Scouting DuPage County girls soccer

Addison Trail

Coach: Sergio Nunez (second year) Last year: 7-13 overall, 2-3 in West Suburban Gold.

Key players: Sammy Bender (sr., M/D), Michelle Adamo (so., M/D), Cynthia Hernandez (so., M/F), Liseth Perez (so., F), Valerie Dini (sr., D), Janet Garcia (fr., M/F), America Garcia (fr., M/D), Jessica Olascoaga (so., OM).

Outlook: A pair of seniors in Bender and Dini will have to lead a young team in Addison, as Nunez will focus on defense first and offense second. "I need Val and Sammy to carry the team back there," Nunez said. Bender reads the game well and will direct play from the back line, while Dini moves from the outside to the middle this year. Adamo's ball-control skills and endurance will guide the midfield, and Nunez sees scoring potential in Perez, Hernandez and America Garcia.

Benet

Coach: Henry Wind (18th year).

Last year: 15-6-4 overall, 8-0-1 (first) in East Suburban Catholic Conference.

Key players: Rachel Resek (jr., GK), Jill Olliges (sr., D), Liz Dudek (jr., F), Katlyn Flynn (jr., M), Maggie O'Dekirk (sr., M).

Outlook: Team depth will carry the day for this year's Redwings, who will look to the speed and ball skills of Dudek to spearhead the offense. A solid, third-year goalkeeper in Resek should hold down the fort as a defense featuring sweeper Olliges finds its way. "We've got good players in back, but we're young back there," Wind said. O'Dekirk and Flynn key the midfield, and seniors Joanna Janulis and Alli Diedrick, juniors Brynne Miller and Amanda Berngard and sophomore Caytin Lewin will all figure prominently.

Downers Grove North

Coach: Jason Hunter (first year).

Last year: 9-8-2 overall, 3-2-1 (third) in West Suburban Silver.

Key players: Morgan Olsen (jr., M/D), K.C. Walker (sr., M), Kelly Rounce (sr., D), Jessica Bollow (jr., M), Brianna Magill (jr., M).

Outlook: Hunter inherits a young team with potential in his inaugural season at the helm. "It's a fairly talented team, but we only start two or three seniors," he said. "If we can put all the ingredients together, we'll be OK." Chief among those ingredients is a speedy, skilled player in Olsen, a relentless and fast outside mid in Bollow and a striker in Magill with good touch and quickness. Sophomore Kierstyn Harrington will also figure prominently in the attack, while Rounce and Walker anchor the defense with chemistry and experience.

Downers Grove South

Coach: Barry Jacobson (25th year).

Last year: 16-5-3 overall, 6-0 (first) in West Suburban Gold.

Top players: Jessica Jaime (sr., D), Kelli Kubal (sr., GK), Kristina Magda (sr., M), Danielle Janowiak (sr., F), Megan Owens (sr., D), Amy Baschen (jr., M), Katie Baschen (jr., M).

Outlook: The Mustangs' defense is annually as stingy as any around, and this year should be no different for Jacobson's 25th team. "We've got blue-collar, hard-working kids," he said. Kubal was a coaches' all-stater in net last year, Jaime and Owens are solid veterans in back, and Magda and Janowiak are a pair of savvy and experienced midfielders. The Baschens will also figure prominently, as should a pair of talented attacking freshmen players in Lauren Rusk and Kari Kujawa.

Driscoll

Coach: Enrique Mendoza (fourth year).

Key players: Mary Pagnoni (sr., F), Emily Kiss (sr., F), Katie Florina (sr., F), Jackie Butzen (sr., M), Genelle Edulan (sr., M) Anne Gilot (sr., D), Kristine Lindsey (sr., M), Jaclyn Miller (sr., GK), Vicky Schreiber (sr., D).

Outlook: A senior-heavy Highlanders team has Mendoza's expectations at a higher level for the young program in Addison. "We might have 11 seniors on the roster, so we're in a better position this year," he said. Forwards Kiss and Florina will have to provide scoring, Pagnoni moves from defender to forward and center midfielders Olivia Scott and Jordan Baker will add punch to the attack. "Our defense is young, but we'll look to attack more this year," Mendoza said.

Fenton

Coach: Victor Ruiz (10th year).

Last season: 9-7-2 overall, 8-0-1 (first) Metro Suburban Conference.

Key players: Lupe Vasquez (sr., M), Patty Izquierdo (sr., GK), Florencia Raimondo (sr., M), Jacseni Lemus (sr., F), Dominique Gulotta (so., D), Patty Morawa (so., M), Klaudia Osinska (jr., F), Antoinette Chiamas (jr., M).

