:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/shawmedia/KADWKTPKK23KYXH75B6ZYQXPHU.jpg)
Fox Valley Conference Fox Division
Crystal Lake Central
Coach: Jay Schwarzrock (6th season)
Last year: 11-10 overall, 4-2 FVC Fox; lost to Prairie Ridge in regional final
Top returners: Lauren Novy, sr.; Olivia Hollander, sr.; Natalie Delamaria, sr.; Madie West, jr.; Tatyana Gusakow, jr.; Mikela Bertalon, sr.; Emily Basile, sr.
Noteworthy: Novy was a Northwest Herald All-Area first team selection last season as she led the Tigers’ defense, which kept eight shutouts. Offensively, the Tigers will need to find finishers after losing their top scorers (Katie Beck and Stacie Wolfgram) from last season to graduation.
Hampshire
Coach: Sara O’Toole (3rd season)
Last year: 1-20-1 overall, 0-6 in FVC Fox; lost in regional semifinal
Top returners: Meghan McIntyre, jr., M; McCall Rafferty, sr., M; Darcy Dalby, jr., M; Alexa Panagakos, sr., D; Catie Kochanski, sr., GK; Emily Hinners, sr., D; Morgan Heileman, jr., M; Marissa Bessner, so., F
Key newcomers: Alana Hatanaka, fr., GK/M; Alyssa Dimaano, fr., F; Hayley Rossi, fr., F.
Noteworthy: The Whip-Purs struggled last season but should be more experienced this season. The defense will be led by all-conference selection Panagakos. "Most of the team this year are returners, but we added five new players to the roster, and three were freshmen who have a lot of skill and potential to provide us a great need in our offense this year," O'Toole said.
Prairie Ridge
Coach: Andre Watson (1st season)
Last year: 15-8 overall, 6-0 FVC Fox; lost in sectional semifinal
Top returners: Jena Berkland, so.; Melissa Bear, jr.; Gabrielle Fanning, jr.; Alexis Peterson, jr.; Hannah Stovall, jr.; Mariah Truitt, sr.; Kristen Vosberg, sr.; Megan Walsh, sr.
Key newcomers: Emily Perhats, so.; Ellie Gunwall, jr.; Caty Karacia, so.
Noteworthy: The Wolves won an outright conference championship last year and beat local rival Crystal Lake Central for a regional title. They must replace some important pieces but have plenty coming back in their 13 returners. Watson takes over for JC Brown.
Woodstock
Coach: Michael Golda (5th season)
Last year: 9-13 overall, 2-4 in FVC Fox; lost to Crystal Lake Central in regional semifinal
Top returners: Marissa Krueger, sr., GK; Brecken Overly, sr., M; Jordyn Albrecht, jr., M/F/D; Camryn Tafoya, so., DM; Taylor Adams, jr., D; Mollie Thill, jr., M/F; Emily Furlano, jr., D; Autumn Overly, so., F.
Key newcomers: Emma Dorn, fr., F/M; Jessica Flynn, so., M; Julia Walsdorf, fr., D; Chantel Reynoso, fr., M; Maddie Harrah, fr., D; Molly Griffin, jr., D/M; Amanda Sincere, fr., M/F.
Noteworthy: The Blue Streaks are anchored by goalkeeper Krueger, a four-year starter and two-time all-conference selection. Their other captains are fellow fourth-year starter Overly, third-year starter Albrecht and second-year starter Tafoya. “We have an experienced core, surrounded by an exuberance of youth,” Golda said.
Woodstock North
Coach: Lauren Farley (5th season)
Last year: 1-20 overall, 1-5 FVC Fox; lost to Marian Central in regional quarterfinal
Top returners: Kristin Lemke, sr., GK; Daniela Miranda, jr., M; Allison Nordvall, sr., D.
Key newcomers: Lauren Kunke, fr. F; Mariana Vergara, fr. F.
Noteworthy: “We have spent the past two years building numbers to have three levels,” Farley said. “With three levels of play. We are able to get the girls much more playing time to improve their skills. This year, I am confident in the skills that the girls have developed. We have strong players at each position. We will be much more competitive in our divisional conference games.”
