High school girls soccer: Previewing teams from around the Suburban Life area

The girls soccer season starts this week. Here are previews of teams from around the Suburban Life coverage area.

Benet

Coach: Gerard Oconer (fifth season).

2019 record: 24-3-1, 6-1 East Suburban Catholic Conference, tied for first place, won Class 2A state title.

Top returners: Jaimee Cibulka, sr., F; Brooke Pullen, sr., D; Katie Lewellyan, jr., M; Mariana Pinto, jr., M; Shannon Clark, so., GK.

Key newcomers: Annastacia Thiel, jr., D; Brinkley Douglas, so., M; Rachel Burns, so., F; Sadie Sterbenz, so., D; Anna Casmere, so., F.

Worth noting: The Redwings return a solid core of 14 players from what would have been their 2020 team, but just four girls remain from the group that won the Class 2A state title in 2019. Benet moves up to Class 3A this year, and opens its season with Naperville Central. Cibulka, a Loyola recruit, had 14 goals and 14 assists as a sophomore, scored the game-winning goal in the state championship game and was the 2019 ESCC Offensive Player of the Year. Pullen, also a starter in 2019, had a goal and six assists and Lewellyan, a key reserve and the only freshman on that team, had a goal and two assists and will patrol the midfield this season.

“Their ability to quickly integrate with our younger players will determine how deep of a run we can make in the state tournament as we make the transition back up to Class 3A,” Oconer said. “We hope to compete for the ESCC championship and cause problems for opposing defenses with our speed and ability to move the ball quickly.”

Downers Grove North

Coach: Brian Papa.

2019 record: 10-11, 5-1 West Suburban Silver.

Top returners: Abbie Peterson, sr., F; Blythe Braun, sr., GK; Lindsey Ringbloom, sr., M; Kendall Hennelly, jr., D; Lindsey Good, sr., D; Rachel Wilson, jr., D.

Key newcomers: Kailyn Zirolli, so., D; Ellie Watts, so., M.

Worth noting: The Trojans return six starters from a 2019 team that went 8-3 over its last 11 games. Downers Grove North should be strong defensively, anchored by Braun, who had a 1.852 goals against average in 2019, and Good, with Wilson anchoring the middle. Papa said the midfield will be one of the strongest he has had since 2017 with Watts, Hennelley, and Ringbloom. Peterson, who had nine goals and three assists in 2019, returns at forward. Depth is expected to be a strength.

“We are cautiously optimistic. If we continue on the progression we had from the last half of 2019 season, we will surprise some teams that will look past us,” Papa said. “One thing for certain, our depth is going to create competition within our team. That is not a bad problem to have!”

Downers Grove South

Coach: Christopher Hernandez (seventh season).

2019 record: 12-8-1, 5-1 West Suburban Gold, second place.

Top returners: Gabi Galvez, sr., M; Olivia Meyer, sr., M; Riley Vondrasek, sr., D.

Key newcomers: Emily Petring, so., F; Teyani Sharkey, so., D; Grace Rappel, so., D; Marley Davis, jr., F; Maya Wilson, so., D.

Worth noting: Hernandez said that the Mustangs’ goal is to win the program’s 26th conference title, 12th regional championship and ninth sectional title. “Anything else is a bonus,” he said. Downers Grove South returns three starters and two key rotational players from the 2019 regional championship team. Galvez, a three-year varsity player, is a returning all-conference pick who had two goals and four assists as a sophomore. Meyer, a four-year varsity player, had three assists and a goal in 2019. Vondrasek, who will play collegiately at the University of Dubuque, is a three-year varsity player who was part of a strong defense that had nine shutouts in 2019.

“So we have some experience, but are blending it with a very talented sophomore group,” Hernandez said.

Fenwick

Coach: Craig Blazer (first season).

2019 record: 14-6-1.

Top returners: Emily Kapusta, sr., M; Anna Dray, sr., M; Grace McGann, sr., M; Kate Henige, jr., F; Emily Ortiz, jr., F.; Julianna Giuffree, sr., F.

Worth noting: Blazer has been coaching at various levels for over 20 years. The Friars have won four regional titles and two sectional championships since 2013, with a sectional title in 2019. Kapusta will play collegiately at DePauw.

“The program has had a lot of success throughout the years and with this group of committed and talented student-athletes it’s going to be exciting seeing this group develop into a successful team,” Blazer said.

Glenbard East

Coach: Kent Overbey (14th season).

2019 record: 19-4-2, 8-1 Upstate Eight Conference, second place.

Top returners: Sarah Liljestrand, jr., F; Maia Zatarski, jr., M; Kendall Crackel, sr., D; Zoe Romano, jr., GK.

