Girls soccer: Scouting Fox Valley
Aurora Central Catholic
Coach: Enrique Anaya (sixth season)
Last year’s record: 9-6-2, 3-4 Metro Suburban (eighth place)
Top returning players: Amanda Bush, sr., D; River Grabowski, sr., GK; Olivia Lujano, so., M; Isabella Matty, so., F; Gabby Morales, sr., D
Key newcomers: Maddie Berry, fr., M; Nora Shwarts, fr., GK/F
Worth noting: Anaya said playing in the Girls Catholic Athletic Conference this spring will be tough, but that the Chargers have played some of their best games against those same schools so they’ll look to continue battling. “We are excited to start the season with the retuning players that we have,” he said. “We will still have the new players adjusting to our style. They have been amazing to help our team get stronger.”
Bartlett
Coach: Vince Revak (sixth season)
Last year’s record: 4-10-4, 4-2-3 Upstate Eight (fifth place)
Top returning players: Megan Keon, jr., GK; Macy Medendorp, sr., D
Key newcomers: Gracie Cwik, sr., D/M; Emily Kopanicak, sr., D/M; Anais Vazquez, fr., D/M
Worth noting: The Hawks are healthy and have added some talented players, including the return of Cwik who played club last year. “What we are waiting to see is which player(s) will step up and score goals for us this year,” Revak said. “Hopefully we can find a way back on top of our conference this year.” The Hawks only scored nine goals in 18 games last year and were blanked 11 times.
Batavia
Coach: Mark Gianfrancesco (14th season)
Last year’s record: 9-8-4, 2-3-2 DuKane Conference (sixth place)
Top returning players: Abi Edwards, sr., F; Hannah Hickman, jr., D; Sarah Koziol, sr., M; Addison Lowe, sr., D; Reece Recker, jr., M; Kimberly Roman, jr., F; Alexa Schorr, jr., D; Brianna Solis, jr., F; Addison Solomon, jr., F; Emma Stoodley, sr., D; Natalie Warner, jr., F
Top new players: Reagan Sulaver, jr., GK; Emma Wecker, so., F
Worth noting: The Bulldogs saw nine players graduate from a team that pulled over .500 after advancing to the sectional semifinals. They return a great deal of talent, including some players who helped the girls basketball team win a sectional, and 11 players overall who started or received minutes as part of the regular rotation.
Burlington Central
Coach: Jess Arneson (10th season)
Last year’s record: 13-7-1 overall, 7-1-1 FVC (second place), Class 2A regional champions
Top returning players: Lenzie Lorkowski, so., GK; Eva Samuelian, sr., M; Kendall Grigg, so., M
Top new player: Mekenzie Rogers, so., F
Worth noting: The Rockets won their third regional title last season since 2016 — there was no 2020 season because of the COVID-19 pandemic and Central won a sectional title in 2021 when no regional was held. Central returns nine players and Arenson is excited to watch the Rockets’ continued growth. “We are excited to have as many returners as we do,” Arenson said. “With a strong group of returners, newcomers should easily mesh.” Lorkowski returns after earning IHSSCA All-Sectional Honorable Mention and All-Fox Valley Conference honors. … The Rockets will try to win their first FVC title since joining the conference in 2019.
Cary-Grove
Coach: Ray Krystal (18th season)
2023 season: 8-8 overall, 5-4 FVC (fifth)
Top returners: Katelyn Gitzke, sr., D; Emily Larry, sr., D; Kayli McMorris, sr., F; Madison Hoffman, sr., D; Sarah Stanojev, sr., F
Key newcomer: Ellie Santucci, jr., M
Worth noting: The Trojans failed to win a regional title for the first time in four seasons with a younger team. They’ll try to take their next step. “We are looking forward to these players continuing to develop and benefit from the leadership of our upperclassmen,” Krystal said. … Santucci returns after missing last season due to injury. … C-G will have to figure things out quickly. The Trojans’ FVC opener is with last year’s No. 2 Burlington Central and then defending champions Crystal Lake Central. “We look to improve throughout the season as we learn to work together,” Kystal said. “We will face a tough schedule both in and out of the conference.”
