Girls soccer: Scouting Northwest
By Mike Garofola
Daily Herald Correspondent
MID-SUBURBAN EAST
Buffalo Grove
Coach: Pat Dudle (fourth year, 22-39-6)
Last year: 8-15-0
Graduation losses: Kim Gerling (MF), Jackie Concialdi (MF), Jeanette McNichols (D).
Top returnees: Seniors Lauren Ziekert (F), Sierra Bugno (D), Alecia Eschenbrenner (D), Kelly Mahoney (D, all-MSL), Lindsay Puppolo (D); juniors Carolyn Wieland (F, all-MSL, 7 goals), Kristen Akialis (F), Katie Okamoto (GK); sophomores Carly Brown (MF, 10 assists), Kelly Vande Merkt (MF).
New faces to watch: Sophomore JJ Lowery (D); freshmen Sara Brawley (F), Skylar Groth (MF), Kim Herzog (MF), Allie Ingham (F), Colleen Zickert (MF), Kelli Zickert (MF).
Outlook: Bison might be ready to make a big splash in the MSL East this spring after losing just three from its 2010 roster, while returning nearly everyone from its first-11, including the terrific trio of Ziekert, Wieland and Brown, who are ready to prove they are good enough to shine in the MSL and around the area as an attacking unit. “Offensively, our opponents should not be able to key on any one player this year, and I really feel we have a lot of players who will be able to create opportunities for us,” said Dudle, who is confident his senior-dominated backline will use their collective experience to help his side improve its position in the MSL table.
Elk Grove
Coach: Dan Klaus (10th year, 85-96-9)
Last year: 12-7-3, lost 1-0 to Schaumburg in regional final.
Graduation losses: Nicole Ricci (GK, Harper).
Top returnees: Seniors Michelle Calmeyn (F, all-area, 20 g, 10 a), Carin Fearing (MF, F), Anne Klancnik (MF); juniors Katie Naughton (D, all-area, 2-time all-MSL), Lindsey Vaccarino (D), Rachel Pruim (MF); sophomores Kelly Naughton (MF), Emily Wary (D), Sarah Stram (D)
New faces to watch: Freshmen Nikki Zaino (MF), Kelly Regan (MF), Melissa Solorio (GK).
Outlook: Grens were right there until the final week of the regular season before falling 1-0 to eventual division champ Hersey. But there’s plenty of excitement building for this side which returns nearly all of its first-11 from last season, including all 4 from its its backline, beginning with its superb junior, and national team hopeful, Katie Naughton. “You’ve got to feel fairly confident that our opponents will have to really work to score on (that) unit of ours in the back with Katie, Vaccarino, Wary and Stram,” said Klaus, “and we’ve also got one of the top scorers back in the area (Calmeyn) who if she’s not finding the back of the net, should (draw) enough attention away from her— to allow others to create and score for themselves.” The injury loss of one of its best (Hubly) to an ACL will take away some of the flash in the Grens’ attack early on, however Klaus feels the duo of Fearing and Pruim will shine in their expanded role, while his five freshmen on the roster will make their imprint before too long.
Hersey
Coach: Brad Abel (seventh year, 76-41-24)
Last year: 13-5-4 (7-1-3); lost to Barrington (5-3 in PK shoot-out) in MSL Soccer Bowl.
Graduation losses: Kathryn Korff (D, 3-time all-area, MSL East POY, Illinois), Julia Fredian (GK, 2-time all-area, 52 career shutouts, Iowa), Annie Perkins (MF, all-area, Wisconsin), Katie Drees (MF).
Top returnees: Seniors Maeva Waterman (F, 5 g), Erin Reiff (GK), Eileen Zydek (D); juniors Nicole Pietro (F), Megan Boyle (MF), Olivia Stasiuk (D); sophomore Casey Weyrich (MF).
New faces to watch: Freshman Lauren Gierman (F).
Outlook: For the second consecutive season, the Huskies will undergo another rebuilding program along the back. The lost one of the best keeper-sweeper duos in the area (Fredian and Korff), as well as one of its top leaders (Perkins), who helped lead the club to its third appearance in the MSL Soccer Cup match in as many years. “That’s where it all starts, is up the middle, when you’re putting together a championship club, and we’ve been fortunate to have some terrific players in that area for us during the past couple of seasons,” Abel said, “but we’re feeling pretty good about (who) is taking over (along) the back and in goal for us as we go forward.” Abel and his staff have moved the athletic and super-quick Stasiuk to take over the role which Korff perfected in front of the record-setting Fredian, while the 2010 striker (Reiff) moves in-between the sticks, where she has spent 1½ years in club soccer fine-tuning her skills. The Huskies have a top-flight duo up top in Waterman and Pietro, who both have tireless energy and pace, and are each capable of causing plenty of trouble in their opponent’s end.
