Scouting DuPage County girls soccer
Top teams: Benet, Downers Grove South, Metea Valley, Naperville Central, Naperville North, Neuqua Valley, St. Francis, Waubonsie Valley, Wheaton Academy, Wheaton Warrenville South.
Top returning players: Allie Anderson (Wheaton Warrenville South, sr., MF); Paige Buranosky (Metea Valley, jr., D); Barbie Castellanos (West Chicago, jr., MF), Amy Chiero (Glenbard East, sr., MF); Nikki Coryell (Metea Valley, jr., GK); Jill DiTusa (St. Francis, sr., D); Nicole Fajardo (Downers Grove South, sr., F); Lizzy Florey (Willowbrook, jr., F); Kate Flynn (Benet, jr., D); Sam Guido (Hinsdale Central, sr., D); Mary Kate Hansen (Benet, sr., D); A.C. Hardy (Wheaton Academy, sr., MF); Erin Haslett (Glenbard South, jr., F); Abbey Hillman (Naperville Central, sr., D); Danielle Hopkins (Neuqua Valley, sr., MF); Olivia Hurt (IC Catholic Prep, sr., F); Sam Johnson (Glenbard East, sr., D); Sophie Lindquist (Wheaton Academy, sr., MF); Mia Marconi (Downers Grove North, sr., MF); Hannah Martin (Naperville North, jr. F); Erin McCarthy (Neuqua Valley, sr., D); Paige Miller (Wheaton Warrenville South, sr., MF); Katelynn Nardulli (Neuqua Valley, so., MF); Lindsey Novak (Glenbard East, sr., F); Alexis Parker (Downers Grove North, jr., F); Caroline Reedy (Naperville Central, sr., F); Reilly Riggs (Naperville North, sr., D); Hannah Rittenhouse (St. Francis, sr., F); Jordan Rose (Downers Grove South, jr., MF); Grace Setter (Waubonsie Valley, jr., MF); Leah Shumate (Naperville North, jr., MF; Sam Schutte (Glenbard South, sr., F); Mia Tommasone (Benet, jr., F); Michaela Ward (York, sr., F); Anna Warfield (Wheaton North, sr., MF); Caroline Zimmer (St. Francis, sr., F/MF).
Outlook: Addison Trail should be excellent in the midfield and strong on defense but needs to find some finishers. The team had 11 seniors a season ago. The Blazers (7-11-3) welcome back junior midfielder/forward Lucia Fullone, senior defender Jenny Santana and sophomore defender Valerie Soto. A key question for the Blazers on the defensive end is depth and stamina. While coach Sergio Nunez considers the team's back line to be strong, he said it's "not 80 minutes strong." Watch for freshmen Stephanie Mondragon and Melanie Tinajero.
Benet (20-4-1) set a school record for wins last spring and won the East Suburban Catholic Conference. This year it will look to duplicate those efforts and ideally advance to the final weekend in the Class 2A tournament. The Redwings are loaded with 18 upperclassmen, including a dozen players who are in their third or fourth season. They return eight of their top nine scorers, including Abby Casmere and Mia Tommasone as well as dynamic defensive duo of Mary Kate Hansen and Kate Flynn among others and goalkeeper Evan Frantzen. Tremendous depth, team speed and skill on the ball have the Redwings geared for a championship run.
Downers Grove North (14-7-4) returns just a few players with varsity experience after graduating eight starters. Interestingly though, the Trojans will boast an older team, albeit an inexperienced one, because coach Brian Papa has 14 seniors. "They have been waiting for their turn to shine," he said. "The lack of varsity experience keeps us cautiously optimistic." A huge plus is that senior midfielder Mia Marconi is healthy and Julia Kramer and Alexis Parker are back. The Trojans graduated their entire back line and goalkeeper, so they will need to regroup on defense as soon as possible.
Downers Grove South (12-6-4) returns nine starters from last spring's co-West Suburban Gold champion team. "So the accomplishments we experienced last season are the minimum expectation going into this season," Mustangs coach Chris Hernandez said. "We have two players (Gabi Galvez and Maddie Raftery) joining us this year who play at a very high club level, so we are hoping that the experience, potential and talent within this team can take us deep into the state series. "Jordan Rose and Jillian Paladino are back in the midfield, Brynn Davis returns to lead the back line and Nicole Fajardo returns at forward."
