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Fox Valley Conference
Cary-Grove
Coach: Ray Kristol (11th season)
Last year: 9-6-1 overall, lost in regional final
Top returners: Miranda Malone, Sr. GK; Natalie Gallant, Sr. F; Alex Airhart, Sr. M; Katie Conner, Sr., D; Izzy Robinson, Sr., F; Stephanie Scrima, Sr. M; Sofie Immens, Sr. M; Kelly Stayart, Jr. M; Maddie Jannusch, So. D.
Key newcomers: Teagan Jones, Jr. F; Katie Demert, Sr. GK.
Noteworthy: The Trojans were an overtime loss away from a regional title last season, falling to conference rival Crystal Lake South 3-2 in the final on their home field. They will be bolstered by the addition of 2015 Northwest Herald All-Area honorable mention forward Teagan Jones, who returns to the team after playing club soccer last year and committing to Purdue. "There are plenty of opportunities for players to step up into new leadership because of graduation and offseason injuries," Kristol said.
Crystal Lake Central
Coach: Sarah Fack (First season)
Last year: 8-6-1 overall; lost in regional semifinal
Top returners: Tatyana Gusakow, Sr.; Baylee Kramer, Sr.; Madelyn West, Sr.; Shannon Widdowson, Sr.; Bridget King, Sr.; Carla Letto, Jr.; Elise Olson, Jr.; Tara Ernd, Jr.; Stephanie Hayes, Jr.; Emma Novy, Jr.; Alexandra Scarfe, Jr.; Madison Rokos, Jr.
Key newcomers: Ellie Montford, Fr.; Kiara Widdowson, So.; Grace Savage, Jr.
Noteworthy: The Tigers bring back honorable mention Northwest Herald All-Area picks in Gusakow and West as well as a number of other returning starters such as Kramer and Widdowson. "We have a great mix of players this year, including a number of skilled newcomers," Fack said. "If we can continue to strengthen our team chemistry, we have the talent to hold our own in the conference."
Crystal Lake South
Coach: Jay Mueller (Third season)
Last year: 16-6-1; FVC Valley champion; regional champion; lost in sectional final
Top returners: Ann Lewandowski, Sr. D; Jenna Ross, Sr. D; Jessica Schoenfeldt, Sr. M; Courtney Sengstock, Sr. F; Raquel Hess, Jr. D.
Key newcomers: Cameron Sengstock, Jr. F/M; Taylor Bittenbender, So. M; Jillian Brokhof, So. F/M; Brooke Dunteman, So. D; Abby Wiegand, So. F/M.
Noteworthy: The Gators didn't lose a conference game last year and bring back 13 players from that team, including the entire defense, so a stout back line should be a strength. The Gators did graduate four of five starting midfielders, so they will have to figure out how to possess and connect in the middle from their defense to the offense. Schoenfeldt, the one returner in the midfield, will be the main driving force there after scoring 13 goals and assisting on seven last year. Attacking from her outside back position, Ross led the team with 13 assists last year, while Sengstock had a team-high 15 goals and nine assists.
Dundee-Crown
Coach: Sebastian Falinski (10th season)
Last year: 6-11-1 overall; lost in regional semifinals
Top returners: Sara Kuczynski, Sr. D; Taylor Coffman, Sr. M; Maggie Griffin, Sr. D; Taylor Gonio, Sr. GK; Anna Kielytka, Jr. F; Braylin Mensik, Jr. F; Claire Pape, Jr. M.
Key newcomers: Kaitlyn Skibinski, Fr. M; Autumn Seaton, So. M; Diana Santillan-Ceja, So. GK; Rylee Quillen, Fr. F.
Noteworthy: With a pair of senior defenders and a senior goalkeeper, the Chargers have a core of experience that should allow them to be competitive. Up front, Kielytka is the top returning scorer after netting seven goals last year.
Hampshire
Coach: Colin Brice (First season)
Last year: 4-16 overall; lost in regional semifinals
Top returners: Meghan McIntyre, Sr. M; Alyssa Dimaano, So. M; Alana Hatanaka, So. M; Darcy Dalby, Sr. M.
Key newcomers: Mattea Huerta, Jr. M; Veronica Walker, Fr. D; Alessa Carranza, Fr. F.
Noteworthy: Brice thinks the Whip-Purs have a good blend of returners and "impactful new talent." "This will give us an opportunity to finally start competing with the top Fox Valley Conference teams," he said.
Huntley
Coach: Kris Grabner (14th season)
Last year: 18-5-3 overall; regional champion; sectional champion; supersectional champion; fourth at Class 3A state
Top returners: Samantha Heustis, Sr. D; Tayah Owens, Sr. D; Abbey Brown, Sr. GK.
