Scouting DuPage County girls soccer
Addison Trail
Coach: Sergio Nunez (23rd year)
Last year’s record: 10-9-1, 3-3 West Suburban Gold Conference (3rd place)
Top returning players: Lea Fischer, so., F; Brianna Gutierrez, jr., MF; Isabella Gutierrez, so., GK; Brithany Mondragon, jr., MF/F
Worth noting: Brianna Gutierrez (North Dakota State) leads a talented roster. Nunez said the group is committed to the team and poised for success.
Benet
Coach: Gerard Oconer (9th year)
Last year’s record: 16-4-1, 6-0 East Suburban Catholic Conference (1st place)
Top returning players: Audrey Eiseman, so., Natalie Grover, sr., F; Eleanor Mahan, sr., F; Meghan Sarros, sr., D; Chloe Sentman, sr., MF/D; Ivana Vukas, jr., F
Key newcomers: Ashley Polanco, fr., MF/F; Sahana Raju, fr., D; Keira Stone, fr., MF; Ashlyn Willis, so., F
Worth noting: The Redwings return 14 players including three of their top scorers in Grover (10 goals), Mahan (9 goals) and Vukas (8 goals, 10 assists). Look for Stone and Polanco to make a huge impact in the midfield.
Downers Grove North
Coach: Martin Manzke (2nd year)
Last year’s record: 11-12-2, 2-4 West Suburban Silver Conference (6th place)
Top returning players: Audrey Anderson, sr., F; Audrey Carlstead, sr., D; Lexi Keown, sr., MF; Campbell Thulin, so., F; Olivia Watland, so., D
Top new players: Ella Menziona, fr.; Jordan Sashin, fr., MF/D
Worth noting: The Trojans will look for last season’s postseason success to carry over into new season.
Downers Grove South
Coach: Chris Hernandez (11th year)
Last year’s record: 10-8-2, 5-1 West Suburban Gold Conference (2nd place)
Top returning players: Marifer Duran, sr., MF; Ashley Molinari, sr., MF; Skylar Swanson, sr., F; Sienna Thurston, sr., MF
Top new players: Franny Dulles, jr., D; Alyssa Lamb, so., F; Gianna Lamb, so., MF
Worth noting: Molinari (Illinois State) is a four-year starter. The Mustangs gained a lot of experience a year ago and return 14 players including six seniors.
Glenbard East
Coach: Athena Toliopoulos (3rd year)
Last year’s record: 8-6-6, 5-1-3 Upstate Eight Conference (5th place)
Top returning players: Julia Bereta, sr., D; Makenna Gibbons, sr., D; Cleo Glenzinski, sr., MF; Teagan Murphy, so., MF; Brissa Sarabia, sr, D/F
Key newcomers: Courtney Fioccola, so., MF: Nora Opila, jr., MF
Worth nothing: The Rams are healthy to begin the season, returning a strong core of varsity players in key positions to take on a tough schedule.
Glenbard North
Coach: Miguel Domínguez Carreño (4th year)
Last year’s record: 8-12-2, 1-6 DuKane Conference (7th place)
Top returning players: Melissa Aguilar, jr., D; Vanessa Colín, sr., D; Julia Galindo, so., MF; Kaylee Hesik, jr., MF; Nadia Mandujano, jr., F
Key newcomers: Alexa Lopez Vargas, fr., MF
Worth noting: The Panthers welcome back a solid balance of returners and will seek contributions from newcomers. The top returners players listed above combined for 14 goals, 16 assists last spring.
Glenbard South
Coach: Kevin Berner (11th year)
Last year’s record: 12-8-1, 6-2-1 Upstate Eight Conference (3rd place)
Top returning players: Kaitlin Erickson, so., MF; Callie Hardtke, jr., D; Olivia Seaman, sr., MF; Annika Wise, sr., F
Key newcomers: Jaiya Holder, fr., D; Lilliana Pagano, fr., D/GK
Worth noting: According to Berner, despite Glenbard South being a smaller school, the Raiders should be competitive with the new conference alignment, returning several key players, including Wise who is coming back after missing her junior year after knee surgery. The Raiders have depth they haven’t had in years.
