Scouting Cook County area girls soccer teams
MID-SUBURBAN EAST
Buffalo Grove
Coach: Pat Dudle (first year)
Leading graduated seniors: Kelsy Havell (Coastal Carolina University), Sam Olson (Valparaiso University), Rachel Buchek, Kellly Hersoz, Hannah Malisisa, Liz Weiland
Top returning competitors: Alexis Andreasik, Alhssa Andreasik, Alex Argiris, Brie BohmanJackie Concialdi, Megan Crumpton, Allison Heissel, Kaitlin Hillner, Jenny Kovach, Vicki Rich, Jaimee Shearn
New players: Erica Chan, Kim Geerling, Maddie Gerling, Jordyn Lucas, Jeannette McNicols, Hillare Reynolds, Katie Quill
Coach's comment: "We have a good mix of many returning players with varsity experience and some talented newcomers. I feel we can compete with any team in the conference. Every team in the East division has a chance for playing in the MSL Cup. You must come to play every night with the new format of crossovers meaning just as much as games in your division."
Elk Grove
Coach: Dan Klaus (6th year)
Leading graduated seniors: Jenna Montague, Alyssa Larson, Katie Klimczak, Jacie Rutter, Megan Greaves
Top returning players: Seniors Angie Podulka, Megan Maize, Amy Fries, Anie Fitzpatrick, Heather De Moss, Teresa Dickson, Jamie Regan, Rachael Sloan; juniors Jen Zemola, Jessie Hubly, Emily Stanke, Heidi Lkancnik, Jen Jarvis, Vivian Villalobos
Coach's comment: "Last year we finished 6-4. We won our second straight regional. We graduated a good group of players. It's been trying because of the weather. But we'll definitely be competitive. The East is always up for grabs."
Hersey
Coach: Brad Abel (third year)
Last year: 13-7-4 overall, conference 6-3-1, 3rd in MSL East
Leading graduated seniors: Sarah Kearns (playing at Illinois State University), Jackie Drees, Chelsea Santor, Sarah Stoltzner, Amanda Slove, Rosie White
Top returning players: Seniors Elizabeth Braun, Kristen Gierman, Kristen Corley, Claire Poelking; juniors Katie Drees, Julia Fredian, Kathryn Korff, Ashley Martin, Andrea Perkins
Coach's comment: "The team goal is to compete for the MSL Cup. For a lot of the girls, it's now or never. By playing solid team defense, we are also looking to advance deep into the state playoffs."
Prospect
Coach: Tom Froats (sixth year)
Last year: 13-8-2, 4-2
Leading graduated seniors: Martina Pettenuzzo, Brittany Reibel, Kelsey Carmichael, Jillian Frasco, Katie Hedstrom, April Baranowski, Sarah Schroeder
Top returning competitors: Seniors Kathie Barkan, Marietta Smith, Lauren Chlapaty, Maggie Fettis, Alex Moxley, Megan Franck; juniors Rachel Lenke, Alyssa Glennon, Carolyn Skukala, Lauren Leipprandt, Danielle Brucci, Becky Santiago; sophomores Susie Lello, Julie Schmoldt, Alexis Glennon
Coach's comment: "Our team will look to fill big holes left by our senior graduates on and off the field. However, we have a very strong group of talented players who shall listen to the challenges of playing in the MSL. The MSL is always a tough game in and out. If things fall our way we hope to match last season's success during the regular-and post-season."
Rolling Meadows
Coach: Jeff Adkins (ninth year)
Leading graduated seniors: Lauren Ryan, Kelly Pekarek, Christy Lima, Lauren Ryan, Megan Connolly, Joanna Augsburger, Lauren Wisniewski, Megan Brandon, Heidi Owen (North Colorado)
Top returning competitors: Seniors Kim Liwag, Jessie DaPisa, Bianca Serrato, Shannon McGuire, Kaitlin Treat, Liezl Aluquin, Lindsey Berg; junior Taylor Fritz (tore ACL in basketball, not expected back until end of April)
Coach's comment: "We have six girls returning from last year. All are good players. We have four main players: DaPisa, McGuire, Serrato and Treat. In the division, I think we'll be close. Everybody lost some players. Every game counts, West and East. I'm hoping we are competitive, especially in the East and obviously with the teams in the West. I'll be interested to see how we match up with the teams in the West. I don't know who the West has. I'm hoping to be as competitive as we were last year."
