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The girls soccer season is underway. Here are previews of teams in the Kane County Chronicle coverage area.
Batavia
Coach: Mark Gianfrancesco (14th season)
Last year’s record: 9-8-4, 2-3-2 DuKane Conference (sixth place)
Top returning players: Abi Edwards, sr., F; Hannah Hickman, jr., D; Sarah Koziol, sr., M; Addison Lowe, sr., D; Reece Recker, jr., M; Kimberly Roman, jr., F; Alexa Schorr, jr., D; Brianna Solis, jr., F; Addison Solomon, jr., F; Emma Stoodley, sr., D; Natalie Warner, jr., F
Top new players: Reagan Sulaver, jr., GK; Emma Wecker, so., F
Worth noting: The Bulldogs saw nine players graduate from a team that advanced to the sectional semifinals. They return a great deal of talent, including players who helped the girls basketball team win a sectional, and 11 players who started or received minutes as part of the regular rotation.
Burlington Central
Coach: Jess Arneson (10th season)
Last year’s record: 13-7-1 overall, 7-1-1 FVC (second place), Class 2A regional champion
Top returning players: Lenzie Lorkowski, so., GK; Eva Samuelian, sr., M; Kendall Grigg, so., M
Top new player: Mekenzie Rogers, so., F
Worth noting: The Rockets last season won their third regional title since 2016 (there was no 2020 season because of the pandemic and Central won a sectional title in 2021 when no regional was held). Central returns nine players and Arenson is excited to watch the Rockets’ continued growth. “We are excited to have as many returners as we do,” Arenson said. “With a strong group of returners, newcomers should easily mesh.” Lorkowski returns after earning IHSSCA All-Sectional Honorable Mention and All-Fox Valley Conference honors. The Rockets will try to win their first FVC title since joining the conference in 2019.
– Michal Dwojak
Geneva
Coach: Megan Owens (16th season)
Last year’s record: 18-6-1, 4-2-1 DuKane (third place)
Top returning players: Lilly Coats, sr., M; Jordan Forbes, sr., GK; Caroline Madden, sr., M; Olivia Rawls, sr., F; Even Schokora, sr., M; Audrey Stredde, so., F; Leyna Yonehara, sr., D
Top new players: Maggie Anderson, D; Ella Howard, F; Elle Larsen, M; Riley Pryor, D; Skyla Rothaar, fr., GK; Lilly Vostal, M
Worth noting: Thirteen Vikings return, including 10 seniors. Cami Bishop, Hope Ieler, Ashley Marquart and Madison Rees also are among the returning seniors. “Rarely do you get such a large group of seniors on a team,” Owens said. “So we are looking forward to benefitting from their leadership. We have experience, talent and a team who is willing to work hard. We aim to improve every day.”
Kaneland
Coach: Scott Parillo
Last year’s record: 14-6
Top returning players: Emily Kunzer, sr., MF; Madi Schrader, sr., D; Jade Schrader, sr., MF/F; Casey O’Brien, sr., D; Alex Warrington, sr., D, Mallory Nitsche, sr., MF
Top new players: Olivia Davis, fr., MF/F; Audrey Noring, fr., MF; Sophia Rosati, fr., MF; Alondra Mendoza, so., MF
Worth noting: After going undefeated in the Interstate 8 Conference last year, the Knights bring back eight starters and 12 returners. Kaneland won a regional title last year for the first time since 2016. The Knights lost to Benet in a Class 2A Nazareth Sectional semifinal. With plenty of returning experience, Kaneland will set its sights on the program’s first sectional title since 2015. Brigid Gannon, a 30 goal scorer, was one of the graduation losses. Kunzer and Jade Schrader both scored in double-digits last year.
– Eddie Carifio
Rosary
Coach: Amy McMahon (fourth season)
Last year’s record: 4-10-1, 1-3 Metro Suburban (10th place)
Top returning player: Abby Cibulskis, sr.
Top new players: Kaylany Aburto, so.; Kendelyn Bielawa, fr.; Jalen Lawson, fr.; Gabby Smith, so.
Worth noting: McMahon said the Royals are in rebuilding mode this spring after graduating 10 seniors. Two freshmen and two sophomores are among the newcomers who will have an opportunity to step in right away.
St. Charles East
Coach: Vince DiNuzzo (seventh season)
Last year’s record: 20-4-0, 5-2 DuKane (second place)
Top returning players: Sidney Lazenby, jr., GK; Mackenzie Loomis, sr., D; Alli Saviano, sr., M
Top new players: Presley Kannaka, fr., D; Mia Olenek, fr., GK; Sophia Wollenberg, fr., M/F
Worth noting: The Saints will lean on two fourth-year seniors, Saviano and Loomis, to mentor and lead a young team that includes 14 underclassmen. The biggest class is the sophomores with eight on the roster including Georggia Desario, Reese Kyle, Payton Rivard, Anika Dodrill and Tatum Smith who got introduced to varsity soccer a year ago. Lazenby returns for her third season in net.
St. Charles North
Coach: Brian Harks (ninth season)
Last year’s record: 17-4-2, 6-0-1 DuKane Conference (first place)
Top returning players: Kayla Floyd, sr., M; Kaitlin Glenn, jr., F; Chloe Kirsten, jr., D; Juliana Park, sr., M; Rian Spaulding, sr., F; Laney Stark, sr., F
Top new players: Kaitlyn Nudera, so., F; Kyra Treanor, sr., D
Worth nothing: The North Stars have 16 upperclassmen, including Floyd, Park, Spaulding and Stark who combined for 34 goals and 23 assists last spring. Treanor [Brown] joins the team from club soccer. “Our girls possess a strong work ethic, they are highly skilled and they possess a high soccer IQ,” Harks said. “We are excited to get out on the field and compete this season.”
St. Francis
Coach: Jim Winslow (13th season)
Last year’s record: 12-5, 6-0 Metro Suburban (first place)
Top returning players: Ellie Bielenda, sr., F; Shannon Brown, sr., MF; Paige Chrustowski, sr., F; Alyssa Soriano, jr., D; Elle Wainscott, jr., D
Top new players: Caroline Kiesler, fr.; Ashley Kline, fr.; Macie Schweiner, so., F
Worth noting: Winslow said the Spartans are “more mature, deeper and more talented and our schedule is as tough as ever.” The Spartans also are in a new conference. Schweiner is returning from a knee injury after missing last season and is one of three key newcomers who should mix in well with the experienced players.