Girls soccer: Northwest All-Area team

Brittany Bodziak, Conant

No matter where Bodziak was on the field she stood out in a four-year varsity career. The SIU-Edwardsville recruit played sweeper most of this season for a defense that had 11 shutouts but moved to center-midfield and scored 10 goals for a repeat regional champion. "A hard-working, very fast, attacking-minded player," said coach Jason Franco. "She has usually been the best and most dangerous player on the field."

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Allison Casey, Fremd

It's easy to make a case for Casey's value to Fremd as a stopper. Casey was vital to the Vikings' stopping their opponents and she also chipped in 4 goals and 2 assists to the Mid-Suburban West champions. "She is our workhorse and ball-winner in the middle," said coach Steve Keller. "She is the glue to our defense and she plays with great energy and heart."

Christina Chervenak, Maine West

Chervenak was close to a sure thing in goal for Maine West as she notched 7 of her 21 career shutouts this season. The repeat all-area pick finished with a 1.19 goals against average and gave up only 1 goal to Elite Eight qualifier Maine South. "She is aggressive, tough and vocal," said coach Aaron Fleming. "Christina would be the missing link to a successful state tournament run for many teams."

Caroline Condon, Barrington

Condon's constant improvement figures to be a big plus for a Barrington team that will have a lot of talent back next year. The sophomore finished with 6 goals and 7 assists. "She has a constant work rate that wears out the other player marking her," said coach Ryan Stengren. "Caroline has been great at attacking the end line. She is our best 1-on-1 attacking player."

Monica Danek, Conant

The four-year varsity starter took a big step up in goal this season as Conant repeated as regional champions and had one of the top defenses in the area. The Lewis-bound Danek played in the majority of the Cougars' 11 shutouts. "She really came on strong this year and improved her consistency," said coach Jason Franco. "She has great technical ability and a knack for shot-stopping."

Jessie DaPisa, Rolling Meadows

DaPisa has been a fixture in the Meadows lineup the last four years. And she'll take her skills as an outside midfielder to Eastern Kentucky after a senior season with 2 goals and 5 assists and the second all-area selection of her career. "She defends, she attacks and she can cross the ball 30 yards with either foot," said coach Jeff Adkins. "Jessie is a fierce competitor who will no doubt have a successful career in college."

Ashley Darnall, Schaumburg

A serious ACL injury cost Darnall a lot of time the last 2#189; years and Schaumburg the chance to reap even bigger rewards from her ability. The senior center-midfielder has been a stabilizing force for the Saxons since she was a freshman. "Ashley controls the middle of the field, wins 50/50 balls and keeps our team competitive," said coach Greg Charvat. "Ashley is the heart and soul of our team."

Jackie Drees, Hersey

Drees' offensive work definitely pleased Hersey as she scored a team-high 15 goals. The Western Michigan-bound senior was a great finisher off set pieces and also made an impact when she dropped back into the middle for the sectional champions. "She's by far the most skilled player on our team," said coach Brad Abel. "When Jackie's on we're definitely on our game as well."

Alex Ehr, Fremd

There was no error in Ehr being chosen as the Mid-Suburban West player of the year. The senior was versatile enough to move from forward to center-midfield depending on the opponent and finished with 18 goals and 5 assists for the repeat division champs. "She is the catalyst for our team," said coach Steve Keller. "Her attitude and leadership were an integral part of our success."

Brenna Fitzpatrick, St. Viator

The 3-5-2 system installed by first-year coach Sam Donnelly required outside midfielders to have the ability to attack and defend. Fitzpatrick fit perfectly and played a vital role on corner kicks before injuring her shoulder in the final game. "I thought she performed exceptionally well for us," Donnelly said of the sophomore. "She could deliver the ball beautifully."

Kristen Gierman, Hersey

Gierman's powerful leg made the Huskies lethal on set pieces as she finished with 21 assists and 4 goals. The junior was also a vital part to the Mid-Suburban League champs producing one of the area's top defenses. "She's the general of our backline and with her vision she's able to see the whole game," said coach Brad Abel. "Her ability to serve is phenomenal."

Brittany Haggerty, Conant

Haggerty's value to Conant was felt when she missed a sectional semifinal loss to Huntley because of a torn ACL. The senior's toughness and ball-winning and tackling abilities were crucial to a repeat regional title. "She has marked top forwards right out of the game," said coach Jason Franco. "She's a big reason for all of our shutouts."