Key newcomers: Alyssa Xanos, So. M; Taylor Kaufman, Fr. M; Zoe Zuzzio, Jr. D.
Noteworthy: Coming off the first state appearance in program history, the Red Raiders will have to learn how to replace some of the key pieces that took them there – 2016 Northwest Herald Player of the Year Taryn Jakubowski and first-team All-Area picks Alyssa Kaufman in the attack and Paige Renkosik in goal – among others. Grabner, the 2016 Northwest Herald Coach of the Year, said he expects the Red Raiders to be young, but quick and skillful. Grabner said he expects some growing pains but they hope to add to their streak of 10 consecutive regional titles.
Jacobs
Coach: Stephanie Schuck (Fourth season)
Last year: 7-9 overall; lost in regional semifinals
Top returners: Emily Pasetes Jr. GK; Maddie Belo, Jr. M.
Noteworthy: The Golden Eagles are led by a pair of returning all-conference picks in Pasetes and Belo. Pasetes gives Jacobs experience in goal after posting three shutouts last year. They will have to replace the six goals and three assists provided by last year's senior captain Talia Surges, but sophomore Cassie Kowalski showed flashes last year of goal-scoring potential.
McHenry
Coach: Andrew Stegenga (First season)
Last year: 2-14 overall; lost in regional first round
Top returners: Amber Brennan, Sr. D; Allison Wyszynski, Sr. F; Kailey Lindholm, Sr. M; Jasmine Macias, Jr. M.
Key newcomers: Alexus Feurt, Fr. F.
Noteworthy: The Warriors have a new head coach after winning two games last season. "Excited to take over the program and extremely confident in our seniors and captains to leading this team to a better record not only in the conference but overall," Stegenga said. "I have already seen these girls come together as a team in the short time I have been here and hopefully that mentality can keep us in some tight games against our conference's top teams." Brennan, Wyszynski and Lindholm will serve as senior captains, while Macias returns from injury to contribute in the midfield and Feurt is expected to contribute to the attack right away.
Prairie Ridge
Coach: Andre Watson (Second season)
Last year: 15-7-1 overall; FVC Fox Division champion; regional champion; lost in sectional semifinal
Top returners: Melissa Bear, Sr.; Jena Berkland, Jr.; Gabrielle Fanning, Sr.; Emily Perhats, Jr.; Alexis Petersen, Sr.; Hanna Stovall Sr.
Key newcomers: Makena Silber, Jr.
Noteworthy: The Wolves bring back plenty from a team that won its side of the FVC last year and lost a sectional semifinal on penalty kicks to the eventual state runner-up. Bear, Berkland, Perhats and Stovall all scored double-digit goals last year, while Fanning and Petersen were cornerstones of the defense. "This is a group who came together in the middle of last season, and we are looking to build off of last year's success," Watson said. "These girls have great team chemistry and a real desire to win." The addition of University of Illinois-committed forward Makena Silber, who moved to Crystal Lake from Pennsylvania in the past year, will bolster the offense.
Kishwaukee River Conference
Harvard
Coach: Victor Gonzalez (Second season)
Last year: 1-18 overall; lost in regional semifinal
Top returners: Liz Sanchez, Sr. M; Sam Perales, Jr. GK.
Key newcomers: Ximena Duran, So. F.
Noteworthy: Despite the record last year, Gonzalez said he's "optimistic about the season. We were real young last year, but the younger girls made strides toward the end of the year. This year is no different. We only have one four-year senior. If we can continue to improve and the younger girls can contribute consistently, it will be a successful season."
Johnsburg
Coach: Rob Eastland (Fifth season)
Last year: 14-5-2 overall; lost in regional final
Top returners: Shae Giovanni, Sr.; Madeline Hauck, Sr.; Amber Humphres, Jr.; Megan Jurek Jr; Madelyn Peterson, Sr.; Taylor Piggott, Sr.; Alivia Siudak, Sr.; Cortland Sommerfeldt, Sr.; Jessica Strzelczyk, Sr.; Lauren Winter, Sr.
Key newcomers: Hannah Anderson, Fr.; Alexis Connerty, Fr.; Lauren Hendrixson, Fr.; Kaitlyn Owen, Fr.
Noteworthy: A talented Skyhawks team had the misfortune of running into state finalist Marian Central last year in a Class 1A regional final, losing a wild match, 3-2. This year, Eastland said, "We return some really key players but are battling a number of injuries or nursing players back to fitness. We should be competitive if we stay healthy. We are expecting our junior class to have a lot more influence on the field this season assisting the seniors."
