High school girls soccer: 2018 season preview team capsules

FOX VALLEY CONFERENCE

Cary-Grove

Coach: Ray Krystal (12th season)

Last year: 12-4, 6-2 FVC; Class 3A regional champions

Top returners: Kelly Stayart, sr.; Maddie Jannusch, jr.; Katie Glowinski, jr.; Megan Harbeck, jr.; Caitlin Scopa, jr.; Kelli Ives, so.

Key newcomers: Kailyn Sheehan, jr.; Jenna Stayart, fr.

Noteworthy: Kelly Stayart was a Northwest Herald First-Team All-Area performer last season. Jannusch was a second-team performer. Those two lead an experienced roster. Coach Ray Krystal said his team has developed a positive culture and chemistry.

Crystal Lake Central

Coach: Sarah Fack (second season)

Last year: 7-11-1, 2-6 FVC

Top returners: Stephanie Hayes, sr.; Emma Novy, sr.; Elise Olson, sr.; Madie Rokos, sr.; Alex Scarfe, sr.

Key newcomers: Erica Novy, so.; Emma Bolanowski, fr.; Maddie Anderson, fr.; Nora Ryan, fr.; Sophia Scarfe, so.; Caroline Dayon, so.; Erica Milan, jr.

Noteworthy: The Tigers have a solid group of seniors returning, complemented by a number of newcomers. "We have a great returning core with some exceptional leaders," coach Sarah Fack said. "There are a number of players, from seniors to freshmen, who have the passion and fight to grind out results that could catch some teams off guard."

Crystal Lake South

Coach: Jay Mueller (fifth season)

Last year: 19-2-1, 8-0 FVC; FVC champions; Class 3A regional champions

Top returners: Lily Bahnfleth, sr., D; Raquel Hess, sr., D; Sofia Liszka, sr., D; Cameron Sengstock, sr., F/M; Taylor Bittenbender, jr., F; Jillian Brokhof, jr., F/M; Abby Wiegand, jr., F/M

Key newcomers: Marissa Fetters, sr., GK

Noteworthy: The two-time defending FVC champions and Class 3A regional champions will have to replace 12 graduated seniors from last season's squad. Four of 11 starters return for the Gators. "The returning players provide a good core in each area of the field, but we will be looking to establish roles for new girls and develop the depth needed to be successful late in games," coach Jay Mueller said. Hess was a second-team all-area defender last year. Sengstock will play at Division II Winona State next year.

Dundee-Crown

Coach: Sebastian Falinski (11th season)

Last year: 9-10, 4-4 FVC

Top returners: Anna Kieltyka, sr., F; Braylin Mensik, sr., F; Claire Pape, sr., M; Sam Christensen, sr., F; Diana Santillan-Ceja, jr., G; Katelyn Skibinski, so., M; Rylee Quillen, so., M.

Key newcomers: Genevieve Rendl, fr, M; Della Griffin, fr., D/M

Noteworthy: Dundee-Crown returns its top four leaders in goals and assists from last season. Skibinski scored 10 goals and had five assists, Mansik scored nine goals. Both, along with Anna Kieltyka, were All-FVC performers. There are a few more questions on the defensive side. Goalkeeper Diana Santillan-Ceja is not one of those questions. Coach Sebastian Falinski called her "one of the top goalies in the conference."

Hampshire

Coach: Colin Brice (second season)

Last year: 4-16-2, 0-8 FVC

Top returners: Mattea Huerta, sr., M; Sydney James, sr., D; Alyssa Dimaano, jr., M; Alana Hatanaka, jr., M; Veronica Walker, so., D.

Key newcomers: Lara Dulaca, so., M; Kylie Brodkorb, fr., M; Mikaela Huerta, so., M.

Noteworthy: Senior midfielder Mattea Huerta is a returning All-FVC performer and was also a Northwest Herald All-Area honorable mention. She will play at Olivet Nazarene next year. Coach Colin Brice likes the core the Whip-Purs have returning. Combined with the incoming class, Brice thinks his team could surprise some people. "Girls soccer in the FVC is extremely competitive," Brice said. "We are finally looking to start competing with those teams."

