Girls soccer: Scouting Cook County
BARRINGTON
Coach: Ryan Stengren (16th year)
Last year: 23-1-2, 10-0-1 (MSL champions, 3A state runners-up)
Top returning players: Seniors Sarah Sarnowski (F), Annie Tarpley (MF-D), Roos Van Roekel (D), Kaitlin Taylor (MF), Maddy Ziebarth (MF); juniors Megan Holland (GK), Piper Lucier (F); sophomore Jazzy Fertig (D).
New players to watch: Freshmen Maddie Martin-Johnston (MF), Gabby Masterson (MF-D), Aybree Sanchez (D-F).
Outlook: On his way to his 300th career victory in just 15 seasons, Ryan Stengren guided the Fillies to their 11th consecutive MSL title, his seventh state trophy, and a heartbreaking loss in the 3A state final to O'Fallon. From that club, Stengren lost four starters including the two-time all-state, and 2023 Daily Herald All-Area captain Brooke Brown (Cornell University) plus four-year star defender Ellie Sanchez, now playing at North Dakota State. "We graduated nine all together, and we'll be really young along the back. Fortunately we have Roos (Van Roekel) back who is playing at a very high level right now," said Stengren. “Sarah Sarnowski (24 goals, 15 assists) and Piper Lucier (15 goals, 18 assists) up top are back, plus Megan Holland (all-state keeper) but replacing Brooke in the middle, getting healthy and finding a way to maximize our potential with so many new players is the challenge ahead for us. Plus Fremd is looking like the team to beat this year."
BUFFALO GROVE
Coach: Pat Dudle (18th year)
Last year: 5-8-1, 4-7-1 (3rd, MSL East)
Top returning players: Seniors Emily Aparicio (GK), Taylore Camel (F), Olivia Larkowski (F); sophomore Brooke Wells (MF)
New players to watch: Freshmen Lauren Fink (D), Amanda Kowalski (D)
Outlook: The Bison lost a marvelous player in two-time all-state MF Kora Kipley, who provided box-to-box quality, and an incredible work ethic, who has since gone on to do well on the collegiate level at Western Kentucky. "We hope to lean on our six seniors for guidance and leadership, especially during our early games which will tell us what we'll need to focus on in training," said coach Pat Dudle, who with eight freshmen on his roster looks to see his club playing its best soccer come May.
CONANT
Coach: Jeff Melone (1st year)
Last year: 8-6-1, 6-4-1 (3rd, MSL West)
Top returning players: Seniors Sophie Dobrincu (F), Amani Urban (D), Megan Ferengul (MF); juniors Claire Husnick (D), Reese Staniak (D), Olivia Hagler (D)
New players to watch: Junior Brianna Serna (M-F); freshmen Vivian Brand (F), Gabby Coyne (MF), Annabel Danso (GK)
Outlook: Former Conant star and long-time assistant Jeff Melone takes over for Jason Franco, who will now be in charge of the boys program only next fall. Melone inherits plenty of quality despite the loss of his superb all-state keeper, Sydney Litney, now playing at Bates College in Lewiston, Maine. "We have a nice group of returning players (10) which includes our entire backline, one of the top scorers in the league (Sophie Dobrincu) plus a two-year starter (Megan Ferengul) as our center-mid. We're excited to see what we can accomplish," said Melone.
ELK GROVE
Coach: Gabby Whittinghill (5th year)
Last year: 7-10-1, 4-7-0 (5th, MSL East)
Top returning players: Seniors Ella Duckmann (D), Maggie Maher (F), Kayce Wadas (D); juniors Caroline Hader (MF-F), Mia Jones (MF-F)
New players to watch: Freshmen Idabelle Hoerbert (GK), Taylor Wirtz (D)
Outlook: Lack of scoring still did not prevent the Grens from enjoying their best overall record of late under coach Gabby Whittinghill. She returns five terrific players including the all-MSL duo of Maggie Maher and Kayce Wadas. "Not having Stephany Del Real is a tough loss for us in the midfield, but our strength is having our core group back — so our hope is team chemistry will put us in full swing and ready to go for our first game," says Whittinghill, who was an all-conference, all-sectional player at Maine South during her prep days.
