Conant’s Raetzman leaves indelibe mark

Pound for pound there is not a better soccer player in the state than Courtney Raetzman.

Oh sure, there are bigger, faster, stronger players — including Sockers FC teammate and fellow under-18 National Team player Katie Naughton of Elk Grove and Neuqua Valley’s Zoey Goralski.

But then again, one would be hard-pressed to find any player who packs so much superb talent into her 5-foot-3 frame, to go along with a marvelous attitude on life and what it means to be part of a high school team, than this senior from Conant who is the Cook County honorary captain of the 2012 Daily Herald All-Area Girls Soccer Team.

Just two weeks ago, Raetzman’s team fell in overtime to Mid-Suburban West rival Schaumburg to put an abrupt end to a brilliant career. As the Cougars’ captain sat alone in the middle of park, her first thoughts after the disbelief of it all was what an unbelievable run its been, how difficult it would be knowing she wouldn’t be pulling on the Conant jersey and playing before her friends, families and peers and all of the great times she’s had.

Just to validate Raetzman’s greatness from a statistical and honors standpoint, let’s get the bling and glitz out of the way. Her brilliant four-year career, included, among other things:

Ÿ 71 goals, 32 assists.

Ÿ Four-time all-MSL, all-sectional.

Ÿ All-Midwest (2011).

Ÿ All-American (2012).

Ÿ Two-time MSL West POY.

Ÿ Two-time Daily Herald All-Area captain.

Ÿ 2012 Gatorade Illinois Soccer Player of the Year.

Not bad, right Courtney?

“It’s been an unbelievable run (here) at Conant,” admits Raetzman, never one to discuss her own personal accomplishments, not even after striking one of her highlight reel goals from 30 yards which stun her opponents. “When I think about all of the friendships I’ve developed, and those two unbelievable runs we all had into the state tournament, and everything else associated with being a part of Conant soccer, it makes me glad that I stayed to play all four years of high school soccer, because you never get any of this back.”

“There are so many things you can say about Courtney, first as a person, then as a player,” begins her coach, Jason Franco. “She single-handedly brought this program from nothing, to state title contender — and all the time, it was never about her.

“A player like her, with all of her talent, and national-team recognition, and everything else, could easily put herself above everyone else. Not once with Courtney. She has been an absolute joy to have around, and I really believe the best is yet to come for her.”

Raetzman has almost reinvented the midfield-forward position she played for the Cougars, swerving all over the attacking half of the field or dropping back into the midfield when needed to provide an extra touch, controlling the pace of the game, allowing mates to find her to ease the pressure or take some pressure off the back line and help build the attack.

Not only an offensive sensation, Raetzman is also a clever tackler, who can use her technical skills to dispossess an opponent — sometimes with the ease of brush stroke — before quickly threading balls through where there’s hardly an inch of room to do so.

“If (Raetzman) never scored a goal, or recorded an assist, she still would be the best player in the state in my opinion,” says Ryan Stengren, who guided his side from Barrington to an MSL championship this season. “She makes everyone around her so much better, and she is such a smart player, and as much as I am glad not to be playing against her anymore, she is one player that I will miss watching, that’s for sure.”

Raetzman shared 2011 all-area co-captain honors with Elise Kotsakis of Fremd. This year, along with the Gatorade award, she stands alone.

“It’s all kind of amazing to be selected, and it kind of humbles you as a person as well,” says Raetzman, who is off to the University of Kentucky next fall to continue playing, and rooming with longtime friend Kelli Hubly of Elk Grove, who is also a teammate on the Sockers. “Kelli and I have known and played with each other for ages. We dreamed of this moment when we would go to college, play there and then professionally as well. Both of us cannot wait for that part of our lives to begin.”

Raetzman’s choice of Kentucky, over Maryland, places her into an almost identical situation as the one when she first stepped onto the pitch for Franco and his staff.

“I felt most comfortable at Kentucky than any other recruiting visit, and it’s a place that wants to build a great program, and it would be fun to be a part of all that,” says Raetzman, who is pointed toward a career as a physical therapist.

Raetzman has added plenty of frequent flier miles as a member of the National Team pool, including a trip to Holland two years ago.

“When all of us are brought together, the level of talent, and speed of play in training can really be a little overwhelming, but I know it has really helped elevate my play, and helped make me become a better all-around player at the same time,” says Raetzman, who back home, finds the time to volunteer with Special Olympics, coaching younger soccer players, along with Conant teammate, Sam Armando.

“When I get settled in down at Kentucky, I hope to continue to volunteer in (their) local program because its been a major impact in my life while doing so here.

“I know I’ve been very lucky to be a part of a program like the one here at Conant. There have been so many memories, the two trips downstate and top-four finishes, our upset of the No. 1 team Neuqua Valley during my sophomore year when nobody really knew who we were, and all of terrific players (here) and playing with my friends.

“It’s hard to believe this part of my life is over, but it’s been great fun, and now I am looking forward to the next part of my life to begin.”