Girls soccer: Scouting the Fox Valley
Bartlett HawksCoach: Ben Beary (second year)
Conference: Upstate Eight Valley
2014 record: 11-10-1 (1-5)
Top returning athletes: Mariela Alba (Jr., M), Sarah Jurek (So., M), Josie Dombrowski (Sr., M-F), Melissa Gal (Sr., D), Shannon Brohan (Sr., D).
Season outlook: It will be tough to replace Kendra Videckis' scoring prowess (18 goals) from last year's team, let alone Amanda Lozada's toughness in goal, but that's the task at hand. "We have nine returning starters but two huge losses," Beary said. "Clearly we need people to step up." Three that can are Alba, Jurek and Josie Dombrowski, and you can add Noesen to that list as well. Alba (5 goals, 3 assists) returns to the midfield as Bartlett's top returning scorer whereas Jurek will see a more expanded role on offense after scoring 2 goals and dishing 5 assists in 2014. Gal (Concordia) and Brohan (Winona State) and Jamie Kenna return to help form the Hawks' defensive front that will also feature Noesen and Shelly Lyjak. That group allowed less goal than the 2013 team. "I expect us to be better based on balance," said Beary, who would be disappointed if the Hawks didn't improve. "This is a very tight knit group with a larger until of juniors and seniors who have three to four years of varsity experience." Speaking of that, according to Beary there's some mystery to his incoming freshman class and there's a possibility of contribution.
Burlington Central RocketsCoach: Jess Arneson (first year)
Conference: Big Northern East
2014 record: 11-8-2 (7-2-1)
Top returning athletes: Ashley Ahrens (Sr., D/M), Jess Marchetti (Sr., D/M), Franki Marchetti (Sr., D/M), Miranda Coombs (Sr., D/M), Julia Petsche (Sr., D/M), Cassi Ciganek (Sr., D/M), Abbi Ciganek (So., GK).
Top newcomers: Jordan King (Fr., M/F), Megan Majewski (Fr., M/F), Elizabeth Gousios (Fr., M).
Season outlook: The Rockets have their third coach in as many years, but with a soccer pedigree such as Arneson's (played at Naperville Central (2009) and four years at Trinity International (2013) as an outside mid), she believes the inconsistency can squashed on Rocket Hill in her first head coaching position. "It's definitely bit of a building year because there has been a ton of inconsistency," said Arneson. "What I am looking to put into the team is team bonding, especially because I have a lot of seniors and a lot of freshman and really nothing in between so it's going to be matching those two together." Possession, mainly in the senior-laden back line will be key in a 4-3-2-1 formation as well as winning 50/50 balls, but as the seniors have the defense covered, it's up to the freshman to score an don't be too surprised to see King, Majewski and Gousios leading the Rockets in points after it lost its 2 best players to graduation in Cali Andrew (17 goals, 8 assists, all-area selection) and Alyssa Messina (15 goals and 6 assists). "For the most part I'm stacking my offense with freshman, we have a lot of freshman on the front line," said Arneson. "Most of the seniors are my solid back line, it's probably going to be up to the freshman whether or not they want to start scoring goals." Ahrens, the Marchetti sisters and Coombs will patrol matters in front of keeper Abbi Ciganek, who posted 3 shutouts and allowed 15 goals in 2014. The midfield poses strength with King and Majewski also joining Cassi Ciganek, who scored 6 goals and 4 assists, as well as other interchangeable players.
Cary-Grove TrojansCoach: Ray Krystal (ninth year)
Conference: Fox Valley Valley
2014 record: 10-7-1
Top returning athletes: Candace Cunningham (Sr., D), Emma Baker (Sr., F) Jenni Phillips (Sr., M), Emily Petersen (Sr., M), Genna Sobieszczyk (Jr., F)
Top newcomers: Emma McCarthy (Sr., M)
Season outlook: Coach Krystal's Trojans will have ample opportunity to step up and assume important rules again like last season but no role was more important last year than Sobieszczyk, who was a Daily Herald All-Area selection because of her versatility. She totaled 8 goals and 6 assists in 2014 and brings the energy C-G's looking for. "There is a great enthusiasm, and we are developing a competitive environment," Krystal said. "Our strengths this season will be developed by our need to compete against teammates and be prepared for the tough competition from conference opponents."