Glenbard West
Coach: Adam Syzszko (7th year)
Last year’s record: 10-8-3, 3-3 West Suburban Silver Conference (3rd place)
Top returning players: Hana Allen, jr., MF; Ella Bennett, sr., F; Lauren Escalante, sr., MF; Hannah Roberts, sr., D; Aniela Rossi, sr., F
Top new players: Mena Bartolucci, so., GK; Julia Benjamin, sr., F/GK; Hannah Michalowski, sr., MF
Worth noting: Allen was an all-state selection a year ago and leads a strong midfield. The Hilltoppers have seven players who also helped the girls basketball team win a sectional.
Hinsdale Central
Coach: Anthony Madonia (7th year)
Last year’s record: 15-8, 3-3 West Suburban Silver Conference (3rd place)
Top returning players: Avery Edgewater, sr., MF; Emeline McClenahan, sr., GK; Peyton Rohn, sr., MF
Top new players: Claire Chung, sr., MF; Elle Conley, sr., MF; Gabby Gjeldum, fr., GK; Adeline Hsieh, jr., D; Sloane Kumskis, so., D; Sofia Malinas, so., D; Solenne O’Bourke, so., MF; Myah Pacheco, sr., F; Charlotte Peterson, so., F; Haley Tuck, sr., F
Worth noting: McClenahan (11 shutouts), Rohn (8 goals, 4 assists), and Edgewater (6 goals, 4 assists) are back after strong performances a year ago. There’s also plenty of incoming talent will look to assist efforts.
Hinsdale South
Coach: Jen Belmonte (10th year)
Last year’s record: 14-7, 3-3 West Suburban Gold Conference (4th place)
Top returning players: Audrey Atkinson, jr., F; Olivia Fulton, sr., D; Kennedy Ruff, so., MF/F; Alyssa Watson, so., D
Top new players: Brynn Diedrich, fr., MF/F; Nina Kremper, fr., GK
Worth noting: Atkinson scored a school record 36 goals last year. Fulton is a fourth-year starter. The Hornets have six athletes who also just finished playing on the girls basketball team.
Lisle
Coach: Jamie Clemmons (1st year)
Last year’s record: 13-5, 6-1 Illinois Central Eight (2nd place)
Top returning players: Ally Doering, sr., F; Rena Riley, jr., D; Jordan Rodriguez, sr., F
Key newcomers: Sophia Gustafson, fr., D; Liliana Rocha, fr., MF
Worth noting: Rodriguez led the Lions with 22 goals a season ago. Clemmons takes over the program, one which he said is returning a great lineup. He took over the boys program as well in the fall.
Metea Valley
Coach: Chris Whaley (11th year)
Last year’s record: 14-4-1, 3-2 DuPage Valley Conference (3rd place)
Top returning players: Olivia Hernandez, sr., MF; Isabelle Leofanti, sr., F; Sydney Phillips, sr., D; Lily Senese, sr., F; Emma Strcic, jr., MF; Jessica Terada, so., D; Daniela Tomassini, sr., MF; Mckenna Wigfield, jr., MF
Key newcomers: Reagan Bellagamba, fr., D; Chloe Birch, sr., F; Payton Giannone, fr., MF; Shivani Jambunathan, sr., F; Marisa McClure, so., F; Kylie Paulding, so., D; Aarna Raghavapudi, sr., GK
Worth nothing: Senese and Hernandez are among eight starters that return for Mustangs. Terada and Phillips also return at center back. Birch is back from a knee injury.