Outlook: A stable of experienced seniors return to do battle alongside a core of promising underclassmen. "We have a good mix this year," Ruiz said. The defense is led by experienced sweeper Gulotta and third-year varsity goalkeeper Izquierdo, while a pair of freshmen in Ashley Falco and Jamie Keller bring speed to the outside in back. The midfield will rely on the pace and quickness of Vasquez in the middle, Raimondo and Chiamas also key the middle, while Osinka and Lemus bring finishing ability and speed up top.

Glenbard East

Coach: Gregg Koeller (20th year).

Last year: 9-5-6 overall, 2-4-1 (fifth) in DuPage Valley Conference.

Key players: Erin Holden (sr., GK), Lisette Cuvala-Jurado (so., M), Katie Sawyer (sr., M), Kelsey Taylor (jr., F), Mandy Paleczny (jr., D), Anna Ochoa (jr., F), Nicole Esposito (sr., M).

Outlook: In Koeller's 20th and final season as coach, he has a team that lost 80 percent of its scoring to graduation but has potential. "It'll be a work in progress, but I think it will be a good team by the end of the year," he said. Four-year starter Holden and Paleczny anchor the defense, Cuvala-Jurado moves from sweeper to midfield this year, where a now-healthy Sawyer and Esposito will be key, as Taylor and Ochoa adjust to scoring roles this year. "They're good kids and good athletes," Koeller said. "They just need some varsity experience."

Glenbard North

Coach: David Stanfield (third year).

Last year: 4-11-4, 1-5-1 (sixth) DuPage Valley Conference.

Key players: Jamie Stone (sr. M), Rachele Carney (jr., M), Rachel Gilberto (sr., M), Sarah Malatt (jr., M), Jennifer Petrosky (sr., D/M), Courtney Swanson (jr., F), Brittany Taylor (jr., F/M).

Outlook: Stanfield likes this year's attacking potential for the Panthers, with a finisher in Swanson, a good 1-on-1 forward in Taylor, and the quickness of Malatt, spearheaded by a center midfielder in Stone who has field presence and vision. "We'll be strong in the midfield and forward area, and the defense will be the focus point to start the year," Stanfield said. Petrosky will start the year as a defender with attacking skills, and Carney and Gilberto will help key the midfield.

Glenbard South

Coach: Glen Eggert (first year).

Key players: Sarah Beese (sr., OM), Dominique Collins (sr., M/D), Danielle Warner (jr., M), Meghan Pipal (jr., M), Danielle Pipal (sr., M).

Outlook: The attack will count on a trio of creative attacking players in Warner and the Pipal sisters. Beese's play and leadership on the outside will also key the offense, while Collins' passion and work rate lead the Raiders' defense this year. Beyond that, team success will hinge on how quickly a good core of young players can acclimate to varsity play. "We're counting on big things from our upperclassmen, but for this group it will be how well the young players play this year," Eggert said.

Glenbard West

Coach: Maciek Kumierz (first year).

Key players: Nikki Petersen (sr., M), Kristin Papierski (jr., M), Mallory Livingston (sr., GK), Erin Flores (sr., D), Ashlyn Selzer (sr., F).

Outlook: First-year coach Kumierz sees potential in a good mix of youth and experience in Glen Ellyn. "The young players are really helping us out, and we have a decent amount of talent and skill. I'm looking forward to seeing them improve," Kumierz said. The creativity of Papierski and freshman Molly Abromitis, plus the size and strength of Selzer will key the attack, as a pair of defensive players with offensive abilities in Petersen and Flores and a veteran goalkeeper in Livingston key the defense.

Hinsdale Central

Coach: Skip Begley (11th year).

Last year: 16-6-1 overall, 6-0 (first) in West Suburban Silver.

Key players: Sarah Deist (sr., D), Sammie Larson (sr., M), Courtney Arundel (jr., F/M), Toni Kokenis (so., F), Deanna Huysani (jr., OM), Nicole D'Agostino (so., GK).

Outlook: Begley will aim to do what he has traditionally done as well as any coach around -- get a team to play its best soccer by season's end. "We've got some good kids, so we'll see," he said. Kokenis had 6 goals and 6 assists last season, Arundel will see time up top, while Larson and Huysani will fill outside midfielder roles. An athletic goalkeeper in D'Agostino played in 19 games last year, and defender Deist brings varsity experience to the outside.

Hinsdale South

Coach: Pat Wolf (12th year).

Last year: 6-9 overall, 5-1 (second) in West Suburban Gold.

Key players: Jessica Carlson (sr., F), Karissa Svencer (sr., D), Dana Tomasetti (sr., GK), Samantha Schimmel (jr., M), Lauren La Van (sr., D), Andi Della Chiesa (jr., D), Keely Johnson (sr., M).