Fenton would like to finish its final season in the Metro Suburban Conference strong and also rebound from last year's winless conference season. The Bison finished 3-14-1 overall. "I think we will be strong in the back line and midfield and hoping to add some goals," Fenton coach Victor Ruiz said. Seniors Natalie Diaz, Cynthia Mendoza, Jaqueline Nogueda, Angela Casas and Kimberly Rivera and sophomore Lesly Mora are among the team's top returnees.
Glenbard East (17-4-3) will attempt to four-peat as Upstate Eight Conference champ and win a fourth consecutive regional title. It'll take a team effort to do it after losing 10 seniors and seven full-time starters from last season. "With half the roster being freshmen or sophomores, we'll have to rely on a lot of young players to produce this season," Rams coach Kent Overbey said. "The learning curve will have to be quick." A positive is that the Rams return players who combined for 36 goals last spring, and the new group of players is a seriously talented one. Seniors Lindsey Novak, Amy Chiero and Sam Johnson return to lead the way. Chiero is a four-year starter and the other two are three-year starters. Sophomore Maddie Weltin is coming off a great debut season a year ago.
The rebuild continues at Glenbard North (4-13). The Panthers do return quite a few players but will still endure growing pains as coach David Stanfield asks for patience. "I will be happy if we can develop an identity and style of play, play hard and have fun," he said. Sofia Espana, Hannah Arista and goalie Karissa Chalus are among the senior returnees.
Glenbard South returns most of its players from last year's 13-9-2 regional championship team. "We are not that deep, however, as we replaced our graduates with players that either spent the season on JV last year or are freshmen this year," Raiders coach Kevin Berner said. "We hope to compete for another regional championship, then we will see what happens. I have no expectation for our new Upstate Eight Conference schedule as I am not sure what to expect from any of those programs." Berner, though, does expect big seasons in the midfield from Abby Showalter and Clare Willis, in scoring from Sam Schutte and Erin Haslett and goalkeeper Emily Villasenor.
Glenbard West returns a solid group of seniors in attacking positions from an 8-13 squad. Adam Szyszko takes over the coaching reins and gets an Illinois State recruit as a newcomer, senior Caroline Hennessy, while seniors Katie O'Shea, Liz Hughes, Katie Cavanaugh, Sarah Shellady and Rosie Reynaga all return. "We'll be organized and we will compete," Szyszko said. Freshman Emily Roberts and sophomores Sophia Lee and Brianna Hernandez will provide the Hilltoppers with some talented new players.
Hinsdale Central is looking to win a conference title for the first time in a few years. The Red Devils (5-11-2) welcome new coach Tony Madonia. Senior center backs Sophie Simmons, Sam Moriarty and Sam Guido and forwards Madigan Lynch and Jackie Blake return. "(It's a) group of girls that are willing to put in the work needed to reach common team goals," Madonia said. "Excited to see how they utilize their strengths to achieve this year. It is up to them on how far they go this season; a very capable group." Some new players will certainly help, including senior Caroline Lyman, a Missouri recruit.
Hinsdale South will need to regroup in the defensive third. If the Hornets (8-11-3) can do that, and if their youngsters mature quickly, they should battle. "The biggest strength is also our biggest weakness in the sense that we are young," Hornets coach Jen Belmonte said. "So we are full of energy and competitive spirit for positions and playing time, but we are young in our experience and technical skill. Defender Keaton Lancaster will be a team captain, while sophomores Ellie Urbanski and Elena Mazurek and junior Taylor Panico give the team a lot of strength in the midfield. Sophomore Madison Arflack returns in goal.
IC Catholic Prep is an experienced group, which bodes well since the team is coming off a solid 16-11 season. Midfielders Abi Wagner and Bella Leslie, forward Olivia Hurt and goalkeeper Gabriela Smola all return with a great deal of experience. Look for freshman Claire Wagner, sister of Abi, to make contributions immediately. Coincidentally, Olivia Hurt's sister, Sophie, a sophomore, will be a defender on the squad.
