Scouting Tri-Cities soccer teams
Aurora Central Catholic
Coach: Maria Della Torre
Key returnees: Sam Cowles, sr., MF-F; Emily Blaser, so., MF-F; Erin Canning, so., MF.
Top newcomers: Jacqueline Cardona, so., GK.
Outlook: Maria Della Torre takes over a team that may be inexperienced in soccer play but which has plenty of athletic talent. "We have a solid group of athletes that are ready to work and compete," Della Torre said. Della Torre said this season will be a building thing, with the Chargers working "to develop technical and tactical soccer skills." The strength of the team figures to be its midfield, where the team has its most experienced returning players. Defensively, the Chargers graduated its entire starting unit, and will rebuild in front of sophomore newcomer goalie Jacqueline Cardona.
Batavia
Coach: Jim McAlpin
What happened last year: The Bulldogs finished 8-8 and lost to Neuqua Valley in the opening round of the IHSA tournament.
Key losses to graduation: Kara Lydon.
Key returnees: Bri Choffin jr., D, Hillary Cooper, sr., F; Tory Kinnard, sr., MF; Dana Landem, sr., D; Elena Mudrak, sr., GK; Tara Rush, jr., MF; Hannah Schweiger, jr., D; Liz Barnes, sr., D.
Top newcomers: Becky Bartos, sr., MF, Alex Hannah, so, MF; Haley O'Neil, jr., MF.
Outlook: It's not just that Batavia has 10 players who started at one point or another last year that lends a tone of optimism to the team's season - it's that the Bulldogs have some serious talent. Goalkeeper Elena Mudrak will play college soccer for Eastern Michigan while midfielder Kinnard is set for a college career at Central Michigan and forward Hillary Cooper will play for Eastern Kentucky University. "They're good role models," Batavia coach Jim McAlpin said. "They set a good tone for the 11 newcomers we have on the team. They work hard. All of our returning players understand the system and do a nice job being mentors with the younger girls." As with last year, the defense and midfield appear sound. The Bulldogs struggled to score goals last year, and McAlpin highlighted that as an early area for concern. "We'll move some players around and try some things, but the big objective is to score some goals." Senior Liz Barnes, who suffered a serious patella injury in the final game of the girls basketball season, is due to return at some point this season as well. "Optimistically, she will play - but it might be four or five weeks before she is in shape to play. Her progress is significant, but you don't want to rush things."
Geneva
Coach: Megan Owens
What happened last year: The Vikings were 11-8-3, finished second in the Western Sun Conference and were Elk Grove regional champions. Geneva lost to Conant in the Bartlett sectional title game.
Key losses to graduation: Emily Hinchman is now playing college soccer at Illinois Wesleyan.
Key returnees: Stephanie Davison, sr., D; Sr; Gina Peri, sr., D; Sarah Tennant, sr., MF; Abbey Schroeder, sr., F; Emily Saunders, sr., MF; Demi Miller, jr., F; Alexa Loebel, jr., D; Jen Konrad, fr., D; Ryan Konicek, jr., D; Catherine Allon, so., MF; Jenny Lienau, jr., GK.
Top newcomers: Sammi Hill, sr., F; Amanda Lulek, fr., MF; Kristin Rodriguez, so., MF; Kailey Rote, so., MF; Caitrin Griffin, so., D; Morgan Matson, jr., MF; Victoria Fortney, jr., GK.
Outlook: Mother Nature gave Geneva its biggest boost in preparing for the 2010 girls soccer season. A year ago, a largely inexperienced Vikings team prepared for its first season with Megan Owens as coach indoors while miserable conditions made outdoor practice impractical. But this year, Owens is in her second year and the team understands her expectations-and the weather has been near perfect. "We have some respectable opponents early in the season," Owens said. "We play Wheaton Academy and play two teams in St. Louis who are good. And Plainfield Central, our first opponent, beat us last year. We have an early test to see how we're going to be this year." The Vikings lost Daily Herald Tri Cities All-Area Captain Emily Hinchman, but return 12 players with varsity experience. Those dozen returnees will mesh with seven newcomers. "We have experience mixed with new players," Owens said. "It always takes some to get used to playing with each other." A year ago, the Vikings were strong defensively and struggled at times to use that as a springboard offensively, something Owens would like to see change this spring. "Our defense did a tremendous job last year and we have a lot of the same leadership back, and that goes through the midfield as well. We'll see if we can get the offense going."
