The DuPage County Girls Soccer All-Area Team
Sarah Avery, Naperville Central
As a senior and four-year starter for the Redhawks, Avery was as selfless as a player as one could find, playing wherever needed, including at outside defender, where the only thing that slowed her was a bum ankle. The all-DuPage Valley Conference, all-sectional selection helped the Redhawks win a regional title. "Her ability to create offense from defense and her strength in the air will serve her well as she continues her playing career at Northern Illinois," coach Ed Watson said.
Alyssa Bombacino, Neuqua Valley
A fixture on our All-Area team, this senior and Marquette recruit was added to our squad for the third time. The two-time all-state honoree was named All-America by the United Soccer Coaches and became just the second player in school history to be named all-DuPage Valley Conference all four years. She led the team with 12 goals and also had 6 assists for the co-DVC champions. "Alyssa is an outstanding athlete and dynamic player with an attacking mindset," coach Joe Moreau said. "Her tactical knowledge is impressive and she possesses solid technical skill."
Katelynn Buescher, Naperville North
Coach Steve Goletz calls her one of the best midfielders in the state. "She is a true two-way midfielder that controls the middle of the field with her relentless work rate and ability to win first and second balls," he said. She scored 14 goals and added 7 assists, earning all-state and all-DuPage Valley Conference honors while helping the Huskies finish third in the state in Class 3A.
Faith Davies, Glenbard East
Coach Kent Overbey considers Davies to be the most athletic keeper to ever play at Glenbard East. "The combination of her size and mobility are unmatched in the high school game," he said. "Her athleticism and determination with help her excel at UIC." Davies was recognized for her efforts with all-sectional and all-Upstate Eight Valley accolades while helping win conference and regional titles as well as 16 games this spring.
Maria Dohse, Wheaton Warrenville South
Steady, consistent and persistent, this junior did everything she could to shut down opponents and allow the Tigers to battle for all 80 minutes. "She plays her role with courage and confidence and her focus is never wavered," Tigers coach Guy Callipari said. "Maria is constantly calculating, anticipating and executing both defensively and in transition." An all-sectional selection, Dohse also scored her first two goals this season.
Shaina Dudas, Naperville North
A four-year starter and Illinois State recruit, Dudas has been outstanding all season long as a wide forward. "Her ability to go 1v1 and not only score goals (11) but also set up her teammates with the team lead in assists (12) helped this team (take third place in the state)," Huskies coach Steve Goletz said. She earned all-DuPage Valley Conference and all-sectional accolades.
Erin Flynn, Benet
The East Suburban Catholic Conference Offensive Player of the Year scored nine times and had 13 assists in leading the Redwings to a sectional title. "Erin generated a lot of our attack from the outside with her ability to glide past defenders 1v1," coach Gerard Oconer said. The four-year starter received all-sectional and all-conference accolades. She will play at Washington University in St. Louis.
Katie Hansen, Glenbard East
This senior leader was the definitive backbone of the defense for the past four years in Lombard. "She combines great defense with the technical skills to also be dangerous in the offensive third," coach Kent Overbey said. An all-state selection, Hansen led the program to three straight Upstate Eight Valley championships, another three consecutive regional championships and a third-place finish in Class 3A in 2016. She will play at Montana.
Mary Kate Hansen, Benet
Defense isn't as pretty as rewatch-worthy goals, but without it Benet would not have won a school-record 20 games. This junior center back was at the heart of that defense that earned 16 shutouts and had a 0.68 goals against average. "Her competitive fire and aggressiveness on the field helped her to win a lot of 50-50 challenges and cover up for our other defenders," coach Gerard Oconer said. Hansen received all-sectional and all-East Suburban Catholic Conference honors and scored 4 goals and had 2 assists.
Maddie Hausmann, Naperville North
She joined the Huskies after focusing on club soccer the past few years and immediately made a huge impact. "Maddie has been a rock between the posts for us this season," coach Steve Goletz said. "Her ability to command the box and make the outstanding save look easy all season long has helped lead a fantastic group. Hausmann and her teammates posted 17 shutouts. The senior will take her skills to Loyola Chicago.
Erin McCarthy, Neuqua Valley
Good luck in trying to score against the Wildcats with this ultracompetitive junior on the field. She led her team in earning 11 shutouts. "She has a great battling mentality and she simply doesn't get beat," coach Joe Moreau said. "Her versatility and strong skill set have made her an extremely valuable player for us." An all-DuPage Valley Conference and all-sectional selection, McCarthy also scored 4 goals and has committed to play at Lipscomb.