Prospect
Coach: Tom Froats (ninth year, 89-59-25)
Last year: 12-8-2.
Graduation losses: Lexi Glennon (MF, 2-time all-MSL, Indiana), Andrea Wehrle (D, Iowa), Mo O’Keefe (F, Harper), Susie Lello (F, all-sectional, running track at NIU), Jordan Bruce (MF, Iowa).
Top returnees: Seniors Lizzy Robinson (F, 5 a), Agnes Stankiewicz (F), Caroline Aubry (MF), Kelly McBride (F); juniors Megan McCabe (GK, 11 shutouts), Kelly Ziegenfuss (D), Jesse Petrovski (F, 9 g), Taylor Smith (D), Carly Hall (MF, 7 g), Sara Helwink (D, 5 g), Lauren MacNab (MF), Lexi Phillips (MF), Megan Hood (MF)
New faces to watch: Jaime Napolean (MF), Elena Cukurs, Rachel Suarez (MF).
Outlook: The Knights quietly established themselves as a highly competitive outfit last season, but after a strong push midway through the campaign, the club struggled down the stretch to see their year end in a 2-1 OT loss to Libertyville in a regional opener. Froats lost a terrific leader (Glennon), as well as (Lello), who would pose a threat up top with her speed. However, the Knights’ faithful should have plenty to cheer about this year, in particular, the sensational shot-saving GK McCabe, who is capable of keeping her mates in nearly every match with her ability to turn balls away from trouble in the Knights area. “We have 14 returning players with a wealth of experience at the varsity level, who should help us achieve many of the goals that we’ve set for our team this year,” says Froats, who will look to a strong foundation along the back in veterans Ziegenfuss, Smith, Helwink and McBride to lead the way.
Rolling Meadows
Coach: Jeff Adkins (12th year, 115-111-22)
Last year: 10-12-2
Graduation losses: Kelly Adair (D, Marquette), Bree McGuire (D, MF, Illinois State), Sarah Dolan (MF, St. Louis University), Colleen Moran (D, Illinois State), Rene Poellinetz (MF, Pennsylvania).
Top returnees: Seniors Alex Partipilo (D, all-area, 13 g, 5 a); juniors Ann Marie Lynch (MF, all-area, 9 g, 5 a), Maddie Conlin (D), Maggie Moran (F).
New faces to watch: Freshmen Jackie Kemph (MF), Mary Collins (MF), Ashley Ingolia (MF), Vanessa Sanchez (D, MF).
Outlook: After a 2010 injury-filled season to forget, the Mustangs appear ready to get themselves back in the thick of things in the division. The presence of the dynamic duo of Lynch and Partipilo offers the type of skill and leadership needed to help drive the club up and onward this season. “We’re returning two all-area, all-MSL selections, who, in my opinion are among the best around,” Adkins said, “and all four of our captains (Partipilo, Lynch, Moran, Conlin) along with a solid core and some very good new players to give us the strongest team since 2007.” The junior Lynch, who already has made a verbal commitment to Marquette, is a gifted attacking player and will run things out of the middle. Partipilo made an easy move into the back to bolster the defense following a rash of unfortunate of injuries and is there once again as a highly technical hybrid defender, much like Schaumburg senior Stephanie Pouse.
Wheeling
Coach: Darren Llewellyn (fourth year, 19-36-3)
Last year: 6-14-1
Graduation losses: Chloe Majkowski (GK, 2-time all-area, MSL, sectional), Jessica Peterson (MF), Stephanie Valerio (D), Nataly Del Toro (F), Anna McQueen (D), Jennefer Nixon (D).
Top returnees: Senior Ellie Grinter (F), Kelsey Maczko D); juniors Amanda Peterson (MF), Nia Evans (MF); sophomores Cindy Castillo (MF), Kelsey Nicpon (MF), Cecelia Estrada (MF).
Outlook: Majkowski’s acrobatic saves and unparalled leadership will be sorely missed. So will the handful of seniors who helped keep the Wildcats afloat when things got a little rocky for the half-dozen first- and second-year players on Llewellyn’s roster last season. “We have some holes to fill, particularly at the keeper position, and we will still (lack) the experience needed to compete every night in the MSL, but our focus will continue to be on growth through the season,” said Llewellyn, who will encourage play to go through Castillo, yet another player back to the preps scene after honing her skills with her former FC United club team.