CL South Gators Coach: Jay Mueller (second year)
Conference: FVC Valley
2014 record: 13-4-4 (5-1); lost to Huntley in regional championship
Top returning athletes: Alyssa Gaede (Sr., D), Rebecca Mayber (Sr., D), Taylor Mraz (Sr., M), Jaclyn Przybylski (Sr., GK), Nicki Ryan (Sr., D), Kimmy Sulikowski (Sr., F), Jenna Ross (So., D).
Season outlook: The defending FVC Valley champs have a lot coming back, including 6 seniors and all-area/all-FVC selectee Sulikowski, who scored 10 goals and had 4 assists. But the Gator trademark will be defense, spearheaded by Ross, an all-conference freshman last year. Ryan, Gaede and Mayber will help try to rekindle the 14 shutouts that stymied the FVC (only 6 goals allowed in a loss to Prairie Ridge) while Przybylski cleans things up at the cage once again. "Our defense should be very strong again with three out of four starters and our GK returning," Mueller said. "Having had a season to play together they should be more comfortable with each other than they were at the beginning of last season." Maintaining their defense will be one thing and help with come from the midfield as well. But a balanced attack in the final third against the competitive FVC teams will be another thing for the Gators, who return a strong core. Sulikowski will be the main threat, but along with Mraz and others, a balanced approach should give the Gators' offense what it needs. "No one player will dominate the game for us," said Mueller. "But along with Kimmy we have a number of girls who are capable of scoring. We just need to improve on our finishing over last year when we get our chances."
Dundee-Crown Chargers Coach: Sebastian Falinski (eighth year)
Conference: FVC Valley
2014 record: 3-10-3, 1-5
Top returning athletes: Payton De Luga (Sr., D/M), Alyssa Moreno (Jr., F), Paige Gieseke (So., D), Alexis Lewis (Sr., M), Krystal Meraz (Sr., M).
Top newcomers: Jasmine Ramirez (Jr., F), Jennifer Berlet (So., D).
Season outlook: The most significant change for the Chargers this season will see defensive leader De Luga, an IHSSCA honorable mention and all-FVC selection in the midfield to help leading scorer Moreno (5 goals, 2 assists), Meraz (6 assists), Lewis (3 points) and newcomer Ramirez, who has good camaraderie with Moreno on and off the field. "I'm hoping she creates some offensive chances this year and get us involved a little more," Falinski said of DeLuga. The defense returns Gieseke, who's grown almost 4 inches in the offseason and it should be able to hold its own without De Luga, who is interchangeable. Unlike in years past, no freshmen will see varsity action but a youthful team that went 2-3-3 before the conference season seems to be primed with better wisdom. "We have a core group of girls back that bring a lot of varsity experience," Falinski said. "This will hopefully translate into a better balance from offense to defense, good team chemistry and some added depth and experience."
Elgin MaroonsCoach: Alicia Knoll (third year)
Conference: Upstate Eight River
2014 record: 9-10; lost to South Elgin in Class 4A regional championship
Top returning athletes: Hannah Demel (Sr., GK), Laine Kaehler (Jr., D), Nancy Garcia (So., M), Hannah Erickson (So., D/GK).
Top newcomers: Brittany Dazzo (Fr., M), Kylie Graves (Fr., D/M).
