Fox Valley Conference
Valley Division
Cary-Grove
Coach: Ray Krystal, sixth season
Last season’s record: 12-8-1, 9-3 FVC Valley (fourth)
Top returners: Allison Budreck, sr., MF; Lauren Harte, sr., F; Jackie Holtz, sr., MF; Beth Hughes, sr., D; Liz Koch, sr., MF; Korey Kronforst, sr., F; Paige Lincicum, sr., GK; Sierra Romero, sr., D; Jae Jay Usab, sr., MF
What to expect: There is a lot of continuity for the Trojans with nine seniors back, and C-G will look to improve on a fourth-place FVC Valley finish last season. “Thanks to strong senior leadership, this team may have the best chemistry of any team I have coached at Cary-Grove,” Krystal said. “These seniors have guaranteed there is no quit in this group.”
Crystal Lake South
Coach: Anne Santucci, fourth season
Last season’s record: 18-8-2 overall, 10-2 FVC Valley (second)
Top returners: Macky Taldone, jr., MF; Christina Szocka, sr., F; Emily Hamrick, sr., D; Lauren Perrine, sr., MF; Ashley Tyllia, sr., D; Emily Schoenfeldt, jr., D; Cella Albuqerque, sr., MF; Audrey Collard, so., D
Key newcomers: Bianca Miceli, so., MF
What to expect: South figures to be another team with a good shot at winning the FVC Valley, as there isn’t much turnover from last year. “We are a team with a lot of returning experience in every position,” Santucci said.
Dundee-Crown
Coach: Sebastian Falinski, fifth season
Last season’s record: 7-14-1 overall, 6-6 FVC Valley (sixth)
Top returners: Jordan Fryer, jr., D; Cori Schrade, jr., D; Allie Beck, sr., D; Jill Wiechmann, jr., MF; Emi Conejo, jr., MF; Ali Sanders, sr., MF; Brittney Gantz, jr., MF; Carolyn Schneider, jr., F; Hannah Larsen, sr., F
Key newcomers: Payton De Luga, fr. D; Francesca Scarpelli, jr., F; Shannon Feld, so., MF
What to expect: Dundee-Crown will benefit from bringing back the core of last season’s team. The Chargers have nine starters returning, including all four midfielders. “We have a lot of experience and a good core group of girls that have a good understanding of each other,” Falinski said. “I am looking forward to see our program continue to move in the right direction.”
Huntley
Coach: Kris Grabner, ninth season
Last season’s record: 19-2-1, 12-0 FVC Valley (first)
Top returners: Kelly Manczko, sr., MF; Ashley Schorr, sr., MF; Delaney Loprieno, so., MF; Abigail Nordeen, so., D; Rachel Zobott, so., D
Key newcomers: Sam Morin, so., D; Deanna Hecht, fr., F
What to expect: Huntley lost a lot of talent from last year’s team that went undefeated in the FVC Valley and won a regional championship. “We will be technically solid,” Grabner said. “We will need to get early experience to be able to compete for a conference title or a regional title.”
Jacobs
Coach: Anthony Cappello, third season
Last season’s record: 20-7 overall, 10-2 FVC Valley (second)
Top returners: Margaret Rivera, jr., D; Erin Flores, sr., D; Catie Sherman, jr., MF; Cassidy Sherman, sr., MF; Lauren Grady, sr., MF
Key newcomers: Kylie Dennison, jr., MF/F; Alyssa Koeppler, sr., G; Nicole Leuzzi, sr., D
What to expect: Expectations are high for Jacobs, which returns 15 girls from a group that took second in the FVC Valley last year and reached the quarterfinals of the Pepsi Showdown. They should be one of the most experienced and deepest teams in the area. “We are looking to claim our first FVC title for this group of girls,” Cappello said. “Most of this group has spent three years on varsity and has no hardware to show for it.”
McHenry
Coach: Jim Nelson, fifth season
Last season’s record: 12-9 overall, 8-4 FVC Valley (fifth)
Top returners: Molly Machometa, sr., F; Katie Rogers, sr., D; Sarah McNaughton, sr., F/MF; Alyssa Kennedy, sr., F; Amber Pringle, jr., MF/D; Erica Patterson, jr., GK
What to expect: McHenry’s big senior class will provide the nucleus for the Warriors. Nelson said if McHenry can play solid team defense and take advantage of its scoring chances, the Warriors will have a chance to do well this season.