MID-SUBURBAN WEST
Barrington
Coach: Ryan Stengren (fourth year, 57-13-8)
Last year: 24-3-3 (MSL champions), lost to St. Charles North 2-0 in supersectional final
Graduation losses: Amy Johnson (D, Daily Herald all-area co-captain, all-state, all-Midwest, MSL West POY, 3-time all-area, MSL, St. Louis University), Caroline Condon (MF, 3-time all-area, University of Denver), Alexa Rowe (MF), Liz Sauer (D), Charlotte Hamilton (F).
Top returnees: Seniors Emily Hyde (F, all-area, 13 g, 7 a), Kelly Pedersen (GK, 10 shutouts), Dana Kopp (D), Catie Curran (MF), Sarah Fox (MF), Emmelie Hirdes (D); junior Sara Condon (MF), sophomores Molly Pfeiffer (F, 10 g, 5 a), Aimee Pierce (MF).
New faces to watch: Senior Morgan Stachura (D); junior Anna Burnidge (D); sophomore Maddelyn Mohr (F), Emily Morin (D); freshmen Mia Calamari (D), Elli Ackermann (MF).
Outlook: The reigning MSL champions have produced an abundance of talent over the past couple of seasons to help offset various injuries to several key players on its roster. Once again, Stengren will call upon the depth of his program to help the club get through a rugged non-conference and tournament schedule while a handful of his best continue to rehab after offseason injuries and subsequent surgeries. “We’ve had our share of ACLs and other injuries, and in the past, we’ve been able to turn to (our) bench to come through for us when we needed them the most,” Stengren said, “and early (on) we’re going to look to (others) to do the same thing for us, hopefully with the same results as before.” Stengren won’t hurry Hirdes and Curran back into action, while keeping an eye on sophomore sensation (Pfeiffer), who pulled up lame in the season opener with Glenbrook South. Stengren and his staff will be unable to replace one of the state’s elite from a year ago (Johnson), as well as Condon, who terrorized opponents on the outside for three seasons. Hyde is ready to establish herself among the best around in her final season, as should its fearless GK Petersen. Pierce will take over for Condon on the flank, with Kopp, and eventually Hirdes anchoring a young backline. The schedule offers little rest for the meek, as it includes state powers Neuqua Valley, Waubonsie Valley, Naperville North, St. Viator and others, not forgetting a lively bunch in the MSL eager to knock off the current titleholder.
Conant
Coach: Jason Franco (sixth year, 78-36-15)
Last Year: 12-6-2, lost to St. Charles North 2-1 in sectional final.
Graduation losses: Brenna Fitzpatrick (MF, 2010 all-area).
Top returnees: Seniors Kaitlin Chiero (F, all-area, 11 g, 7 a), Kelly Lomas (D), Hailey Andress (D), Paige Wentzel (MF), Alysssa Rawleigh (F), Lindsay Fillingim (GK, 8 shutouts); juniors Courtney Raetzman (F, 2-time all-area, all-state, 9 g), Chrissy Rosales (MF), Kelsey Foss (D, all-area, 4 g), Sam Armando (MF), Sammi van de Linde (MF); sophomore Alyssa Altosino (MF).
New faces to watch: Junior Kim Trinco (D); sophomore Courtney O’Keefe (D); freshmen Drew Wentzel (MF), Bianca Madonia (MF).
Outlook: Beware of the Cougars. With all but one of their first-11 back, including all-state junior Raetzman, who together with frontline mate Chiero might be one of the dealiest attacking partnerships around, plus an all-star cast along the backline, the Cougars have to be the preseason favorite to win the division and reach the Soccer Bowl for the first time since 2001. “Everyone is basically back for us this year,” said Franco. “We have a team with several multiple-year starters at the varsity level, so expectations are high, and as long as we can remain healthy, we should be in good shape and ready to make a serious run at our first conference championship in the history of the girls program.” The defensive duo of Foss and Lomas can mark and go forward with the best of them, as will (Andress) knowing their unsung GK (Fillingim) has things under control. Three-year starter Rosales handles the playmaking chores from the center of the park, with her mates at her position, among them, Wentzel, ready and able to provide inspiration on the outside. This group showed plenty of its mettle last season, going 3-0-1 in OT, including consecutive 2-1 triple-overtime victories during the postseason.