Fox Valley Conference Valley Division
Cary-Grove
Coach: Ray Krystal (10th season)
Last year: 11-6-1 overall, 4-1 FVC Valley; lost in sectional final to Huntley
Top returners: Carli Petersen, sr.; Genna Sobieszczyk, sr.; Maddy Osimowicz, sr.; Kelly Stayart, so.
Key newcomers: Payton Emond, sr.
Noteworthy: The Trojans tied for first in the FVC Valley last year, with their lone loss coming to Huntley. They reached a sectional final but lost again to Huntley. Krystal said: “Our season will be identified by growth through competition. ... The upperclassmen have done a wonderful job of building a community with positive relationships while competing, which shows the quality of their character.”
Crystal Lake South
Coach: Jay Mueller (3rd season)
Last year: 13-7-2 overall, 3-2 FVC Valley; lost to Huntley in regional final
Top returners: Jenny Luken, sr., M; Katherine Siavelis, sr., M; Jenna Ross, jr., D; Jessica Schoenfeldt, jr., M; Raquel Hess, so., D.
Key newcomers: Brandie Minogue, sr., M; Sam Sisto, sr., M/F; Courtney Sengstock, jr., M/F.
Noteworthy: The Gators have 17 upperclassmen on the roster, 14 with previous varsity experience. After finishing second in the FVC Valley last season, the Gators will be led by a deep attack that includes forward Katherine Siavelis, who scored 11 goals last year, and Jessica Schoenfeldt, who scoed seven and assisted on eight from the midfield. The defense is led by Ross and Hess. The Gators have three returning all-conference selections (Siavelis, Schoenfeldt and Hess).
Dundee-Crown
Coach: Sebastian Falinski (9th season)
Last year: 4-14-1 overall, 1-4 FVC Valley; lost to Crystal Lake South in regional semifinal
Top returners: Alyssa Moreno, sr.; Heily Ramierz, sr.; Jasmine Ramierz, sr.; Jenny Letheby, sr.; Esmeralda Rodriquez, sr.; Jenna Berlet, jr.; Sara Kuczynski, jr.; Taylor Gonio, jr.; Evie May, jr.; Taylor Coffman, jr.; Maggie Griffin, jr.; Sam Christensen, so.
Key newcomers: Anna Kieltyka, so.; Claire Pape, so.; Emilie Hilton, sr.; Ashley Raby, sr.; Isabel Bahena, fr.
Noteworthy: With a number of returners, including all-conference selection Moreno, and competetive newcomers, Falinski said the Chargers will be deeper this season. “I expect the competitiveness to be high amongst the girls, which will hopefully translate to better and more consistent performances on the pitch,” Falinski said.
Huntley
Coach: Kris Grabner (13th season)
Last year: 19-4-0, 4-1 FVC Valley; lost in supersectional
Top returners: Taryn Jakubowski, sr., M; Alyssa Kaufman, sr., F; Paige Renkosik, sr., GK; Bri Wilder, sr., M; Sam Heustis, jr., D; Tayah Owens, jr., D; Erin Gaitsch, sr., D; Stephanie Noble, sr., D; Tori Padal, sr., F; Brenna Keegan, so., F; Madison Doty, jr., D; Emily Lopez, jr., M;
Key newcomers: Ally Sunter, sr., M; Yulissa Solis, sr., F.
Noteworthy: The Red Raiders won their second consecutive sectional last season but will need to find some new scorers to replace Deanna Hecht's 28 goals. Expect seniors Jakubowski (14 goals, 15 assists last year) and Kaufman (8 goals, 13 assists last year) to be the focal points of the attack. Renkosik (9 shutouts, 9 GA in 20 appearances last year) will be the full-time goalkeeper in front of an all-returners defense.
Jacobs
Coach: Stephanie Schuck (3rd season)
Last year: 4-16-1 overall, 1-4 FVC Valley; lost to Huntley in regional semifinals
Top returners: Caitlin Strong, so., M; Talia Surges, sr., M; Caroline Craig, sr., D.
Key newcomers: Cassie Kowalski, fr.; Hannah Mohan, fr.
Noteworthy: The Golden Eagles bring back 12 of 17 varsity players from a year ago, led by senior all-conference selections Surges in the midfield and Craig in the back. “The seniors we have this year have stepped up, and I am excited to see where they lead our program,” Schuck said.