Huntley

Coach: Matt Lewandowski (first season)

Last year: 10-8-2, 3-5 FVC; Class 3A regional champions

Top returners: Brenna Keegan, sr., F; Zoe Zuzzio, sr., D; Alyssa Xanos, jr., M; Braidy Ceh, jr., M.

Key newcomers: Yetzemany Solis, jr., D.

Noteworthy: Huntley has 16 athletes returning from a team that won a regional title, although only three are seniors. "If we can adapt to change quickly enough, we should fare well," first-year coach Matt Lewandowski said. Lewandowski is looking to seniors Keegan (Barton College) and Zuzzio to provide leadership for the younger players on the team.

Jacobs

Coach: Stephanie Schuck (fifth season)

Last year: 11-8, 4-4 FVC

Top returners: Maddie Belo, sr., M; Caitlin Strong, sr., M; Emily Pasetes, sr., GK; Cassie Kowalski, jr., M.

Key newcomers: Jacobs graduated the majority of of its back line on defense, but returns two-time all-conference goalkeeper Emily Pasetes. Last year she earned Northwest Herald Second-Team All-Area as well. "We have strong offensive players with good movement off the ball," coach Stephanie Schuck said. "I am excited to see what we can put together throughout the season." Belo and Kowalski were both all-area honorable mentions a year ago and should be key contributors for the Golden Eagles.

McHenry

Coach: Andrew Stegenga (second season)

Last year: 1-16

Top returners: Jasmine Macias, sr., M; Brooke Enslow, sr., D; Sahara Witte, sr., D; Lauren Pearson, jr., M.

Key newcomers: Jocelyn Hernandez, sr.,; Gracie Gasmann, fr., M/F; Mireya Macias, fr., F; Annie Bantner, fr., GK; Olivia Sacchitello, fr., D.

Noteworthy: The Warriors have two sets of sisters who will likely spend a lot of time on the field together. Jasmine and Mireya Macias will be up top together on the offensive end, Olivia and Samantha Sacchitello will hold things down on the defensive end. Coach Andrew Stegenga likes the dedication he has seen from this year's team.

Prairie Ridge

Coach: Andre Watson (third season)

Last year: 17-3, 7-1 FVC; Class 2A sectional champions

Top returners: Jena Berkland, sr., M; Emily Perhats, sr., F; Nicole Anderson, jr., F; Abigail Klimkowski, jr., D; Madison Kachelmuss, jr., D.

Key newcomers: Lucille Klimkowski, fr., M; Abby Eriksen, jr., F; Reanne Weil, so., F.

Noteworthy: The Wolves return five players from last year's run to an IHSA Class 2A supersectional. All-state forward and leading scorer Makena Silber graduated early in December and is already on campus at Illinois. Berkland (who will play at Concordia University) and Perhats (Loras College) will play big roles among those returning. Prairie Ridge will complement the five returning athletes with 14 varsity newcomers.

KISHWAUKEE RIVER CONFERENCE

Harvard

Coach: Victor Gonzalez (third season)

Last year: 2-17, 0-12 KRC

Top returners: Sam Pereles, sr., GK; Yessi Salcedo, sr., D; Hasel Colin, jr., M; Maria Mercado, jr., M

Key newcomers: Dani McCloud, so., F

Noteworthy: Coach Victor Gonzalez said this year's Hornets roster has more upperclassmen than in years past. Gonzalez believes the 2018 team has the potential to start the program heading in the right direction. "The goal is to improve the win total from last year," Gonzalez said. "We want to keep games close and give ourselves an opportunity to win."

Johnsburg

Coach: Adam Bronars (first season)

Last year: 15-6, 9-3 KRC; Class 1A third-place

Top returners: Amber Humphres, sr., M; Megan Jurek, sr., M; Lauren Winter, sr., D; Corin Cameron, sr., F; Kaitlyn Owen, so., M; Hannah Anderson, so., D.