Prairie Ridge
Coach: Josh Iverson, first season
Last season’s record: 6-11-1 overall, 5-6 FVC Fox (second)
Top returners: Haleigh Danek, sr., MF; Brianne Fenton, jr., MF; Kelsey Bear, jr., F; Shannon Calahan, sr., D/MF; Chandler Evans, sr., D; Whitney Whitehouse, jr., GK
What to expect: First-year head coach Josh Iverson calls this a “transitional year” for Prairie Ridge. The Wolves will feature a number of new players in the lineup after losing a handful of starters from last year’s group.
Fox Division
Crystal Lake Central
Coach: Jay Schwarzrock, eighth season
Last season’s record: 4-12, 3-9 FVC Fox (fourth)
Top returners: Madie Edwards, sr.; Caitlyn Dayton, so.; Sarah Benhart, so.; Alaina Passavant, jr.; Kelsey Cannizzo, sr.
Key newcomers: Katie Beck, fr.; Delany DiGangi, fr.; Devan Hendle, fr.; Stacie Wolfgram, fr., Kyra Savage, fr.
What to expect: The Tigers will be a young team again with five freshmen expected to play big roles. “We will have to learn on the fly, but if we can build on each game, we will be a tough team come May,” Schwarzrock said.
Grayslake Central
Coach: Mike McCaulou, 10th season
Last season’s record: 15-7 overall, 8-4 FVC Fox (first)
Top returners: Savannah Mudd, jr., D/M; Emma Shepard, sr., MF; Alex Wilson, sr., F; Michelle Lettenmair, sr., D; Skyler Jessop, sr., MF/F
Key newcomers: Anna Sizelove, fr., D; Erin Boban, so., MF; Jennifer Biondo, fr., D; Cara Fontana, fr., D
What to expect: Grayslake Central had a historic season last year, winning the school’s first conference and regional championships. The Rams will rely on a young group of players this season. “We have nine underclassmen, nine players that are new to varsity,” McCaulou said. “The freshmen are getting their feet wet, and they’re doing a great job.”
Grayslake North
Coach: Adam DeCaluwe, sixth season
Last season’s record: 9-11-1, 4-6 FVC Fox (third)
Top returners: Katie McGrath, sr., F/D; Lyz Steinhoff, sr., D/MF; Maggie Stojak, sr., MF; Andrea Lamb, sr., D; Katie Lahera, sr., MF; Hannah Mitchem, sr., D; Brooke Sauer, sr., GK; Jaclyn Brennan, jr., F/MF; Kendall Detweiler, so., D; Chelsea Olson, so., MF
Key newcomers: Kelly Meyer, so., F; Erin Parro, so., D; Maggie Fish, fr., MF; Teagan Johnson, fr., F; Sam Villwock, fr., MF
What to expect: The Knights bring back an experienced group and will try to build off last season, when they lost in a shootout to Grayslake Central in the regional finals. “Our team is hoping to finally find that winning formula between the tremendous experience we have and the youth that has talent and soccer ability, but lack the experience,” DeCaluwe said.
Hampshire
Coach: Patrick O’Brien, ninth season
Last season’s record: 13-6-4, 7-3 Big Northern Conference East (second)
Top returners: Jori Anderson, sr., MF; Morgan Beaver, sr., F; Laura Jones, sr., D; Haylee Moscato, sr., GK; Dichelle Spielman, sr., MF; Natalie Starrenburg, sr., MF; Helena VanEck, sr., F; Dakota Walther, sr., MF; Mandy Zessin, sr., MF; Jessica Boutin, jr., D; Paige Palubicki, jr., F; Lizzy Panzica, jr., D; Emily Zeller, jr., MF; Alex Zeller, so., MF
Key newcomer: Lexi Maze, so., MF
What to expect: Hampshire takes its first kicks in the FVC Fox with a deep group of seniors and juniors that return from last season. “Our senior group brings a great deal of experience to the field,” O’Brien said. “The juniors are versatile players that can play a number of positions and will help us match up with our opponents.”