Wheeling
Coach: Darren Llewellyn (first year)
Last year: Last in the MSL East
Top returning competitors: Seniors Emily Kahan; juniors Valerie Lelle, Jackie Cormbetta
Newcomer: Senior Nallely Areola
Coach's comment: "We've just been working on basic things with them. We'll start our first game putting them in a formation. They're a hard-working group of girls. It will be an interesting season. I'm really happy with the girls work ethic. These first two weeks, we have six games. Areola will probably end up at forward with Cormbetta. Chloe (Majkowski), who plays for the Sockers, is a very, very good athlete. She's a very good player. She'll make the us strong in the back."
MID-SUBURBAN WEST
Barrington
Coach: Ryan Strengen (first year)
Last year: 2nd in MSL West
Leading graduated seniors: Jessica Pressel, Carly Gallagher (University of Wisconsin), Caitlyn Eisenhauer (Eastern University), Lis Khoshaba, Anne Hasse, Lelsey Miner (club), Carly Samp (club)
Top returning players: Seniors Kaitlin Denis, Bridget Hamilton; juniors Natalie Roeertaccio, Claire McGillem, Hillary Slingo, Mary Kubiuk, Christina Hirdes, Christina Hirdes; sophomore Amy Johnson, Lauren Decraene
Coach's comment: "We only have three seniors on the roster and 10 players who have never played varsity soccer. We are very young. The girls have worked hard. If we have time to learn and stay organized, we will be tough in May. We would like to compete for the MSL, but we have a lot of other goals to reach."
Conant
Coach: Jason Franco (second year)
Top returning competitors: Seniors Brittany Bodziak (3-year starter, 2-year all-sectional, all-conference, scholarship to SIU, 10 goals last year), Shaina Marnell (3-year varsity starter, scholarship to Upper Iowa), Alyssa Stylski (8 goals last year), Brittany Haggerty, Monica Danek (3-year starter), Anna Senyk (GK), Meghan Melone, Lisa Parisi, Michelle Rawleigh, LIsa Burmeister, Marissa Hatakeyama; juniors Jackie Piasecki, Amy Dolinsky, Lauren Jason, Becky Knoll, Jess Kozlowski, Marrisa Ross, Emma Loos
Coach's comment: "We have an experienced, athletic team that should be able to compete in a tough MSL conference. Because of those traits, we should be a tough team to break down and have some dangerous players up top that should produce some goals. With only three starters lost from a team that won the regional last year, we look to improve on last year's season."
Fremd
Coach: Steve Keller (seventh year)
Last year: MSL champion, second in state
Leading graduated seniors: Caroline VanAcker, (University of Illinois, not playing), Janina Locascio (DePaul), Sam Balek (Eastern Illinois), Sarah Bollman, Tanya Romano (Milikin), Wieslawa Iza
Top returning players: Seniors Kristen Zelenka, Alexandra Ehr, Lauren Zimmer, Austin Henning, Allison Casey, Melissa Castles; juniors Kaitlyn Kinsella, Laura Mayer, Chloe Takala; sophomores Daniella Romano, Kristen Kupstys, Crystal Rohan
Newcomers: Katie Wagner, Haley Simpson, Lisa Christ, Rachel Kowazyk, Kathleen Holmberg
Coach's comment: "We should be a strong team similar to last season. We have depth and a quality group of ladies. The sky is the limit with these girls. We should compete for a repeat of the conference title."
Hoffman Estates
Coach: Rob Schmidt (fourth year)
Last year: 9th place MSL, 8-2 overall
Leading graduated seniors: Mimi Brewster, Kristen Rukhaberlen, Britton Meihls, Debbie Morris, Jackie Bochte
Top returning players: Seniors Brittany Calendo, MIssy Douglass; juniors Meghann Evans, Maddie Harford, Carol King, Becky Gilbert, Chrissy Tooren, Natalie Schwarz, Leah Tednes; sophomores Kelsey Lukowicz, Sam Agins
Key newcomers: Seniors Courtney Bobsin, Val Iehl, Nicole Moody; juniors Ali Hair, Nina Patel; sophomore Kristen Hisey
Coach's comment: "We have a very strong core of returning varsity players, most with three or four years of varsity experience. We're a very competitive team who has really come together in the off-season and will look to challenge for the MSL West title."