Key newcomers: Jasmine Dhamers, so., F; Haley Tu, jr., D; Sophie Sommesi, fr., F; Hope McKenna, fr., D.

Worth noting: The Rams are looking to return to the top of the Upstate Eight Conference, returning eight probable starters from last year with a plethora of young talent set to make their debut this spring. Glenbard East’s biggest strengths looked to be in the attack and goal. Liljestrand had three goals and 14 assists in earning all-conference and honorable mention all-sectional honors, and Oberbey said “is a one of a kind talent that can use her speed to break open games.” Zatarski had seven goals and four assists as a freshmen and Oberbey said is “a true playmaker in the middle of the field and can score from anywhere.” Crackel scored two goals as a sophomore and anchored a back line that helped produce 15 shutouts. Romano shared in those 15 shutouts in goal, allowing only five goals against in 920 minutes played as a freshman keeper. Dhamers made the varsity team last year as a freshman and Oberbey looks for her technical skill to complement Liljestrand’s speed. Tu made the varsity team as a sophomore last year, Sommesi is a physical forward and McKenna an outside defender with great one-on-one technique. Natalie Borcean is a physical midfielder that wins everything in the air and starts the attack.

“Defense will need to develop quickly, replacing two starters,” Oberbey sad. “Kendall Crackel is a three-sport athlete that can do it all on the back line.”

Glenbard South

Coach: Kevin Berner (seventh season).

2019 record: 12-8-1, second place in Upstate Eight Conference.

Top returners: Mikaely Evans, sr., M; Madeline Sebahar, jr., D; Ellie Anderson, jr., F.

Key newcomers: Emma Seaman, so., M.

Worth noting: The Raiders have won regional titles in three of the last four seasons, most recently 2019. Berner, in his seventh season, is hoping for more of the same this spring from a team that was runner-up in the Upstate Eight two years ago.

“We will take every game we can get,” Berner said. “Would love to win conference this year as well as the regional championship.”

Glenbard West

Coach: Adam Szyszko (third season).

2019 record: 8-9-3, 2-4 West Suburban Silver, fifth place.

Top returners: Megan Mullins, sr., M; Ellie Tarczon, sr., D; Brianna Hernandez, sr., M; Emmie Roberts, jr., M; Sam Bleker, sr., GK.

Key newcomers: Claire Kostolansky, so., M; Maggie McDonnell, jr., M; Kendall Walch, jr., M; Jennifer Fox, jr., D; Emma Kluge, jr., D.

Worth noting: Mullins, Tarczon, Hernandez, Roberts and Bleker are all returning starters. Hernandez is playing collegiately at the Milwaukee School of Engineering.

“I think we have a pretty talented group, just looking forward to getting out and playing again,” Szyszko said.

Hinsdale Central

Coach: Tony Madonia (third season).

2019 record: 8-8-2, 4-2-0 West Suburban Silver, third place.

Top returners: Emma Elliott, sr.; Francesca Schiavitti, sr.; Riley O’Connor, sr.; Lauren Oleferchik, sr., D.

Key newcomers: Fallon Limberg, jr., F; Maddy Panveno, so., M.

Worth noting: Madonia said the Red Devils look forward to a long-anticipated season. Elliott is committed to play collegiately at Tennessee-Martin. Limberg and Panveno are underclassmen who are returning varsity players.

“Our well-attended offseason sessions have us excited to get to work this season versus our stiff West Suburban Conference competition,” Madonia said. " Extremely grateful for the opportunity to play this season.”

Hinsdale South

Coach: Jen Belmonte (seventh season).

2019 record: 6-15-1, 2-4 West Suburban Gold, fifth place.

Top returners: Ellie Urbanski, sr., M; Madison Arflack, sr., GK; Elena Mazurek, sr., M; Tati Eicker, D.

Worth noting: The Hornets had a tough season two years ago with injuries and young players. This likewise is a young team since Hinsdale South’s juniors missed a big year on varsity as sophomores. “Many played on varsity as freshmen so we are interested in their growth and leadership,” Belmonte said. Urbanski at center midfielder is a four-year varsity starter signed with Culver Stockton College. Arflack in goal and Mazurek at another center midfielder are also four-year varsity starters and Eiker at center back is a three-year starter.

“The junior class is our biggest with six. We have four sophs who missed their debut last year as freshmen and brought up four more new freshmen this year,” Belmonte said. “This team has heart and works hard so we hope the variety of classes can mesh after a year off!”

IC Catholic Prep

Coach: Antonio Godinez

2019 record: 14-8

Top returners: Claire Wagner jr.; Maggie O’Brien, jr.

