Girls soccer: Lake County all-area team

Becky Bahlmann Vernon HillsBecoming a leader turned out to be helpful for a young team. The junior midfielder/forward contributed 9 goals and 6 assists in earning all-sectional and all-conference honors. "She was one of most athletic players on the field each game for us this season," coach Mike McCaulou said. "Her size and physical play made it challenging for every opposing team this spring. Becky was a leader vocally and physically. She helped our young core this year understand what competing at a varsity level is all about."

Raena Bennett MundeleinA tough and determined defender, the senior collected all-sectional and all-conference honors for a team that posted 12 shutouts. She will compete at Webster University next fall. "She was the veteran presence among a back line that featured one freshman and two sophomores," coach Ernie Billittier said. "She was vocal and positive and was an extension of the coaches. She knew when to be patient and when to be an aggressive ball winner. She has a phenomenal ability to track runs in transition. She is also technical enough and smart enough to spring into the attack and help unbalance the other team."

Madeline Blasko Lake ZurichA four-year varsity player who patrolled the center midfield the last two years, Blasko led Lake Zurich in many ways. She had 8 goals and 2 assists this season, and was an all-sectional and all-conference player. A repeat all-area selection, she is considering walking on at Oklahoma State. "She's a great competitor and all-around player who plays both offense and defense," coach Michael Castronova said. "She's able to distribute the ball very well from the midfield and usually marks the other team's best center-mid."

Courtney Coleman AntiochThe electric scorer notched 25 goals and 10 assists, earning her all-state recognition. She will be playing at UMass-Lowell next fall. "Courtney was a game changer," coach Marni Polakow said. "She was the chief creator this year for us. She won nearly every 50/50 in the middle and scored or assisted on almost every goal this season. Her ability to take on 2-3 players at a time is unreal. Every time she stepped on the field, she was the best player, and she proved that time and time again. Her ability to take over games, lead her team this year and her skill set are one of a kind and not easily replaced."

Lauren Davis Grayslake NorthThe Knights counted on the sophomore forward to provided offense, and she delivered. An all-sectional selection, she had 19 goals and 9 assists. "Lauren proved to be one of our most versatile attackers this season," coach Adam DeCaluwe said. "She was incredibly effective on the wings, up top as a lone striker, and in the hole as our attacking center-mid. She has the speed and the understanding of her runs to get behind defenses. She works tirelessly defensively, as she is relentless in her pursuit for the ball, and had the technical ability to create and finish chances."

Payton Gosell Grayslake CentralThe sophomore had 3 goals and 3 assists but made she biggest impact as a defender who stopped opposing teams' offensive attacks. "She was a vital member of the team," assistant coach Stephanie Rossie said. "As a lead defender, she constantly worked hard, challenged opposing teams and made their offensive plans difficult to execute."

Kathleen Graham Carmel CatholicThe sophomore midfielder opened the eyes of her coach, Ray Krawzak. She contributed 9 goals and 4 assists. "She did a great job as a winger for us this season," Krawzak said. "She liked to drift out wide and run onto balls played in front of her. She knows how to take girls on and go at the goal, while also knowing how to strike dangerous crosses."

Kelly Grove MundeleinA senior and three-year varsity player, her experience and work rate were key for the Mustangs in the midfield. "She was a tireless box-to-box midfielder who has an incredibly high work rate," coach Ernie Billittier said of the all-conference player. "She is an excellent ball winner, she has excellent vision and has the full range of passing ability. She is a natural leader on and off the field, and her qualities as a captain mirror her ability on the field. Her teammates look up to her, and she leads her team with incredible poise."

Erin Johnston Carmel CatholicWhether it was controlling the pace of play, setting up offense in the final third or hitting a pinpoint shot, the senior was effective. The Marquette-bound veteran scored 10 goals and had 6 assists in an all-sectional campaign. "She used her hustle," coach Ray Krawzak said of his repeat all-area player. "She kept other teams on their toes with her ability to take girls on and beat them 1 v. 1, pull the trigger and fire in a deadly shot."

Amanda Konopacki StevensonWhen the Stevenson defense stepped up for a long stretch during the season, Konopacki was a big reason. She earned all-sectional and all-conference honors for the North Suburban Conference champs. "Defenders don't have the stats like the scorers do," coach Kevin Heffernan said. "But she was one of the main reasons we won our conference. Her speed and ability to displace the ball from a player at precisely the right time made her a formidable defender."

Savannah Kruse StevensonThe senior was a consistent force up front, tallying 8 goals and 9 assists, before a serious knee injury in the North Suburban Conference championship game ended her season prematurely. She was named all-sectional and all-conference. "She was dangerous due to her speed with the ball, had the ability to confidently turn the corner on defenders and could go to goal or look for assists while under pressure," coach Kevin Heffernan said. "She was an enormous loss when she tore her ACL and meniscus in the North Suburban Conference championship victory over Wauconda."