Outlook: The Hornets have one of the top attacking players around in Illinois State-bound Carlson, an aggressive four-year forward who has career numbers of 44 goals and 36 assists heading into this season. "She's a competitor," said Wolf, who will rely on veteran goalkeeper Tomasetti behind defenders Svencer, La Van and Della Chiesa. Center midfielder Schimmel will also key the attack, along with outside mid Johnson. "We've got a good mix of seniors, juniors and underclassmen this year," Wolf said.

Immaculate Conception

Coach: Brian Frank (first year).

Last year: 8-12-3 overall, 3-4 (fourth) in Suburban Catholic Conference.

Key players: Danielle Remy (jr., M), Catherine Guido (jr., M), Marykate Manion (jr., D), Cassy Vail (so., D), Natalie D'Agostino (fr., M), Colleen Manion (fr., F).

Outlook: The Knights graduated offensive star Nikki Sue Williams, but they've got a creative attacking player in D'Agostino, a solid and creative defensive midfielder in Guido and an experienced outside mid in Remy. Colleen Manion's speed and savvy up top and sweeper Marykate Manion's leadership will figure prominently on the back line, where Vail will also be key. "Last year we gave the ball to Nikki and let her go," Frank said. "This year we'll have to be more of a team, offensively."

Lake Park

Coach: John Gouriotis (eighth year).

Last year: 11-9-4 overall, 4-5-1 (sixth) in Upstate Eight Conference.

Key players: Rachel McMahon (sr., M), Courtney Losito (sr., D), Blaise Murphy (sr., D), Adrienne Ryba (jr., M), Jacqueline Cozzone (so., M).

Outlook: The Lancers will look to Holy Cross-bound veteran McMahon and two more seniors in experienced sweeper Losito and a solid marking back in Murphy to keep things quiet in the defensive third, as a midfield led by Cozzone in the middle and Ryba on the outside help sort out the attack. The Upstate Eight is loaded with talent this year, "and we'd like to finish in the top five," Gouriotis said. "We have six starters back, we're balanced and we've got hard-working kids."

Lisle

Coach: Paul Kohorn (fifth year).

Last year: 8-12-1 overall, 4-3 (fourth) in Interstate Eight Conference.

Key players: Sarah Urban (sr. D), Nicole Urban (fr., F/M), Emily DeLong (so., M), Jen Potter (so., F), Caitlyn Kilroy (sr., M).

Outlook: The Lions will switch to a flat-back defensive scheme this year, led by the team's heart and soul in central defender Sarah Urban. "There's no doubt that she's our leader this year," Kohorn said. Sophomores DeLong and Potter and freshman Nicole Urban bring skill and talent to the attack. Kilroy's defensive strength will help anchor the midfield for a team aiming to finish well above .500 this year. "We're young, but we've got some experience within that youth," Kohorn said.

Montini

Coach: Sue Brown (first year).

Last year: 10-7 overall.

Key players: Bridget Mullins (sr., M), Jesse Kern (sr., M), Jacqueline Neustadt (sr., D), Julia Johnston (sr., D), Mallory Sosnovich (so., M/D), Brianna Borsellino (fr., F/M), Marla Borsellino (fr., F/M), Becca Kern (so., D).

Outlook: The Broncos continue to get better-skilled freshmen joining the program, freeing up long-time assistant and first-year head coach Brown to coach tactics instead of skills. "We're fast and I think there's some talent there, but it's a young team," she said. "It'll be a matter of putting it all together." Jesse Kern netted 20-plus goals last year, a pair of cousins in the Borsellinos will look to attack, and Mullins will help steer the midfield. Neustadt and Sosnovich key the middle of the defense, with Johnston and Becca Kern on the outside.

Naperville Central

Coach: Ed Watson (16th year).

Last year: 8-10-2 overall, 4-2-1 (fourth) in DuPage Valley Conference.

Key players: Taylor Heatherly (so., D), Casey Short (sr., F), Kelly Blumberg (jr., M), Jessica Rubin (jr., D), Morgan Alberts (sr., M), Nikki Franzese (sr., OM).

Outlook: National team player Short returns from a two-year hiatus of winning track state titles and should combine with Blumberg to put some goals on the board this season. "If we can posses and play with some chemistry, with Kelly and Casey out there we're dangerous," Watson said. Heatherly is one of the premier sophomores around, Rubin will also key the back line, while Alberts' and Franzese's midfield play will be pivotal to the Redhawks' ability to keep last season's scoring woes in the past.

