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THE DARK HORSES: GIRLS

26. LAKE FOREST

Head Coach: Jessica Goldner

Key Players: Alyssa Hollander, Catherine Pompe, Elise Vondra, Grace Anne Donahue, Madeline Pompe

Players to Watch: Allison Majka, Giselle Striedinger, Grace Landis

Goalkeeper: TBA

Final 2015 Ranking: 25th

First Contest: March 9 vs Highland Park

Key Tournaments: Barrington, Conant, Naperville North, STC North, Vernon Hills

2015 Verdict: Lake Forest went 21-5 and earned a sectional quarterfinal round win over Mundelein before being eliminated from the postseason in the semifinals by the state champions (Stevenson).

27. HOMEWOOD-FLOSSMOOR

Head Coach: Pat Duignan

Key Players: Alexis Anderson, Brianna Rauch, Brooke Butler, Emily Mathews, Kalyn Wright

Players to Watch: Shannon Jordan

Goalkeeper: Eliza Sykes

Final 2015 Ranking: 26th

First Contest: March 10 vs Bremen

Key Tournaments: Fenwick, Naperville Central, St Ignatius

2015 Verdict: The Vikings (13-17) fell at the hands of Lincoln-Way East in the sectional quarterfinal round at Lincoln-Way North.

28. WAUBONSIE VALLEY                                                                                      ...

Head Coach: Kelsey Sopron

Key Players: Alex Triko, Kelsey Meyer, Kimela Srey, Maria Campbell, Molly Anderson

Players to Watch: Madisyn Vuksinic, Peyton Bade

Goalkeeper: Nicole Conway

Final 2015 Ranking: 28th

First Contest: March 10 vs Oak Park

Key Tournaments: Naperville North, St Ignatius

2015 Verdict: Waubonsie Valley went .500 last season (14-14) but had their postseason cut short by Naperville Central in the sectional quarterfinals at Neuqua Valley.

29. MUNDELEIN

Head Coach: Alice Denny

Key Players: Abbie Lukas, Elisabeth Gomez, Jahnvi Modi, Megan Murphy, Sasha Levin

Players to Watch: Bryce Pauly, Caroline Westgate, Jessica Peterson, Lucy Renz

Goalkeeper: Gaby Potillo, Tara Lawson

Final 2015 Ranking: 30th

First Contest: March 8 vs Palatine

Key Tournaments: Fenwick, Mundelein x 2, Naperville Central

2015 Verdict: The Mustangs went 9-20 last season and bowed out of the postseason after a 7-3 loss to Lake Forest in the sectional quarterfinals at Buffalo Grove.

30. MAINE WEST

Head Coach: Drew Schneider

Key Players: Annie Picchiotti, Gaby Fragale, Kat Mraz, Katie Lane, Kristen Burger, Veronica Dunn

Players to Watch: Dana Mesko, Julia Boesche, Lucia Mesko, Megan Romano

Goalkeeper: Lee Harty

Final 2015 Ranking: 29th

First Contest: March 8 vs Evanston

Key Tournaments: Barrington, CSL, STC North, Vernon Hills

2015 Verdict: Maine West finished the previous campaign with a 19-12 mark and secured a sectional victory over Maine South before being knocked out of the playoffs by New Trier in the semifinal round.