FREMD
Coach: Steve Keller (24th year)
Last year: 17-4-1, 10-0-1) (2nd, MSL West, regional champions)
Top returning players: Seniors Gemma Gillespie (MF-D), Bella Scesniak (D); junior Lily Mayer (F); sophomore Gwen Zimmerman (F)
New players to watch: Senior Natalia Wala (MF); sophomores Gia Gillespie (MF-D), Sophia Kennedy (MF), Sammie Serpico (MF-D)
Outlook: After pushing Barrington all the way in the MSL title race before losing out on a title breaker, and a trip to the annual MSL Soccer Cup, the Vikings look to go one better this spring. Plenty of coaches around the league feel as if this is the year Steve Keller's club can end the hold that Barrington has on the big trophy thanks in part to a pair of brilliant players returning: Gemma Gillespie (all-state) and Gwen Zimmerman, always a threat to score when in the final third. "With most of our first 11 back this season, we should be able to compete for the conference title, and more in the postseason," said Keller, who is closing in on 650 combined career victories while in charge of both programs at Fremd. The Vikings also return a top flight defender in four-year star Bella Scesniak.
HERSEY
Coach: Mike Rusniak (6th year)
Last year: 13-8-1, 8-2-1 (regional champions)
Top returning players: Seniors Abi Beck (F), Faith Sena (MF), Natalie Suto (MF), Finley Wilcox (D); sophomore Gracie Lisota (F)
New faces to watch: Freshmen Grace Balis (D), Emily Barrett (F), Sophia Duski (D), Freya McBride (F)
Outlook: Hersey fans were treated to watching one of the best in the state at her position: Meghan Mrowicki (30 goals, now playing at Notre Dame) who helped lead the Huskies to a postseason success until eventual 3A third place Libertyville ended the season in sectional play. "We have a strong group back, with some skilled new players who if they continue to develop like we know they can will be a part of a group that is very competitive and cohesive, and looking to have a successful season," said coach Mike Rusniak, who has super soph Gracie Lisota (20 goals) ready to cause plenty of trouble of top once again.
HOFFMAN ESTATES
Coach: Mary Dansdill (3rd year)
Last year: 3-12-0, 1-10-0 (6th MSL West)
Top returning players: Seniors Mallory Anderson (MF), Natasha Navarro (F), Katie Paskiewicz (MF), Madison Garcia (D), Izzy Troyer (D), Bella Castillo (GK); junior Bella Wehrle (MF)
New players to watch: Freshman Erin Troyer (D)
Outlook: Mary Dansdill believes, for several reasons, that brighter times are ahead for her club. "We return a very strong group from last year. Our senior class has now been playing together for four years, so they bring plenty of experience and leadership to our team. We will rely on that experience to control the middle, and we are focused on creating more chances in the final third."
LEYDEN
Coach: Jim Rossetti (3rd year)
Last year: 9-11-1, 2-4-0 (4th, West Suburban Gold)
Top returning players: Senior Jasmin Ambrocio (D); junior Tereza Cerna (F); sophomore Ximena Magana (MF)
New players to watch: Junior Jamie Agulia (F-GK); freshman Helena Czyz (MF)
Outlook: Jim Rossetti continues to do a marvelous job keeping his club competitive on a nightly basis in a division in which Downers Grove South and Morton always seem to refresh its rosters with talent. "We will be more athletic and deeper across the board, but we'll need to replace two starters from last year's back four," said Rossetti, who returns all-conference defender (Ambrocio) and his best player, all-sectional forward Terenza Cerna.
MAINE SOUTH
Coach: J.J. Crawford (27th year)
Last year: 7-8-4, 0-4-1 (5th, CSL South)
Top returning players: Senior Sophia Yates (MF); juniors Katie Barker (MF), Ava Kontuly (D), Kelsey Rouse (D)
New players to watch: Senior Hannah Pererson (GK); junior Delia Garcia (D); freshman Lila Kontuly (F)
Outlook: If the CSL South is not the best division in this half of the state, it must be close to the best, and that's where J.J. Crawford and his Maine South club reside. "There are far too many great players in our conference to even begin to list,“ said Crawford, who along with New Trier head coach Jim Burnside have been in charge of their collective programs longer than any others in the league. New Trier and Glenbrook South appear to be the favorites ahead of Evanston and Glenbrook North, but Crawford points to the experience many of his players gained from a year ago with junior Katie Barker his best back.
MAINE WEST
Coach: Jeff Bishop (11th year)
Last year: 7-8-3, 3-1-1 (2nd, CSL North)
Top returning players: Senior Yanet Conde (F); juniors Giselle Cazares (D), Monica Wieczorek (MF); sophomore Natalia Vivar (MF)
New players to watch: Juniors Mariela Nava (MF), Jessica Perez (F); sophomore Mariana Espinoza (MF)
Outlook: Of the 11 who graduated, eight were starters, including the entire backline, three of which were named all-CSL North. "We also lost our leading goal scorer, and starting keeper, so we'll be young, and rebuilding, but where we lack experience and depth, what we do have is a lot of desire, intensity and a group of players who are hungry and want to compete," said coach Jeff Bishop.
