Lake County All-Area girls soccer
Nicole Allen | Mundelein
While Allen was in goal, there were plenty of records being broken.Over four years, Allen had a .73 goals-against average and was .87 this spring in 23 games. She had 10 shutouts this year, and over her career an amazing 66 shutouts. "She was one who took charge of the whole team," Mundelein coach Dave Ekstrom said. "She was like having a coach on the field. It made my job easier." Allen led by vocally and by her obvious example-setting in the goal. "She positions herself very well for shots," Ekstrom said. "She takes on the angles and makes the routine saves."
Kelsey Armour | Warren
Sometimes you could see Armour - and sometimes you couldn't. Armour was just that good on the ball. "An outstanding midfielder," Warren coach Jeff Knouse said. "She's just a playmaker with tremendous skills and great field vision. She made our offense go." Armour managed 7 goals and 7 assists, and at times she showed a higher gear than the players around her. "There's not too many players with better technical ability," Knouse said. "She one who's an above average player."
Jamie Babetch | Libertyville
Over the last three years, Babetch has improved on the defensive side of the ball. Babetch helped out the Wildcats to 6 shutouts for a successful season. "She's been able to take her game to another level this year," Libertyville coach Scott Schinto said. "I wish there was some kind of statistic that could prove how tenacious of a defender she really was. She played every minute in every game." Babetch meant everything to the Wildcats' success. "She was the foundation to our team. "Schinto said. "She has tremendous field sense, God-given ability defending, does exceptionally well on one-v-one situations. She's not afraid of contact, nor will shy away from any 50/50 balls."
Alyssa Baker | Lakes
Baker wasn't always easy to see as she led Lakes' defense? "An extraordinairy and outstanding athlete," Lakes coach Kevin Kullby said. "She would pick off passes and had a way of organizing the defense. Just a great leader, rock-solid attitude and never wavered." Baker was a big part of leading the Eagles on their Class 2A playoff run. "She was as steady as a soccer player you'd want to be," Kullby said. "She reads the game very well and you don't have to worry about anything when she's out there."
Kassidy Brown | Carmel
Brown was the one the Corsairs could count on for consistent scoring. "She provided the bulk of our scoring and assists," said Carmel coach John Halloran, whose leading scorer had 18 goals and 12 assists in 20 games. "Definitely a nice target player for us." Brown already made a verbal commitment to the University of Illinois, despite having another year of high school ahead of her. "Big difference over the last two years," Halloran said. "She's growing into more of a leader. Physically, she's playing stronger and learning how to take the knocks. Just one player who's being assertive and getting better."
Kim Carroll | Mundelein
For the second straight year, Carroll led the Mustangs in scoring, this time with 12 goals and 7 assists. Carroll led the Mundelein offensive attack in many ways. "A very technical player with a high work rate," Mundelein coach Dave Ekstrom said, "She's a tireless worker, when she got the ball, things started to happen for us. She was one who never stopped running."
Ashley Chernich | Lakes
Her quickness didn't hurt - nor did Chernich's booming shot. Always on target, her goals tended to come in bunches. "She's got great speed in the open field," Lakes coach Kevin Kullby said. "Around the box, her shot was very hard, keeping goalkeepers off balance and making her shot difficult to save." Chernich scored 16 goals and had 5 assists to lead leading the Eagles. "She's a very effective front-runner," Kullby said. "She had quality hard shots and found ways to score."
Hailey Chmela | Lake Zurich
Chmela emerged as a scoring threat (15 goals and 4 assists) and a midfielder Lake Zurich could depend on. "She played bigger than her small frame (5-foot-2), Lake Zurich coach Meaghan Kolze said. "She worked her tail off challenging everything." But that there was mork than just grit to Chmela's game. "She was good at everything from corner kicks to free kicks and had a real good shot. She was so unselfish at times where she wouldn't show her good shots."
Lauren Clatch | Vernon Hills
Staying ahead of the game and seeing it better than others, Clatch showed true leadership. "She led by example and scored a lot of our goals," Vernon Hills coach Vince DeLuca said. "A smart kid, reads the field very well - sometimes too well. Sometimes she puts the ball where others don't see it." Clatch scored 12 goals and assisted on 6 others for the North Suburban Prairie Division champion. "She would never get down," DeLuca said. "She respects and helps others on or off the field." Clatch is expected to be playing in the fall at Washington University in St. Louis.