Crystal Lake South
Coach: Caitlyn Dayton (first season)
2023 season: 4-14-1 overall, 0-8-1 FVC (tied ninth)
Top returners: Kelly Gignac, sr., M; Carly Gorman, sr., D/M; Sydney Kroening, sr., M; Brynn LeFevre, sr., D; Mackenzie Resch, sr., D; Autumn Samples, sr., F; Emily Stewart, sr., GK; Addison Schwab, jr., D
Key newcomers: Marin Gorman, fr., M; Addison Hall, fr., D; Gracey LePage, fr., M/F; Tessa Melhuish, fr., M; Raelynn Ranum, fr., D
Worth noting: Dayton takes over the program in her first head coaching stint. “I am looking forward to seeing how the team responds to a new coaching staff as well as being able to compete with a good mix of newcomers being added into a core group of upperclassmen,” Dayton said. … The Gators will try to reach the top half of the FVC for the first time since 2018. South last finished with a conference-winning record in 2022. … With a smaller team, Dayon will rely on her newcomers. “Many of our freshmen can make an impact from the start,” Dayton said. “We have a smaller team, so everyone is going to have to be ready at any point.”
Elgin
Coach: Alicia Knoll (13th season)
Last year’s record: 9-7-2, 5-3-1 Upstate Eight (fourth place)
Top returning players: Dahlia Perez, sr., M; Emelia Rodriguez, sr., M
Key newcomers: Michelle Ayala, fr.
Worth noting: The Maroons had 11 seniors a season ago. This year they’ll look for big seasons from Perez (13 goals, 7 assists) and Rodriguez (5 goals, 9 assists) while gaining experience for their less seasoned played. “We have a very new team,” Knoll said. “We will be working on building chemistry throughout the season. We are hoping to be stronger each day and grow together as a team.”
Dundee-Crown
Coach: Rob Moulton (third season)
2023 season: 2-15-1 overall, 0-8-1 FVC (tied ninth)
Top returners: Araceli Mendez, sr., M; Ashley McAtee, sr., GK; Shanty Perez, sr., D; Emilia Arias, sr., M; Charlene Hernandez, jr., D; Lynette Morales , jr., M; Mackenzie Lessner, jr., M; Rylie Mensik, so., F; Ashling Otte, so., D; Ciara Jost, so., D; Lucia Farias, so., D
Key newcomers: Karissa Hernandez, so., F; Kaydence Delli, so., M; Madelyn Peralta, fr., M; Lizbeth Romero, fr., M; Varlerie Hernandez, fr., M
Worth noting: The Chargers will try to turn last season’s tough losses into wins this season. Moulton is confident that this season’s leaders can help their team and new teammates figure out how to win in key moments. “We have a great group of seniors with some young talent,” Moulton said. “Our team is looking to build on last year and to finish more close games.” … D-C lost seven matches by two or fewer goals last season. Moulton is looking forward to the Chargers flipping the score in a few of those close matches.
Geneva
Coach: Megan Owens (16th season)
Last year’s record: 18-6-1, 4-2-1 DuKane (third place)
Top returning players: Lilly Coats, sr., M; Jordan Forbes, sr., GK; Caroline Madden, sr., M; Olivia Rawls, sr., F; Even Schokora, sr., M; Audrey Stredde, so., F; Leyna Yonehara, sr., D
Top new players: Maggie Anderson, D; Ella Howard, F; Elle Larsen, M; Riley Pryor, D; Skyla Rothaar, fr., GK; Lilly Vostal, M
Worth noting: 13 Vikings return, including 10 seniors. Seniors Cami Bishop, Hope Ieler, Ashley Marquart and Madison Rees also are among those mentioned above. “Rarely do you get such a large group of seniors on a team,” Owens said. “So we are looking forward to benefiting from their leadership. We have experience, talent and a team who is willing to work hard. We aim to improve every day.”
Hampshire
Coach: Kelly Madison (fifth season)
2023 season: 12-6-2 overall, 5-3-1 FVC (fourth)
Top returners: Ilse Marquez jr., M; Amelia Ingebretsen, sr., M; Isabel Morales, sr. M; Sydney Hedderich, sr., D; Madison Koth, sr., D
Key newcomer: Langston Kelly, fr., F/M
Worth noting: Hampshire will try to get over the hump and win a regional title after competing in the title game the last two seasons. The Whip-Purs lost to Barrington last season in the regional championship. The Broncos went on to finish runner-up in the Class 3A state tournament. … Ingebretsen returns after earning All-FVC honors last season and helping move the ball up the field from the middle of the pitch. … A record 65 girls tried out to play soccer at Hampshire in all levels.