Montini
Coach: Anna Martinello (1st year)
Last year’s record: 7-7, 3-1 Chicago Catholic League (3rd place)
Top returning players: Lily Cruz, sr., MF; Annalee DeFeo, sr., MF; Ava Lombardi, jr., MF; Avery Lucatorto, sr., F;
Worth noting: Martinello is looking for growth and development from the Broncos in her first season. A senior-heavy offense will need to score goals.
Naperville Central
Coach: Troy Adams (3rd year)
Last year’s record: 14-6-1, 3-1-1 DuPage Valley Conference (2nd place)
Top returning players: Bella Brooke, sr., F; Emerson Burke, so., F; Elenor Kane, so., D; Becca Ruggiero, sr., MF; Emma Russell, sr., F; Nicole Sack, so., MF; Malia Shen, jr., MF; Nicole Smith, jr., MF
Key newcomers: Callie Tumility
Worth noting: Tumility (Ohio State) recovered from an ACL injury last year and will look to contribute to a younger but deeply talented mix that includes five freshmen. Brozek (UWGB) had 14 goals and 10 assists last year. Burke had 11 assists in her debut season.
Naperville North
Coach: Steve Goletz (13th year)
Last year’s record: 13-6-4, 4-0-1 DuPage Valley Conference (1st place)
Top returning players: Emily Buescher, sr., D; Claire DeCook, jr., F; Isa Polavieja, sr., MF; Lily Radek, so., D
Worth noting: DeCook (University of Tennessee) leads the attack and Buescher (University of Minnesota) anchors the backline against a tough schedule.
Neuqua Valley
Coach: Arnoldo Gonzalez (3rd year)
Last year’s record: 6-10-1, 1-4 DuPage Valley Conference (5th place)
Top returning players: Selma Larbi, sr., F; Chloe Orlow, sr., MF/D; Alessandra Russo, jr., F/D
Key newcomers: Samantha Horner, fr., MF; Samantha Latawiec, fr., MF
Worth noting: The Wildcats have freshmen joining the talent that’s already in place to try to get on the other side of .500 this spring. Larbi (Yale), Orlow (St. Cloud State) and Russo (Marquette) will lead.
St. Francis
Coach: Jim Winslow (14th year)
Last year’s record: 6-7-2, 1-2-1 Chicago Catholic Conference (8th place)
Top returning players: Lexi Bauer, sr., D; Harlee Duraski, so., D; Kennedy Karl, sr., D; Caroline Kiesler, so., MF; Ashleigh Klein, so., F; Meg Maertens, jr., F; Molly Marks, jr., MF; Maicie Schweiner, jr., F; Alyssa Suriano, sr., D; Elle Wainscott, sr., D
Key newcomers: Sophia Homewood, fr., F; Lorraine Surina, so., F; Avery Starkey, so., F
Worth noting: Winslow said Homewood can add tenacity to the front line and staying healthy will be a key factor in having success in conference and the state tournament.
Timothy Christian
Coach: Nathan Drye (2nd year)
Last year’s record: 14-7, 5-1 Chicago Christian Conference (2nd place)
Top returning players: Ella Becvar, so., MF; Avery Croft, so., D; Sami Drye, sr., MF; Mia Schilf, so., MF; Emily White, jr., GK
Key newcomers: Brooklynn Bunn, fr., MF; Lucy Wilgenburg, fr., F
Worth noting: Schilf (11 goals, 9 assists), Drye (6 goals, 9 assists), Becvar (4 goals, 4 assists), Croft (5 goals, 2 assists) and White (9 shutouts) are expected to lead the way.
Waubonsie Valley
Coach: Julie Bergstrom (25th year)
Last year’s record: 11-8-2, 3-2 DuPage Valley Conference (3rd place)
Top returning players: Thanya Castelan, sr., F; Katie Chapman, sr., D; Macy Evans, jr., MF; Emmerson Hallihan, jr., F; McKinley Ladd, jr., D; Chloe Shaffer, jr., D; Bella Woolard, jr., MF
Worth nothing: Chapman was all-conference and all-sectional last year and Castelan was all-conference honorable mention. The Warriors look to fill the void left with Taylor Ahmadian, Ceci Galarza and Eleanor Oster graduating.
