Girls soccer: Ellie Rebmann, Lake County All-Area Captain
Libertyville marched to a third-place finish at the state tournament this spring thanks in large part to senior Ellie Rebmann, who has been named captain of the 2023 Daily Herald Lake County Girls Soccer All-Area team.
Rebmann would help change the course of history for the Wildcats, not only for her return from club soccer, but a move from her spot as a central defender to up top by coach Daniel DePaz.
At her new position Rebmann became a game changer for the NSC champions, and was named all-state in advance of her All-Area honor.
"Ellie is such a dynamic player, and just a great addition to our team and program. Her commitment to excellence, work ethic and leadership has been key to our success, and something that our younger players can learn from," says De Paz.
"It's been great coming back to play my senior year with my friends, and for my high school (it) was a good time to step away from (club), and I am so happy that I made the move," admits Rebmann, who would finish with 21 goals, and 17 assists.
Rebmann, who was a center-back for her FC United club team, began the season at her familiar position - but played there just once in the season opener against Hersey.
"Shannon (Phillips) and Mabelle Kosowski have been just great as our two center-backs all season long, so we're in good hands with both of them back there for us," said Rebmann, ever the team first player.
Rebmann is an electric, explosive forward, who can be a hard-nosed, gritty player, who can engage in the toughest 50-50 challenges, then immediately do a 180 to become a highly aware, lethal finisher, who combines impeccable positioning, vision, dribbling and technical genius.
She can be an unstoppable force which allows her to be the perfectly constructed striker, whose accurate shooting and passing are second to none.
"The thing you notice right away with Ellie is her incredible soccer IQ that allows her to see the game so well in the present, and in advance of what is happening all around her," says De Paz.
Rebmann would enjoy a memorable week to help the Wildcats go past Hersey, then Fremd in sectional action - scoring twice in both games, each game-winner - before playing a marvelous 100 minutes against New Trier in a supersectional victory to send the Wildcats into the state finals.
Rebmann had been leaning heavily to play at Washington State University in the fall, but a trip to UW-Milwaukee changed her mind for several reasons.
"I love the coaching staff, campus, the fact that I'll be playing less than 60 miles from home. It's going to be a great place for me," says Rebmann, who will seek a degree in criminal justice and criminology a career in FBI forensics at the top of her list.