Girls soccer: Scouting Lake County
It is often said that a soccer match is won or lost in the midfield.
If so, then reigning Northern Lake County Conference champion Lakes Community is in good hands in the middle of the park.
Responsible for everything from joining the attack, tracking central runs, protecting the backline when required, or aggressively counter-pressing, four-year star Mia Silber is all that and more as she handles the chores at the No. 8 position for head coach Kevin Kullby.
"I am so glad that I stayed to play four years here at Lakes. The high school experience has been just great. I've learned so much, and obviously so different from club, but (still) a lot of fun, especially after winning conference last year," said Silber, who will play next fall at Winthrop University in South Carolina where she will major in biology and a Pre-Med route with a future perhaps in ococology research.
"The environment around the campus, staff and team were amazing. It felt like family to me," added Silber as the reason she chose Winthrop.
Silber, who plays along the back for her club team which includes Stevenson star and Maryland-bound Ellie Egeland, says that despite the loss of a few seniors from a year ago, the 2024 Lakes club is positioned quite well to make a run at another trophy.
"We have a lot of skill, some very good freshmen, two players back from club, and a great core of players: Raina Schmitt, Tessa Smith, Lea and Hannah Rojas, Carter Conway, Michaela Hopkins, and my sister Anya which are all better this season," said Silber.
Let's have a look at what's coming in Lake County girls soccer this season:
ANTIOCH
Coach: Maggie Lyon (2nd year).
Last year: 5-11-3 (2-4-2, 5th, NLCC).
Top returning players: Seniors Maddie Barrett (GK), Vera Fogel (MF), Hannah Shaufele (D).
Newcomers to watch: Freshmen Scarlett Carroll (MF-F), Ailey Carley (F).
Outlook: Maddie Lyons lost a quality player to graduation in two-sport star Cameron Plucienik, who is playing field hockey at Central Michigan University. But the Antioch coach does have a terrific returning player between the sticks in senior Maddie Barrett who will keep things safe along the back. "We're super young this season, but we're excited to see all this new talent, and the awesome skill(s) they have brought with them," said Lyon.
CARMEL
Coach: Stephanie Kile (5th season).
Last year: 12-7-1 (5-1-0, 2nd, ESCC)
Top returning players: Seniors Anna Hartman (F), Jillian Miller (D), Bella D'Amore (D), Mila Schachelmayer (D), Peyton Carney (F-MF); junior Norah Belmonte (F).
New players to watch: Senior Tatyana Harrington (MF); sophomore Maron Bowes (GK).
Outlook: Together with Anna Hartman, Emily Fix would form one of the most lethal and dynamic strike force duos in the area to give the opponents plenty to worry about for 80 minutes. Alas, Fix has moved on to Marquette University where she played in all 20 matches during his rookie season in Milwaukee. "Losing Emily Fix is big, but we have Anna back, and I'm excited to see who emerges to become some of our other goal scorers," said Kile. "Jillian Miller and Mila Schachelmayer were phenomenal last season along the back, and are a big part of a defensive unit."
GRAYSLAKE CENTRAL
Coach: Keith Andersson (5th year).
Last year: 8-11-1 (6-1-0, 2nd, NLCC).
Top returning players: Seniors Sara Armstrong (MF), Ava Ramsey (F), Avalyn Woods (MF); juniors Madison Hoffman (D), Dahlia Rodriguez (MF).
New players to watch: Freshmen Peyton Hoffman (D), Karlee Santer (GK).
Outlook: Central was ultra-young last spring, yet despite that managed to stay in the NLCC race until the end. "We started seven underclassmen, so last year was difficult, plus we lost our starting keeper to a serious concussion," said Keith Andersson. "(But) we're all very excited this year because we have nine starters back, and we feel like we have a tremendous amount of talent on this team,“ Andersson knows NLCC POY (Sara Armstrong) and star defender Madison Hoffma will be one step better than a year ago.
GRAYSLAKE NORTH
Coach: Adam DeCaluwe (18th year).
Last year: 11-6-2 (4-1-2, 3rd, NLCC).
Top returning players: Seniors Olivia Tabbert; junior Izzy Ceaser (MF); sophomores Ashley Hernandez (F), Rylee Jaramillo (MF), Ellie Sopiarz (D).
New players to watch: Senior Lindsay Ocampo (D); sophomores Ava Aleckson (MF), Leilyn Janneau (MF).