Johnsburg
Coach: Colleen Joyce, seventh season
Last season’s record: 2-17 overall, 1-11 FVC Fox (sixth)
Top returners: Olivia Jansen, jr., D/MF; Abbie Ullrich, jr., D/MF; Shelby Weaver, jr., D/MF; Maddie Himpelmann, so., D
Key newcomers: Anna Fox, fr., D; Kortnee Hass, fr., D; Allie Layton, fr., MF; Delaney Pruitt, fr., MF; Sarah Weaver, fr., MF
What to expect: Things are looking up for a Johnsburg team that struggled last season. Three returning junior starters will give the Skyhawks needed leadership, and Joyce is excited about the five incoming freshmen. “We are going to really look to them for energy,” Joyce said. “In order to compete at a high level, we must stay healthy.”
Woodstock
Coach: Mike Golda, first season
Last season’s record: 3-17 overall, 0-12 FVC Fox (seventh)
Top returners: Sarah Lomeyer, sr., MF/D; Grace Flavin, sr., GK; Anna Lopatin, so., MF/F; Kirstin Schriener, so., MF
Key newcomers: Makenna Shanholtz, jr.; Rebecca Mayber, fr.
What to expect: Golda comes to Woodstock with a great deal of local experience after coaching at Marian Central and Woodstock North. “We have some excellent leadership in our captains and a solid work ethic as we plan on competing with everyone in the tough Fox Division,” Golda said.
Woodstock North
Coach: Lauren Farley, first season
Last season’s record: 6-14-1 overall, 2-10 FVC Fox (fifth)
Top returners: Rachael Landrey, sr., D; Nicolette Kruczek, jr., F; Karena Sova, sr., MF; Megan Schaffter, sr., D; Shelby Nicholson, jr., MF
Key newcomers: CariAnne Sobey, sr., MF; Sami Ahr, jr., GK; Marta Sobey, jr., MF
What to expect: Woodstock North will look to continue building its soccer program in its third varsity season. The Thunder won two games in the FVC Fox last year after going winless in their first season. “There is a strong core of players, which will provide our team with the foundation for a successful season,” Farley said.
Big Northern Conference
East Division
Harvard
Coach: David Abel, 11th season
Last season’s record: 8-10-1 overall, 2-8 BNC East (fifth)
Note: Complete information about the Hornets was not made available in time for this edition. It will appear on the Preps 24/7 blog at McHenryCountySports.com when it becomes available.
Marengo
Coach: Jim McKinnon, third season
Last season’s record: 13-6 overall, 7-3 BNC East (second)
Top returners: Allison Fillmore, sr., D; Amber Fillmore, sr., D; Sabrina Marsh, jr., MF; Abbey Overlee, jr., MF; Sam Meehan, jr., F
Key newcomers: Jessica Villie, jr., D/MF; Holy Stout, jr., D; Becca Vazquez, sr., D; Sage Torman, sr., GK; Kristy Williams, jr., D; Megan Hanelt, fr.
What to expect: McKinnon has a handful of starters returning from last season’s team that finished with a strong showing in the BNC East. McKinnon expects good things once his team is fully healthy later on in the season.
Richmond-Burton
Coach: Chris Wagner, second season
Last season’s record: 11-8-2 overall, 5-4-1 BNC East (fourth)
Top returners: Sam Boettjer, jr., MF; Hannah Condit, sr., MF; Courtney Kaminscky, jr., MF
Key newcomers: Amanda Hoglund, fr., F; Lauren Otto, fr., D; Jessica Guenther, fr., MF; Taylor Kellum, so., GK
What to expect: The Rockets are looking to build on last year’s winning conference record, and Wagner said the number of participants in the program are up. “How quickly we jell as a team and learn to play with new players and in new positions will determine the success we have,” Wagner said.
Suburban Christian
Conference
Blue Division
Marian Central
Coach: Kristian Rockall, second season
Last season’s record: 20-10, 8-1 SCC Blue (first)
Top returners: Megan Graf, sr., D; Susan Piggot, sr., D; Megan Hart, jr., D; Laura LeFevour, sr., MF; Rebecca Turski, jr., MF; Robin Wenzel, jr., MF/F;
Key newcomers: Ellen Koscielniak, so., F; Jacqueline Guilbeault, so., MF/F; Sam Benigni, so., MF; Victoria Girolamo, so., D
What to expect: Marian comes off a superb season in which the Hurricanes advanced to the IHSA Class 2A state championship and lost in penalty kicks. They outscored opponents 25-2 in the postseason last year and return a number of starters from that team, including Wenzel, their leading scorer. Rockall believes Marian again can win a conference championship and return to the Class 2A state finals this season.
– Ross Jacobson
rjacobson@shawmedia.com