Huntley
Coach: Matt Lewandowski (seventh season)
2023 season: 17-4-3 overall, 5-1-3 FVC (third), Class 3A regional champions
Top returners: Gabi Farraj, jr., M; Maddie Cummings, so., M; Maizie Nickle, so., F; Alex Szydlowski, sr., F; Jaci Laramie, jr., D
Key newcomers: Bella Fusco, jr. M; Itzel Martinez, fr., D
Worth noting: The Red Raiders won their first regional title since 2017 and their first under Lewandowski. “We’ve got a good group of core returners ready to build on last year,” Lewandowski said. “We graduated a large number of role players, but we have solid young players.” … Huntley will try to take another step after finishing top-three in the FVC. “We should be a tough group to play against that isn’t afraid to get scrappy if need be,” Lewandowski said. “Hopefully the experiences we got at the end of last season can help to get us one step further.” … Farraj returns after earning all-sectional honorable mention and All-FVC last year.
Jacobs
Coach: Colin Brice (fourth season)
2023 season: 11-8-1 overall, 4-4-1 FVC (sixth place)
Top returners: Bella Mickey, sr., F; Gabby Wojtarowicz, jr., M; Delaney Lukowski, sr. M; Sam Diaz, jr., M
Key newcomers: Isabella Farias, fr., M; Mariela Perez, fr. D; Avery Maloney, so., M
Worth noting: The Golden Eagles are ready to be competitive both in the FVC and regional-title races. Jacobs last won a regional title in 2018 and has competed in a regional championship each year since. … Loyola-Chicago commit Wojtarowicz returns after scoring 20 goals, earning all-sectional and All-FVC honors. “Wojtarowicz will be one of the top girls soccer players in the area and [I’m] excited to see her excel on the field,” Brice said. “She is a great leader and hard-working player.” … Brice is also excited to see Farias produce as a freshman. “Farias will make an immediate impact in our offense and is a great addition to our team,” Brice said.
Kaneland
Last year’s record: 14-6, lost to Benet Academy in a Class 2A Nazareth semifinal
Top returning players: Emily Kunzer, sr., MF; Madi Schrader, sr., D; Jade Schrader, sr., MF/F; Casey O’Brien, sr., D; Alex Warrington, sr., D, Mallory Nitsche, sr., MF
Top new players: Olivia Davis, fresh., MF/F; Audrey Noring, fresh., MF; Sophia Rosati, fresh., MF; Alondra Mendoza, soph., MF
Worth noting: After going undefeated in the Interstate 8 last year, the Knights bring back eight starters and 12 returners as they look to repeat as champs. The regional title last year was the first for the Knights since 2016. With the experience they return, they’ll have their sights set on the program’s first sectional title since 2015. Brigid Gannon is one of the graduation losses, a 30-goal scorer, but Kunzer and Jade Schrader both scored in the double-digits last year as well.
Larkin
Coach: Mike Huizar (fourth season)
Last year’s record: 4-15-3, 1-6-2 Upstate Eight (eighth place)
Top returning players: Zazil Bahena, sr., F; Brinlee Jimenez, so., M; Mia Montesinos, sr., M
Key newcomers: Asiris Perez, fr., D
Worth noting: Bahena and Montesinos are fourth-year starters. This will be the first season where Huizar is coaching a team that’s 50/50 upperclassmen/underclassmen. “We are looking to have a much more stable season that focuses on playing to our strengths and capitalizing on our years of experience playing varsity soccer,” he said. “Half of the team are returning players from the last two years with the majority of new players coming from the freshman and sophomore classes. We are still younger than the average team, but we have a good mix of experience and new, eager players.”
Rosary
Coach: Amy McMahon (fourth season)
Last year’s record: 4-10-1, 1-3 Metro Suburban (10th place)
Top returning players: Abby Cibulskis, sr.
Key newcomers: Kaylany Aburto, so., Kendelyn Bielawa, fr., Jalen Lawson, fr.; Gabby Smith, so.
Worth noting: McMahon said the Royals are in rebuilding mode this spring after graduating 10 seniors. A pair of freshmen and sophomores are among the newcomers who will have an opportunity to step in right away.