Outlook: Like several of its league rivals, the Knights lost plenty of quality, including Bella Moran who helped run the show in the middle, and was one of three all-NLCC players who have moved on. "While we graduated several key players, we're returning a very good group that have been working hard, and are committed to improving," said coach Adam DeCaluwe.
GRANT
Coach: Ben Burnet (4th season).
Last year: 3-13-0 (1-6-0, 7th, NLCC).
Top returning players: Seniors Miah Bustamante (D), Giselle Morales Corbin (F); junior Allison Dulany (F); sophomore Ryan Kadlec (MF).
Outlook: Bulldogs have all-NLCC MF Ryan Kadle back to bolster a club that coach Ben Burnet believes is headed in the right direction. "We are much more mature and technically sound, plus we have good experience with a nice mix of young and older players who show they are ready to improve," said Burnet.
LAKES COMMUNITY
Coach: Kevin Kullby (19th year).
Last year: 11-8-1 (7-1-0, 1st, NLCC).
Top returning players: Seniors Mia Silber (MF), Tessa Smith (D), Carter Conway (MF), Caitlin Pron (GK); sophomores Raina Schmitt (F), Anya Silber (D-MF).
New players to watch: Juniors Hannah Rojas (F), Michaela Hopkins (MF); freshman Lea Rojas (D).
Outlook: The Eagles look to continue their upward trajectory following their championship season a year ago that saw Kevin Kullbys' club feature a high scoring side, plus a stingy bunch along the back. "This could possibly be as good as any team we've had here at Lakes. (They) just need to perform like we know they can along with turning the tables on those teams we lost close games to, including our 2-1 loss to St. Viator in our regional final," said Kullby, who will rely on the terrific trio of Mia Silber, Raina Schmitt and Tessa Smith.
LAKE FOREST
Coach: Ty Stuckslager (30th year).
Last year: 11-8-3 (3-4-0, NSC).
Top returning players: Seniors Sarah Constantine (GK), Hannah Sands (D); juniors Ava Walsh (D), Chloe Hvostik (MF); sophomore Maddie Cummins (MF).
New players to watch: Seniors Caroline Kaiser (MF), Maddie Williams (F); sophomore Rhona Okada (F).
Outlook: There's every reason to believe that Lake Forest will be playing deep into the postseason. "We have a lot of experience coming back with seven starters, and six others with plenty of experience as well, so we should be deep and ready after losing our OT loss (to Crystal Lake Central) last year and OT loss in 2022 (to Deerfield) in the sectional final," said Ty Stuckslager, who in 2014 led the Scouts to the 2A state title.
LAKE ZURICH
Coach: Mike Castronova (13th year).
Last year: 18-4-2 (4-1-2, 3rd, NSC).
Top returning players: Seniors Lauren Bailey (F), Mallory Collins (MF), Ella Knight (D); junior Cammy Niepomnik (F).
New players to watch: Freshmen Emily Bowen (F), Reilly Novak (F).
Outlook: Lake Zurich would enjoy a wildly successful season a year ago as it stayed in the NSC race until the very end, then advanced into the sectional final where eventual 3A state runner-up Barrington ended its dream of going further. The Bears once again will have NSC aspirations, with an eye on another strong postseason run, thanks in part to the return of two key players who are easily among the best in the area. Lauren Bailey (all-state) lit her rivals up for 32 goals (19 assists) while teammate Cammy Niepomnik added another 16 and 10 to fuel an attack that bagged 85 goals last season. "We return several starters and some younger players that are ready to step up, so the hope is to start off the season strong and continue to improve throughout the season," said coach Mike Castronova.
LIBERTYVILLE
Coach: Daniel De Paz (3rd year).
Last year: 18-3-2 (7-0-1, 1st, NSC, 3A state third place).
Top returning players: Seniors Kate Hopma (GK), Erin Kelly (D), Molly Koch (F-MF), Maddy Kopola (D); junior Shannon Phillips (MF-D); sophomore Shea Krakowski (MF).
New players to watch: Juniors Gianna Amidei (D), Sydney Dulak (MF).
Outlook: What a year the Wildcats had last spring. After claiming their postseason treble: regional, sectional and supersectional titles, Daniel DePaz and his staff led their club into the last weekend of the season where they collected a third place state trophy, and seventh in program history. "Scoring could be a question after losing Ellie Rebman (Lake County All-Area captain, 21 goals, UW-Milwaukee) but I believe we will be a pretty solid team all throughout each position," said De Paz, whose club conceded just one goal in league play and boasts four Division 1 recruits, plus another headed to NAIA on his roster.