Kaneland
Coach: Scott Parillo
What happened last year: The Knights were 11-9-2 and fell in a regional championship game. Key losses to graduation: Bridget Crosby and Paige Rogers are both playing soccer for Waubonsee Community College while Sara Goodrich also graduated. Key returnees: Emily Heimerdinger, jr., F; Megan Gil, sr., D; Shelby Koester, sr., MF; Colleen Gebauer, sr., MF. Top newcomers: Jordan Ginther, fr., GK. Outlook: The growth Kaneland has seen in recent years looks set to continue as a team coach Scott Parillo feels could be his strongest gets set to take the field. Getting most of the attention is Emily Heimerdinger, a junior forward who has been all-conference and all-sectional in each of her first two years with the Knights. But with four-year defensive rock Megan Gill and seniors Shelby Koester and Colleen Gebauer, the Knights aren't likely to be known as a "one-person team" this year. "Everyone knows (Heimerdinger) and she's not going to surprise anyone," Parillo said. "Division I schools are looking at her and there's a reason for that." But whether it's having breakfast or spreading toilet paper on their coach's house, the Knights are a tight-knit clan. "The nice thing is that they like each other," Parillo said. "They all know (Heimerdinger (gets all the press and they're OK with that. They like to do things together, and that's really important. And they're a pretty darned good team, and they know that too." Two keys are the integration of freshman Jordan Ginther into the lineup and the ability to stay healthy. "Are we going to be able to beat a St Charles North?" Parillo asked. "I doubt it, but we don't have to. We're pretty deep and the requirement is that we need to be healthy. We can surprise some people." A year ago, the Knights played for a Class 2A regional title - the first time the team had progressed that far in the postseason. "There's some talent here, even though we lost three starters to graduation," Parillo said.
Rosary
Coach: Kevin Callaghan
What happened last year: The Royals finished 11-6-3, finished third in the Suburban Catholic Conference and won their own IHSA Class 2A regional before losing to Joliet Catholic in a sectional semifinal.
Key losses to graduation: Deb Happ, Sarah Butz, Christine Dickerson, Sydney Warda.
Key returnees: Carey DeKing, sr., D; Jaclyn Nelson, jr., MF; Sam Duarte, so., F., Megan Fitzpatrick, so., D-MF; Brittany Hutchinson, jr., D-MF; Tara Early, jr., D-MF; Courtney Bila, so, D; Alex Bode, so., GK-D; Laura Butz, so, MF; Kallie Renfus, so., MF; Allison Stephans, so., MF; Rachel Rivera, jr., GK.
Top newcomers: Jessica Janota, sr., F-MF; Olivia Cozzoni, fr., F-MF; Taylor Gibson, fr., MF; Kaitlin Johnson, fr., F-MF; Kara Kalisz, fr., F-MF; Kadee Lawson, fr., D-MF; Molly Piech, fr., F-MF.
Outlook: Rosary takes a new-look lineup into its first season of play in the Suburban Christian Conference. The Royals graduated the core from their very successful 2009 squad. In their last season in the Suburban Catholic Conference, Rosary finished third and won a regional before losing all-conference players Sarah Butz, Christine Dickerson and Sydney Warda. The team's one returning all-conference player is Sam Duarte, who is a sophomore this year. She played forward in 2009, and scored six goals in regional play alone. But this year, she will move into a central midfield role. "We have Jessica Janota back up front for us, and (Duarte) sees the field so well that I know she can generate things for herself and others through the midfield," Rosary coach Kevin Callaghan said. That sense of movement is one of the keys to this year's team. "I don't want them to be stationary," Callaghan said. "I want them to move and play through balls and give-and-go's. I think we have a team that can do that." Another key returning player is Laura Butz, who missed her freshman year with an ACL tear. One facet of Rosary's roster is the six freshmen that will play varsity soccer this spring. "We lost quite a few seniors," Callaghan said. "We have a lot of good quality freshman players. They have a lot of skill. They have all the energy in the world."
St. Charles East
Coach: Paul Jennison
What happened last year: The Saints finished 10-8-2 and lost to 1-0 to Geneva after a 6-5 penalty kick shootout in the Elk Grove regional title game.
Key losses to graduation: Renee Ruminski, Caren Bieschke, Katie King, Emily Stahulek, Amanda Liss, Sammie Kiesel, Emily Fairall.
Key returnees: Maggie Hoscheit, sr., D; Liz Drennan, sr., D; Hannah Ketterling, sr., MF; Shaylee Pederson, sr., D; Kerry Savage, sr., F; Zoie Samaan, sr., GK; Linda Gehrman, sr., MF; Morgan Ketterling, jr., MF; Meghan Rueth, jr., MF; Lauren Rohrmeier, jr., F; Liz Geilow, jr., F; Kate Rosignal, jr., D.
Top newcomers: Clara Stoffel, fr., D; Ellie Sterner, so., D-MF; Rachel Pottle, so., D.
