York is going to Siegenthaler for scoring this season

We're at the point in the lacrosse season where a certain type of player has risen to prominence. Collectively, let's call them the pleasant surprises.

Consider York boys senior attackman Will Siegenthaler, who missed most of last season due to a knee injury, and the prior season because of COVID-19. According to Dukes coach Don Canfield, Siegenthaler has bounced back in a big way, recording 25 goals and 16 assists, and is "the go-to guy offensively."

Then there is senior goalie Conor Selfridge, who faced about 7 shots a game last season but is having to deal with double that amount this season, due to defensive graduations and the general improvement of lacrosse talent in the area. How is he handling the increased workload?

"I guess I enjoy it more, because I have to stay locked in the whole game," Selfridge said. "It has kept my game growing."

As for Siegenthaler, he worked every day in the off-season to stay physically and mentally strong, and the introduction of a new offense has played into his strengths and led to his own increased production. That's good, because the plan is to get further than the Dukes' third-place finish in state a year ago.

"We fell short last year," Siegenthaler said, "and we're very motivated to get back to the final four and then try to win it all this year."

York is off to a good start, sitting at 7-1 overall and 2-0 in the West Suburban Silver, including a signature win over north shore power New Trier.

Duo steps up for Naperville North:

Then there's the Naperville North girls. Senior midfielder Ella Marschitz is pacing the team with 21 goals and 5 assists, but coach Jessica Hogan is getting solid minutes from her two pleasant surprises, junior attacker Hayley Swatland and sophomore midfielder Samantha Muller.

Swatland is the Huskies' highest scoring attacker with 10 goals and 3 assists, "but she has been doing a high level of draws for us," Hogan said.

Muller was the only freshman on varsity a year ago, and already has 16 goals and 5 assists. She had 6 goals in a 14-13 overtime win over St. Francis earlier this season.

"I think I just stepped into a bigger role this season," said Swatland, who had to learn the push draw this season. "I understood my role, I had to shoot more and make more assists and help the girls adjust to the speed of the varsity level."

Muller credits her growth to her club program, Team ONE Lacrosse.

"It was very much team-oriented," Muller said of that program. "I had to work with people and I really liked that about it. I get to play against (club teammates) because they're all on other schools. It's a little friendly."

Sok solid for WW South:

It's been a tough start for Wheaton Warrenville South, sitting at 1-6. But the silver lining for coach Jason DeMaria has been junior midfielder James Sok, who has 5 goals and 6 primary assists in seven games this season thus far.

Sok, who is also a Tigers' football quarterback, was double-rostered last season as a defensive midfielder, on both varsity and junior varsity but had minimal minutes on the big club.

That's changed this season.

"He really focused on his shooting ability and has kind of stepped up and is one of our leading scorers this year," DeMaria said.

Sok said he's trying to make the most of his opportunity, and he credits a grueling off-season regimen for his newfound success.

"I went out every day, working on my stick work, and working with my friends to get a better shot," he said. "For me, it's having more confidence stepping up as one of the players on the team to score, or take one for the team."