Key newcomers: Avery Berschel, fr.; Matea O’Donnell, fr.; Kelsey McDonough, fr.

Lyons

Coach: Bill Lanspeary (15th season).

2019 record: 18-4-1, 6-0 West Suburban Silver, first place.

Top returners: Lily Mattern, sr., M; Ava Dallavo, sr., F; Elli Kosanovich, sr., D

Key newcomers: Reese Komsthoeft, sr., F; Jordan Lee-Caracci, sr., F; Avery Livingston, sr., M; Maddie McPartlin, sr., D; Eleanor Musgrove, jr., M/F; Kate Fulscher, jr., D.

Worth noting: The Lions return a solid core from the team that finished fourth at Class 3A state in the spring of 2019. Mattern was the starting center back on that team, and Dallavo was a starting forward – both of them four-year varsity players. Kosanovich, a three-year varsity player, was a starting defender. Komsthoeft, Lee-Caracci, Livingston, McPartlin, Musgrove and Fulscher all would have been on Lyons’ 2020 team.

“It may take a few games to figure things out, but we’ve got some talented and experienced players throughout our lineup,” Lanspeary said. “Our conference is always tough and this year we’ll be playing teams twice, so that will make things interesting.”

Montini

Coach: Kate Perry

2019 record: 9-8-1.

Top returners: Sawyer White, jr., M; Alivia Gianatasio, sr., M; Franca Finch, sr., GK; Jillian Snukst, sr., D; Jillian Parrilli, so., M.

Key newcomers: Maren Hoovel, so., F; Riley White, fr., D.

Worth noting: Perry, a native of Virginia and 2018 Carthage College graduate, was hired in February of 2020 as the Lady Broncos’ head coach. She is also an assistant coach at North Central College and serves as a junior academy coach for the Chicago Rush Soccer Club in Oswego. The Lady Broncos have four girls remaining from the 2019 team that won a Class 1A regional title, and Perry is looking for them to lead the way. Perry said that Montini’s attack has the potential to be very dangerous, led by the trio of White, Hoovel and Gianatasio. The White sisters will be two of Montini’s top players, Sawyer a member of the 2020 Montini state basketball team.

“This season has the potential to be very special,” Perry said. “As a team we keep discussing the word ‘grateful.’ We are just very grateful for the opportunity to step out on the field together as a team after not being able to for so long.”

Morton

Coach: Jim Bageanis (10th season).

2019 record: 16-6, 6-0 West Suburban Gold (first place).

Top returners: Adriana Moreno, sr., F; Mayte Gongora, jr., M; Lorena Jaimes, sr., D.

Key newcomers: Mya Hernandez, jr., D; Brianna Avalos, so., D; Carisma Rosales, fr., M.

Worth noting: Morton has posted five consecutive winning seasons, with just two seasons below .500 since 2007. Bageanis said that this team is going to be a mix of some veterans along with some younger talents being brought up to experience the varsity level of play.

“We are just happy to get the girls back playing HS soccer,” Bageanis said. “I think they miss the togetherness of playing for their school and community. I think it will take a little time to get on another to learn how to play on the field together , but I also feel we have a good core of talent to work with this season.”

St. Francis

Coach: Jim Winslow (11th season).

2019 record: 8-7-2, second place in Metro Suburban Conference.

Top returners: Kate Chaparro, sr.; Katherine Lemke, sr.

Worth noting: St. Francis has won nine regional titles since 2009, with state titles in 2012 and 2018 when the seniors were freshmen, but Winslow noted “we are starting fresh again in my 11th season.” Chaparro and Lemke, both multi-sport standouts, were both all-conference their sophomore seasons in 2019. Beyond them, though, the Spartans graduated 14 seniors last year, so Winslow said those two will need to carry them some.

“They will play in a number of different roles for us,” Winslow said. “They will have some help, though, with some very good juniors and sophomores and a talented freshman class. I think we will be competitive as the season goes on.”

Timothy Christian

Coach: Jon Hamelinck (ninth season).

2019 record: 11-4-1, third place in Metro Suburban Red.

Top returners: Emma Carter, sr., M; Elena Munk, sr., D; Angel Burke, sr., GK; Sophia Biscan, jr., D; Ella Vandermolen, jr., M; Maddie Drye, so., M.

Key newcomers: Hope Huizenga, fr., M; Angie Tornabene, so., M.