Lake Park (5-16) may feel some relief in departing the DuPage Valley Conference, but as coach Sean Crosby knows from the boys season in the fall, the DuKane Conference is loaded as well. "Our sights are set on competing in each of our two tournaments as well as challenging nonconference games," he said. "Within our conference we are expecting a battle with some tremendously talented teams." With three returning starters on defense and a selfless attacking group, the Lancers have plenty of weapons, but their youth and inexperience will need to mature quickly. Goalkeeper Sara Yochem and fellow seniors Cyndia Martinez and Selena Catalano and sophomores Emma Thorne and AnnMarie Ahrens are among the team's key returnees.
Lisle could be at the very beginning of a state-qualifying season. After going 17-2-1 and winning a regional last year, Lisle remains quite experienced and deep at most positions despite being young overall so these are good times in Lisle, especially if Alexis Juveland returns from a knee injury in time for the playoffs. "Even though we have a young roster, we are quite experienced and deep at most positions," Lisle coach Paul Kohorn said. Seniors Alexa Fasone, Mckenzie Weaver and Chloe Pokorny and sophomores Tara Kane and Gabby Sojka are looking to make big contributions once again.
Metea Valley has won a regional championship five straight years. When the Mustangs (14-8-3) lose great players they don't seem to miss a beat. This season they'll have to do so without the services of Maeve Riordan, Sophia Senese and Chesney Wargo among others. "We have a number of girls that were a part of the varsity team last year that are hungry for larger roles and more playing time," Mustangs coach Chris Whaley said. "Expectations are always high and we will continue to be in the mix with the best teams in the area this year. The team is strongest defensively with Nikki Coryell in goal and Nicole Dawson, Paige Buranosky and Kaiya Hansen returning to the backline.
Montini (9-8-4) will be young with just a single senior, but the Broncos have some talent in its youth with sophomores Alivia Gianatasic and Shea Smith returning and freshmen Sawyer White, Mackenzie Parente and Hailey Cabon joining the team. Senior Ellie Krick and junior Casey Ohm return and will provide leadership while junior defender Erin Carver will join the back line.
Naperville Central (11-12-1) returns 17 players from last year's regional championship team, including five who are in their third or fourth season with the Redhawks. Once again, the Redhawks will be tough to score on with Abbey Hillman (Loyola Chicago), Caroline Giannone, Grace Anderson and Emma Irle returning to the back line. Midfielders Sullivan Schubel and Maddie Mills, goalkeeper Amber Hunter and senior forward Caroline Reedy also highlight the returnees. "Our experience should be a major factor this season," Redhawks coach Ed Watson said. "We anticipate great leadership from our senior class. As always, it will come down to finding consistent scoring."
Naperville North lost some really special seniors from last year's 21-4-4 team that took third place in Class 3A. The Huskies lost 25 goals with the graduation of Katelyn Buescher and Shaina Dudas. All told, the Huskies lost six players who are now playing Division I soccer. The team will get a nice boost with senior Wisconsin commit Maddie Schlecht joining the team. Senior center back Reilly Riggs, junior Hannah Martin and Leah Shumate return. "Very young team in some important places that will go through some growing pains as we once again have one of the toughest schedules in the state, playing in the DVC along with the North Shore Invite, Naperville Invite and a grueling nonconference slate," Huskies coach Steve Goletz said.
Neuqua Valley coach Joe Moreau said that he believes anyone could win the DuPage Valley Conference this spring, and that includes the Wildcats, who are returning seven starters and have eight seniors. "We are deeper than we were last year," he said. "Scoring goals consistently is what we need to improve upon from last year." The Wildcats (14-6) were knocked out by Naperville North in sectional play last May. Sophomore goalkeeper Tara Tesmond joins the squad along with Piper Biziorek, a versatile player all over the field and freshman midfielder Brooke Miller. Shannon Tagler, Katelyn Nardulli, Alison Dovalovsky, Erin McCarthy and Danielle Hopkins return and are hungry for success.
The Class 2A champion St. Francis Spartans (18-4-3) make the leap to Class 3A this season. "We will absolutely hit some speed bumps," Spartans coach Jim Winslow said. "Tough schedule again and some new faces to figure out, and we are bumped up to 3A for the playoffs, but the kids are looking forward to the challenge and to see where we end up." Gone are standouts Claire Hensley, Kendra Pasquale and Erin Peck, but back are Hannah Rittenhouse, Caroline Zimmer and Jill DiTusa. "A good core returning from a great year," Winslow said. "It will take some time to figure out where to play the new varsity kids."