Fremd
Coach: Steve Keller (11th year, 182-64-20)
Last year: 16-5-2, lost to Glenbrook South 2-1 in sectional final.
Graduation losses: Danielle Romano (D, Daily Herald all-area co-captain, 2-time all-area, all-state, East Carolina), Allison Norenberg (GK, all-area, 33 career shutouts, Miami, Ohio), Crystal Rohan (MF), Kathleen Holmberg (D), Kristen Kupstys (MF).
Top returnees: Seniors Elise Kotsakis (F, 17 g), Alexis Tice (MF), Nicole Leginski (MF), Kristin Abruscato (MF, D), Jennifer Freeman (D/ MF); junior Emily Basten (D); sophomores Michelle Mottonen (MF, F, 4 g, 7 a), Jessa Rizzo (MF, F).
New faces to watch: Juniors Kelsey Beschta (MF), Rebecca Freeman (MF), sophomores Ashley McConnell (D, MF), Carrie Wagner (F).
Outlook: Surviving the loss of two of the best at their craft will help decide how high the Vikings will fly this season after Romano and Norenberg moved on to play D-I soccer after ending their superb prep careers. “Not only will we miss the technical skill, but more important than that was their leadership, on and off the field, as well as their preparation, tactical knowledge and their ability to be difference-makers during a match,” said Keller, who will now turn to a pair of standout veterans in Abruscato and Basten to lead a rebuilt backline, while he searches for a replacement for Norenberg. Always a side that understands how to defend as a unit, witnessed by the club allowing a paltry 9 goals in 23 matches last season, it will continue to do so thanks in part to its MF enforcer Tice, a hard-working, ferocious tackler, back for her third year as a starter. The Vikings might lack some of the depth they had of late in certain aspects, but few will argue that it owns a talented strike pair in Kotsakis and Mottonen. Each of them is creative, full of pace and energy with the ability to score from nearly everywhere in the area. “We are talented offensively, and have enough speed and strength while we sort things out in goal and along the back to make for what could be a very bright season,” adds Keller.
Hoffman Estates
Coach: Ralph Tooren (first year)
Last Year: 5-14-1.
Graduatoin losses: Vanessa Daugherty (GK), Kelsey Lukowicz (MF), Eunice Ahn (F), Sarah Channer (MF), Nicole Hagen (F), Tania Sanchez (D).
Top returnees: Seniors Tanya Skworch (D), Melanie McGinn (D), Colleen Thomas (MF); juniors Mary Pettit (MF), Megan Thomas (D); sophomore Jackie Nailor (F), Miranda Lewis (GK).
New faces to watch: Senior Courtney Schupp (D); junior Sam Callahan (F); freshmen Nikki Callahan (MF), Kelly Rottman (MF), Hannah Brostoff (MF), Natalia Pena (D).
Outlook: The Hawks will go through the usual set of growing pains associated with being the youngest club in the division, if not the MSL. But for Tooren, who knows how to treat these symptoms, the wait will be well worth it. “I am really excited about the talent that we have here,” said Tooren, a long-time assistant to boys coach Matt Sriver, “but we all realize it will take some time for us to sort things out in order to come out on the other side as a competitive soccer team which will be capable, while you’re growing, to surprise and scare a few of our opponents along the way.” The Hawks, who opened with 9 freshmen and sophomores on their roster, including St. Louis-area transfers Sam and Nikki Callahan, feature an attacking three-year player in Pettit and most of its most experienced players along the back with Skworch, McGinn and Thomas setting up shop in front of returning soph GK Lewis.
Palatine
Coach: Willie Filian (19th year, 219-124-38)
Last year: 7-12-2
Graduation losses: Rachel Houp (F, North Central College), Melissa Depau (MF), Kristen Strauss (MF), Sydney Wiedemann (MF), Fatima Pena (MF).
Top returnees: Seniors Amanda Filian (MF, 2-time all-area, all-MSL, sectional, 4 g, 5 a), Alexis Dejulio (D), Taylor Harding (D); juniors Kellie Strauss (D), Kaitlyn Mayer (F), Meghan Ellis (GK), Kaitlyn Burke (MF); sophomore McKenzie Wiedemann (D).
New faces to watch: Senior Gabby McArtor (MF, F).
