Girls lacrosse: Scouting DuPage and Fox area teams
The Benet girls lacrosse team is filled with hope for another banner season.
The Redwings (17-6) had a schedule full of talented teams last season, advancing to the sectional championship game.
The Redwings are loaded with talent this season. Seniors Shannon Earley, an all-stater who committed to Notre Dame, is joined by Madeline Jensen, another all-stater slated to play for Michigan next season, and Dagny Tombaugh. All three players were all-sectional performers last season. Junior Gigi Kurelko, a second-team all-state selection is committed to Cincinnati.
“We bring back our top two scorers, as well as a seasoned attack, midfield and goal keeper,” Benet coach Amanda Kammes said. “We look to compete for a state title this season.”
Hinsdale Central is filled with returning talented players to make some noise this spring.
The Red Devils are led by senior attackers Parker Matthews and Daphne Venetsanopolous, who are both three-year varsity players and were named offensive captains. Senior defenders Chloe Vande Lune and Regan Torsberg are also three-year starters and captains, while junior goalie Makenna Schultz, a University of New Hampshire recruit, is one of the top players in the state.
The Red Devils also will lean on Logan O-Connor, Peyton Moncrief, McCall Brzozowski and Demetra Gatzulis this spring.
Naperville North might need a few games to sort things out after losing 12 seniors from last season’s DuPage Valley Conference title team that lost in the sectional semifinals to Downers Grove co-op. The good news is six starters return, sparked by senior captain Samantha Muller.
“I’m encouraged at our depth and consistency in our program this year,” Naperville North coach Jessica Hogan said. “The girls have a lot of field sense and IQ, which makes our attack more flexible with how we approach each opponent and allows more fluidity across positions on the field. This should be a very fun and exciting season.”
Glenbard West (9-9) returns 60 percent of its goal scoring and starters from last season, according to coach Jerry Considine.
“The team will be led by three returning all-conference players in Kate Groszek, Sam Moorehead and Cecilia Brosdal, who accounted for half of our goals last season,” he said.
St. Charles East/North co-op (11-6) is slated to rely on a strong upperclassmen contingent that includes all-state honorable mention senior Katherine Erickson along with seniors Mia Hoppes and Ella Duffin.
“We’re excited for this upcoming season,” St. Charles East coach Jordyn McFarlane said.
Metea Valley/Waubonsie Valley co-op compiled a 9-7 record last season but returns the bulk of the team that lost to St. Charles East in the sectional semifinals. Cincinnati recruit Bella Kerr, a second-team all-stater, and Connecticut recruit Sofia Zieml, also a second-team all-stater, headline the returnees.
“We are also led by returning seniors Bridget Seago, Jordyn Rotolo, Lindsey Gerdis, Emma Lindsay and Ce-Ce Oakes,” coach Robert Woolwine said.
Burlington Central returns a mix of veterans and newcomers this season, led by Victoria Zielinski, Sophia Arnold, Zoe Westra and newcomer Lilly Kratz.
“The anticipation is high,” Burlington Central coach Dominic Pearson said. “The energy and dedication of the team are palpable as we gear up for our first season as a varsity team.”
The D300 Storm co-op, which consists of several players across different schools, including Hampshire, Dundee-Crown and Jacobs, is led by Samantha Devens, Sabrina Barret, Kyra Thebault and Teagan Van Stone.
“We are eager to have our experienced players show-out this season and put a final stamp on what has been an incredible career for many of these girls,” coach Nicole Mergens said.