Naperville North

Coach: Brent Terada (second year).

Last year: 17-6-3 overall, 6-1-0 (first) in DuPage Valley Conference.

Key players: Jessica Arabia (jr., M/D), Jessica Kodiak (jr., F), Katie Kautza (sr., D), Emily Homan (jr., F), Rycke Guiney (so., M), Emily Janecek (so., D), Colleen Johnson (sr., M/F).

Outlook: One of the area's best defenders in Arabia moves forward to a defensive midfield spot this year for a team that graduated a stable of top seniors but again figures to compete well against the state's best competition. "We're young, but I'm cautiously optimistic," Terada said. Kodiak's potential is sky-high, Homan can stretch out a defense, and Guiney and Johnson will also be asked to contribute offensively. Janecek's play will be key in back, where Kautza's leadership and intangibles, "set her apart as a defender," Terada said.

Neuqua Valley

Coach: Joe Moreau (third year).

Last year: 23-4 overall, 9-1 (second) in Upstate Eight Conference.

Key players: Kendra Collins (sr., F), Megan Oyster (fr., M), Kelsey Mulcahey (jr., D), Rachel Suther (jr., GK), Ashley Marrapode (sr., M), Courtney Ksiazek (so., D).

Outlook: Perhaps only Neuqua Valley could get hit as hard by club defections as the Wildcats were this year but still be considered a top team in Illinois. The attack will count on Missouri-bound Collins' play and leadership, Marrapode keys the central midfield, and Oyster is a hard-working, talented freshman. Suther is a solid veteran in net, and sweeper Ksiazek and outside defender Mulcahey are both quality defenders. "We'll have to be a blue-collar team this year," Moreau said. "We'll have to fight in every single game."

St. Francis

Coach: Tim Dailey (eighth year).

Last year: 13-9-1 overall, 5-2 (third) in Suburban Catholic Conference.

Key players: Sarah Vargyas (sr., F), Crossley Simmons (sr., D), Kristin Ricondo (jr., D), Lauren Szalach (jr., M), Amanda Pelkey (sr., D), Kate Dorman (sr., GK), Meagan Gitchell (so., M), Bethani Werner (sr., M).

Outlook: Dailey's squad will be improved this year thanks to experience around the pitch. "It's a veteran team that has played together for three or four years," he said. "We think we'll be pretty decent." A balanced squad will feature a versatile Simmons (11 goals in '07) wherever she's needed, returning leading scorer Vargyas (15 goals) along with Gitchell (14 goals) and midfielders Werner and Szalach in the attack, and back line of Ricondo, Pelkey and likely Simmons in front of a solid third-year keeper in Dorman.

Timothy Christian

Coach: Chip Hull (fifth year).

Last year: 13-10-1 overall, 2-3-0 (third) in Private School League.

Key players: Katie Dirkse (jr., M), Katie Van Dyke (sr., M), Emily Vos (sr., M), Molly McNicholas (sr., D), Candace Wieringa (sr., D), Kelly Buma (sr., GK).

Outlook: With high-scoring Alexis Euwema now graduated, Hull "will rely on a more balanced scoring attack," he said. Dirkse will spearhead that attack as a center midfielder, with Van Dyke and Vos on the outside and a forward in Lindsay Vanderbrook returning after a two-year track hiatus. As the offense develops, the back line starts with the experience of defenders McNicholas and Wieringa, and a second-year goalkeeper in the athletic Buma. Hull believes assistant coaches Oliver Hersey and Kevin Tameling will also be key in helping adjust to the departure of eight graduated seniors.

Waubonsie Valley

Coach: Julie Bergstrom (eighth year).

Last year: 30-0-1 overall, 10-0 (first) in Upstate Eight Conference, Class AA state champion.

Top players: Bri Rodriguez (jr., M), Vanessa DiBernardo (so., F), Claire Hanold (jr., GK), Rachel Bostick (jr., M/F), Jessica Blake (sr., M/F), Ali Stahlke (jr., M).

Outlook: The defending state champs return the most dangerous attacking duo in Illinois in Rodriguez and DiBernardo for a team that graduated its back line but still has one of the area's best goalkeepers in Hanold minding the net. Bostick brings basketball athleticism and size into play for a team that faces a No. 1 preseason ranking and high expectations again this year. "They're young, but it's a quality group," Bergstrom said.

West Chicago

Coach: Cesar Gomez (first year).

Key players: Kayla Radloff (sr., GK), Jessica Jones (sr., F), Stephanie Salinas (so., F), Kari Granados (jr., F), Melanie Fischer (jr., OD), Ivana Boers (sr., CD), Christin Day (jr., OD), Jenny Tirado (sr., OD).

