Girls soccer: Lake County all-area team

Posted June 10, 2010 11:00 pm

By Rusty Silber

Kelsey Armour Warren

Armed with Armour, the Blue Devils were a formidable foe. The senior defender/midfielder did anything asked of her. She switched from midfield to defense midway through the season and never complained. "Nobody reads the game any better than she can," coach Jeff Knouse said. "She reads the game well and she can threaten with her touch on the ball. Defensively, she knows where to be." Armour will continue her soccer career at Wisconsin-Parkside.

Alyssa Baker Lakes

Stay out of this Baker's kitchen. When opposing forwards and midfielders entered the attack zone, the senior sweeper rubbed them out. "Her tackling was second to none," coach Kevin Kullby said. "She always shut down the opposing team's attack." Baker added flavor the Eagles' attack, too, peppering the score sheet with 6 goals and 4 assists. "She set up our attack from the back," Kullby said. "She was just a great leader of the team and consistent defensively in every way." Baker plans to play next for Carthage College.

Emily Baird Wauconda

Baird beared down. Wauconda dealt with a number of injuries this spring, so coach Terry Stevig moved the senior to sweeper, and she proved to be a stabilizing force. "We needed to have her in the back," Stevig said. "She had good speed and could run down anybody. She never made any mistakes in the box and led by example."

Ashley Begrowicz Mundelein

The junior forward couldn't be knocked off the ball. She knocked in goals. She finished 18 chances, including one in a third overtime to lift Mundelein past Palatine during the regional, and added 8 assists. "She's able to use either foot," coach Dave Ekstrom said. "She's just an athlete and a threat to score at anytime."

Lauren Bowles Carmel

Take a bow, Bowles. A junior midfielder, she was called the "hardest-working and most competitive" player on her team by coach John Halloran. Bowles contributed 6 goals and 8 assists. "She was the workhorse of the team," Halloran said. "She helped the team get going offensively and won a lot of 50/50 balls. Her competitiveness and commitment to win helped everybody else on the field."

Kassidy Brown Carmel

A playmaker and goal scorer her first three varsity seasons, the Illinois recruit played the majority of this season on defense, the same position she's expected to play in college. The sweeper finished with 4 goals and 5 assists. "We realized we had to shake things up a bit," coach John Halloran said. "(Her playing defense) gave us a better chance at winning. She is a technically gifted player and an athlete. She reads the game very well."

Maggie Eisenhuth Lake Zurich

Maggie posted magnificent numbers. Note the senior keeper's 0.76 goals-against average and 7 shutouts. The Bears lost 8 games by 1-0 margins. "She kept us in a lot of games, bottom line," coach Meghan Kolze said. "She knew how to make the great saves and continued showing communication on the field. She was so valuable for our team."

Stephanie Emery Mundelein

She stated her case. She ran track last spring and qualified for state. On the soccer field this spring, she made all-state. A senior forward and captain of the Daily Herald Lake County All-Area team, Emery recorded 28 goals and 8 assists. "She's a smart player who works real hard out there," coach Dave Ekstrom said. "She loves the game and plays hard every minute."

Jessica Feece Vernon Hills

The Cougars kept getting better, and Feece was a major piece in the puzzle. The senior accepted a new role this spring, moving from outside midfield to forward and led the regional champs with 11 goals. "She's a player that can play any position," coach Vince DeLuca said. "She's just a good leader on and off the field and played with a lot of heart. She was capable of doing a lot of things."

Mackenzie Jaroch Libertyville

Jaroch was a rock. The Wildcats relied on the senior midfielder/forward in a lot of ways and she delivered, leading the team in scoring. "She is, by far, the most technically solid player on the team," coach Scott Schinto said. "She has a knack of making the big play in critical situations. She's an excellent athlete and (has) great character."

