Scouting DuPage County girls soccer
Top players: Amy Alexander, Wheaton Academy, jr., MF; Piper Biziorek, Neuqua Valley, sr., MF; Sam Bleker, Glenbard West, jr., GK; Hannah Bradley-Leon, Naperville Central, sr., MF; Paige Buranosky, Metea Valley, sr., D; Megan Burling, Waubonsie Valley, sr., F; Emma Carter, Timothy Christian, jr., MF; Sarah Cernugel, Hinsdale Central, sr., MF; Jaime Cibulka, Benet, jr., F; Nikki Coryell, Metea Valley, sr., GK; Kate Flynn, Benet, sr., D; Ava Hensley, St. Francis, sr., MF; Tara Kane, Lisle, jr., MF; Sarah Liljestrand, Glenbard East, so., F; Bridget Los, York, sr., F; Hannah Martin, Naperville North, sr., F; Olivia Morena, Wheaton North, so., F; Paige Munar, Neuqua Valley, sr., D; Kaitlyn Narduli, Neuqua Valley, jr, MF; Giselle Navejas, West Chicago, sr., MF/F; Alexis Parker, Downers Grove North, sr., F; Maddie Raftery, Downers Grove South, sr., F; Jordan Rose, Downers Grove South, sr., MF; Sarah Scoles, Naperville Central, sr., MF; Grace Setter, Waubonsie Valley, sr., MF; Kayla Shebar, Wheaton North, jr., F; Leah Shumate, Naperville North, sr., MF; Sophia Skoubis, Naperville Central, so., D; Lexi Stone, Glenbard North, so., D; Mia Tommasone, Benet, sr., MF; Elaine Wesling, Glenbard East, sr., F; Emily Villasenor, Glenbard South, sr., GK; Mollie Valek, Waubonsie Valley, sr., D
Scouting report: Addison Trail (7-9-3 in 2019) has all-conference selections Giadi Allessi, Lucia Fullone and Valeri Soto returning, but the Blazers are young. Benet (24-3-1) returns 12 players from its Class 2A title team including Jaime Cibulka, ESCC Player of the Year Kate Flynn and Mia Tommasone. The Redwings move up to Class 3A. Downers Grove North (10-11) boasts a deep roster with eight starters returning, including goalkeeper Blythe Braun and forwards Abbie Peterson and Alexis Parker.
Downers Grove South (12-8-1) returns seven starters and three key rotational players. Jordan Rose (Indiana State) and Maddie Raftery (Ohio State) are as talented of a duo in the state. Fenton (4-10-3) transitions to the Upstate Eight. Look for at least three freshmen to play key roles. Sophomore Alex Herrera and juniors Ximena Boratto and Lesly Mora return.
Glenbard East (19-4-2) has to replace 48 goals. It helps that the Rams return eight starters, including all-conference selections Elain Wesling, Sarah Liljestrand, Maia Zatarski and Summer Garcia. Glenbard North (3-14-2) remains young. The Panthers have just two seniors with varsity experience. Center backs Lexi Stone and Anna Pedraza are great assets.
Glenbard South (12-9-1) returns eight starters from a regional championship squad and is primed for a big season. Seniors Kate Gavin, Erin Haslett, Abby Showalter and Emily Villasenor lead the Raiders. Glenbard West (8-9-3) is very young. "Our sophomore group is very talented and had great success across our lower levels last year, but varsity is a whole 'nother kettle of fish," Hilltoppers coach Adam Szyszko said. Goalkeeper Sam Bleker and defenders Annie Cleaver and Ellie Tarczon provide strength in back.
Hinsdale Central (7-11-2) looks to continue to progress under second-year coach Tony Madonia. Junior Emma Elliot (Tennessee-Martin) is a nice addition at midfield. Hinsdale South (6-15-1) welcomes back senior defender Kerry Glimco who didn't play last season. Leading scorer Grave Cvengos returns along with a few midfielders and goalkeeper Madison Arflack.
IC Catholic Prep (15-8) has succeeded by playing selflessly. The Knights will take that same approach with seniors Bella Leslie, Annie Guinan and Abi Wagner leading the way. Lisle (18-3-1) took fourth in Class 1A and has eight starters back. The Lions graduated 70 goals and 28 assists and lost Emma Webb to injury. Tara Kane is back while Alexis Juveland returns from injury.
Metea Valley (11-9-2) will be in every game because of defenders Paige Buranosky, Nicole Dawson and Lauren Wardell and all-state goalkeeper Nikki Coryell. If Ella Johnson, Jocelyn Grabow and Sydney Rohm can bury shots, the Mustangs could be really good.
Montini (9-7-1) welcomes new coach Kate Perry. The Broncos, coming off a regional title, will be lead by all-conference players Sawyer White and Shea Smith and be particularly strong in the midfield. Naperville Central (11-9-1) welcomes a nice mix of experience and youth with four three-year players, including Hannah Bradley-Leon (Illinois State), who has recovered from a knee injury.
Naperville North (15-5-4) lost eight starters from the Class 3A championship team, but seniors Hannah Martin and Leah Shumate return. A young group of new Huskies will needs to step up.
Neuqua Valley (10-5-4) avoids cupcakes on its schedule, which makes the program's constant success more impressive. Defense will keep Wildcats in every game. But can Piper Biziorek and her teammates score enough? St. Francis (9-7-2) has a tough schedule against big schools. The seniors have been through this before so it's their turn to shine. Isabel DeFeo's return from injury is a nice boost.
Timothy Christian (11-4-1) lost a couple seniors, but Emma Carter, goalkeeper Angel Burke, defender Jana Kunz and an impressive freshman class has the Trojans upbeat. Waubonsie Valley (17-3-2) has a dynamic duo in seniors Megan Burling and Grace Setter. The Warriors were 16-1-1 when either assisted or scored in games in 2019. With 18 returning players the Warriors are loaded. West Chicago (10-9-3) will try to feed off the energy of the boys winning a state title. Seniors Giselle Navejas (NIU) and Odalis Martinez are among a solid core of returnees. Wheaton Academy (13-10) will rely heavily on midfielders Amy Alexander and Emma Goebel and its defense to overcome graduation losses. Who will finish for the Warriors is their big question.
Wheaton North (8-14-1) returns its top four scorers and will be strong in the midfield. The Falcons have to figure out how to win close games. They were 2-11-1 in games decided by a single goal or less. Wheaton Warrenville South (14-5-2) graduated nine starters so plenty of roles need to learned and accepted. Goal production is a major concern.
Willowbrook (11-10-2) didn't lose at home last year and only lost four players to graduation so the Warriors are on the rise. York (11-8-1) returns 11 versatile players to a regional champ squad. Senior Bridget Los can score and the Dukes have a formidable back line with Sarah Krissigner, Megan Hanebuth, Izzy Wood and Clare Mathews.
- Chris Walker