Scouting Lake County girls soccer
With perennial 3A soccer powers Libertyville, Stevenson and Warren receiving most of the publicity during the course of the season, the 2A teams can be overlooked.
North Suburban Conference stars Sydney Dulak (Libertyville), Reilly Novak (Lake Zurich) and Addison Staniak (Warren) will certainly make their mark this spring.
However, over in their neighboring Northern Lake County Conference, there's the marvelous Grayslake Central talent Dahlia Rodriguez, who earned all-state honors a year ago, and appears ready to turn in another all-state performance for coach Keith Andersson.
"Dahlia is an amazing leader. She leads by example through her work ethic on the field and in the classroom, which helps motivate other players to strive to be better," said Andersson.
Rodriguez, who had a hand in half of the goals Central would score last spring, led a young club to a second-place finish behind league champion Lakes Community.
"We were really young last year, and we will (still) be young once again this season, but we have a great core coming back, and some really good new players which will make this a fun and exciting season for all of us," said Rodrigez.
This four-year veteran has the technical expertise and ability to influence any game at any time, thanks in part to her terrific vision, passing accuracy, pace, two-footed skill and the capacity to create something from nothing in an instant.
Rodriguez plays her club soccer during the offseason on a FC74 team which features two key figures for NSC power Libertyville, Tess McGormley and Shannon Phillips.
There, Rodriguez has bagged 77 goals in her last two seasons, making her an attractive option for the collegiate game in which she is still sorting out her options before making a commitment.
ANTIOCH
Coach: Maddie Lyon (3rd year).
Last year: 6-10-1 (3-4-0, T5, NLCC).
Top returning players: Seniors Kaitlin Baylen (D), (MF), Adelie Gomez (MF), Grace Quirke (MF), Lily Tinker (F); sophomore Scarett Carroll (MF).
New players to watch: Sophomore McKenna Baylen (GK), Natalie Manke (MF); freshman Mackenzie Dordick (F).
Outlook: The Sequoits lost terrific three-year keeper Maddie Barrett; however, they return a pair of all-sectional players in Kaitlin Baylen and Scarlett Carroll to lead the club this season for coach Maddie Lyon. "With a strong core returning, along with some talented young players, this season is shaping up to be an exciting one," said Lyon. "The energy is high, and our team chemistry is already clicking, so if we can keep this type of momentum going, we're in for a competitive and rewarding season."
CARMEL CATHOLIC
Coach: Stephanie Kile (6th year).
Last year: 4-13-3 (2-2-2, T5, ESCC).
Top returning players: Seniors Norah Belmonte (F), Ema Delgado (MF); juniors Maron Bowes (GK), Josie Hartman (D).
New players to watch: Junior Libby Magnone (MF); freshman Mallory O'Leary (D).
Outlook: The Corsairs have lost some marvelous talent of late through graduation, including the former all-state duo of Emily Fix and Anna Hartman. That will make the 2025 club much younger than it has been. "I am excited for the potential this group has, but we will be young, but the energy and excitement is quite contagious, and it's clear everyone is committed to growing together," said coach Stephanie Kile.
GRANT
Coach: Ben Burnit (3rd year)
Last year: 3-15-1 (1-6-0, 7th, NLCC).
Outlook: The Bulldogs were off to a promising start last spring at 3-5-1. Four-year veterans Miah Bustamante (all-NLCC) and Giselle Morales-Cobian have moved on, but the two-time all-NLCC and all-sectional sophomore Ryan Kadlec (MF) is back.
GRAYSLAKE CENTRAL
Coach: Keith Andersson (6th year).
Last year: 6-7-2 (5-2-0, T2nd, NLCC).
Top returning players: Seniors Dahlia Rodriguez (F); junior Ava Henne (MF); sophomores Lila Hartman (F), Peyton Hoffman (D), Karlie Santer (GK).
New players to watch: Sophomore Emma Peterson (F); freshmen Ansley Carlson (F), Tanith Fowler (D), Samantha Guerrier (F).
Outlook: Central has been young for the last couple of seasons. This year no different with the infusion of four underclassmen, to go along with a trio of sophomores who earned plenty of experience a year ago. What the Rams do have is the superb all-state forward Dahlia Rodriguez, who does everything effortlessly, while providing scoring, creativity, and a strong work ethic as well. "(Dahlia) is determined to leave it all out there this year to finish her high school career on a high note, but she is not alone with a young and talented squad anxious to do something special this season," said coach Keith Andersson.
GRAYSLAKE NORTH
Coach: Adam DeCaluwe (19th year).