Outlook: The Pirates’ return to a higher place on the MSL ladder was given a boost this spring with the addition of a strong club player in McArtor, who will immediately help jump-start the offense, something the club has been lacking of late. It also takes some pressure off the 2-time all-area senior (Filian), whose fierce attention to defending has made Palatine a difficult side to attack in her three seasons here. “We have some very good, hard-working kids in the midfield who can cover ground and go forward as well, and we should be a bit better in the offense third with Gabby here now after playing year-round with the Eclipse club,” said head coach Willie Filian, who last year was voted into the IHSCCA Hall-of-Fame with Mike Taylor of St. Viator. With five gone from his 2010 first-11, Filian will likely push four or five freshmen into his lineup as the season progresses, as he continues to build for the future.
Schaumburg
Coach: Greg Charvat (19th year, 169-124-31)
Last year: 15-3-3, lost to Conant 2-1 in sectional semifinal.
Graduation losses: Sarah Christy (F, all-area, 12 goals, Millikin), Rebekka Wittkamp (D, Indiana State), Jackie Larocco (F, Harper), Devin Ryan (D), Kendra Sanderson (F), Rachel Kahan (MF).
Top returnees: Seniors Stephanie Pouse (D, 2-time all-area, all-MSL, all-sectional), Ariel Larocco (F), Sami Halter (D), Brittany Washko (MF), Christyne Grabanski (D); juniors Kelsey Steenstrup (MF, all-area, 14 g, 8 assists), Becky Sneddon (MF), Teagan Eberle (MF, all-MSL), Alison Schmalz (D, all-MSL), Brooke Schocker (GK, 7.5 shutouts), Nicole Banach (D); sophomores Amanda Kelly (D), Tressa Palcheck (GK, 3.5 shutouts)
New faces to watch: Junior Caitlin Murphy (MF); sophomores Riley Williams (F), Jenna Eaker (F); freshman Alexa Ben (F).
Outlook: The chase is on for the Saxons, who fell just short last season of overtaking Barrington and was 1 point shy of winning the division and a place in the 21st MSL Soccer Bowl. “The MSL West, and for that matter, the entire conference, is very much improved this year, and it looks like, for now, that Barrington, Conant and Fremd are the favorites heading into the season,” says Charvat, who guided the Saxons to a league-high 9 victories, only to have a 2-2 draw with the eventual champs be the difference in the final standings. Although the loss of six seniors, five of them starters, including leading scorer Christy will take some time to adjust to — the Saxons still have an impressive roster, and appear to have a squad capable of lifting its first MSL trophy since the end of its glory years in the late 90’s. The all-area pair of Pouse, who has already committed to Illinois, and Steenstrup, a key figure in the Saxons’ cross-country state championship, are difference-makers along the back and in the middle, as are Sneddon and Eberle to help form a terrific group in the middle of the park.
Northeastern Athletic
Christian Liberty
Coach: Eric Jaime (second year)
Last year: 3-12-1 (1-5-0)
Graduation losses: Samantha Barthen (F), Amy Farmer (D), Emily Harbeck (D), Annah Walton (D).
Top returnees: Senior Sara Elleson; junior Stephanie Chaires; sophomore Destiny Kocurek.
New faces to watch: Freshman Shelbi Hernandez (GK).
Outlook: The usual growing pains for a brand new program, which will look to replace a quartet of seniors, including three who were fixtures along the backline in Farmer, Harbeck and Walton. The Lady Chargers have a rookie GK in its first-11 (Hernandez) which should solidify the position for the next four years, while the rest of a very young roster will look to its returning upperclassmen (Elleson and Chaires) for leadership on and off the field, while providing first-rate play on match day.
West Suburban Gold
Leyden
Coach: Robert Fowler (fourth year, 27-25-4).
Last year: 11-6-2.
Graduation losses: Melissa Aldinger (MF), Brooke Fink (MF, D), Bianca Tijerna, Polina Batchkarova (playing at Illinois Tech).
Top returnees: Seniors Lucero Aguilar (MF, all-area, 2-time all-WSC, 9 g, 11 a), Yocelin Dorado (MF, 12 g, 5 a); sophomore Ashley Torres (F, 11 g).
New faces to watch: Catie Doregan (MF).
Outlook: Fowler has done a masterful job as his club continues its upward trend after recording just 6 victories three seasons ago to become a competitive side in its conference, thanks in part to a terrific trio in Aguilar, Dorado and Torres, who combined for nearly 35 goals (27 assists) to help their club reach 11 wins for a second consecutive year. “Downers Grove South is the team to beat, in fact they’ve been conference champs for eight years running, but we’ve been improving each year since I’ve been here, and we look to continue to (do) so this spring,” said Fowler, whose club won 10 matches away from a conference which features the likes of high-profile programs Lyons, Hinsdale Central and DG South. Eagles lost five from its first-11 to graduation, and 10 altogether, so finding some depth will be the first order of business.