Key newcomers: Holly Kinney, sr.; Gillian Battaglia, sr.

Noteworthy: After a run to the Class 1A state semifinals last season, which ended with a third-place trophy, Johnsburg coach Rob Eastland stepped down. Bronars, who coached the boys program last fall, heads into his first season coaching the girls. Humphres scored 21 goals and had 15 assists last year. Her hat trick in the state third-place game led a wild Johnsburg comeback. The Skyhawks will welcome a number of new faces to the rotation this season.

Marengo

Coach: Courtney Calahan (first season)

Last year: 6-11-1, 3-9 KRC

Top returners: Olivia Ray, sr.; Madison Shines, jr.; Erin Haeflinger, jr.; Caitlin Alejandre, sr.; Hannah Scholl, jr.; Trinity Chanthalansy, sr.; Adriana Georgiades, so.

Key newcomers: Layla Rentner, so.; Katy Cassan, fr.; Jennifer Heinberg, fr.; Belle Neurock, fr.; Katie Shambo, fr.

Noteworthy: Marengo has only four seniors on the roster, so the Indians will be a young team. Some of that young talent will step into the lineup. Growing pains aside, first-year head coach Courtney Calahan hopes to continue building off the improvements the Indians saw last year.

Richmond-Burton

Coach: Casey DeCaluwe (fourth season)

Last year: 14-7-1, 9-3 KRC; Class 1A regional champions

Top returners: Sarah Kitterman, sr., D; Taylor Webb, sr., D; Lindsy Restis, sr., GK; Bailey Dean, sr,. D; Charlotte Holas, jr., M; Darci Retherford, so., M; Lily Maclean, so., F.

Noteworthy: The Rockets lost 12 seniors to graduation from last year's regional championship squad. Coach Casey DeCaluwe said the team has had a nice preseason and is looking to keep improving as the year goes on. Kitterman (Wisconsin-Eau Claire) is a returning all-area honorable mention.

Woodstock

Coach: Matt Warmbier (first season)

Last year: 13-8, 6-6 KRC

Top returners: Camryn Tafoya, sr., D/M; Autumn Overly, sr., F; Cameron Wormley, so., D/M.

Key newcomers: Cara Orndahl, so., F; Meghan Sutter, jr., D

Noteworthy: The Blue Streaks ended last season with four consecutive wins before a loss to Rockford Boylan in their Class 2A regional opener. First-year coach head Matt Warmbier expects big things from seniors like Tafoya and Overly. The Blue Streaks hope to improve on their win total from last season and make some noise in the KRC.

Woodstock North

Coach: John Liuzzi (first season)

Last year: 8-10-1, 3-9 KRC

Top returners: Anicca Mackay-Slavin, sr., GK; Lauren Kunke, jr., F; Taylor Prerost, jr., F; Anastasia Mazzanti, so., M.

Key newcomers: Kaitlyn Ford, so., M; Lauren Chaney, fr., D; Meaghan Walsh, fr., M.

Noteworthy: First-year coach John Liuzzi steps in to take charge of the Thunder program. He has been pleased with how well team chemistry has developed through the first few weeks of the season. "We have a number of strong players returning to our squad and we are looking to continue building on last year's school-best performance," Liuzzi said.

EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLIC CONFERENCE

Marian Central

Coach: Karl Smith (sixth season)

Last year: 10-8-1, Class 2A regional champions

Top returners: Addie Fortin, sr.; Alyssa Sutherland, sr.; Tiffany Teubert, sr.; Amy Herff, jr.

Key newcomers: Zoe Villont, so.

Noteworthy: Marian returns two All-ESCC athletes in Fortin and Sutherland (Quincy University). The Hurricanes graduated some key players from a team that won a regional title last year, but there is plenty of experience returning. "They have a very good understanding of what we want to accomplish, tactically," coach Karl Smith said. "(They) have played on the big stage and understand our approach to the regular season."