Season outlook: Is Elgin soccer back? The way it looks for the Maroons they have what it takes this year to build upon their regional final showing from 2014. Much of that is due to the pipeline of pumping out talent at Memorial Field. Last year it was 5 freshmen led by Garcia and Erickson and this year 5 more freshmen will join the fray, all of whom are all capable of starting and "look terrific" according to Knoll. That includes Graves and the left-footed Dazzo, who looks to be a scoring threat along with potential point leader Garcia. But the main idea at Elgin is to keep it simple and to build upon its No. 2 seed in last year's postseason. "I just want us to keep growing as a team and as a program. That was a main goal when I started a couple of years ago and it (has) slowly but surely," Knoll said. "I really hope to continue to take those steps and become a better team together." It will in the midfield with Graves, a sweeper who knows to make smart plays and where to place the ball according to the Maroons' coach. Dazzo, on the other hand, is a southpaw who makes up for her height at 5-0 in other ways and knows where to place the ball. Don't forget the Maroons like a little defense, too. Erickson will anchor a back line along with Kaehler in front of Demel that can avoid Elgin being a one-year wonder. "One year is not enough, we want to keep growing," said Knoll. "We're gaining some strong players so there's no reason why we can't continue to grow."
Elgin Academy HilltoppersCoach: Kevin Talbot (second year)
Conference: Independent School League
2014 record: 1-11-1
Top returning athletes: Olivia Oberdorf (Jr., M), KZ Plamondon (Sr., F), Maggie Veltri (Sr., D), Emma May (Jr., F/GK), Sophie Borchart (So., D).
Top newcomers: Jessica Martinez (Fr., D), Haley Dulabaum (Fr., D).
Season outlook: The Hilltoppers lost a bulk of their offense with Veronica Clements to graduation and will depend on underclassmen to carry the load "in a big rebuilding process" according to Talbot. "Two-thirds of the team are freshmen and sophomores," he said. Small successes are the key into the building up the program, a goal Talbot put forth last year. He has hope in Veltri and a couple of freshmen defenders, what looks to be their top strength this season. "(We're) pretty decent in the back line, a couple of freshmen who have some experience," Talbot said of Martinez and Dulabaum. "If we can get the ball to the attacking players we have a chance to get some attack." Those players looking to pick up the scoring load include Oberdorf, Plamodon and May, who filled in goal last year and was a part of a state doubles tennis team in the fall. The team seems to play better together than last year's unit but getting over the inexperience will be the key, Talbot said.
Hampshire Whip-PursCoach: Sara O'Toole (second year)
Conference: FVC Fox
2014 record: 4-13-1 (1-5)
Top returning athletes: Meghan McIntyre (So., M), Miah Thompson (Jr., F), Laurie Kochanski (Sr., M), Catie Kochanski (Jr., M), McCall Rafferty (Jr., D), Alexa Panagakos (Jr., D).
Top newcomers: Marissa Bessner (Fr., F).
Season outlook: The Whip-Purs come in with a more experienced team as the underclassmen from last year put their invaluable varsity experience to the test. But Hampshire's emphasis in the early going will be fundamentals. "We're starting with the basics this year, making sure everyone's got those things down," O'Toole said in reference to the skills and knowledge of the game. "That we're more ready to handling the ball better than we have in the past. We're working on those basic fundamentals so we're not getting tripped up by those little mistakes." Hampshire aspires to be a top contender in regionals and to do that the Whip-Purs will need to pick up the scoring. The Kochanski sisters will be looking for the net along with Bessnar, who must fill the void from the graduated Lexi Maze. Defensively, Rafferty and Panagakos should anchor a defensive backfield that has been showing great strides in the offseason. "We have lost some players from last year and have gained some young players but they are a strong, hardworking group of young ladies," the second-year coach said. "Being one of the smaller schools brings us our challenges but with the girls' hard work and focusing on the basics we hope to overcome those obstacles this year."
Harvest Christian Lions Coach: Jason Acres (second year)
Conference: Northeastern Athletic
2014 record: 10-7; lost to Westminster Christian in regional semifinal
Top returning athletes: Morgan Lockwood (Sr., F), Alex Rayappa (Sr., D), Lilli Abbatacola (Sr., M), Ellie Burzlaff (Jr., F).
Top newcomers: Amanda Moore (Fr., M/F), Holly Colclasure (Fr., M), Taylor Keeran (Fr., M), Clair Schoepke (Fr., D).
