teegan Ryan, Fr., Glenbard West; Erin Smith, Sr., Hinsdale Central; Allison Svoboda, Sr., Naperville North; Holly Ward, Jr., Glenbard East; Emily Whitcomb, Sr., York; Natalie Wolski, Sr., Willowbrook.