Central Suburban North
Maine West
Coach: Mike DiVincenzo (first year)
Last year: 5-10-2 (1-3-1).
Graduation losses: Amanda Ollerer (MF, D), Dontina Walsten (F, 2010 all-area).
Top returnees: Seniors Ailish O’Connell (D, all-sectional honorable mention), Rosa Gonzalez (MF), Kelly Cerri (D), Carly Martin (D); juniors Annaliese Walsten (F), Cara Frankie (F), Sara Stepanovich (MF), Jessica Mueller (D), Rachel Laznowski (MF), Maggie McCabe (D), Shannon Sullivan (MF).
New faces to watch: Junior Jessica Gonzalez (F); sophomores Bridget Burger (MF), Alexia Prosperi (GK); freshmen Kelsey Webb (D), Kelly Adamek (MF).
Outlook: The story here is the announcement of the arrival of boys head coach (DiVincenzo) who takes over on the girls side as well this spring. “We have a lot of talent on this team, but without working with these players during a full summer of training (like we do with the boys) we might start slow, but I really feel we can surprise come playoff time,” says DiVincenzo, who brought his club within one victory of a state appearance last fall. The energetic head coach knows a thing or two about building a competitive side, and opponents can expect the usual well-organized bunch along the back, beginning with one of his few seniors (O’Connell) to be the gritty leader there, while the junior (Walsten) will be pushed up top to become the much-needed scoring threat for the Warriors. Former starting GK (Stepanovich) and the senior (Gonzalez) will run the show in the middle of the park as each are highly skilled and fit to take on this important role for their new head coach, who hopes to challenge CSL North favorites Deerfield and Highland Park.
East Suburban Catholic
St. Viator
Coach: Mike Taylor (second year, 21-9-1).
Last year: 21-9-1 (9-1-1, co-ESCC champs), lost to Belleville West 5-3 in 2A state championship match.
Graduation losses: Megan McGrath (D, all-area, all-ESCC, 7 g, Dayton), Ariana Kulinczenko (D, all-area, all-ESCC, sectional, Louisville) Jackie Tumberger (D), Stephanie Shanahan (GK), Samantha Gavin (MF), Connie Kulczycki (F), Andree’ DiVito (D), Meghan Malone (MF)
Top returnees: Seniors Taylor Skala (F, all-area, all-ESCC, sectional, 37 g, 8 a), Siobhan Klinkenberg (MF), Kathleen Kane (D), Keegan Griebel (MF); juniors Katelyn Hammerlund (F, 2010 all-area, 18 g, 14 a), Molly McMahon (MF), Katherine Petrovich (MF); sophomores Chloe Luthringhausen (F), Erin Renee Murphy (MF).
New faces to watch: Juniors Katie Gavin (D), Erin Malone (D), Maggie Farwell (GK), Morgan Hess (GK), Melissa Stawicki (GK).
Outlook: Lions memorable run into 2A state championship match would add another bit of mystique to the coaching legend of Taylor, who as the long-time boys head coach brought the that program to a state title in the fall of 2009 — before nearly earning a double last spring in his first year at the helm. “That was an amazing first-year for all of us, but we’re going to (still) be young this season with just 5 seniors, and some inexperienced kids in the lineup, who aren’t all that far away, but just need to get some games as a group together,” said Taylor, who when elected to the IHSCCA Hall Of Fame last fall had 442 career victories. You would be hard pressed to find a more dangerous pair of strikers in (Skala and Hammarlund) who struck for nearly 60 goals between them. So, getting shots into the back of the net will be the least of the worries for Taylor and his staff, who, instead will have the challenge of rebuilding along the back, where graduation inflicted heavy losses. Gone are the two all-area defenders McGrath and Kulinczenko, playing at the University of Louisville, as well as the underrated (Tumberger) the Lions freekick specialist, in addition to its best defensive player in the middle Gavin. “Those were four very good players that we’re going to miss, and the hope is once we figure on what system to play, and with (whom) we plug into the back, we’ll be ready to go in the final half of the regular season and into the playoffs,” said Taylor, who has already seen improvement from his three first-year keepers, who spent extended time in the preseason training with former all-state alum and Northwestern star keeper Jonathan Harris.