Season outlook: The defending Northeastern Athletic Conference champs return two all-area and all-conference forwards in Lockwood and Burzlaff, who combined for 28 goals and 15 assists in 2014 while all-conference defender Rayappa solidifies the backfield. All three will lead by example since Harvest has 11 freshmen coming up. "Depending on how our underclassmen fit in and are able to see what kind of things they'll be able to carry on their shoulders, I think that'll determine what Morgan, Ellie and Alex will have to feel weight-wise," said Acres. "Everybody knows who (Lockwood and Burzlaff) are now, and everybody will be gunning for those three for sure and putting a lot more pressure on Morgan and Ellie." One of those freshmen that looks to join Burzlaff and Lockwood and alleviate pressure on the offensive side is Moore, a club player who Acres notes has great strength, speed, good touch and a good shot. Abbatacola and Ariel Tohme will control things through the midfield, but the group is essentially all new and will be rotating quite a bit. "We have our work cut out for us this season," Acres said. "This is a major part of our growth experience at Harvest Christian."
Huntley Red Raiders Coach: Kris Grabner (12th year, 178-61-11)
Conference: FVC Valley
2014 record: 19-6, (4-2); lost to St. Charles East in Class 4A supersectional
Top returning athletes: Deanna Hecht (Sr., F), Katie Constantino (Sr., M), Alyssa Kaufman (Sr., F), Taryn Jakubowski (Jr., M), Autumn Maraviglia (Jr., D).
Top newcomers: Bri Wilder (Jr., M), Abby Ryan (So., F).
Season outlook: The Red Raiders' supersectional squad from last year graduated a total of nine players to the collegiate level, including three starting defenders but opposing defenses are going to have to solve the problem of Jakubowski. Grabner turned the young striker loose last season and asked her to be selfish. In return she tallied 21 goals and 13 assists, good for fourth in the area in points scored (55). What's even scarier for the team's MVP and 2014 offensive player of the year is a new but old sidekick to her technical game in the returning Hecht, who missed most of her junior season to injury but scored 23 goals in 2013 as a sophomore. It will be hard to replace goalkeeper Jessica Galason, defensive player of the year Jenna Hermansen, Rachel Zobott and Abigail Nordeen and Beth Parks to name a few so communication is the key for a relatively newer, but talented group. "I look at us as a new team, we're kind of starting over," said Grabner. "With that we have to build confidence in the girls so that they do communicate. We're building an understanding on the defense and offensive side of the ball that communication has to grow and if it does we're going to be better and better and better." Defensively, Maraviglia (7 goals, 2 assists) will anchor a defense in front of Paige Renkosik and Abbey Brown, two smart, athletic basketball players who will split time in goal and with that, Grabner is confident in replacing Galason (Illinois State). To aid the scoring, Constantino (3 goals and 7 assists) will contribute and Kaufman (8 goals, 7 assists), who according to Grabner has been striking the ball well since the summer, could double last year's output and dent the scoring column. Ryan is another forward that can join in on the fun. "I really feel like the attack is going to be really fluid and it come from a lot of different areas," Grabner said.
Jacobs Golden EaglesCoach: Stephanie Schuck (2nd year)
Conference: FVC Valley
2014 record: 3-13
Top returning athletes: Amanda Pasetes (Sr., M), Talia Surges (Jr., M), Liz Foster (Jr., GK), Heather Hoffmann (So., D).
Top newcomers: Caroline Craig (Jr., D), Maddie Belo (Fr., M), Caitlin Strong (Fr., M)
Season outlook: The Golden Eagles will receive a major boost this spring with Foster back in goal after missing half of the season to a cervical fracture. Before her injury she allowed 19 goals and made 64 saves. "We expect a lot out of her, she's really good at communicating from the back," Schuck said. "She knows where she wants her defenders and I think having somebody back there and trustworthy is a really key part for the team as a whole." Jacobs also returns young, experienced players who received adequate playing time last season and both Pasetes and Surges will strengthen the midfield with their playmaking ability. Cassie Melick (junior) and Bailey Adams (senior) have what it takes to finish at the goal but as Schuck's motto says, "you don't get what you wish for, you get what you work for," and Hoffmann and company on defense are going to have to fight to get the Jacobs attack going. "it's just putting it together with our defense, up to the midfield," Schuck said. "The whole thing needs to be cohesive and the girls are doing a pretty good job working together in that aspect."