Natalia Jovanovic Warren

A year after running a leg on the Blue Devils' state championship-winning 3,200-meter relay team, the senior showed off her leg. Jovanovic led Warren with 23 goals and 7 assists. She will play soccer in the fall at the University of Chicago. "She was an outstanding player and goal scorer for us," coach Jeff Knouse said. "She was a hard worker and had a nose for the goal. She made everyone around her so much better."

Michelle Kosmen Lakes

Kosmen kicked, complemented and collaborated. The senior forward teamed with Alex Neal to give the Eagles a dynamic scoring duo. Kosmen collected 26 goals and 7 assists. "She always put forth a lot of effort and it showed in games," coach Kevin Kullby said. "She was positioned up top and always anticipated the situations. She didn't have a great shot, but she knew how to finish. She made the great play, and it was a great bonus."

Michelle Lettenmair Grayslake Central

Lettenmair let few attackers get past her. The sophomore defender played like a veteran, helping keep pressure off keeper Kat Dickson. Lettenmair helped the Rams post a 0.95 goals-against average and 10 shutouts. "She helped lead the defense from our center-back position," coach Mike McCaulou said. "She was always there picking up the slack, and that's a lot saying for a sophomore in that spot. She made very few mistakes and was a complete player."

Missy Loretto Stevenson

When the junior graduates next year, the Patriots are going to miss Missy Loretto a lot. She moved to the midfield this season after spending playing some forward in previous years. "She was a dangerous player, and when she moved forward, she was really dangerous," coach Mark Schartner said. "She's got a knack for making a touch with purpose and angle, and carries field vision. She's the real deal."

Nathalie Mathis Mundelein

Call it new Math-is. The Mustangs found that when they moved the junior to sweeper, it added up perfectly. "She's tough and strong in the back," coach Dave Ekstrom said. "She's a big reason why we (allowed) less than a goal a game. She's very strong in the air and very composed at the same time. She was also a big help taking our corner kicks."

Katie McGrath Grayslake North

The varsity basketball team's point guard the last two years, the sophomore is indeed poised with a ball, whether it's in her hands or on her feet. "She's a natural leader," coach Adam DeCaluwe said of his sweeper. "She was unbelievable at times. She also helped us up top with her head balls."

Allison Mitchell Grayslake Central

Mitchell took charge on the pitch. The junior defender was stout for a team that relied on its defensive prowess. "She was one of our most consistent players," coach Mike McCaulou said. "She was a big help setting up the attack." Mitchell's 6 assists were second best on the Rams. "She was just mentally and physically fit and was very strong for us defensively," McCaulou said.

Brittany Mooney Lakes

Mooney was money. The Eagles banked on the senior midfielder's work ethic, durability and play-making. She dished out 12 assists and played 99 games in her four years. "She's a very good passer," coach Kevin Kullby said. "She has great eyes. It was impressive for her to stay healthy in all these games. She was consistent and gave tremendous effort each time out."

Alex Neal Lakes

Take a knee and listen to Neal's stats. The senior midfielder piled up 37 goals and 16 assists. She helped the Eagles win the North Suburban Prairie Division championship as well as their own regional. No wonder the George Washington University recruit was named all-state. She finished her three-year varsity career with a school-record 63 goals and 39 assists. "She has grown into a complete player," coach Kevin Kullby said. "She was outstanding and embraced the team. She was an integral part with her attitude and team work."

Emily Neidermayer Stevenson

Need a Niedermayer? While her sister Ashley was running around softball fields and doing good things for Stevenson, Emily was running around soccer fields and doing good things for Stevenson. The senior anchored the stopper position for the North Suburban Conference champs. "She's made to be a stopper," coach Mark Schartner said. "She's so good at reading passes before they happen. You had to go over her. It was hard to get through her."

Stacey Sanders Lake Zurich

Senior soccer sweeper Stacey Sanders starred. "She was a relentless defender as a sweeper," coach Meghan Kolze said. "It's not a glorifying position, but she added a lot to our team with her focus. Going one-on-one, she was unbelievable. It was nice to have that support and luxury, and she handled the high pressure situations."