South Elgin
Coach: Jerzy Skowron (fifth season)
Last year’s record: 10-9-4, 7-0-2 Upstate Eight (first place)
Top returning players: Ella Dihel, sr., F; Laura Garcia, so., M; Ashley Gonzalez, jr., D; Adeline Kinsella, sr., M; Callie Miller, jr., M; Cami Stokes, sr., D; Mia Traver, jr., D; Ellie Vidic, so., M
Key newcomers: Avianna Hernandez, so., M; Lilliana Rodriguez, fr., GK; Christina Slovik, fr., M; Lucy Tomasi, fr., M
Worth noting: Dihel (17 goals last year) might be out for the season which is especially frustrating since the Storm have improved returning players and talented newcomers. Stokes and Gonzalez will look to lead a new and inexperienced back line. Hernandez, a Larkin transfer, will look to be part of a talented group of attackers that includes Gyurko, Kinsella, Slovik and Tomasi. Skowron said last year’s loss to Geneva in the postseason is providing extra motivation for the team to make a deep run this spring.
St. Charles East
Coach: Vince DiNuzzo (seventh season)
Last year’s record: 20-4-0, 5-2 DuKane (second place)
Top returning players: Sidney Lazenby, jr., GK; Mackenzie Loomis, sr., D; Alli Saviano, sr., M
Top new players: Presley Kannaka, fr., D; Mia Olenek, fr., GK; Sophia Wollenberg, fr., M/F
Worth noting: The Saints will lean on a pair of fourth-year seniors, Saviano and Loomis, to mentor and lead a young team that includes 14 underclassmen. The biggest class is the sophomores with eight on the roster including Georggia Desario, Reese Kyle, Payton Rivard, Anika Dodrill and Tatum Smith who got introduced to varsity soccer a year ago. Lazenby returns for her third season in net.
St. Charles North
Coach: Brian Harks (ninth season)
Last year’s record: 17-4-2, 6-0-1 DuKane Conference (first place)
Top returning players: Kayla Floyd, sr., M; Kaitlin Glenn, jr., F; Chloe Kirsten, jr., D; Juliana Park, sr., M; Rian Spaulding, sr., F; Laney Stark, sr., F
Top new players: Kaitlyn Nudera, so., F; Kyra Treanor, sr., D
Worth nothing: The North Stars have 16 upperclassmen, including Floyd, Park, Spaulding and Stark who combined for 34 goals and 23 assists last spring. Treanor (Brown) joins the team from club. “Our girls possess a strong work ethic, they are highly skilled and they possess a high soccer IQ,” Harks said. “We are excited to get out on the field and compete this season.”
St. Edward
Coach: Tim Brieger (30th season)
Last year’s record: 4-17-2, 0-6 Metro Suburban (11th place)
Top returning players: Bella Buono, sr., D; Annaly Soto, sr., F; Frankie Wojtas, sr., F
Key newcomers: Amelia Davis, jr., M; Jillian Garcia, jr., M; Taylor Kapetan, so., M
Worth noting: The Wave is ready to strike. They have their biggest roster in years (28 players) and a senior class (none last year). “The Wave is completing the rebuild,” Brieger said. All 11 starters return along with some key contributors from the bench.
Streamwood
Coach: Santiago Martín (first season)
Last year’s record: 5-17-1, 1-7-1 Upstate Eight (10th place)
Top returning players: Milanie Martinez, jr., M; Sharon Salazar, so. D; Reyna Saldivar, sr., F
Key newcomers: Nataly Barrera, fr., F; Emilee Martinez, fr., F; Valerie Pinedo, fr., F
Worth nothing: Martín takes over the program and will look to accommodate the team’s new talent with the experienced players who return. The team welcomes six freshmen.
West Aurora
Coach: Jorge España (first season)
Last year’s record: 5-12-2, 2-8-1 Southwest Prairie Conference (10th place)
Top returning players: Olivia Del Toro, jr., M; McKenzie Pearch, so., M
Key newcomers: Morgan Adler, fr.; Sarahi Carlos, fr., Makayla Parra, fr.
Worth noting: España, who has been teaching in the West Aurora School District since 1997, takes over the program. He said he expects to know a lot more about the team as the season gets underway while he tries “to establish an environment of high expectations and develop consistency in the program.”
— Michal Dwojak and Eddie Carifio of Shaw Local contributed to this report