St. Edward Green WaveCoach: Tim Brieger (20th year)
Conference: Metro Suburban West
2014 record: 26-3, beat Rockford Lutheran 1-0 for third place at Class 1A state finals
Top returning athletes: Chelsea Gnan (Sr., F), Casey Gredzieleski (Sr., D), Kathleen Duffy (Sr., D), Meagan Kearney (Sr., M), Paige Dykstra (Sr., GK), Olivia Kochanek (Sr., M), Ashley Lopez (Jr., M), Cecilia Kochanek (So., M).
Top newcomers: Ava Matsas (So., F), Taylor Gredzieleski (Fr., D), Bella Uscila (Fr., F), Madison Knott (Fr., F).
Season outlook: The Green Wave found itself 28 seconds away from the Class 1A state championship game last May but due to a bad call walked away instead with a third-place trophy. One of the most decorative groups in school history graduated, which included Allison Kruk, the Wave's all-time leading goal scorer (66), Corey Lepoudre, Monica Ramirez, Emily Witt, Alex Zeller and their 76 goals and 65 assists. But the Wave is primed for another deep run in the state playoffs and leading them will be Gnan, who scored 33 goals and led the Wave last season. She's second all-time in goals scored (57), just 9 back of Kruk. Joining Gnan will be a trio of freshmen up top and they should benefit from the experienced Kearney and the Kochanek sisters in the midfield. In fact, seven starters return, eight if you include Olivia Kochanek, who missed all but the first 3 weeks of the season due to injury. "While we may not light up the scoreboard at a record pace like we did last year, we have the potential to be finding the back of the net consistently by the end of the season," Brieger said. "Anytime you have a striker like Gnan, goals will come. It is how quickly the new girls step up and learn to play with Chelsea that will determine how much we score." And that's where St. Edward's patented defense will come in. Four of the five starters return from a defense that allowed 9 goals the entire season and helped Dysktra post 23 shutouts including Duffy and Casey Gredzieleski while sister Taylor Gredzieleski looks to fill the shoes of Witt. "I feel our defense will be our strength early … three of the four back, with Duffy as a four-year starter, her leadership will be huge," Brieger said. "The return of Olivia Kochanek from injury will help take pressure off Kearney in the middle and let her use her speed." Taylor Gredzieleski will allow the Wave to bookend Duffy with two strong, smart defenders according to Brieger.
South Elgin Storm Coach: Tiffany Disher (ninth year)
Conference: UEC Valley
2014 record: 13-6-2, lost to Rockford Harlem in Class 4A sectional semifinals
Top returning athletes: Weronika Noyszewski (Sr., D/M), Jourdan Valkner (Sr., GK), Delaney Kelleher (Sr., M/F), Alyssa Shipon (Sr., M), Corrine Hildebrandt (Jr., D), Alena Ignatev (Jr., M), Ella Struwing (So., M/F), Missy Greco (So., M), Arielle Walters (So., D/M).
Season outlook: The Storm made history in 2014 with the program's first regional title and the goal in 2015 seems to be no different. "Now that they've won a regional their hopes are for a sectional and some of their hopes are making it to state," Disher said. "They know that they're capable of playing further in the postseason." They'll do it without three graduated all-area players - Anna Tracy, Caitlin Lange and Savanah Uveges - but a more rounded team than in past years will have the Winona State-bound Valkner, a four-year starter, between the pipes for one last go and her fortress of defenders goes eight-deep according to Disher. "I think the strength of our team is our defense once again with Noyszewski, Walters, Hildebrandt all holding strong back there," said Disher, who has balance throughout each class. "We have nine new girls coming onto the team that are all talented, putting them into the mix and adding new dynamics and new scoring opportunities." Don't be too surprised if the defensive Noyszewski gets in on some goals. She's worked on her shooting and ball control in the offseason and may see time in the midfield but it'll be a mystery to see exactly where the points will come from on a given night. "I definitely think that makes us more of a threat because they never know where it's coming from and neither do we," said Disher. "A few defenders (are) anxious to get up in the midfield and start scoring."