West Chicago
Coach: Julio Cesar Gomez (25th year)
Last year’s record: 11-7-2, 6-2-1 Upstate Eight Conference (4th place)
Top returning players: Kaylee Kreitzer, so., MF; Elina Velasco, sr., MF
Key newcomers: Alejandra Munoz, jr., MF/F; Abby Wing, D; Ariz Zuniga, sr., MF;
Worth noting: Gomez said Velasco’s technical ability and creativity “will be key as the Wildcats push for some silverware this year.” Zuniga and Munoz are healthy and will add to the attack after being sidelined last spring, joining Kreitzer who contributed as a freshman a year ago.
Wheaton Academy
Coach: Maria Selvaggio (6th year)
Last year’s record: 18-1-3, 5-0 Chicago Christian Conference (1st place)
Top returning players: Gianna Hughes, so., F/MF; Noelle Niekamp, sr., GK; Annika Vandervelde, jr., F/MF
Key newcomers: Whitley Fallow, fr., D; Molly Roth, fr., MF; Alaina Tran, jr., MF
Worth noting: The Warriors are young, graduating a lot of scoring. New talent will be key. Niekamp is back between the pipes after a mid-season injury last spring.
Wheaton North
Coach: Tim McEvilly (25th year)
Last year’s record: 18-3-2, 6-0-2 DuKane Conference (1st place)
Top returning players: Talia Kaempf, sr., MF/F; Grace Kuczaj, sr., MF/F; Leah Roe, sr., GK; Calah Strong, sr., MF
Top new players: Felicity Haworth, fr., MF; Olivia Smith, sr., MF/F; Ellie Whittington, fr., F
Worth noting: Jane Rogers is expected to miss the season with a knee injury. The Falcons remain talented with Kaempf (23 goals, 14 assists) among the returnees on an experienced roster.
Wheaton Warrenville South
Coach: Guy Callipari (31st year)
Last year’s record: 12-5-3, 5-1-2 DuKane Conference (3rd place)
Top returning players: Ashlyn Adams, sr., F; Ella Byrnes, sr., D; Kelsey Clousing, so., MF; Marilyn Dixon, sr., GK; Brooke Ittersagen., sr., D; Lucy Jethani, jr., F; Lily Petrie, sr., D; Kayla Waterman, sr., D
Top new players: Ashley Alman, so., MF/D; Corinne Benoist, so., D; Alice Kohley, jr., MF; Kahira Rahmouni, fr., MF
Worth noting: The Tigers have six college commits, including Adams (University of Illinois) who scored 27 goals last season. Dixon (139 saves, 8 shutouts) is back on the other end.
Willowbrook
Coach: Julio Del Real (9th year)
Last year’s record: 3-11-3, 1-5 West Suburban Gold Conference (6th place)
Top returning players: Halie Ahrens, sr., D; Emily Barth, sr., MF; Payton Brose, sr., GK; Mia Catania, so., MF/F; Miah Grochowski, so., D; Lillian Macias, so., F; Liz Tretina, sr., MF;
Worth noting: The Warriors graduated seven seniors from last year’s team.
York
Coach: Stevan Dobric (7th year)
Last year’s record: 18-2-1, 6-0 West Suburban Silver Conference (1st place)
Top returning players: Ava Lewandowski, sr., GK; Maggie Quinn, jr., F; Andriana Soupos, jr., MF
Top new players: Lizzy Buranacanchana, so., Evelyn Messacar, so., D; Madison Schaefer, so., F
Worth noting: The Dukes graduated 12 players, leaving them younger this year but still talented. The newcomers will adjust to fill roles in order for continued success. Lewandowski had 13 shutouts last year.