PALATINE
Coach: Aaron Morris (2nd year)
Last year: 6-13-0, 3-8-0 (5th, MSL West)
Top returning players: Seniors Gretchen Kiesler (D), Kate Latek (GK); junior Ava Milan (MF); sophomore Jolee Waddington (F)
New players to watch: Freshmen Joclyn Bonilla (MF), Ilianna Hernandez (MF), Emily Sondergaard (F)
Outlook: After leading his men's team in the fall to a MSL title, Aaron Morris will look to use that success to inspire his club this spring which features a nice blend of youth and experience. "We have an exciting group of freshmen eager to leave their mark along with players who have been on the varsity for a while which makes for a great group with high character, who I believe will represent our school and community quite well," says Morris.
PROSPECT
Coach: Mike Andrews (1st year)
Last year: 13-3-3, 7-2-2 (2nd, MSL East)
Top returning players: Seniors Abby Davis (MF), Julia Valentini (F-D); juniors Courtney Bradbury (F), Sarah Bradbury (GK)
New players to watch: Senior Ella Sommers (MF); sophomore Sienna Murray (D); freshman Addison Coval (D)
Outlook: Long-time boys coach Mike Andrews takes over for Tom Froats following his retirement after 21 terrific years in charge of the program. "We certainly graduated some amazing players, but captains Abby Davis and Julia Valentini are both highly motivated in their final year here to take this team as far as we can go," said Andrews of his two all-MSL players.
ROLLING MEADOWS
Coach: Mike Drenth (13th year)
Last year: 5-8-2, 5-6-0 (4th, MSL East)
Top returning players: Seniors Chiara Divito (MF-F), Michaela Jackman (MF); sophomore Eve Kakavetsis (MF)
New players to watch: Freshmen Maddie Johnston (MF), Payton Ullrick (D)
Outlook: The Mustangs overcame a slow start to the 2023 campaign by going undefeated in five consecutive games, four of which were shutouts, to earn a well deserved fourth place finish in its division. "We are replacing our two center-backs, and we have a freshman keeper so we'll have to be at our best in the middle and up top during the early part of the season," said coach Mike Drenth.
SCHAUMBURG
Coach: Tracy Serafini (1st year)
Last year: 8-8-1, 5-6-0 (3rd, MSL West)
Top returning players: Senior Emily Carlos (D); juniors Caroline Chalberg (F), Sophia Dietz (GK), Sam Iller (D-MF).
New players to watch: Senior Jorie Carr (D); sophomore Katelynn Valdes (D); freshman Alanis Rivera-Cervoni (MF).
Outlook: The Saxons at one time were 1-5-0 in league play before winning its next four to earn fourth place in a division which featured state powers Barrington and Fremd. It was a fitting ending to the dean of MSL coaches Greg Charvat who was in charge of the program since 1994, and at one time coaching Tracy (Gleixner) Serafini who takes over after a long gig as the assistant to Charvat. "We lost a lot of leadership due to those who graduated, but I'm happy with the way our juniors have stepped into that role — and with quite a bit of experience defensively in front of our veteran keeper (Sophia Dietz) who can lead out of the back," said Serafini, who is still the all-time Schaumburg goal leader (72).
ST. VIATOR
Coach: Byron DeLeon (3rd year)
Last year: 13-11-0, 5-2-0 (3rd, ESCC)
Top returning players: Seniors Seniors Taylor Bracket (F), Allie Konopka (F), Megan McLaughlin (D); juniors Monica Correa (MF), Kyli Ziebka (GK)
New players to watch: Junior Maggie Drake (MF); freshman Frannie Drake (D)
Outlook: Byron DeLeon returns a solid group including the all-ESCC duo of Monica Correa and Megan McLaughlin. The Lions, and the rest of the league, will chase favorite Benet Academy for the top spot. "Overall we have a well balanced team that will be led by our upperclassmen who will help our younger girls to play the Viator way on the field," said DeLeon.
WHEELING
Coach: Kevin Lennon (3rd year)
Last year: 0-16-0, 0-11-0 (6th, MSL East)
Top returning players: Senior Suly Hernandez (MF); juniors Scarlette Patricio (D), Nicole Schreiner (MF), Mia Waszczak (D)
New players to watch: Junior Melissa Ballesteros (F); freshman Krystal Diaz (MF)
Outlook: The Wildcats program continues to make progress despite the record thanks to coach Kevin Lennon, who remains optimistic in advance of the new season. "While we've struggled in recent years, this group has committed themselves to working hard, doing things the correct way and improving each and every day," said Lennon. "Nicole Schreiner is a tireless worker, Scarlette Patricio is a talented defender, and Krystal Diaz will be a terrific addition to our midfield."