Scouting the 2022 girls lacrosse season in the NW suburbs and Lake County

When it comes to Mid-Suburban League girls lacrosse, the crème de la crème designation appears to belong to Hersey in the East and Conant in the West heading into the 2022 season.

Mary Byrne's Huskies team went 9-4 and won the East at 6-0. All-conference and all-sectional picks Kelsey Neary (MF, junior) and Kailey See (MF, sophomore) headline a last of returners, that also includes senior attack Courtney Clayton and senior defenders Jackie Konsewicz, Ellie Bay and Abby Von Der lippe.

"We are a young, new team of lacrosse players," Byrne said. "They are eager to develop their stick sills and their lacrosse IQ. They have a lot of enthusiasm for the game and are all strong competitors."

Buffalo Grove took second in the MSL East and coach Scott Russell is pumped about the program's expansion from 33 to 56 players. Junior middies Avery Boche and Victoria Mscisz were all-sectional last year for the Bison.

Prospect welcomes back junior middie Sofia Winterkorn, along with sophomore middies Campbell Conner and Skylar Splinter. Conner was an all-conference pick last year. Rolling Meadows played as a JV team last year and went 5-4. Seniors Suma Urs-Juffa, Vasi Urs-Juffa, Maya Cenda and Julia Ingolia, along with sophomores Arsi Braho (GK), Ashley Saunders and Ella Truhlar lead the way for the Mustangs.

Conant is coming off a spectacular 2021 effort where it went 18-5 and won a sectional title. The Cougars return all-conference picks in seniors Mikayla Nelson (MF) and Molly Lunkes (Attack). Seniors Jessica Garcia (D), Isabella Simon (Attack), Carley Rhodes (GK) and Ayla Yaylamis (D) and sophomore Mackenzie Medema (Attack) will help as well.

"In the MSL we are all going to figure out who we are as we return to a normal schedule and start date," Conant coach Eric Jacobsen said.

Schaumburg is coming off a sectional final appearance and an MSL West title. The Saxons return seniors Nicole Lefrenere (MF), Izzy Callero (GK) and Nejla Latic (Attack), along with juniors Tegan Larsen (MF), Kylie Mascari (MF) and Riley Parla (D).

"As has been the case for awhile in the MSL girls lacrosse landscape, there is always a lot of parody and surprises, so I would not be surprised by any team making a push to be in that top spot," Schaumburg coach Jake Hughes said.

Barrington returns seniors Lauren Hutchinson (D) and Josie Migliore (GK), along with junior middies Abby Ostergaard and Madison Powell. Junior middie Kelly Gorbatenko is a University of Wisconsin hockey commit.

"We have grown a lot since last season," Barrington coach Charles Solomon said. "The Fillies will be back in the fold in '22. Our No. 1 goal after only graduating three last season and with a group of hungry junior-heavy returners is winning the MSL championship back."

Solomon also took a moment to thank retiring Barrington athletic director Mike Obsuszt for his support of the program dating back to its early days as a club team. "He will be greatly missed," the coach pointed out.

Hoffman Estates (9-6 last year) has plenty of experience back in seniors Treasa Rustay (MF), Julia Hostetler (MF) and Stephanie Baranov (MF), and juniors Jillian Cuatero (MF) and Rachel Lawrence (Attack).

In the East Suburban Catholic, St. Viator made it to the sectional final and turned in an 18-4 ledger (7-1 ESCC). Senior Eliza Perry (MF) and junior Annie Kate McAndrews (Attack) were all-sectional selections, while sophomores Maggie Towle (D-MF) and Emilie Moorman (Attack) also return.

"Our team has a lot of balance and depth," Lions coach Addie Dieckmeyer said. "We have strong players across the board from every class. The concept of team has shown, and I believe that will be our strength this season."

Carmel went 8-10 last year, but is buoyed by the return of three-year varsity players and seniors Megan Bauer (GK), Marie Giambroni (MF), Lily Shenderovsky (Attack), Mary Powers (D) and Grace O'Malley (D). Giambroni averaged more than 3 goals per game, while Bauer is regarded as one of the top goalies in the East Suburban Catholic. Junior attack Kelli McCloud, junior mid Lainey Cordova and junior defender Bridget McCloud also will help the Corsairs.

In the North Suburban Conference, sectional finalist Stevenson (13-5, 4-1 and second NSC) welcomes back senior Jordyn Ackerman (attack) and juniors Lili Sorenson (MF), Megan Randol (GK) and Teagan Hendricks (D). Sorenson was a second-team all-state pick, while Randol was all-state honorable mention.

"Our strength will be in our team chemistry," said Patriots coach Sarah Gutierrez, who noted Lake Forest will be tough again in the North Suburban. "This group likes to play for each other and I think that will take us a long way."

Libertyville (11-9 a year ago) returns all-North Suburban selections in seniors Molly Wertnz (MF) and Tatum Blacker (MF) along with sophomore Sophia Weick (MF). Senior Ro Abdelraham will help in goal.

Mundelein and new coach Elizabeth Filley are led by sophomore Ella Terrell, who was an all-sectional pick last year at middie, while Abby Ectenacher and Grace Stanley will help as well. Hailey Campos and Devon Duym are hard workers in goal, while senior Millicent Rehm is an important defensive anchor.

Warren returns senior middie-attack Isabella McLaughlin (33 goals), along with sophomores Lucy Moore (MF, 25 goals), Julia Werner (MF, 32 goals, 12 assists) and Emily Meyers (Attack, 23 goals, 12 assists).

Vernon Hills went 11-10 last year and has all-state honorable mention pick Noemi Ramirez back. The senior middie had 123 points (7th in the state), 41 assists and 51 ground balls a year ago. Seniors Corinne O'Brien and Alyssa Grzesiak, along with junior Gina Cosentino and sophomore Hailey Berktold help power an improving Cougar offense. "This is a fantastic group of young people," Vernon Hills coach Steve Werntz said. "Our senior leadership is outstanding. We are going to have a fun season."

Fellow Central Suburban entrant Maine South finished 10-6 and 7-4 in Central Suburban action behind returning senior all-conference pick Maia Chisari, as well as senior goalie Julie Devaney, junior middie Katie Gleason and sophomore middie Sophia Gianaris.