Rebecca Kubin Lake ZurichThe junior's speed was one of her best assets, as she tallied 11 goals and 9 assists. She earned all-sectional and all-conference recognition. "She's one of the fastest players I've ever coached," coach Michael Castronova said. "She had the ability to go at defenders and take the ball to goal or send a dangerous cross into the box. She created tons of scoring opportunities for us. She was able to cause havoc for opposing defenses by pressuring and winning the ball."

Morgan Lyon Grayslake NorthThe junior defender could shut down opponents and also attack. A repeat all-area selection, she had 4 goals and 9 assists. "Morgan is not only one of our best defenders, but one of our best attackers," coach Adam DeCaluwe said. "She's quick on closing down opponents, strong in the tackle, and when she can get forward, she's tremendously effective in our attack."

Ally Magiera WaucondaThe senior goalkeeper backstopped the Bulldogs to the North Suburban Prairie title and a regional championship. She allowed just 8 goals in 17 games for a 0.47 goals against average and had 10 shutouts in earning all-conference honors. She'll play soccer at St. Norbert next fall. "Ally's experience was important to our young team this season," coach Beau Shogren said. "Her presence in goal gave us an advantage in size and strength. She is not afraid to win balls out of the air, and she often wins the physical battles that arise. She can also hit 60-yard punts with regularity."

Natalie McNally WarrenThe junior midfielder had 3 goals, 2 assists and a superior work rate. An all-sectional and all-conference player, she is verbally committed to IUPUI. "Natalie is one of our holding midfielders," coach Ryan McCabe said. "She's hard in the tackles, distributes the ball well, wins balls in the air and can strike the ball with both feet. She did a great job of leading by example."

Julia Neiweem LibertyvilleHer shutdown ability made Libertyville's defense tough to deal with game in and game out. A four-year varsity player and repeat all-area selection, she was named all-State and all-conference. "She was comfortable on defense," coach Andy Bitta said. "She was the strength in the back chasing people down with the ball. She had sprinters speed, fast, an aggressive use of a shoulder tackle and a great one touch. She had a great soccer IQ playing back there. Just a great leader and positive for the team that helped carry us."

Nicole Nitti LakesThe durable senior midfielder played in every game for the third season in a row. She played 77 games in four years, and this year she was an all-sectional and all-conference player. "She has been the mainstay in the midfield," coach Kevin Kullby said. "This season, playing at holding midfield, she was outstanding. Though her play doesn't show up in goals and assists, her positioning on both sides of the ball was impeccable. Our team could not compete without her presence in the midfield. Her passing, dribbling and defense made us a competitive team against the best of teams during this past season."

Maddie Olson LibertyvilleThe junior had 6 goals and 6 assists. She's made an oral commitment to Eastern Michigan. "She's probably one our best players, skill-wise," coach Andy Bitta said. "She scores some big goals and makes some big assists. She's learned the game at a fast rate. She gets the ball to the outside quickly, and we allowed her to go one-on-one taking the ball to the end line. She can make this happen for us."

Sydney Paez Grayslake NorthThe junior keeps getting better and stronger in the midfield for the Knights. The repeat all-area selection had 10 goals and 4 assists in an all-state campaign. "Sydney was an all-around midfielder," coach Adam DeCaluwe said. "She consistently dominates through the middle, defensively as well as in the attack. She's strong and physical behind the ball, yet technically skilled with both feet, allowing her to be a difference-maker going forward."

Alliyah Parker WarrenThe junior makes the all-area team for the third year in a row. She showed her attacking skills up top this spring, leading Warren with 13 goals and 5 assists. She was named all-sectional and all-conference. "She had a lot of responsibilities on her as an attacking player," coach Ryan McCabe said. "She scores goals and gets assists in big games. She is a playmaker with her great skill and can creatively make opportunities around the goal. She has dangerous speed and continues to improve her runs off the ball."

Angie Salvi Carmel CatholicThe junior was relentless as a defensive center midfielder and contributed offensively, as well, with 5 goals and 4 assists. The all-sectional player is verbally committed to Vermont. "Having Angie on our team allowed us to concentrate on a possession-based attack," coach Ray Krawzak said. "She has a great soccer mind and knows how and when to take risks on the field."

Annie Thompson LibertyvilleThe captain of the Daily Herald All-Area team, she scored and got teammates involved, finishing with 16 goals and 10 assists. "She had great technical skills and worked at her weaknesses to get better," coach Andy Bitta said. "She is a year-round player. She was a hard worker and wanted to get better. She just was a team leader."

Alexandria Wawrzyniak Round LakeThe freshman midfielder opened eyes with her skill, contributing 7 goals and 8 assists this season. She was named all-sectional and all-conference. "She's a natural midfielder with great knowledge of the sport of soccer and with tremendous vision," coach Josue Jimenez said. "She created many opportunities and had the ability to take on multiple players in a small amount of space. She had a great shot and showed that with two goals from about 25 yards out this year. She's one of the more aggressive players and knows how to use her body to protect the ball. She has a great change of speed, with and without the ball."