Outlook: Radloff's aggressiveness off her line is unsurpassed in the area. "It makes the whole defense more confident having her back there," Gomez said. Boers will sweep with Day, Fischer and Tirado all key in back. Jones will play a withdrawn forward with strength and a great work ethic, Salinas is creative up top, and Granados is a good natural athlete. "We want to possess the ball this year. That's the philosophy we'll have," Gomez said. "We'll play quick and look to be competitive."

Wheaton Academy

Coach: Dave Underwood (fifth season).

Last year: 12-10-2 overall, 7-0 (first) in Private School League.

Key players: Leah Fortune (jr., F), Alexa Sharkey (so., F), Tatum Teevans (sr., M), Natalie Cullen (sr., M), Rebecca Long (jr., D), Jenn Lee (jr., M).

Outlook: The Warriors have one of the top attacking players around in Fortune, who posted 18 goals and 10 assists last year and recently made the Brazilian U-20 team. Sharkey netted 17 goals last year. Long can play in the attack with Teevans, Cullen and Lee but may be needed in back, as the defense and goalkeeping duties get sorted out. "I like our options for our midfield and forward line, but we might have to steal from there to solidify the back," Underwood said.

Wheaton North

Coach: Tim McEvilly (seventh year).

Last year: 15-7 overall, 5-2 (third) in DuPage Valley Conference.

Key players: Michelle Scandora (sr., M), Jaime Orewiler (sr., F), Brittany Sorensen (sr., M), Hannah Perry (sr., GK), Allie Cerone (sr., M), Meredith Chase (sr., D), Erin Strom (sr., D), Kristin Perrine (sr., D), Laura Dieter (sr., F).

Outlook: No team in McEvilly's tenure has had higher preseason expectations pinned on them than this one, which features a pair of the best attacking players in Illinois in the Wheaton College-bound Orewiler and the DePaul-bound Scandora, who each netted 20-plus goals last year. Add Cerone, Sorensen and a healthy Ohio University-bound Dieter, and the Falcons' offense should shine this year. Defensively, they'll rely on veteran Perry in net, with Chase, Perrine and Strom all solid in back.

Wheaton Warrenville South

Coach: Guy Callipari (14th year).

Last year: 14-5-3 overall, 5-1-1 (second) in DuPage Valley Conference.

Key players: Leah Johnson (sr., F), Taylor Nieling (sr., M), Lauren Livingston (jr., M), Bridgette Kragie (jr., F), Alli Bellmer (sr., F), Amy Quintana (sr., D), Sarah Langlas (sr., M).

Outlook: Callipari's teams never fail to compete for the DVC title and beyond. "The leadership and impact players are different, so I'm curious about how they'll turn out," Callipari said. Leading the attack are a trio of veterans in Johnson, Nieling and Bellmer, with Kragie up top, Langlas serving as a target player and Livingston on the outside at midfield. The graduation of an entire defense puts the onus on a group of newcomers led by Quintana to find its footing fast.

Willowbrook

Coach: Pete Montgomery (third year).

Last year: 10-10-2 overall, 4-2 (third) in West Suburban Gold.

Key players: Amelia Weyer (jr., D), Brita Yacoub (sr., GK), Renate Willer (jr., D), Margaret Keeffe (jr., D), Alley Battistoni (sr., F).

Outlook: With eight seniors graduated, "we're waiting to see who's going to emerge, and people are competing hard so far for playing time," Montgomery said. Sweeper Weyer and marking back Willer bring composure to the back line, where Keeffe will also play on the outside. Second-year keeper Yacoub is quick and fearless, and Battistoni returns from injury to fill a forward's role with smarts, foot skills and a good leg. "We don't have any standouts this year, but we're balanced and we'll play as a team."

York

Coach: Rachael Shepherd (second year).

Last year: 12-6-1, 3-3 (third) in West Suburban Silver.

Key players: Nikki Navarro (sr., D), Michelle Corbett (sr., F), Colleen Sestan (sr., F), Kylen Mills (sr., M), Stefanie Matsas (jr., GK), Ashley Fendley (sr., M), Michelle Nielsen (sr., M).

Outlook: Optimism reigns this year at York, which has a group of players that have committed to the sport in the off-season and brings a great tangible: "Their energy is huge, and it's contagious," Shepherd said. Novarro anchors the middle of the defense in front of an athletic keeper in Matsas, while Sestan (14 goals last year) and Corbett will look to finish on the midfield set-up work of Mills, Fendley and Nielsen. Juniors Allie Cicinelli and Jasmine Watkins, and sophomores Katie Gratzianna and Ashley Bowman will all figure prominently.