Taylor Connington | Stevenson
For two years at sweeper, Connington has played more like a senior. 'She shows leadership and athleticism," Stevenson coach Mark Schartner said. "She just excelled in every game and loved to compete." Connington was a big part of Stevenson's defensive success as the Patriots allowed only 6 goals in 19 games. "Not one to do anything wrong," Schartner said. "A bit of a perfectionist and a soccer junkie, a real student of the game. She was never out of position and always in the right place."
Mallory Feece | Vernon Hills
Being dependable and hard working, Feece answered the challenge, game in and game out. "She did all the dirty work for us," Vernon Hills coach Vince DeLuca said. "A great midfielder and great leader. An unselfish player and we won a lot of games with her." Feece had 8 goals and 3 assists and will take her talents to Division I Louisiana Tech next fall. "She knew what to do out there," DeLuca said. "She was a solid player all four years."
Lindsay Goad | Warren
Experience paid off for this four-year starter. Goad stood strong in the back, and it was hard for the Blue Devils' foes to get by her. "Our top defender," Warren coach Jeff Knouse said. "She definitely grew this year and had a bigger leadership role than in the past." Goad managed her best efforts defensively and starting the offensive attack. "She had an outstanding work ethic on the ball," Knouse said. "She always marked the other teams' best players."
Katrina Holm | Antioch
Playing defense was OK, but moving up front was a big kick for Holm, who scored 16 goals and 5 assists. "She was the main attack for the offense," Antioch coach Hannah Drye said. "She was a big part of our scoring with 70 percent of our offense. It was my idea, because we were not getting many shots during the first 5 games." Holm had strength in the back and used those skills while playing forward. "A very aggressive player and put a lot of pressure up top. She's very fast and took away balls from defenders. She made other teams' defenders worry about her, and it opened up other opportunities to other players."
Megan LeBaron | Grayslake Central
LeBaron's all-around play meant a lot to the Rams. LeBaron, a three-year starter, provided the strength needed whether leading the offense or helping back defensively. "She was a big, strong player for us," Grayslake Central coach Mike McCaulou said. "She'll definitely be one to be missed. She had more experience than anyone, and for a youth player showed composure on the ball that is tough to teach. She just plays at a high level." LeBaron led the Rams with 13 goals and 7 assists. She will also play at the next level in the fall at Division I SIU-Edwardsville.
Courtney Levy | Stevenson
Levy's consistent efforts and results make her the choice for honorary all-area team captain status. "I'd never question her decision making," Stevenson coach Mark Schartner said. "She's a terrific all-around athlete for us." Levy had great statistics all season, but her efforts stood up against the top-notch teams Stevenson faced all season long.
Carly Manso | Vernon Hills
The Cougars' leading scorer was also among the leaders in Lake County scoring. Manso was easy to spot in her green shoes, but not so easy for defenders to deter. "An excellent job handling things as a freshman," Vernon Hills coach Vince DeLuca said. "She was a tough kid. Every time with the ball, she would be double or triple-teamed." Manso shrugged everything off and still managed to score 18 goals with 6 assists. "She lived up to the billing," DeLuca said. "For a freshman, it was a fantastic season."
Elese Merkovsky | Grayslake North
Moving back from midfield to defense turned out to be the Knights' best move with Merkovsky. "Everything about her was leadership," Grayslake North coach Adam DeCaluwe said. "She found ways to succeed and make the team better." Grayslake North had its best year, reaching 7 wins after just two in the first two seasons, and of its 13 losses, 6 of them were by 1 goal. "She helped our other freshmen in the back and showed them how to play."
Maddie Ogrinc | Carmel
After playing midfield the last couple years, Ogrinc moved to center back and it made a huge difference for the Corsairs. "We had to rebuild our back line," Carmel coach John Halloran said. "She was a major part of our success." Carmel had a 16-4 record and allowed 11 goals in 20 games on its way to a share of the East Suburban Catholic Conference title. "The biggest thing was her vocal leadership," Halloran said. "She kept the back line organized. She sacrificed for the team, going from an attacking position to the back. She did it for the good of the team."
Aimee Prudhomme | Wauconda
There was just no stopping Prudhomme, who was always on the go. "She was an offensive threat for us," Wauconda coach Terry Stevig said. "She provided the leadership for a young team and showed the desire to win. She was a hard worker and loved the game." Prudhomme will be taking her soccer talents next fall playing soccer at Ripon College in Wisconson.