Jackie Widmark LibertyvilleA head injury kept Widmark away from soccer for a few years. But after seeing her brother Grant win the state championship, she wanted the same opportunity. She contributed 5 goals and 3 assists in her senior year and was an all-conference player. "She's not a player who uses her voice," coach Andy Bitta said. "She leads by example, by working hard in practice. She helped us in the attacking midfield position and helped us on defense."

Monica Wilhelm AntiochThe sophomore keeper followed up her all-area season last year by posting 10 shutouts, which was three more than last year. "Monica's sophomore season was nothing short of spectacular," coach Marni Polakow said. "Her ability to make game-saving stops has become her MO. When the opposition has a breakaway, it's assumed Monica will make the save. She has the ability to stop shots, control her area, dominate in the air and make saves that no one should be making. Her figure is imposing and her work ethic is inspiring."

Kayla Wisniewski WaucondaThe sophomore caused havoc up top in her second varsity season, scoring 22 goals and dishing out 10 assists. She was named all-sectional and all-conference. She had 13 goals and 5 assists in an all-area campaign last year. "Wisniewski's freshman year showed a lot of promise, but this year she really broke out as one of the best players in the area," coach Beau Shogren said. "Her tenacity in the attacking third makes her dangerous, and she creates so many opportunities for her teammates. Her 10 assists often came from drawing so much attention by defenders. Her teammates feed off that, and many other scoring opportunities were created because of her. Speed is her greatest asset, but her ability with the ball at her feet is often overlooked."

All-area roster

Player Yr. Pos. School

Becky Bahlmann Jr. MF/F Vernon Hills

Raena Bennett Sr. D Mundelein

Madeline Blasko Sr. MF Lake Zurich

Courtney Coleman Sr. MF Antioch

Lauren Davis So. MF/F Grayslake North

Payton Gosell So. D Grayslake Central

Kathleen Graham So. MF Carmel Catholic

Kelly Grove Sr. MF Mundelein

Erin Johnston Sr. MF Carmel Catholic

Amanda Konopacki Sr. D Stevenson

Savannah Kruse Sr. F Stevenson

Rebecca Kubin Jr. F Lake Zurich

Morgan Lyon Jr. D Grayslake North

Ally Magiera Sr. GK Wauconda

Natalie McNally Jr. D/MF Warren

Julia Neiweem Sr. D Libertyville

Nicole Nitti Sr. MF Lakes

Maddie Olson Jr. D Libertyville

Sydney Paez Jr. MF Grayslake North

Alliyah Parker Jr. F Warren

Angie Salvi Jr. D/MF Carmel Catholic

*Annie Thompson Sr. F Libertyville

Alex Wawrzynak Fr. MF Round Lake

Jackie Widmark Sr. MF Libertyville

Monica Wilhelm So. GK Antioch

Kayla Wisniewski So. F Wauconda

* All-area team captain

Honorable mentionAimee Berg (Wauconda, Jr., D), Briane Barnes (Grant, Jr., MF), Sammie Biede (Vernon Hills, Jr., D), Kaitlyn Chomko (Warren, Jr., MF), Mackenzie Connington (Stevenson, Sr., MF), Jasmine Cruz (Round Lake, Jr., MF), Rachel Denovo (Wauconda, So., MF), Lindsay Ditmars (Warren, Jr., D), Quin Garbett (Grayslake Central, Sr., MF/F), Aly Hamrick (Grayslake Central, Jr., D), Ashleigh Hanson (Grayslake North, Sr., D), Michelle Hernandez (Round Lake, Sr., F), Ziggy Jezorski (Vernon Hills, Fr., D), Devon Kennedy (Lake Zurich, Sr., D), Olivia Kuch (Wauconda, Fr., D), Hannah Lapeire (Stevenson, Fr., MF), Hadley Linane (Mundelein, So., D), Alex Ludolph (Vernon Hills, Fr., F), Haley Miller (Carmel, Jr., D), Kelly Monaco (Antioch, So., D/MF), Tina O'Block (Carmel, Sr., GK), Rosie O'Malley (Grayslake North, Sr., MF), Hannah Petrich (Stevenson, Jr., GK), Bella Pighini (Lakes, Jr., MF), Abby Potter (Carmel, Jr., MF), Abby Rice (Grayslake North, Sr., GK), Sophia Richards (Grant, Jr., MF), Siena Robertson (Lake Zurich, Jr., D), Lindsay Smith (Lakes, Jr., D), Myah Strokosch (Mundelein, So., F), Lauren Slack (Antioch, Sr., MF), Ellen Szostak (Warren, Jr., F), Emily Udelhoven (Lake Zurich, Sr., F), Taylor Underwood (Libertyville, Jr., MF), Kelly Varney (Grant, Sr., MF), Morgan Verbeten (Libertyville, So., D)

Selections and profiles by Rusty Silber