Last year: 5-14-2 (3-4-0, T5th, NLCC).
Top returning players: Seniors Izzy Ceaser (D-MF, 13g), Ashley Hernandez (F), Bri Pagac (D), Vicky Rodell (F); juniors Rylee Jaramillo (MF), Ellie Sopiarz (D-MF).
New players to watch: Junior Hilary Cabanillas (D), freshmen Katie Burns (MF), Penelope Dirig (D), Sarah Hansen (D), Jenna Marasco (F), Kamila Potrazasaj (D), Chloe Strebel (MF).
Outlook: Adam DeCaluwe has one of the most talented forwards in West Virginia-bound Izzy Ceaser who can bag goals from distance, or in close, while creating chances for others on a regular basis. "We have a good mix of players with experience in several key areas of the field. We'll rely on some younger girls who together are looking to improve our overall game, and turning some of those one-goal losses and draws from a year ago into victories this season," said DeCaluwe.
LAKES COMMUNITY
Coach: Kevin Kullby (20th year).
Last year: 13-6-1 (7-0-0, NLCC champions).
Top returning players: Seniors Ella Sager (D), Michaela Hopkins (MF-F); juniors Raina Schmitt (F, 21 goals), Anya Silber (F-D-MF); sophomore CiCi Hopkins (D).
New players to watch: Freshman Ava Sharp (D).
Outlook: Mia Silber (18g, 18a) and Tessa Smith were key figures in a remarkable four-year NLCC run that saw the Eagles go 24-3-5, with back-to-back league titles, including last spring when the club was a perfect 7-0-0. "Mia was an all-state midfielder who did everything for us (there) and Tessa was a great central defender, so to replace them is near impossible," said Eagles coach Kevin Kullby. "(However) we have Ella Sager, one of the best around at her position as a center-back, plus a terrific goal scorer with Raina Schmitt. We like to believe we'll be among the best in the area at 2A, with a strong challenge from Grayslake Central as well."
LAKE ZURICH
Coach: Mike Castronova (14th year).
Last year: 17-3-3 (4-1-2, 2nd, NSC), lost in sectional final (1-0) to Barrington.
Top returning players: Seniors Erin Bohn (GK), Sawyer Klein (D), Cammy Niepomnik (F), Kate O'Neill (D); sophomore Reilly Novak (F, 21 goals).
New players to watch: Junior Mary Elizabeth Quesinberry (D); sophomore Teryn Gravistin (MF); freshman Sophia Korovilas (MF).
Outlook: Lauren Bailey and Mallory Collins were incredibly important to the team’s success during their three years, particularly the last two, and if not for state power Barrington standing in its way, could have easily advanced twice to the 3A state tournament. Both have since graduated, Bailey after back-to-back All-State honors, however there's plenty of quality back. "We have some seniors returning with a lot of experience, along with some really strong young players that are ready to step-in, and up to help our team," said coach Mike Castronova.
LIBERTYVILLE
Coach: Ian Taylor (1st year).
Last year: 14-5-1 (7-0-0, NSC champions, lost in sectional final (2-1) to Fremd.
Top returning players: Seniors Audrey Amyot (GK), Sydney Dulak (MF), Lily Frantz (F), Tess McGormley (F), Shannon Phillips (D), juniors Shea Krakowski (MF, 21 goals), Meghan O'Donnell (MF); sophomore Lainey Chung (D).
New players to watch: Sophomore Lindy Fang (D); freshmen Danica Meller (F-MF), Ellie McLaughlin (D-MF).
Outlook: The NSC favorites won their third league title in the last four years with a talented roster, many of who have gone on to play in college, but with several back under Ian Taylor, who takes over for Daniel DePaz. "The team is looking very solid, with many returning players, and a large senior class, so we're all excited to get the season started, with the plan to compete deep into the playoffs. We are treating each game as if it's the most important one of the season," said Taylor, whose attack will be run through the marvelous partnership of Dulak and Krakowski in the middle of the park.
MUNDELEIN
Coach: Alix McArthur (2nd year).
Last year: 7-8-5 (2-4-1, 6th, NSC).
Top returning players: Seniors Grace Cordova (MF), Ailani Zires (D); junior Samantha Biesterfeld (MF); sophomore Carlie Bestler (MF).
New players to watch: Sophomores Nora Kay (D), Ariana Zires (MF).
Outlook: Mustangs failure to find the back of the net leading to five shutout losses, while on the other end of things, recording (7) shutouts in front of its terrific keeper Abby Rounds, who has since moved on to play at Winona State. "We return a lot of girls, so the hope is for those players to use the experience they gained to be better, and to (continue) to improve all throughout the year," says coach Alix McArthur, who also lost Natalie Wing, now playing at Bard College in New York.