Palatine
Coach: Willie Filian (14th year)
Leading graduated seniors: Kristen Mielczarek, Sophie Rattray, Jemma Samp, Kristen Gustafson, Erin Dailey
Top returning players: Seniors Nicole Clark, Melissa Mitzner, Megan Boecher, Erika Yabile, Morgan Bauer, Raisa McArtork, Abby Brunks, Stepanie Thomson, Kara LIttwin, Bethann Hamer, Sara Iuorio; juniors Stepanie Frost
Top newcomer: Freshman Alejanda Fernandez
Coach's comment: "We lost only two seniors from last year. We'll be in good shape. The defense should be pretty solid. The offense, that's always going to be a question mark. I'm hoping this year things will be a little different. They make a lot of (scoring) chances."
Schaumburg
Coach: Greg Charvat (14th year)
Leading graduated seniors: Allison Horbel, Claire Markin, Jeni Seyffert, Angela Carravetta, Jenna Volpe, Katie Frey
Top returning competitors: Seniors Ashley Darnell, Sarah Maine, Heather Powlish, Maggie Kostecki, Ashley Wade, Kathy Long; juniors Rachael Zolper, Melissa Hernandez, Sarah Seyffert; sophomores Sarah Christy, Rebekka WittkAmp, Jackie Laroco
Newcomers: Sophomores Kendra Sanderson, Aubrey Hayes, Devin Ryan, Rachael Kahan, Nora Mirochoa; freshman Stephanie Pouse.
Coach's comment: "As a team, we are working very hard in practice at learning our system of play. We have a nice mix of younger players gaining experience every day. Our goal is to improve with each game and practice. The MSL will be very competitive gain this season with Fremd and Barrington leading the way. We hope to be competitive in all of our MSL games."
CENTRAL SUBURBAN NORTH
Maine West
Coach: Aaron Fleming (second year)
Last year: 8-9-2, 2-3 in CSL North
Leading graduated seniors: Anna Paul, Anna Seletos, Ashley Goldfein, Carey Brown, Christine Meyers, Sheri Divito
Top returning competitors: Seniors Betsy Barthel, Chrissy Maksimovic, Christina Chervenak, Colleen Vana, Hannah Schmitz, Karen Fernandez, Lauren Wojtaszek, Lauren Zourkas, Magggie Mueller, Paula Pliszka; juniors Amanda Ollerer, Connine Stanfa, Dontine Walsten (team's leading scorer in 2007)
Newcomers: Senior Sandy Ibarra; freshmen Alish O'Connell, Carly Martin, Bekah Schmitz, Kelly Cerri, Krystine Cook, Kelly Burger, Hannah Schmitz.
Coach's comment: "We have six new freshmen on varsity and with 13 returnees it will provide for an interesting season. We hope to improve on last year's 8-9-2 overall record. We will work to better our 2-3 conference record from a year ago. We will have our work cut out for us in a tough CSL."
EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLIC
St. Viator
Coach: Sam Donnelly (first year)
Leading graduated seniors: Sasha Blaney, Lindsey Weber, Christine Steinmetz, Caitlin Wrend, Gordana Arnich, Kelly Blenner
Top returning players: Seniors Mary-Kate Supplitt, Jenny Muench, Kailee Springer, Arika Cozzi, Colleen Henegan, Susan Szymczak; juniors Colleen Nolan, Sara Lasco, Lauren Gallagher, Lauren Cozzi; sophomores Stephanie Shanahan, Megan McGrath, Jackie Tumberger, Connie Kulczycki, Samantha Gavin
Coach's comment: "We haven't been out yet, so I have no idea what to do. We have to get out and play. We've been playing indoors. We did beat Sandburg 1-0 last week on their field. It's pretty tough on the girls. I think we're going to do fairly well. It depends on if we can get outside and see what we have."
WEST SUBURBAN GOLD
Leyden
Coach: Rob Fowler (first year)
Last year: 10-8 overall, 2-4 in the West Suburban Gold
Leading graduated seniors: Lindsay Maher (Augustana)
Top returning players: Belinda Garcia, Karoline Suarte, Cristine Monarrez
Coach's comments: "We are looking to improve our standing in the West Suburban Gold Conference. Also, we are aiming for another winning record this year."