Northwest captains: Danielle Romano, Amy Johnson

Fittingly, in a season where defense dominated the soccer landscape with the likes of Katie Naughton, Kathryn Korff, Ariana Kulinczenko, Stephanie Pouse and others, it was the duo of Fremd's Danielle Romano and Barrington's Amy Johnson who earned Cook County honorary co-captain honors for the Daily Herald's girls soccer all-area soccer team for 2010.

The backline stars are the answer to every coach's dream. Both show their immense talent as confident, intelligent defenders who provide leadership second to none and all the intangibles which set them apart on their way to all-state honors.

"I know that I was just as excited for Danielle as myself when I heard we were named co-captains," said Johnson, who has been a long-time friend of the Fremd captain. Their friendship began at the club level and has continued, as each are teammates during the off-season with Ela Elite.

"Last year Laura Mayer, from our team, and Mary Kubiak from Barrington were the all-area co-captains, and I have to admit to thinking how cool if it happened to me, but it's really great that both Amy and I were named," said Romano, who as a freshman was brought up late in the 2007 season and was a teammate of sister Tanya in the Vikings' run toward a second-place finish at the state tournament.

"Playing on the varsity, and with my sister, was easily one of my memorable times at Fremd - that, and finishing second last year, as well as the relationships developed from my four years playing soccer."

Romano, who is off to play next fall at East Carolina after early interest in DePaul and Wisconsin-Parkside, could easily be as accomplished at midfielder as has been in the back for three seasons, according to coach Steve Keller.

"When Danielle came up, she would play in the middle and do well, even as a freshman, but she has excelled during her career as our sweeper," said Keller. "But I really believe if we could have kept her in the middle, she would have had a bigger impact (there) than in the back, if that even seems possible."

Although Romano, as Johnson, are not the overtly vocal types, both are dynamic defenders with high soccer IQs. That helps them become ultimate leaders on their respective clubs.

"Amy is such an intelligent soccer player, who is not only a lock-down defender, but also a great player going forward (for) us, and without her, I really don't know where we would have been this season," said Barrington coach Ryan Stengren.

The Fillies were battered and bruised throughout the season, yet still managed to win MSL, regional and sectional titles, as well as the Pepsi Showdown crown, and nearly a place in the 3A Final Four. Stengren says his three-year star is one of the brightest in the state.

"You have to see the type of person and teammate Amy is, especially around our younger players," Stengren said. "She is a terrific role model to them all, and just an amazing leader. She's as good as it gets, in my opinion, and has been one of the best since I've been in the program."

"I really enjoyed the role of a team leader, and felt that it was important to lead by example as a captain," says Johnson, who will attend Washington University next fall and play, after checking out Vanderbilt, Miami (Ohio) and Wisconsin.

Right backs are not normally decisive offensive figures, but Johnson, who later earned all-Midwest honors from the coaching ranks, is an exception to that rule.

As well as providing pace, dribbling skills and inch-perfect crosses, she also packs a real punch with well-aimed balls from dead-ball and set pieces, many ending as helpers for teammates who find the back of the net. Last season Johnson led the Fillies with 14 assists, and again this year with nine, while helping the club record 19 shutouts, and conceding just 14 goals in 29 matches.

Romano has also led a stingy defense in her three seasons for the Vikings, especially over the last two in front of all-area keeper Allison Norenberg. Fremd allowed 9 shutouts last season, and this spring had 15 shutouts with just 11 goals in 23 matches.

"In a year when there are so many good defenders, Danielle stands out among them all," said Keller. "She would solidify things in the back and give us the presence needed to help keep us strong and organized, while providing the type of leadership every good team needs.

"If I am putting together a team today, it begins with Danielle."

The two-time all-MSL pick, just as her club teammate, hits a dangerous ball out of the back, and provides well-paced strikes on all of the Vikings' set-piece chances. She can also navigate box-to-box with little effort.

"Danielle is such a great leader, both for Fremd, and on our club team as our sweeper, and is always there when we need her, and the type of player we all want to try to be," said Johnson of her friend.

Romano has similar respect for Johnson: "Amy is the best defender around, because she is calm and composed in 1-on-1 situtations and has so much finesse on the ball."

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<h1>More Coverage</h1>

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<h2>Related documents</h2>

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<li><a href="/pdf/cookgirlssoccerfront10.pdf">Northwest suburban all-area team Page 1</a></li>

<li><a href="/pdf/cookgirlssoccerteam10.pdf">Northwest suburban all-area team Page 2</a></li>

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