South Elgin has high hopes for new season

With two official varsity seasons under its belt, the South Elgin boys soccer team is ready to get down to business.

The Storm welcomes back everyone from last year's team that finished 4-14-1, and the introduction of some solid freshman talent could help them blow past opponents. Seniors Kristina Nieman and Rachel Musnicki return to the midfield to head the Storm roster, while Lauren Vedrine and Dana McElwain join the team looking to make a sudden impact as freshman, much like Becca Smith did for the basketball team.

"Lauren is very vocal, she has great vision and a nice touch," said returning coach Tiffany Disher. "Dana isn't afraid to use her body."

Vedrine will unite with veterans Nieman and Musnicki in the midfield along with returning sophomore Ashley Naccarato, while McElwain will play alongside Daily Herald all-area selection Erica Williams on defense.

"We've struggled defensively in past years which I expect to see change," Disher said. "This is a very positive team. We are much more balanced, we have a deep bench, we expect more wins this season and I definitely think we'll surprise some teams. "We have to potential to win a lot of games if we all come out to play."

Upstate Eight: Larkin will also be looking to add to the win column. Finishing last season 6-17-2, the Royals return seniors Jacqlyn Goodlove (midfield), Kelli Johnson (sweeper) and Morgan Smith (forward) as well as a heavy junior class led by Anna Medina (midfield), Lizette Folano (midfield) and Anna Goodlove (goalkeeper).

"Attitudes have changed," said seventh-year coach Ken Hall. "We'll be stronger than last year and with an increasing roster, we have the potential to do some damage."

Former Westminster Christian phenom forward Amanda Shelton meets the Royal roster, and freshman Amanda Lane (midfield) could also contribute out of the gates.

"We struggled to put the ball in the back of the net last year," said Hall. "That could be a strength for us this season. The girls are more upbeat on the field, the chemistry is stronger and we expect improvements."

With a traditional season opener behind it, Bartlett is off to a strong start.

After opening two consecutive seasons with matching ties against Schaumburg, the Hawks started a new tradition this year with a 2-1 victory over the Saxons.

Third-year coach Heather Thomas is looking for leadership to be key as seniors Michelle Glaser (sweeper), Fran Abate (midfield), Rachel Rieger (defense) and Luisa Desario (forward) combined as team-captains with a bevy of soccer knowledge.

"We have a very strong senior class," Thomas said. "With all four starting defenders back, defense will be a strength. We're working a lot on offense this year, and a veteran defensive line should only support that."

Erin Zaideman will be the last stop in that defense returning to the net for her junior campaign, and some talented freshman will go to work on the other end.

Freshmen Lisa Palmer (center-midfield), Natalia Grozcki and Jenny Paddack (midfield) are each expected to solidify and already strong Bartlett team.

Sharing turf with Bartlett will be Millennium Field host Streamwood. With nine newcomers, head coach Matt Polovin admits the Sabres have their work cut out for them. Still, everybody is listening, they want to learn and the team is working hard.

Returning from last season's 6-13-4 team are seniors Alanah Thompson (center-midfield), Lonnie Prout (forward) and goalkeeper Pearl Patel as well as sophomores Amy Tyszkiewicz (midfield), Sara Kemp (midfield) and Valentina Escalante (forward). Junior defender Cynthia Garcia is also back.

"We have the potential to have a great season," said Polovin. "This is a great group of girls whose primary goal is to learn the system and play well.

"If we can play hard every day, the wins will come. These girls want to compete in every game."

Coming in are freshman Stephanie Brown (midfield) and Brianna Roppo (goalkeeper) as well as junior Kristin Sogge (defender).

"Sogge is a talent," Polovin said. "She is a transfer from South Elgin and while she didn't play there, she has a foot and a half on her. She can bend it, and she can send it a long way."

Under the guidance of new head coach Cesar Rosales, Elgin could be headed up the ladder. Rosales was the assistant coach of both the boys and girls programs last year, and took over the head slot when former coach Dave Borg took the assistant athletic director position.

Rosales expects seniors Alex Smith (sweeper), Maricera Ramirez (forward), Yesenia Meza (goalkeeper) and junior Nohemi Farfan (midfield) as the team's top forces. Farfan and Smith will share captain duties. New faces to watch include Guadalupe Barragan (defense) and Laura Rodriguez (defense).

