Girls soccer notes: Naperville Invitational starts Wednesday; Freshmen shining at St. Charles East
The 2025 Ed Watson Naperville Invitational girls soccer tournament kicks off at 4:30 p.m. on Apr. 23 with Naperville Central hosting Minooka at Knoch Field in Naperville. The game was moved up because Minooka has its prom on Friday night.
The Redhawks will also take on Geneva in pool play. The Vikings (4-4-3) have been involved in shutouts in all but one of their games, a 1-1 tie to Sandburg on April 15.
Benet, Downers Grove North, Downers Grove South, Hinsdale Central, Naperville North, Neuqua Valley, St. Charles East, St. Charles North, Waubonsie Valley and York are among the area teams competing.
Six straight shutouts for Huskies
Naperville North earned its sixth consecutive shutout but fell to defending Class 3A champion New Trier in the penalty kick shootout during Saturday’s championship game of the Lou Malnati’s Deep Dish Classic.
The Huskies (6-2-2) now turn their attention to the Ed Watson Naperville Invitational with games against Oswego (12-1-1) and Lincoln-Way East (7-2).
“The girls have been incredible about getting better every game,” Huskies coach Steve Goletz said. “To go through Evanston, Lake Forest, LT and New Trier, it’s an impressive run. We still have got some things to work on. I think if anything, the Malnati showed us if we work hard and do the little things we can compete for all 80 or 100 minutes in the case against New Trier.”
Another challenge awaits with the Panthers and Griffins in pool play on Thursday and Saturday at home.
“It’s a grind and it never seems to get easier,” Goletz said. “It forces the kids to be locked in and focused and ready to compete.”
Senior Emily Buescher (University of Minnesota) is anchoring the backline for goalkeeper Olivia Ochsner.
“She’s been incredible in back, an absolute rock for us,” Goletz said. “She puts out so many dangerous chances. I can’t say enough good things about her. She truly cares so much and is so driven to get better.”
Saints go marching on
St. Charles East freshman Mya Leon has scored nearly five times as many goals (24) in her first high school season than the Saints have allowed (5).
Leon is one of the many reasons the Saints (13-1) have won 13 straight games and outscored their opponents, 72-5.
“Her pace is what sets her apart, and her knack for scoring goals,” Saints coach Vince DiNuzzo said. “We kind of saw a glimpse in the summer with the three freshmen. Qori (Strotkamp) is approaching the freshman assists record and Georgia Smith leads the team in minutes. So three key pieces replaced a lot of talent.”
Last year the Saints relied on Sophia Wollenberg for scoring. Now Wollenberg (15 goals, 10 assists) is also able to be more of a playmaker and facilitator for a team averaging more than five goals a game. Last year Wollenberg led the team in goals (16) and assists (15).
“(Leon) is a motivated kid, a humble kid,” DiNuzzo said. “She’s never satisfied and always looking for ways to improve. She’s a breath of fresh air and we’ve got a good group of kids and only start one senior so we’re excited. We’ve got some big tests coming up.”
Strotkamp has 9 goals and 15 assists. The Saints’ three freshmen have combined for 36 goals and 25 assists.
Harvesting athletes
Harvest Christian Academy barely had enough players to play last season. This spring, they’ve got 23 players and a perfect 7-0 record.
“I think it’s the culmination of three years of work in building the culture with our assistant coaches, some returners and new players,” Lions coach Brandon Keeran said.
Senior Daniela Martinez leads the team with 11 goals and 6 assists.