McHenry
Coach: Greg Eiserman (3rd season)
Last year: 8-12 overall, 2-3 FVC Valley; lost in regional semifinal
Top returners: Lexi Vargas, sr., M/F; Kaitie Mindick, sr., M; Sam Swank, sr., GK; Kristin Naughton, sr., M/D; Kylee Bentsen, sr., M/F; Caitlyn Halloran, sr., F; Kailey Lindholm, jr., M; Adriana Sanchez, jr., M; Allison Wyszynski, jr., F; Amber Brennan, jr., M/D; Kristen Boersma, jr., M/F; Jasmine Macias, so., F.
Noteworthy: Eiserman said the Warriors are battling a number of injuries to start the season but is happy with the group he has. “If we can overcome those and fill in the holes from graduation, we should be competitive," Eiserman said. "Our team goal, probably like many teams, is to finish more. We really struggled offensively last year, and we are hoping to make that more of a strength this year.”
Big Northern Conference East Division
Harvard
Coach: Victor Gonzalez (1st season)
Last year: 1-14-1 overall; lost to Johnsburg in regional semifinals
Top returners: Esme Ezquibel, Gretel Colin, Lizbeth Sanchez.
Key newcomers: Jasmin Gonzales, Jordan Peterson.
Noteworthy: Gonzalez, coming off his first year as the boys coach, begins his first season in charge of the girls program. The Hornets have only three seniors on the roster, and Gonzalez said he’s “excited to see how the young girls respond and develop as the season goes on.”
Johnsburg
Coach: Rob Eastland (4th season)
Last year: 15-4-2 overall, 10-1-1 BNC East; lost to Richmond-Burton in regional final
Top returners: Alivia Suidak, jr.; Taylor Piggott, jr.; Shae Giovanni, jr.; Maddie Peterson, jr.; Maddie Hauck, jr.; Cortland Sommerfeldt, jr.; Amber Humphries, so.
Key newcomers: Emily Crowe, sr.; Kassidee Hass, fr.
Noteworthy: “Having lost five starters, I am excited to see who steps up to the plate this season," Eastland said. "Our attitude is we don't have rebuilding years, we compete. That's a tradition we have yet to fall short of. It may take a few games, but we will finish strong.” The biggest question mark for the Skyhawks will be how they replace the 41 goals scored by graduate Delaney Pruitt last season.
Marengo
Coach: Jeremy Burke (1st season)
Last year: 6-14 overall; lost to Richmond-Burton in regional semifinal
Top returners: Maddie Hoey, sr.; Kaitlin Shepard, jr.; Brittany Cass, jr.; Amanda Jaeger, jr.
Noteworthy: Burke takes over the girls program after five seasons as a boys JV coach at Marengo. Senior captain Hoey and three junior captains lead a young group. “We start the season with five games in the first two weeks, so that should give us a great indicator of where we are and where we need to go as a team,” Burke said.
Richmond-Burton
Coach: Casey DeCaluwe (2nd season)
Last year: 15-9-2 overall, 7-3-2 BNC East; lost in supersectional
Top returners: Halley Havlicek, sr.; Taylor Enders, sr.; Meghan Vasseur, sr.; Liz Wertz, sr.; Sydney Lasch, sr.; Bailey Harmon, sr.; Breanne Retherford, jr.; Gabbrielle Ross, jr.; Anna Blaney, jr.; Lindsy Restis, so.
Noteworthy: The Rockets move up to Class 2A this season after making a run to a Class 1A supersectional last year. DeCaluwe said the coaching staff is already talking to them about what kind of differences in size and competition they will see in the postseason. They are led by one of the area's best scorers in Havlicek, and she has plenty of help around her with nine returning starters. “We have a very deep team, and the girls have worked hard in the off season," DeCaluwe said. "We are focused and determined to have another successful season."
East Suburban Catholic Conference
Marian Central
Coach: Karl Smith (4th season)
Last year: 5-12 overall, 3-7 in ESCC; lost in regional semifinal
Top returners: Karlie Blaz, jr.; Ericka Dacanay, jr.; Makala Villont, sr.
Key newcomers: Allyssa Sutherland, so.; Tiffany Teubert, so.
Noteworthy: Blaz was an all-conference selection as a sophomore last year and with more young talent coming in, Smith said he is optimistic about the Hurricanes. Again they will face a tough conference schedule, including defending Class 2A state champion Carmel.