Scouting Lake County girls soccer
Lake Zurich
Coach: Meghan Kolze (first year)
Last year's record: 5-8-9, lost to Hersey in regional final
Top players lost: Kelly Dakarian, Lauren Krzeminski, Mackenzie Ryan, Kate Sanders, Megan Sue, Kate Tarquino (Carroll), Emily Turner, Lauren Witte
Top players returning: Danielle Rowan Sr. D, Hailey Chmela Jr. MF, Stacey Sanders Jr. D, Sarah Stauner Jr. MF, Gina McCoy So. F
Top newcomers: Josie Willman So. D, Allison Zurawski So. D, Maisie Cox Fr. D
Other key players: Jaimie Chartier Sr. D, Maggie Eisenhuth Jr. GK, Brittani Ford Sr. MF, Molly Murrin So. MF, Lindsay Cooley Jr. F, Callie Anderson Sr. MF, Brittany Keating Sr. MF, Jenna Therrien So. D, Sam Nasca Sr. MF. Claire Eisenhuth Sr. MF
Outlook: New coach and new system, but the Bears still have the same high expectations. "We're going to focus on team defense," coach Meghan Kolze said. "We're working on getting wins more than ties. I'm already impressed with the kids learning the new system. It's great dealing with kids knowing how to play soccer."
Libertyville
Coach: Scott Schinto (11th year)
Last year's record: 12-4-2, lost to Carmel in sectional semifinal
Top players lost: Leigha Bystol, Christine McKracken, Caitlin Wagener
Top players returning: Jamie Babetch Sr. D, Haley Walton Sr. MF, Hannah Walton Sr. MF, Michele McCracken Jr. MF/F, Haley Pike So. MF/F.
Top newcomers: Sarah Felgenhauer So. D/MF, Katrina Savatic So. MF/F, Jessica Faber Fr. MF/F
Other key players: Meghan Buhrman Sr. D/MF, Jen DiVincenzo Sr. MF/F, Mo O'Connor Sr. D/MF, Mackenzie Jaroch Jr. MF/F, Allie Rober So. D/MF, Maka Stewart Jr. D, Christina Sickert Jr. MF/F, Claire Kakenmaster Jr. D/MF, Katherine Swift So. D/MF, Erin Waehner Sr. GK, Anna Pollema Sr. GK.
Outlook: The Wildcats return numerous players and should be strong again. "We're looking for success," coach Scott Schinto said. "I'm not sure how you measure it with wins and losses. We're taking things one step at a time, one foot in front of another and trying to do the things we're expected to do."
Mundelein
Coach: Dave Ekstrom (21st year)
Last year's record: 17-3-4, lost to Carmel in sectional final
Top players lost: Lindsey Benedeck, Courtney Bestler, Nicole Greenwood, Lacey Michelau, Kayla Siebert
Top players returning: Nicole Allen Sr. GK, Kim Carroll Sr. F, Jenny Miranda Sr. MF, Michelle Rowley Sr. D
Top newcomers: Lisie Garza Jr. D, Kelsey Heigel Fr. F, Molly Rohan Jr. F
Other key players: Melanie Swager So. GK, Abbey Ekstrom So. MF, Aarika Cancelli So. D, Sarah Bassett So. D, Alia Munley So. MF, Gabby Will So. MF, Molly Burke So. MF, Nathalie So. D, Ashley Begrowicz So. F
Outlook: The Mustangs would like to keep the success going. They've added more competition to their schedule. "We're looking for the younger players to mesh with the older players," coach Dave Ekstrom said. "Expect us to have a good season with a lot of challenges ahead of us."
Stevenson
Coach: Mark Schartner (15th year)
Last year's record: 11-6-1, lost to Crystal Lake South in regional final
Top players lost: Stephanie DiZonno, Jessica Gilstrap (transferred to Carmel) Colleen Grady, Ali Hall (club), Tegan Michl, Kelly Moran, Laura Schroeder, Katie White
Top players returning: Courtney Levy Sr. GK, Jenna Schiller Sr. D, Taylor Connington So. D
Top newcomers: Jackie Wynn Jr. MF, Katie Krejsa Fr. F, Olivia Whalen Fr. F
Other key players: Lizzie Sanscrainte So. GK, Alison Bottner Jr. D, Shana Manning Sr. MF, Allison Kluvers So. MF, Austin Gregorcy So. MF, Marlee Luskin Jr. MF, Liz Gutierrez, Christine Gregory So. MF, Jo Jo Kurth Jr. MF, Emily Niedermayer Jr. D, Missy Halinski Jr. MF, Nicole Sodomire Jr. F, Liz Vlahos So. MF, Lindsay Onysio So. D
Outlook: The Patriots have one their youngest teams. But they have some plenty of talent. "We don't have expectations now, except for them to play hard every minute," coach Mark Schartner said. "This group is learning so fast and they're like sponges. They're coachable and they have experience."