MUNDELEIN
Coach: Alix McArthur (1st year).
Last year: 16-9-1 (2-4-1, 6th, NSC).
Top returning players: Seniors Abby Rounds (GK), Ashley Strachn (F), Mikaela Sosa (D).
New players to watch: Sophomores Dayanara Aguilera, Maika Loerakker; freshman Carlie Bestler.
Outlook: Alix McArthur takes over for Seong Ha, boys assistant at Glenbrook North, and the new girls assistant at Buffalo Grove after serving as an assistant for Ha, who together led the Mustangs to a very successful 2023 campaign. "Our conference has plenty of top players, but our veteran players are doing a great job leading and supporting our younger players," said McArthur, who starred at Hinsdale Central and Illinois State University. Senior Abby Rounds earned all-sectional honors a year ago.
ROUND LAKE
Coach: Victor Rico (3rd year).
Last year: 7-12-1 (2-4-1, 6th, NLCC).
Top returning players: Seniors Annabelle Perry (MF), Ari Gonzalez (F-MF); sophomore Alexa Vega (MF).
New players to watch: Junior Lisette Herrera (D); freshman Fernanda Sotelo (MF).
Outlook: Coaches around the league rave about the Panthers senior MF Annabelle Perry, who earned all-sectional honors a year ago, and will be someone coach Victor Rico will lean on to run his attack. "Our strength is the maturity of our team which will help us as we've installed a new system," said Rico.
STEVENSON
Coach: Jay Bulev (2nd year).
Last year: 14-6-1 (5-1-1, 2nd, NSC).
Top returning players: Senior Ellie Egeland (F), junior Sami An (F); sophomore Annie Egeland (D).
New players to watch: Seniors Ashley Liang (MF), Chloe Robinson (D).
Outlook: The Patriots aim to stay the course in their bid to claim the top prize in the NSC after falling just short a year ago to Libertyville. "Our front-line attackers are all back this year, as well as a very strong group of defenders," said coach Jay Bulev, who will need to overhaul his midfield after graduation losses. Bulev does have one of the premier forwards in Maryland-bound Ellie Egeland (18 goals) who earned all-state honors last spring. Egeland's younger sister (Annie) is a first class defender.
VERNON HILLS
Coach: Cory Smith (2nd year).
Last year: 5-12-1 (1-4-0, 5th, CSL-North).
Top returning players: Seniors Carly Sides (GK), Ava Lukyan (MF); junior Frankie Poulos (MF).
New players to watch: Junior Sophie Ackerman (MF).
Outlook: Back for his second year in charge of the Vernon Hills program, Cory Smith will lean on a couple of returning players who hope to keep the Cougars in the hunt for the top spot in the CSL North, which has been dominated of late by Deerfield. "We have a strong keeper (Carly Sides) and we're disciplined along the back, but we'll need to be more creative in our attack and better in the final third," said Smith.
WARREN
Coach: Ryan McCabe (12th year).
Last year: 10-6-3 (4-2-1, 4th, NSC).
Top returning players: Juniors Addison Stanciak (F), Maya Martinek (D), Sofia Ogren (MF); sophomore Kate Mondejar (MF).
New players to watch: Freshmen Kimberly White (MF), Elise Weidemann (MF).
Outlook: That Ryan McCabe lists just four returning players as juniors and a sophomore is telling in just how young his club was last year while still managing a 10-win season against a meaty schedule. "We have a strong core returning from last year, so the hope is we hit the ground running this spring as we've added some young talented players who will help bring our intensity and level of play up this year," said McCabe, who has a top-flight player in the all-state junior Addison Stanciak.
WAUCONDA
Coach: Beau Shogren (9th year).
Last year: 6-5-3 (4-2-1, 4th, NLCC).
Top returning players: Seniors Sophie Kloss (D), Lilianna Schmidt (GK); juniors Haley Kirchwehm (MF), Emma Wisniewski (F).
New players to watch: Junior Ava Hortillosa (MF); freshmen Isabelle Gerle (MF), Meagan Gerle (MF), Claire Zimmerman (F).
Outlook: Beau Shogren is thankful for a group of seniors who last year provided the type of leadership and work ethic needed, and have since carried on to the collegiate level where four have continued to play. "Last year our seniors did a great job of filling in where needed them most. But in doing so, it forced several to play out of position," said the Bulldogs coach. "This year, with our new faces, along with a strong group of returning players, I am excited to see if we play a more compelling style of soccer, which should produce more goals for us," added Shogren, who lists six freshmen to his roster.