ROUND LAKE
Coach: Hugo Tellez (1st year).
Last year: 11-7-1 (4-3-0, 4th, NLCC).
Top returning players: Seniors Briseida Colo (F), Carla Garcia (D), Layah Glover (F), Lisette Herrera (D); junior Alexa Vega (MF).
New players to watch: Freshmen Crystal Colo (MF), Analee Deanda (MF), Tanya Munoz (D).
Outlook: The Panthers’ long-time boys head coach Hugo Tellez is now in charge of the girls program, and his first order of business is the tall task of replacing the remarkable scoring talent of Ari Gonzalez (University of St. Francis). In her final year, she bagged 26 goals while adding 15 helpers to be a part of the 61 goals the club would score in 2024. "We have a good core of leaders back with us, and some very good new, young players, so I believe we will surprise a few of our opponents, while looking to contend in the NLCC," said Tellez.
STEVENSON
Coach: Jay Bulev (3rd year).
Last year: 12-5-3 (4-2-0, T3, NSC).
Top returning players: Senior Sami An (F); juniors Grace Harper (D), Emma Mendoza (MF); sophomore Morgan McKelvey (F).
New players to watch: Sophomores Chloe Karagiannis (D), Katelyn Wojdelko (D); freshman Sydney An (F).
Outlook: There wasn't a club in this half of the state that would not want to have a lethal finisher such as Ellie Egeland whose powerful left leg would strike fear in the opposition while providing a steady stream of goals that she took with her to the University of Maryland. The 2024 Daily Herald Lake County All-Area team captain scored 28 a year ago, 63 for her career, and 8 game-winners that will be difficult to replace for coach Jay Bulev. "We lost our top scorer and goal contributor in (Ellie), but our core team has a lot of experience, and should be able to match or exceed our win total from last season," Bulev said.
VERNON HILLS
Coach: Cory Smith (3rd year).
Last year: 11-8-2 (4-1-0, 2nd, CSL-North), regional champions.
Top returning players: Seniors Sophie Ackerman (F), Arielle Gluck (D), Emily Hammond (MF), Frannie Poulos (MF), Alyssa Waitzman (D).
New players to watch: Sophomore Morgan Straza (GK).
Outlook: The combined masterclass efforts of Carly Sides (GK, Northern Michigan University) and three-sport star Ava Lukyan (MF, Kent State) were enough for Cory Smith's club to push eventual 2A state champion to its brink before falling 1-0 in sectional final. "We lost seven starters from a year ago, so we'll build a new identity under the leadership of a very capable senior class," said coach Smith, with Loyola-bound Sophie Ackerman the best of his returning players.
WARREN
Coach: Ryan McCabe (13th year).
Last year: 13-8-1 (4-2-0, T3, NSC).
Top returning players: Seniors Anjelica Amezquita (D), Emma Megerle (GK), Sofia Ogren (MF), Addison Stanciak (F), junior Kate Mondejar (MF).
New players to watch: Sophomores Lizzie Deutsch (MF), Ashlyn Lee (MF); freshman Bri Nunez (F).
Outlook: If you're fortunate enough to have a player such as Addison Stanciak (20 goals/10 assists) in your first 11, chances for success have improved two-fold. The St. Louis University-bound, two-time all-state forward can pry open the best of backlines, and plays with the type of composure and purpose that will bring the rest of her teammates into the attack. "We have a solid core to go along with some talented younger players, so we're eager to get to work, and start coming together as a team," said coach Ryan McCabe.
WAUCONDA
Coach: Beau Shogren (10th year).
Last year: 12-7-1 (5-2-0, T2, NLCC).
Top returning players: Seniors Ava Hortillosa (MF), Haley Kirchwehm (MF); sophomores Kelsey Funkhouser (D), Isabelle Gerle (F), Meagan Gerle (D).
New players to watch: Senior Briseida Mendoza (MF); freshman Jillian Kacinski (F).
Outlook: With just two graduating from his first 11, Beau Shogren feels his 2025 club can be in the mix for a NLCC crown, as well as a long postseason run. "Expectations are pretty high with eight returning seniors, along with four sophomores who played crucial roles for us in every game last year," said Shogren, who can lean on Dubuque University-bound Ava Hortillosa, who can win possession and tackles in the middle of the park, while providing successful passes into the final third, alongside Haley Kirchwehm, who will play at UW-Whitewater in the fall.