Warren
Coach: Jeff Knouse (sixth year)
Last year's record: 8-13-2, lost to Carmel in regional final
Top players lost: Sarah Bruketta, Natalia Jovanovic (club), Laura Martin, Chelsea Youngberg
Top players returning: Lindsay Goad Sr. D, Maddie Wilson Sr. D, Kerry Eddy Jr. MF, Kelsey Armour Jr. MF, Kelsey Taylor Jr. F.
Top newcomers: Jackie Luka So. MF, Kirstin Taylor Jr. D
Other key players: Amanda Macuiba Fr. GK, Sarah Musick Jr. F, Kim O'Leary Sr. D, Maria Montero Sr. D, Mariah Lewis So. MF, Suzi Milie Jr. D, Karina Hoppe Sr. D, Megan Kilroy Sr. GK, Annie Jepson Sr. MF, Rachel Boraca So. D.
Outlook: The Blue Devils are trying to improve on last season's 8 wins and are confident they can do it. "This group works hard and for each other," coach Jeff Knouse said. "We have some experience coming back that should work well with some of the younger players. We have some quality players back again this year."
NORTH SUBURBAN PRAIRIE
Antioch
Coach: Hannah Drye (first year)
Last year's record: 11-5-2, lost to Richmond-Burton in regional semifinals
Top players lost: Yasmine Bessette, Tamra Davila, Kalli Krumpos (Georgetown, field hockey), Christina Kwilosz (Aurora), Kariann Lazansky, Kia Miller, Suzie O'Connor (DePaul), Tori Tognarelli, Jen Zak
Top players returning: Molly Brooke Sr. MF, Katie Budd Sr. GK, Katrina Holm Sr. D, Jenna Krumpos Sr. D
Top newcomers: Lauren Tiffany So. D, Erica Soack Fr. MF
Other key players: Heather Hawkins Sr MF/F, Alisa Walizer Jr. MF, Jimena Brito Sr. D, Mallory Fracek So. MF/F, Rachel Mohr So. D, Melissa Spooner So. F, Sara Knupp Jr. MF, Julia Applegren So. MF/F, Erica Slack Fr. MF, Nicole Kelly So. MF/F, Cassie Breisen So. D, Emily Schuler So. D
Outlook: New coach, many new players. "We've got a lot of room to grow," coach Hannah Drye said. "Our group is young, they want to learn and want to learn the system. It's fun to see the seniors show leadership on the field."
Grant
Coach: Mike Kennedy (fourth year)
Last year's record: 3-11-1, lost to Libertyville in regional semifinals
Top players lost: Autumn Gaylor (Lakeland), Martyna Kulawiu (Lewis), Shannon Korecky (Robert Morris), Mary Roath (Milwaukee School of Engineering)
Top players returning: Becca Sage Sr. D, Sarah Scurto Sr. MF, Roberta Avilez Jr. GK, Michelle Gizowskie Jr. GK/MF, Hope Lantz Jr. F
Top newcomers: Kassie Stimpson Fr.
Other key players: Trisha Palmieri So. MF, Rebecca White So. MF, Samantha Pecorini Jr. MF, Briana Miller Fr., Shelby Stuparits Fr., Ashley Flores So., Karen O'Campo Jr., Gina Holzman Sr., Gina Cellucci Sr., Janine Fiordirosa Sr., Kenra Kazmaier Sr.
Outlook: The Bulldogs have several players back who could help them improve as the season progresses. "It might look like we have a veteran team due to the number of seniors but we are really young and very inexperienced," coach Mike Kennedy said. "We will have to see how hard these girls work during the season."