Timothy Christian (9-7-1) is young with 14 underclassmen, but coach Jon Hamelinck says his group has a lot of energy, a drive to succeed and works hard. The potential for success is there. "We have most of our starting lineup returning from last year, so we hope to continue some of the success we saw last year and continue to challenge for a conference championship," Hamelinck said. Emma Carter, Abby Carstensen and defenders Celeste Vandermeer and Jana Kunz return. Freshmen Sophia Biscan and Ella Vandermolen will look to fill some spots.
Waubonsie Valley was hit with some big graduation losses from a 13-5-3 squad, including Sarah Young, Sarah Griffith and Kennedy Metzger. But coach Julie Bergstrom said the team has already gotten off to a great start in training and practices and is simply "looking to continue to be better today than yesterday." Juniors Grace Setter and Megan Burling returning at midfield and forward, respectively, while senior Jessica Wallace is back to lead the defense.
West Chicago (12-12-2) got hit with the injury bug well before the games have begun. The Wildcats suffered injuries to three players on the back line. Numbers are surprisingly low at West Chicago, but coach J. Cesar Gomez expects his team to be competitive. "We should be good," he said. "I'm expecting to be in every game. That's how we train. With 16 players we're going to be wrapped in Bubble Wrap a bit, but it's promising. We want to play attractive, effective soccer and sometimes that's not an easy thing to do, but we want to stay true to the game and not kick and chase so hopefully that works for us." The Wildcats welcome back goalkeeper Haley Rich and midfielders Barbie Castellano and Evelyn Hernandez.
Wheaton Academy will have to commit to a style of play and its players have to grow into new positions if the Warriors are going to repeat their recent successes, including a 13-7-2 mark and perfect 8-0 record in conference. "We will have a solid team that can compete with quality sides," Warriors coach Jeff Brooke said. They will certainly have to replace the scoring of Erin Teevans. They have seniors Sophie Lindquist and A.C. Hardy, junior Emma Goebel and sophomore Amy Alexander returning to the midfield. Kat Sezonov is back to pace the back line.
Wheaton North coach Tim McEvilly hopes that better conditioning can ultimately lead to more success this spring for the Falcons (4-14-2). "Hopefully, we can change the outcome of games in the final 10 minutes with greater conditioning," he said. "We lost or tied 12 games last year by one or fewer goals. We're looking to turn that around thus year." McEvilly acknowledged that the team gained some youth, speed and athleticism to the team and is committed to defending. Sophomores Kayla Shebar and Ella Kocher joined the squad, while seniors Sarah Brcka, Kristen Szumski and Anna Warfield are among just six varsity returnees.
Wheaton Warrenville South (15-8-0) is coming off a regional championship and returns a half dozen four-year players and another four who are back for their third varsity season, so the Tigers are loaded with experience. "Our speed of play should have us competing for a DuKane Conference title, regional final and hopefully a sectional final," Tigers coach Guy Callipari said. "We'll have a good mix of young players and experienced players, coupled with team depth should carry us deep into the playoffs, barring injury." Paige Miller, Allie Anderson, Evelyn Demsher and goalkeeper Abbey Brennan all return.
Willowbrook (9-9) enters the season with a great deal of excitement, returning nine starters and adding some experienced other players and some talented freshmen. "We hope to have a season to remember," Warriors coach Julio Del Real said. "The team has come together and adjusted very well. We are further ahead of previous teams at the school in terms of team work, experience and skill level." Lizzy Florey, Gracie Tumility, Sara Fitzgibbon and Kaleigh Rugg are among the team's leading returnees. A handful of freshmen are expected to contribute big minutes.
York's Stevan Dobric gets an opportunity to be a head coach after serving as an assistant. He takes over a Dukes program that enjoyed an 11-7 year in 2018. "The girls are motivated to push themselves and work hard as a team," Dobric said. "We believe that a conference championship is well within our reach as well as a strong run in the playoffs." Seniors Maddie Welz and Rene Sieracki are new to the team while a large mix of fast and strong players return, including Allie Milkowski, Riley Haug, Siena Pinkerton, Emma Czeck, Lindsey Schiller, Michaela Ward, Bridget Los, Greta Roy and Maya Rebic.