"We are much stronger than last year," said Rosales. "With a lot of young talent, it will be a tough season but I expect some big wins. We are more of a defensive team, but Maricera is a powerhouse upfront so we should present a nice balanced attack."

Fox Valley (Fox): The loss of some key players could made this a very challenging year for Huntley, but the Red Raiders do return 16 players from a 2008 team which finished 21-2 overall with a Fox Valley Conference Fox Division title at 9-1.

Back in the attack are seniors Kaylee O'Brien (midfield), Nina Barreto (midfield), Lauren Opolony (midfield) and Alyssa Sylvestri (defense).

"None of the teams in the Fox Valley can be overlooked," said Kris Grabner as he enters season No. 6 with the team. "I expect Prairie Ridge and Crystal Lake Central to remain on or near the top of the tables.

The Red Raiders will look for help countering rivals offensively with the addition of forward Taylor Skubal (junior) and Emily Konior (sophomore).

"Winning a third consecutive conference championship is on the top of our list of goals," Grabner said.

Fox Valley (Valley): Crystal Lake South and Cary-Grove battled it out for the Fox Valley Conference Valley Division title last year until the very end. In the end, the pair shared FVC-Valley honors each finishing 9-1 delivering one another solo losses. Meeting a third time in the postseason, the Gators walked away victorious, but later fell to Stevenson in a regional final shootout.

That said, Crystal Lake South is looking for another shot. The Gators would also like to hold on to the FVC-Valley crown, an honor that they have held (sometimes shared) for the past three seasons.

Back in uniform are seniors Danielle Jones (foward), Jessica Taldone (goalkeeper), Danielle McDonald (defense), Carly Juliano (midfield) and juniors Ashley Ross (forward), Karley Meiko (midfield), Kelsey Taldone (defense), Katie Burton (defense), Alison Agnes (defense) and Kelsey Cosley (defense).

Boys coach Brian Allen takes over at the helm of the program looking to continue the school's successful tradition.

"There is a lot of talent on this team," Allen said. "If they play together and for one another, positive results will follow."

New arrivals Ellen Bronner (midfield), Natalie Blazier (midfield) and Vivian Qian (forward) hope to add to the mix.

Whatever the outcome, Cary-Grove will take the pitch with pride. Led by six seniors in Sally Tashjian (midfield), Lisa and Kelli Anderson (defense/midfield), Rachel Neudahl (defense), Alyssa Jacobucci (forward) and Alex Holland (goalkeeper), the Trojans will aim for another outstanding showing.

Finishing 15-3 overall in 2008, veteran knowledge should guide the Trojans to another successful stint.

"We have varsity players here that were an integral part in building this team," said coach Raymond Krystal. "Now, they will lead the team. These girls are really big on working hard every single day.

"They are excited to have this team, everybody loves playing together and feeling such a part of the creation of what we are now, these girls will perform as best as they can."

Cary's six seniors are stretched across the field so their influence will undoubtedly set the tempo.

"We've created a family atmosphere her, and translates well on the field," Krystal added.

Jacobs was a quiet contender for Fox Valley Conference Valley Division accolades until late in the season last year, and could find themselves in the mix again. The Golden Eagles welcome back one of the Fox Valley's finest in midfielder K.C. Roller who will be backed by teammates Kelsey Quitschau (midfield), Emily Preis and midfielder Jackie Rosato.

Ending the 2008 season at 9-13, Jacobs' coach Jim Dzialo expects newcomers Kristen Smith and Monica Orjuela to fill some gaps and better the Golden Eagle approach.

"We hope to improve upon last year, and we are certainly expecting to have a much better year overall," said Dzialo.

Jacobs had a strong postseason run which could carry into the upcoming weeks.

Dundee-Crown is rebuilding and this season they look to fair better than last season. The Chargers are happy to see one of the areas top forward return for her senior season in Licia Keyes. Kailyn Quinn (midfield), Tori Scarpelli (defense), Deanna Libricz (goalkeeper) and Karen Delarosa (midfield) solidify the list of returns and close gaps on the field.