Michelle Rowley | Mundelein
An all-state player, Rowley stood out for her outstanding defensive skills - but there were other key facets to her game. "She's tremendous in the air and has the most powerful kicks with both feet," Mundelein coach Dave Ekstrom said. "A strong aggressive player and one of the best over the years. Strong on 50/50 challenges and great one-v-one as a defender." Rowley, a four-year starter on defense, showed the ability to move forward, too. She scored 6 goals, mostly on headers, and had 3 assists. "She was dangerous on dead balls, head balls and free kicks," said Ekstrom.
Jenna Schiller | Stevenson
Outside defenders usually get overlooked, but not Schiller with her work ethic. "So much better for us this year," Stevenson coach Mark Schartner said. "She had so much more confidence from Day 1, and was a great leader. I'm not sure where she found the strength with both feet, but she was physically better." Schiller's hard work will take her to Judson College next fall.
Kelly Schoen | Carmel
Defense meant a lot for Schoen over her four years. In her final season, she earned honors as senior athlete of the year at Carmel. "It's hard to say enough of her," Carmel coach John Halloran said. "She's been the foundation of the defense over the last three years, including this year. She'll be an awfully hard player to replace." Add in durability too, Schoen competed in 70 consecutive games for the Corsairs. "You really don't know she's out there," Halloran said. "A lot of things you don't see in what she's doing, because she does it so well. She provides cover for the other players."
Sarah Stauner | Lake Zurich
It's no surprise where you'd find Stauner this season. "Up front," Lake Zurich coach Meaghan Kolze said. "Just a tireless worker for us, a leader on the field and a communicator. She just did the little things to make the offense work." Stauner provided 7 goals and 4 assists on the Bears' attack. "She didn't score many goals," Kolze said. "Both other teams noticed her, and she was one always attracting a lot of attention. She opened up opportunities for others."
Haley Walton | Libertyville
A strength for the Wildcats was in the midfield with one of two seemingly interchangeable parts. Haley Walton was a key to the Cats' ability against top-notch foes. "She was a solid technician on the field," Libertyville coach Scott Schinto said. "She had tremendous field vision, which spoke for itself and for those who saw her play. She was the most unselfish player I've seen in years." Haley Walton's expectations went far above many others. "She had the ability to find seams in other teams' defenses and made penetrating passes when the opportunity arose.
Hannah Walton | Libertyville
Another main part of the Wildcats' superb midfield, Hannah Walton's solid play was a key to Libertyville's success. "She is by far the most technically solid player on our team," Libertyville coach Scott Schinto said. "She has a knack of making the big play in critical situations. Every team we've played had to pay close attention to her." Hannah Walton had the skills and used them to lead by example. "She was technically solid," Schinto said. "She created tremendous opportunities and struck the ball well with both feet."
<div class="infoBox"> <h1>All-Area Teams</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Cook County</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=298406"><B>Softball</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298405">Softball captain: Nikki Goranson</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298398"><B>Baseball</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298397">Baseball captain: Jon Carlson</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298403"><B>Girls soccer</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298402">Soccer captains: Laura Mayer, Mary Kubiuk</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298401"><B>Boys volleyball</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298400">Volleyball captain: Chris Falknor</a></li> </ul> <h2>DuPage County</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=298388"><B>Softball</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298392">Softball captain: Hannah Santora</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298388"><B>Baseball</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298582">Baseball captain: Jack DeAno</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298391"><B>Girls soccer</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298394">Soccer captain: Leah Fortune</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298390"><B>Boys volleyball</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298393">Volleyball captain: Joe Kelly</a></li> </ul> <h2>Fox Valley</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=298676"><B>Softball</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298362">Softball captain: Kimberly Pierce</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298660"><B>Baseball</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298356">Baseball co-captain: Brian Brauer</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298355">Baseball co-captain: Craig Lipp</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298658"><B>Girls soccer</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298361">Soccer captain: Cori Wronski</a></li> </ul> <h2>Lake County</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=298410"><B>Softball</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298408">Softball captain: Olivia Duehr</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298407"><B>Baseball</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298396">Baseball captain: Chas Evans</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298404"><B>Girls soccer</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298409">Soccer captain: Courtney Levy</a></li> </ul> <h2>Tri-Cities</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=298385"><B>Softball</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298379">Softball captain:Stephanie Becker</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298383"><B>Baseball</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298380">Baseball captain: Matt Milroy</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298382"><B>Girls soccer</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298378">Soccer captain: Emily Hinchman</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>