Marengo
Coach: Jeremy Burke (Second season)
Last year: 4-13 overall; lost in regional final
Top returners: Kaitlin Shepard, Sr.; Amanda Jaeger, Sr.; Brittany Cass, Sr.; Madison Shines So.; Olivia Ray, Jr.; Erin Haeflinger, So.; Morgan Shines, So.
Key newcomers: Megan Burns, Sr. M; Jordan Corner, Sr. GK.
Noteworthy: The Indians advanced to a regional final last year, coming up just short of the program's second regional title. "We are hoping to build on last year's success of playing for a regional title," Burke said. "This year we are hoping to win a regional and looking to beat our win total from last year. Our team goal is to be playing our best soccer at the end of the year and continue to get better each day in practice and in each game. ... We are hoping that year two brings continued growth and development for each individual and the soccer program. The girls are really buying in and can't wait to see how this season plays out."
Richmond-Burton
Coach: Casey DeCaluwe (Third season)
Last year: 13-9 overall; regional champion; lost in sectional semifinals
Top returners: Gabby Ross, Sr. M; Camryn Davis, Sr. M; Breanne Retherford, Sr. M; Anna Blaney, Sr. F; Rachel Barrett, Sr. M; Rachel Daye, Sr. M; Angelica Mrugala, Sr. F; Sarah Kitterman, Jr. D; Taylor Webb, Jr. D; Lindsy Restis, Jr. GK.
Key newcomers: Charlotte Holas, So. D.
Noteworthy: The Rockets will be an experienced group with seven returning seniors but will need to figure out how to replace the 18 goals and 12 assists provided by last year's captain, Halley Havlicek. "The girls have had a nice preseason and are focused on getting better each day at practice," DeCaluwe said. "The main goal for this team is to improve every game and peak as a team during the 1A state tournament."
Woodstock
Coach: Michael Golda (Seventh season)
Last year: 10-8-1; lost in regional semifinals
Top returners: Taylor Adams, Sr.; Mollie Thill, Sr.; Emily Furlano, Sr.; Autumn Overly, Jr.; Camryn Tafoya, Jr.; Mollie Griffin, Jr.; Emma Dorn, So.; Anna Rowan, So.; Maddie Harrah, So.; Julia Walsdorf, So.; Amanda Sincere, So.; Chantal Reynoso, So.
Key newcomers: Meghan McGrath, Jr. GK; Jenny Arrellano, Jr.; Grace Maidment, So.; Korrin Mecklenburg, So.; Alexa Norgard, So.; Cameron Wormley, Fr.; Maddy Hughes, Fr.
Noteworthy: The Blue Streaks were hot and cold last season but hope to be contenders in the first season of Kishwaukee River Conference play with 12 returners, eight or nine of whom started at some point. Woodstock is an experienced group, but leading the way offensively will be sophomore Emma Dorn, who was on the Northwest Herald All-Area first team last year with 20 goals and 10 assists as a freshman. Also key to the Streaks' offense will be junior Autumn Overly, who scored 12 goals and assisted on six last year, earning all-conference honors.
Woodstock North
Coach: Patrick Podgorski (First season)
Last year: 2-17 overall; lost in regional first round
Top returners: Taylor Prerost, So.; Natalie Dominguez, Sr.; Lauren Kunke, So.; Daniela Miranda, Sr.
Key newcomers: Abigail Svitak, Fr.; Bianca Cruz, Fr.; Dulce Olivar-Lopez, Fr.; Shea Jones, Fr.; Cassidy Oteman, Fr.
Noteworthy: Podgorski takes the head coaching reins in the interim while head coach of the past five seasons Lauren Farley is away on maternity leave. The Thunder hope to be more competitive in conference play with the move from the Fox Valley Conference to the KRC. Podgorski said they are excited about the incoming class of five freshmen, who he expects to contribute heavily right away and add depth to the program.
East Suburban Catholic Conference
Marian Central
Coach: Karl Smith (Fifth season)
Last year: 14-6-2 overall; regional champion; sectional champion; supersectional champion; state runner-up
Top returners: Erika Dacanay, Sr. F; Karlie Blaz, Sr. F; Alyssa Sutherland, Jr. D; Addison Fortin, Jr. M.
Key newcomers: Mackenzie Schwalbach, So. GK.
Noteworthy: The Hurricanes bring back 14 players from a team that went to overtime in the Class 1A state final last year. Marian Central is led up top by Dacanay (14 goals and 12 assists last year) and Karlie Blaz (13 goals last year), while Sutherland anchors the defense. The Hurricanes move up to Class 2A, which Smith called a "welcome change," noting that a tough East Suburban Catholic Conference again will prepare them for the postseason.