"We would like to finish among the top three in the conference," said coach Sebastian Felinski. "With thirteen back, we will only be better and our younger girls picked it up a level during the offseason."

Sophomore Mallory Fryer (defense) joins the team hoping to help.

"The girls are more comfortable with one another, and in my second season, I have a better understanding of the girls game and how to coach this group which will make us stronger," Felinski said. "In the Fox Valley, anybody can beat anybody on any given day."

Big Northern East: A dominant junior class as well as some extremely talented freshmen could be the perfect blend for Burlington Central who hopes to contend for a Big Northern East Conference title later this season following a 12-8-1 overall finish last year which include a BNE title, the Rockets' third straight at 7-1.

Absolutely loaded, seniors Lili Castillo (midfield) and Kirby McMahon (goalkeeper) revisit the pitch along with juniors Emma Bruderle (forward), Cara Martini (defense), Erin Lund (midfield), Kylie Pecoraro (defense), Emily Ramsy (defense), Alyssa Westman (defense) and sophomore Michelle Fowler (forward).

Fresh to the field are Nicole Fox (midfield), Elizabeth Toy (forward), Joselle Blyth (forward), Cerah Dolmeyer (defense), Jessica Osko (midfield), Dani Dugkins (forward), Heather Krup (midfield), Gabriella Mazzarisi (midfield) and freshmen midfielders Katie Cappas, Courtney Andrews, Catherine Kaynish, Jessica Martinez, Maddie Stoneman and Alex Tarr. Defensively, the Rockets welcome Chloe Plum, Lindsey Puccio and Kat Solberg.

"We have a lot of inexperience, but the work ethic is high," said coach Michael Gecan. "Our numbers are up, and these girls are fighting for playing time. We certainly have potential to grow throughout the season."

That said, Gecan expects great things late in the year.

"Hands down, this is the most disciplined team I've coached," said Gecan. "We'll take each game as it comes, and we'll only get stronger with time."

Suburban Catholic Conference: St. Edward found itself amid the Elite 8 last year concluding an 11-9-2 season with a 1-0 loss to Hersher, but not before collecting a sectional title at Westminster Christian.

While the Green Wave said goodbye to seven influential talents, they do welcome back a pair of seniors in Brittany Brozek (forward) and Taylor Hunsberger (goalkeeper), a pair of juniors Colleen Kerger (sweeper), Maggie Duggan (defender) and a duo of sophomores Shelby Sheppard (midfield) and Mallory Malone (midfield) from that squad.

"With the return of our leading scorer in Brittany (Brozek), a three-year starting keeper, an all-everything athlete in Kerger and a healthy Malone, we enter 2009 with high expectations," said St. Edward coach Tim Brieger.

"Over half of our roster returns with state experience which should help us through early growing pains."

Freshmen Paige Gannon (defense) and Jordyn Madden (forward) meet the Green Wave as well as Valerie Gotheride (defense) and Jessica Stasinski (midfield).

"We hope to challenge for another trip downstate," said Brieger.

A strong schedule including opponents IC, Hampshire, Freeport and Wheaton Academy should speed up the maturing process according to Brieger.

Independent School League: Team co-captains Kristin Cella (striker) and Lauren Steimle (center-midfield) hope to lead Elgin Academy in ISL. action as they come off a 12-9 conclusion in 2008. The duo is greeted by returning talent in Bianca Swegler (goalkeeper), Siena Romano (sweeper) and Gizem Tunca (stopper), and new talent in seniors Catherine Simmons (defense), Amanda Flannigan (midfield), junior Ashley Barns (midfield) and sophomore Emma Stone (striker).

"We lost six starters from last year, but the attitude is excellent," said coach Greg Repede. "I like our leadership and our defense looks strong. Depth could pose a problem, but we are looking to play hard and have fun."

Private School League: Mike Richardson takes over at the helm of the Westminster Christian program looking to turn around a 1-12-1 finish in 2008.

Helping Richardson fuel the push will be returns Rachel Doby (forward) and midfielder Sarah Rogers.

"With a small roster, we intend to do the best we can," said Richardson. "Offensively, we're looking for Rachel to carry the team and lead by example."

Despite obstacles, the Warriors plan to give nothing short of warriors in each match.

"These girls are working hard day in and day out, and they certainly hope to compete."