Lakes
Coach: Kevin Kullby (fourth year)
Last year's record: 13-9-1, lost to Mundelein in regional final
Top players lost: Sophie Khawaja (College of Lake County), Jennifer Mason, Jessica Schroeder (Rockford College), Alex Neal (club)
Top players returning: Alyssa Baker Jr. D, Sarah Bartlett Jr. D, Ashley Chernich Jr. F, Brittany Mooney Jr. MF, Kristina Umlauf Jr. D
Top newcomers: Michelle Kosmen Jr. F, Ashley Neubeck So. F, Kate Mason Fr. D
Other key players: Sarah Fitzpatrick So. GK, Meghan Mulloy Sr. F, Emily Mason So. MF, Rebecca Hill So. MF, Jessica David Jr. MF, Megan Frisby So. D, Sarah Steffen Jr. D, Ashley Downing Fr. MF, Ann-Marie Brugioni So. F, Jenna Baker Fr. MF, Leah Baker Fr. MF
Outlook: The Eagles are without all-sectional player Alex Neal, who's playing club this year, but have other players ready to step forward. "We do have more experience coming back," coach Kevin Kullby said. "I'm very encouraged about what we have this year and should look good on the field."
Round Lake
Coach: Mike Hruska (fifth year)
Last year's record: 2-12, lost to Zion-Benton in regional quarterfinal
Top players lost: Luba Vitek.
Top players returning: Angie Carey Jr. GK, Kristin Lambert Jr. MF, Veronica Salgado Jr. D, Haley Vaughn Jr. MF, April Barroso So. F
Top newcomers: Bianca Duna Fr. MF, Claudia Nunez Fr. D, Sidney Rose Fr. D
Other key players: Claudia Martinez So. MF/F, Ashley Carney Jr. MF, Karen Ramirez Jr. MF, Mayra Salgado Jr. F, Kassandra Tellez So. D, Yesenia Rios Jr. MF/F, Kassy Ortiz Jr. MF, Katie Trujillo Fr. F, Emily Beane So. F, Jasmin Huerta Fr. MF/F
Outlook: The Panthers return with a young group hungry to improve. "We're a young team, but we have some players with a soccer background," coach Mike Hruska said. "We're looking for more wins and being more competitive this year."
Vernon Hills
Coach: Vince DeLuca (seventh year)
Last year's record: 8-9-7, lost to Lake Forest in regional semifinal
Top players lost: Haley Bosco, Amy Burton, Sam Mead, Kelly Nagle, Liz Shapiro
Top players returning: Lauren Clatch Sr. F, Mallory Feece (Louisiana Tech) Sr. MF, Lexi Hernandez Sr. F, Jessica Feece Jr. MF, Brigid Walsh Jr. D
Top newcomers: Iris Ostrovsky Fr. GK, Carly Manso Fr. F, Julie Pecht Fr. MF
Other key players: Kathyn Redig So. D, Jenny Manhard Jr. MF, Rachael Clatch So. D, Raquel Roos Jr. MF, Kara Sage Fr. MF, Nancy Lee Jr. D, Alex Goldstein Fr. MF, Taylor LaLuzerne Sr. D, Sam Duros So. MF, Stephanie Pecht Jr. D, Brooke Mahrenholz Sr. F, Maya McLain So. MF
Outlook: The Cougars are pawing at the opportunity to get better this season. "We lost a bit to graduation, but we've got the players to rebuild," coach Vince DeLuca said. "We're expecting to be a strong team. We even set up a stronger schedule for this group. We'll see better competition."
Wauconda
Coach: Terry Stevig (15th year)
Last year's record: 12-6-2, lost to Hersey in regional semifinals
Top players lost: Margaret Cook, Alyssa Boisvert, Alexa Gebelhoff, Amanda Gertz, Jess Hellweg (Adams), Kaitlyn Llewellyn (Wagner), Jaclyn Schumann (Truman)
Top players returning: Becky Breakfield Sr. GK, Haley Dorsey Sr. D, Aimee Prudhomme Sr. MF/F, Christina Durante Jr. MF, Tammy Ellis So. MF
Top newcomers: Emily Baird So. D, Melanie Prudhomme So. MF/F, Hannah Voyta So. F
Other key players: Shannon Gilbert So. D, Allison Effort Sr. MF, Becky Wimer Sr. D, Alicia Knight Fr. MF, Ahissa Bustos Fr. .MF/F, Laura Roncal Fr. D, Karissa Gonzalez So. MF, Laura Bustos Jr. D, Cara Leoni Fr. GK, Megan Rhode Fr. F, Lauren Guzman So. D/MF, Kellie Gaspers Sr. D
Outlook: This could be a rebuilding year for the Bulldogs. "We will be really young this season," coach Terry Stevig said. "We should have a hardworking team. We should get better as the season progresses."
EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLIC
Carmel Catholic
Coach: John Halloran (sixth year)
Last year's record: 22-2, lost to Downers Grove South in overtime in Elite Eight
Top players lost: Amie Bauer, Nikki Boland (St. Ambrose), Brooke Bowes, Caitlin Duffy, Deanna LaPenta, Sara Petermann, Maria Sapienza, Julie Schaser, Lisa Schostok, Stephanie Swanson, Kiersten Trillhaase, Emily Tripicchio
Top players returning: Maddie Ogrinc Sr. D, Liz Perrenot Sr. D, Kelly Schoen Sr. D, Kassidy Brown Jr. F, Lauren Lehman
Top newcomers: Lauren Bowles So. MF, Leah Einarsen Jr. MF, Jessica Gilstrap (transfer from Stevenson) Jr. D/MF
Other key players: Alex Hauser Sr. MF/F, Justine Pomierski Sr. MF, Maddie Allen Jr. GK, Maureen Thompson Jr. MF, Helen Wagner So. MF, Shannon Kouba So. D, Shannon Jung Fr. D, Jackie Janssen Fr. MF, Caitlin Jung Fr. D, Nicole Granato Fr. GK
Outlook: The Corsairs lost 12 players and 7 starters from its best team in school history. However, they still have a number of players back. "We do have a number of newcomers," coach John Halloran said. "We've been pretty productive for the last three weeks and we've got a lot of young talent. We're still going to have high expectations."
FOX VALLEY FOX
Grayslake Central
Coach: Mike McCaulou (seventh year)
Last year's record: 11-9-1, lost to Libertyville in regional final
Top players lost: Brianna Anderson, Rachel Culp, Erin Fitzsimmons (Dubuque), Megan Metzler (Dubuque)
Top players returning: Melissa Kuehl Sr. MF, Megan LeBaron Sr. MF, Stephanie Swearingen Sr. D, Kat Dickson So. GK, Kelly Jay So. F
Top newcomers: Taylor Battaglia So. MF, Kelsey Skutnick So. F, Brooke Swearingen So. MF
Other key players: Molly DiGregorio Sr. D, Lindsey May Jr. D, Allison Mitchell So. D, Maggie Klees Jr. GK, Lauren Labello So. MF, Morganne Taylor So. MF, Sarah Burnett Sr. F, Brittany Gibson Sr. F, Meaghan Daly Sr MF
Outlook: The Rams will have a deeper team this season with a number of returning players. "Our goal is to capture a division championship and win a regional," coach Mike McCaulou said. "I expect us to have more production scoring. We're still a young teams with a number of seniors."
Grayslake North
Coach: Adam DeCaluwe (third year)
Last year's record: 1-17-1, lost to Grayslake Central in regional semifinals
Top players lost: Ashley Besler, Jackie Staszczak, Sara Wimmer
Top players returning: Elese Merkovsky Sr. MF, Alyssa Smith Sr. MF/F, Haley Stojak Sr. D/MF, Chloe Basa Sr. D
Top newcomers: Allie Ceglarek Fr. MF/F, Katie McGrath Fr. D, Maggie Stojak Fr. MF
Other key players: Mariah Hanna Sr. D, Areli Lopez Sr. MF, Taylor York Sr. F, Megan McHugh Jr. D/MF, Lainey Pasternak Jr. MF/F, Alyssa Soulis Jr. M/F, Danielle Wohlfeil Jr. D/MF, Kim Shurtliff So. MF/F, Tatum Stam So. D, Melissa Hohensee Fr. MF, Katie Lahera Fr. D, Hannah Mitchem Fr. D.
Outlook: The Knights are building for the future, which could be very bright. "We should be quite improved," coach Adam DeCaluwe said. "We're gaining a lot of soccer experience as a program. The group coming has soccer players with experience and soccer competition. We should be adding more depth."