Worth noting: The Trojans will be starting a younger group than Hamelinck was expecting to before the season started. With the 2020 season canceled, between Timothy Christian’s sophomore and freshman classes almost half of the team will be getting their first varsity experience in Saturday’s season opener with Ridgewood. The Trojans do return six starters from a 2019 sectional finalist, so they expect to be competitive. Carter, who will play collegiately at Purdue Northwest, had 20 goals and seven assists in an all-conference sophomore season. Burke is committed to play at Trinity International and Vandermolen had five goals and four assists in 2019. Of the newcomers, Hamelinck said Huizenga has good skill and game knowledge, and can finish, and Tornabene is a smart player with good touch.

“Our schedule is considerably more difficult this year than years past, which is a good thing,” Hamelinck said. “So far, only four of our games are scheduled against other 1A schools and the rest in 2A or 3A. We hope that that prepares us well for a deep run in the state series, which we’re thankful to even have this year. We are excited to see this team come together and improve.”

Wheaton North

Coach: Timothy Mcevilly (21st season).

2019 record: 8-14-1, 2-5 DuKane Conference, sixth place.

Top returners: Kayla Shebar, sr., F; Ella Kocher, sr., D; Olivia Moreno, jr., F; Claudia Kim, jr., M; Sara Chojnacki, sr., D; Maria Haworth, sr., F; Macy Hutchinson, so., F; Abby Gosling, so., D

Key newcomers: Julia Simon, sr., M; Zoey Bohmer, fr., GK; Hannah Lang, fr., GK; Olivia Iberle, fr., GK.

Worth noting: The Falcons return eight players from what would have been their 2020 roster, with four girls members of the varsity team in 2019 that lost in penalty kicks to Conant in the regional final – with one significant addition. Mcevilly, in his 21st season, believes that Wheaton North has a team that can be as dangerous offensively as most of the teams in the area. Shebar, signed with Purdue Fort Wayne, had five goals and 10 assists as a sophomore and Mcevilly said “is as dangerous of a wing player that you will find in the area” with her skill set, speed and competitive drive. Moreno, committed to Northern Michigan, had 13 goals and four assists as a freshman and provides a complementary speed player on the opposite wing. Kocher is Wheaton North’s lone returning defender with varsity experience and the fourth girl back from 2019, Kim, had four goals as a freshman and plays a crucial role as a holding defensive midfielder. Joining the group is Simon, a Louisville recruit playing high school soccer for the first time who Mcevilly said “will impress many people with her diverse set of skills, knowledge of the game, athleticism and competitiveness.” Bohmer will begin the season in goal, but fellow freshmen Lang and Iberle may challenge her for time in net.

“We will be focused early on developing some chemistry and understanding in our defensive part of the field,” Mcevilly said. “If we can find that chemistry we are hopeful for a very positive and successful season.”

Wheaton Warrenville South

Coach: Guy Callipari (27th season).

2019 record: 14-5-2, 3-3-1 DuKane Conference.

Top returners: Melisa Hadzic, sr., F; Ellie Farrel, jr., D; Becca Hauenstein, sr., F; Emma Snowman, sr., M; Lauren Barnett, so., F; Kate Hartnett, so., F.

Key newcomers: Ava Walsh, fr., M; Mia Harbert, fr., M.

Worth noting: With a lost season, and the Tigers graduating 11 seniors from 2020, Callipari has been asked by many how his team will be in 2021. “The answer is somewhere in the first five games of the season when roles are learned and accepted,” he said. WW South has won nine regional titles since 2002, and 375 total games in 27 seasons under Callipari’s stewardship. He said the goal production will need to come from a consorted effort from the front five and the Tigers’ defensive posture will seek four of five new faces. Goals are to develop continuity in our play, trust in one another, while competing at the highest level possible each and every day.

“Excitement reigns high while predictions may be difficult early on,” Callipari said. “The possibilities are wide open if we entertain the ideas of working hard on both sides of the ball.”

York

Coach: Stevan Dobric (third season).

2019 record: 11-8-1, 3-3 West Suburban Silver, fourth place.

Top returners: Maya Rebic, sr., F; Maddie Jeffery, sr., M; Dani Stockwell, sr., F; Clare Matthews, sr., D; Maureen Buhrfiend, so., M; Jacquelyn Kraft, jr., M;

Worth noting: The Dukes have six returning varsity players ready to go for a great season, a year removed from winning a regional championship. Rebic, an Eastern Illinois recruit, had four goals and assists in 2019 and all-sectional pick Jeffery had four goals and three assists. Due to COVID-19 restrictions York will only play a conference schedule, home and away, before the playoffs.

“The players new to the team are ready to contribute to the team and make a strong impact this year,” Dobric said. “With strong leadership from our seniors, York looks to put pressure on our opponents and win the conference this year.”