Bethann Hamer, Palatine

Hamer was a gamer and that helped Palatine make a run to a regional championship. The senior center-midfielder had 4 goals and 5 assists and was a fixture in the starting lineup the last two seasons. "She's a great competitor and one of the kids you could depend on in the middle," said coach Willie Filian. "I don't think there was any game where she came off the field with any gas left in the tank."

Kaitlin Hillner, Buffalo Grove

Regarding Hillner as a coach on the field would be no surprise since her dad Norm has been a successful director of the Lake Park boys program. The junior sweeper was a vital part in Buffalo Grove allowing only 20 goals in 21 games against a tough schedule. "She is the leader of our defense and a very intelligent and gritty player," said coach Pat Dudle.

Amy Johnson, Barrington

Johnson was one of Barrington's most consistent players even though she had to learn a new defensive system. The sophomore could also get offensive with a goal and 6 assists. "What makes her so valuable is defensively she locks down the other team," said coach Ryan Stengren, "but then she helps us in the offensive end of the field by getting forward out of the back."

Kathryn Korff, Hersey

The sophomore showed her skills in the clutch as she scored in every postseason match to finish with 10 goals. Korff also was crucial in the middle to Hersey's run to its first supersectional appearance. "Kathryn's engine goes from the start of the whistle to the end of the game," said coach Brad Abel. "She's probably the most athletic player on the team and she brings a huge physical presence in the middle."

Mary Kubiuk, Barrington

An early-season ankle injury slowed the Barrington junior striker who had 20-plus goals her first two seasons. But there was no stopping Kubiuk once again as she recovered to finish with 12 goals and 5 assists. "She has been one of the most dangerous players in the area #8230; even when she isn't scoring she's helping our team keep possession," said coach Ryan Stengren. "She has such good vision when she has the ball."

Valerie Lelle, Wheeling

First-year Wheeling coach Darren Llewellyn called Lelle "a big reason" the team got a school-record 7 wins and got 3 Mid-Suburban League victories after just one the previous 23 seasons. The junior forward finished with 7 goals and 3 assists and had a 60-yard carry for a score in a win over Palatine. "Many of our attacks were off her own runs or her own play," Llewellyn said.

Susie Lello, Prospect

This likely won't be the last time those around the Mid-Suburban League will be saying hello to Lello. The sophomore sparked an impressive late-season run for the Knights and finished with 8 goals and 3 assists. "Her speed, strength and competitiveness make her a quintessential striker with a nose and fearless determination to find the goal," said coach Tom Froats.

Colleen Nolan, St. Viator

Nolan's varied abilities made her one of the premier players around and figures to make St. Viator formidable again next year. The junior sweeper controls the ball exceptionally well, is good in the air, delivers on free kicks from 25-plus yards and can clear the ball with either foot. "I think she's one of the best sweepers in the state," said coach Sam Donnelly. "She's an excellent player."

Becky Santiago, Prospect

The junior quarterback of the Prospect offense frequently left defenses scrambling. Santiago finished with 5 goals and 5 assists and she had a goal or an assist in six of seven matches in a late-season run. "She can break down defenses on the dribble or with a great pass," said coach Tom Froats. "She is very dangerous and has the ability to score and set up her teammates."

Rachael Sloan, Elk Grove

The repeat all-area pick and four-time all-conference player finished her career as one of the best players in Elk Grove history. The Marquette-bound Sloan had 8 goals and 6 assists to finish with career totals of 59 and 35. "Rachael is a speedy, strong, hard-working player who can help a team succeed in many ways," said coach Dan Klaus. "Scoring, defending, passing, heart, guts and determination."

Chrissy Tooren, Hoffman Estates

Tooren continued to prove she is one of the most dangerous forwards in the Mid-Suburban League and the state. The repeat all-area pick and versatile athlete still has another year to torment defenses after scoring 15 goals and getting 3 assists. "Chrissy is a dynamic player that sees the field and can single-handedly change the outcome of the game," said coach Rob Schmidt.

Lauren Zimmer, Fremd

Consistent and steady. That's what Zimmer provided Fremd at defender and defensive midfield for the Mid-Suburban West champions. She also finished with 3 assists. "Lauren knows her job and does exactly what we ask," said coach Steve Keller. "She plays within herself and therefore makes very few mistakes. She had a great work rate and was a calming presence on the field."