Lizzy Sanscrainte Stevenson

Stevenson had a hole larger than a soccer net. Courtney Levy, the captain of the 2009 Daily Herald Lake County All-Area team, graduated. Then the Patriots lost sweeper Taylor Connington during the season to an ACL injury. Sanscrainte stepped up, backstopping the Patriots to the conference championship. "She's an athlete that can stand out in a game," coach Mark Schartner said of the junior. "She had some big games for us, especially ones that mattered the most in conference. She knew how to position herself very well, getting in front of the ball."

Melanie Swager Mundelein

Swagger can be a good thing for a goalie. Swager was a great thing for the Mustangs. The junior compiled a 0.58 goals-against average and recorded 10 clean sheets, while helping the team post a school-best record of 19-3-3. "She's an athlete that reads the game well," coach Dave Ekstrom said. "She was courageous and made the saves when you thought the shots were going in. She had a knack of making saves in a crowd."

Katherine Swift Libertyville

It helps to be swift. It was a large benefit to the Wildcats to have Swift. The junior defender helped the Wildcats post 9 shutouts. "She's been able to take her game to another level this year," coach Scott Schinto said. "I wish there was some type of statistic that can prove how tenacious of a defender Katie really is. Katie is a natural defender and was not afraid of contact, nor would she shy away from 50/50 balls."

Jackie Wynn Stevenson

The Patriots won with Wynn. No wonder. "She was one of the hardest workers on the field," coach Mark Schartner said of the senior midfielder. "She's got the strongest leg on the team and took all the corner kicks. She can put a ball on a line from 40 yards out. She can also get by players on the touch."

Honorable mention

Maddie Allen (Carmel Catholic, Sr., GK), Roberta Avilez (Grant, Sr., GK), Sarah Bartlett (Lakes, Sr., D), Angie Carey (Round Lake, Sr., GK), Hailey Chmela (Lake Zurich, Sr., MF/F), Shayne Carroll (Mundelein, Jr., MF), Courtney Corrado (Vernon Hills, Fr., D), Kat Dickson (Grayslake Central, Jr., GK), Abbey Ekstrom (Mundelein, Jr., MF), Kerry Eddy (Warren, Sr., D), Tammy Ellis (Wauconda, Jr., MF), Sarah Fitzpatrick (Lakes, Jr., GK), Jessica Gilstrap (Carmel Catholic, Sr., D), Natalie Gonzalez (Antioch, Sr., D), Austin Gregorcy (Stevenson, Jr., MF), Jasmine Huerta (Round Lake, So., MF), Kelly Jay (Grayslake Central, Jr., MF), Meegan Johnston (Carmel Catholic, Fr., F), Sara Knupp (Antioch, Sr., MF), Lauren Lehman (Carmel Catholic, Sr., F), Jackie Luka (Warren, Jr., MF), Amanda Macuiba (Warren, So., GK), Michele McCracken (Liberyvile, Sr., F), Sarah McHugh (Carmel Catholic, So., MF/F), Hannah Mitchem (Grayslake North, So., D), Alex Nasca (Lake Zurich, Jr., D), Ashley Neubeck (Lakes, Jr., MF/F), Iris Ostrovsky (Vernon Hills, Jr., GK), Melanie Prudhomme (Wauconda, Jr., F), Haley Pike (Libertyville, Jr., F), Kathryn Redig (Vernon Hills, Jr., D), Erica Slack (Antioch, So., MF), Nicole Sodomire (Stevenson, Sr., F), Alyssa Soulis (Grayslake North, Sr., F), Sarah Stauner (Lake Zurich, Sr., MF/F), Katie Stimpson (Grant, So., F), Maggie Stojak (Grayslake North, So., F), Kristina Umlauf (Lakes, Sr., D), Haley Vaughn (Round Lake, Sr., MF), Hannah Voyta (Wauconda, Jr., MF/F), Rebecca White (Grant, Jr., MF), Alex Wilson (Grayslake Central, So., F)

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