Streamwood SabresCoach: Matt Polovin (14th year)
Conference: UEC River
2014 record: 7-13-3 (1-5)
Top returning athletes: Tawny Carroll (Sr., F), Christian Corona (Jr., D), Stephanie Corona (Jr., D), Karina Naverez (Jr., F), Shonali Pierce (So., F), Alondra Blanco (So., M)
Top newcomers: Kaila Ford (Fr., F), Alex Bonilla (Fr., D), Esmeralda Navarro (Fr., D).
Season outlook: The Sabres look to bounce back after a subpar 2014 campaign with all-area selection, the Drake-bound Carroll (28 goals, 17 assists) back for her senior year to burn the Millennium Field turf one more time. The striker will be aided by the improving Blanco in the midfield, who scored 10 goals and 10 assists last year as a freshman and has grown in size since then. "Her skill is getting close to off the charts, she's a strong player in the middle," Polovin said. "She distributes the ball very well, doesn't panic as much. Little by little you see her getting better and better and knows she has three girls up top who can all run, especially Tawny." Don't forget Naverez (6 goals, 7 assists) and Pierce (8 goals, 9 assists), who should pad the scoring load for the Sabres, who look to their speed as their strength as always. Inexperience will be in the way, but the three freshmen will be factors. Ford, according to Polovin, looks and plays like a junior. On the defensive side, Bonilla and Navarro will join the Corona sisters on the back line and already are showing they can play. "They're going to be players for us all season long, especially Kaila," said Polovin, who helped lead the Streamwood boys squad to the Class 3A state finals in the fall. "She's a really good, rough-tough, smart soccer player. Technically good but also has a good shot and not afraid to shoot which is nice in a freshman to be able to take those chances from 18-20 yards out routinely. She's definitely going to be fun to watch."
Westminster Christian Warriors Coach: Erik Schwartz (fifth year)
Conference: Northeastern Athletic
2014 record: 10-9-1, lost to St. Edward in regional final
Top returning athletes: Whitney Woodhouse (Sr., M), Lindsey Vanden Bos (Sr., F), Savannah Dutcher (Sr., GK), Allie Tanzillo (Sr., D), Alexa Pederson (So., F).
Top newcomers: Jessie Sutter (Sr., F), Johanna Siers (Fr., D), Mattea Huerta (Fr., M), Emily Lamp (So., M).
Season outlook: The ever-heroic Liz Meschewski era came to an end at Westminster last May but have no fear, Schwartz believes, as a whole the Warriors are better and they have a new game plan. It hinges on two polar opposites in age: senior leadership and freshman eagerness. Woodhouse and the speedy Vanden Bos return to make the offense tick and Dutcher and Tanzillo will try to defend the counterattack but added to that mix are Huerta and Siers, both freshmen who will contribute mightily according to Schwartz. Huerta will take over Meschewski's spot in the midfield but will be more of a distributor whereas Siers will clean up the back on defense. "Mattea looks to cross the ball and get others involved," Schwartz said. "It'll be very interesting to see how it all comes together because she's very fast and crafty, whereas Liz was just strong and shook off left and right. Mattea is the same amount of impact. (She) will be doing the goals; Johanna is going to be doing the dirty work, she's going to be equally important to the success of the team this year." And the Warriors, who ran into the St. Edward buzz saw last season, have high hopes this time around and will put a premium on winning everything out of the air and being aggressive in pursuit of conference and regional titles. "If they worked toward those two things then who knows what they can do," Schwartz said. "They've written it out as their vision."