Outlook: Paul Jennison is no stranger to St. Charles East girls soccer coaching circles. He's been the head coach of the school's boys program for two seasons. But he assumes the reins as the Saints fourth girls soccer coach this spring, taking over from Pat Feulner, who is now the Metea Valley head coach. "I'd had a chance to see them play in a few games and I'd seen the girls around the school," Jennison said. "I knew from what I had seen that it would be an athletic and confident group of girls. I knew they had played together, some of them, for six years. And they knew my expectations from seeing me coach the boys team." The Saints have a strong defensive group returning, though Jennison said he feels there is strength throughout the team. "I think most of my teams have been solid at the back," Jennison avid. "I want players who are versatile and who can play multiple positions. I want them to be able to play where I need them, if I need them to." Jennison said he isn't worried about finding goals from his lineup. "We try to play soccer the right way," he said. "We'll keep it on the floor and work it upfield by passing. With the talent pool we have, I feel we'll be able to create goals from multiple positions on the field."
St. Charles North
Coach: Ruth Vostal
What happened last year: The North Stars finished 15-2-3 overall and were 8-1-1 in the Upstate Eight Conference. St. Charles North also won the Iowa Tournament of Champions and claimed its seventh straight regional title before falling to Geneva in the opening round of the Bartlett Sectional.
Key losses to graduation: Lauren Stoecklin is playing soccer at DePaul. Annette Gwozdz also graduated.
Key loss to injury: Maggie Hamilton, a senior, has a torn ACL and will not play this year.
Key returnees: Leah DeMoss, sr., F; Alyssa Peterson, sr., MF; Kristen Manski, sr., GK; Kara Miller, sr., D; Sammy Gage, jr., MF; Paige Dusek, sr., F.
Top newcomers: KK Barr, jr., D; Lauren Koehl, so., F.
Outlook: As she embarks on her 10th season as St. Charles North coach, Ruth Vostal has an abundance of talent with which to work. But as with every high school season, there are question marks and there are areas that need to be rebuilt. So despite having six seniors who have chosen Division I schools to continue their soccer careers in college and a further junior who has given a verbal commitment to another Division I school, Vostal finds herself needing to rework her defense. Kara Miller was a starter by the end of last season and she is the only returning member of a solid back four which worked in front of goalie Kristen Manski, who starts her fourth year in goal for the North Stars. "I feel all 11 of our players have to play defense, but we do need a strong back four," Vostal said. "If we can keep the ball out of our net for 80 minutes, I think we can find a goal with the players we have." The North Stars have some firepower going forward. Leah DeMoss and Paige Dusek figure to combine with midfielder Alyssa Peterson to create opportunities. Another area needing attention is central midfield. Maggie Hamilton suffered a knee ligament injury and will not play her senior year. Sammy Gage is among those considered to take her role. "(Gage) sees the field so well," Vostal said. "(Peterson) likes to go forward from her outside-mid position." Vostal said one option could be moving Peterson into a more central role. Overall, half the North Stars roster is made of newcomers. "We're trying to look at the strengths that we have and not just put people where they have been in the past. We might have some familiar faces in different spots." One familiar face returning to the team is Erin Kane, who is the team's goalkeeping coach after four standout years at Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She joins former another St. Charles North grad, Annie Lauterer as players who have returned to help the current generation of players develop.
West Aurora
Coach: Laura Wagley
What happened last year: The Blackhawks finished 12-8-3 and were 3-3-1 in the DuPage Valley Conference and they lost to Waubonsie Valley in the opening round of the IHSA tournament.
Key losses to graduation: Raquel Rodriguez is now playing at Aurora University. Amber Malmbren and Marisol Morales are playing for Waubonsee Community College while Gloria Castaneda and Madison Pickett are now on the roster at Wisconsin-Parkside.
Key returnees: Priscilla Diaz, sr., MF; Stefanie Rempala, sr., D; Jessica Saffell, so., MF-F; Jenna Egan, jr., D.
Top newcomers: Brynn Lehman, so.; Daniela Bueno, fr.
Outlook: There are plenty of new faces at West Aurora this year, and that starts with the woman at the head of the program. Aurora University grad Laura Wagley has taken over from longtime coach Joe Sustersic. The team she inherits graduated the majority of its varsity players in 2009. "I have 4 returners left from last year," Wagley said. "I'm trying to get everyone used to what we want to do." Among those things is a shift from a 3-5-2 formation to a 4-4-2 setup. "A lot of teams we play will try to spread out our defense, so with 4 in the back, we've already spread out our defense in depth." Of West Aurora's returning players, most play defensively. Wagley said the shift has made for some challenges for these players who have to become used to having one less player in midfield as they build up. "We've done a lot of drills and they are starting to see it," Wagley said. "They'll make a pass in a game and realize immediately that there's a problem. It's all about communication and they're getting there, but right now, they're just a split-second too late." At the top of the Blackhawks formation, Wagley is working with inexperienced players. "My two forwards are both in their first year as varsity players, and it's a lot different than JV soccer. It's a process and it doesn't happen overnight, but I think we're getting there."