Kennedy Metzger, Waubonsie Valley
After scoring 16 goals, including 7 game-winners as a junior, the target was on this senior's back this spring, but it didn't slow her in the least. She finished with 13 goals and 8 assists for the Warriors (13-5-3) and earned all-state accolades. Metzger didn't go more than two games without at least a goal or an assist. She's committed to play at Ball State.
Paige Miller, Wheaton Warrenville South
This year's All-Area captain and all-state selection was the key reason why the Tigers were in the mix in the DuPage Valley Conference. This junior scored in every game she played in the PepsiCo and finished the spring with 13 goals and 11 assists while primarily playing as an outside midfielder. "She's the type of player that brings everyone to the edge of their seat with the expectation that something impactful is about to transpire," coach Guy Callipari said.
Kendra Pasquale, St. Francis
The combination of speed, power and vision that this senior possesses made her one of the top scorers in the state. "She's not only a fantastic player, she's a terrific kid that works hard in practice and is selfless," coach Jim Winslow said. The Illinois recruit and Girls Catholic Athletic Conference Player of the Year helped the Spartans win the Class 2A title, finishing with 19 goals and 12 assists.
Maddie Redeker, Naperville Central
It was an up-and-down spring for the Redhawks (11-13-1), but they finished strongly and win a regional title thanks to some timely big plays from this senior. "She has great instincts for the game and is a fearless competitor," coach Ed Watson said. Redeker finished with 5 goals and 2 assists. The senior will continue playing at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
Maeve Riordan, Metea Valley
The Mustangs won their fifth straight regional title and this senior showed her teammates how to get things done with a work ethic that was second to none. "Maeve is one of the hardest-working players I have ever coached," coach Chris Whaley said. "She has a nose for the goal and helps inspire her teammates with the energy that she plays with every game and practice." The Illinois recruit scored 10 goals and added 9 assists this season.
Hannah Rittenhouse, St. Francis
This Iowa recruit still has another year left for the Spartans, which is great news for her teammates and coach Jim Winslow, while opponents would've had no problem if the junior could've found a way to graduate early. Scored 24 goals and added 8 assists in helping St. Francis win the Class 2A championship, where she scored a hat trick. "Hannah is a handful, a true target player," Winslow said.
Sophia Senese, Metea Valley
Minutes after seeing her senior season end with a loss in a sectional semifinal, Senese showed unparalleled maturity, keeping her head high knowing that the effort was fully there but the desired result was not as she spoke with the local media. "She is the heart and soul of the team," coach Chris Whaley said. "She plays with passion and is a natural leader. Her field awareness and ability to control the midfield with instrumental to our success." Senese had 8 goals and 7 assists.
Abby Swanson, Downers Grove North
Named as an all-state player for the second consecutive year, this senior helped the Trojans to their first state trophy last spring and to a sectional title this year. "Abby has spearheaded our offense the past two seasons," coach Brian Papa said. "Our team went as Abby went. She will be a hard piece of our success to replace." Swanson had 21 goals and 8 assists and is committed to Loyola Chicago.
Erin Teevans, Wheaton Academy
She may only be 5-foot-2, but her contributions for the Warriors have been anything but small. Teevans scored 26 goals and had 16 assists this spring to push her totals to 91 and 66. "Erin is an unbelievable talent with great speed and goal-scoring ability," coach Jeff Brooke said. "She is a dynamic and creative forward who knows the game and plays it the right way." The all-sectional selection and Metro Suburban Conference MVP will play at Taylor University.
Honorable mention
Allie Anderson, jr., Wheaton Warrenville South; Megan Benmore, sr., Naperville North; Maggie Bleyer, sr., York; Paige Buranosky, so., Metea Valley; Erin Haslett, so., Glenbard South; Barbie Castellanos, jr., West Chicago; Kate Flynn, so., Benet; Claire Hensley, sr., St. Francis; Abbey Hillman, jr., Naperville Central; Danielle Hopkins, jr., Neuqua Valley; Sophia Lindquist, jr., Wheaton Academy; Hannah Martin, so., Naperville North; Brianna McAloon, sr., Lake Park; Lindsey Novak, jr., Glenbard East; Erin Peck, sr., St. Francis; Jessica Ragucci, sr., Willowbrook; Grace Setter, so., Waubonsie Valley; Jaden Trometer, sr., Wheaton North; Chesney Wargo, sr., Metea Valley; Sarah Young, sr., Waubonsie Valley.