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Girls soccer: Streamwood, Bartlett off to strong starts

Streamwood sophomore Natalia Colin scored two more goals Wednesday against Glenbard East, continuing her blistering start to the season.

Colin, who also plays for the U.S. and Mexican national teams, now has 12 goals for the Sabres who are 3-2-1. She also has 3 assists.

"She's definitely the real deal and is so much fun to watch on the field play," Sabres coach Matt Polovin said.

Streamwood also shut out Glenbard North 4-0 and West Aurora 7-0 with Colin scoring three goals in each game.

"The interesting thing about our team this season besides being young is my roster size is literally 14 players," Polovin said. "The smallest it has ever been for me in my career with either boys or girls."

Injuries are a major concern with the small roster and unfortunately Emma Skrgic suffered a hairline fracture in her ankle against Bartlett and will be out two weeks.

Bartlett update:

The Hawks won their first three Upstate Eight games including handing Streamwood its first loss.

Junior midfielder Tessa Evans has been dangerous offensively, according to coach Vince Revak, and scored twice against the Sabres.

"She may have put up 15 shots by herself against Glenbard South, so it was good to see some hit the back of the net," Revak said.

Junior defender Sabrina Fowler, "continues to be a leader who is capable of great defense in back but also has great vision down the field to help offensively," said Revak. She had 2 assists against Streamwood.

Freshman Laney Stark is among the hardest workers on the field, said Revak. She had a 2-goal effort against Glenbard South, and finished one against Streamwood.

Another freshman, Brooke Baumann, scored the only goal in a 1-0 win over Elgin on Wednesday. Senior forward Lauren Kowalski provided the cross in the 73rd minute.

Elgin update:

Despite that 1-0 loss to Bartlett, Alicia Knoll's Maroons are off to their best start in 10 years.

Elgin (5-2-2) only has three seniors but has featured a balanced attack so far. Juniors Evelyn Sanchez (3 goals, 2 assists), Maia Lesniak (2 goals, 3 assists) and Sarah Erickson (1 goal) lead the team by example and heart, Knoll said.

St. Edward update:

It's been a difficult year for the Green Wave, who have lost to Rosary, Timothy Christian and Wheaton Academy with a very small roster.

"We are one of the smaller schools actually fielding a team this spring," coach Tim Brieger said. "With the overlap with volleyball, the pushed back season, some of the girls going basketball-volleyball-soccer with each overlapping and the obvious concerns over COVID, many girls that may have played at local schools aren't."

That means Class A schools like Westminster, Elgin Academy, IMSA, Harvest, Westmont and Bishop McNamara aren't fielding soccer teams.

"Here at St. Edward we are making it work," Brieger said. "Our numbers may be low, but the girls are committed and working hard."

St. Edward has seven freshmen on its 15-player roster. They are mostly playing conference games against public schools with more girls and traditional private powers Wheaton Academy and St. Francis.

"To say I am proud of my girls and our school for not giving up when the odds are against us is an understatement," Brieger said. "Pretty sure we may be the smallest school around still fielding a team in these times."

Jacobs update:

It hasn't been the easiest start for the Golden Eagles (1-3) whose team missed two weeks for quarantine.

When they returned, freshman Lindsay Rebodos scored both goals in a 2-1 win over Hampshire.

Coach Colin Brice's team is looking forward to playing Dundee-Crown next Tuesday. Along with Rebodos, he said senior midfielder Emma Miller has been playing well. Lindsey Cepa will be playing keeper for Aurora University in the fall.

"She (Miller) has done a tremendous job leading our team and keeping us organized and composed on the ball," Brice said.

Geneva update:

The Vikings (5-2) have picked up a couple big wins this spring including 2-1 over St. Charles North and 3-2 over Wheaton North on senior night at Burgess Field.

The win over the North Stars was their first in 10 years. They are doing it with a young team - only four seniors and two are out injured all season (torn ACL and broken bone in ankle). Five freshmen typically start.

"Our chemistry is finally starting to click," coach Megan Owens said. "We are super young. We have beaten some tough teams. We are playing well lately and are missing two starters due to quarantining."

Freshman outside back, Lilly Coats, has been a bright spot.

"She's doing a phenomenal job," Owens said. "She has great technical skill but is also extremely quick and is able to shut down some of the very speedy offensive players we have faced - all while adjusting to a new position. She rarely, if ever, comes off the field for us. Our entire back line has done a great job for us thus far."

Offensively, Rilee Hasegawa is "reeking havoc," Owens said. And freshmen Evyn Schokora scored two goals against Wheaton North.

Batavia update:

Coach Mark Gianfrancesco said the Bulldogs' main goal right now is improving for the postseason. Batavia was 2-6 through its first eight games.

"Ashley Whelpley is performing at a high level and from the eye test in all the games we have played is one of the top if not the top player on the field," Gianfrancesco said.

West Aurora update:

The Blackhawks (3-4-1, 2-2-1 SPC) head into a four-game stretch of conference matches hoping to repeat earlier wins over Yorkville and Romeoville.

Captain Lizzy Kuhn scored 4 goals in a recent win and controls our midfield, according to coach Laura Wagley. Forward Bella Vargas is another captain and "our go-to player up top," Wagley said. Arely Lares has filled in at sweeper lately and helped the defense record 2 shutouts while goalie Madi Russell has 4 shutouts.

Burlington Central update:

The Rockets are 6-4 including wins over Sycamore, DeKalb and Plainfield Central. They play Kaneland on Saturday and have senior night May 13 against Prairie Ridge, and are also scheduled to play undefeated St. Charles East.

"We have been a cohesive team that is learning at a fast pace," said coach Jessica Arneson, who called senior midfielder Reagan Oller, "an amazing leader who often dictates the game."

Sophomore forward Haley Lindquist has scored 6 goals in the last 5 games. Sophomore forward Ava Elders had a hat trick against Crystal Lake South.

Kaneland update:

The Knights (6-3, 3-0) play a key game next Wednesday against Sycamore. Coach Scott Parillo said his team's defense is getting more comfortable with each other every game while the midfield is playing well and up top, "we are finishing better." Senior midfielder Taylor Carlson will be playing at UW-Whitewater next year.

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