2010 Girls Season Preview
By Aaron Brown
With the season
officially underway, let's take a closer look at some of the top teams in
the state of Illinois on the girls' side in 2010:
The Top 25
1. Fenwick
In order to be the best, you have to beat the best.
That is the main reason Fenwick retains the top spot at the start of the
season even though they lost many of their highly productive players to
graduation. Stephanie Ovalle and Emma McKernin both return to the starting
lineup and look to lead the Friars to a third straight title. Molly
Loeffler and Natalie Dunlap also return and could provide major
contributions, while Mary Bridget Barrett takes over the reigns in goal.
The key for Fenwick is finding the right additions to fill out the
starting lineup to keep coach Jack Wagner's squad in contention for a
state championship.
2. Naperville
Central
Last year's state runner-up returns their leading
scorer (Claire Fleming) and one of the state's top goalies (Sam Virella),
making the Redhawks a major contender for the title in 2010. Meanwhile,
three-year starter Tori Davis provides solid experience and sophomores
Abbey Kerth and Emily Sejna also return after productive first-year
campaigns with the Varsity squad. Head coach Jeff Plackett will rely on
the team's speed and depth, with Claire Wirtz, Vanessa Lin, Lauren Spaits,
Rosalie Fidanze, Lizzy Guiliani, and Robyn Stanley all expected to make big
contributions.
3. St Ignatius
St Ignatius will be likely to contend
for the Catholic League title and a state title in 2010, as the Wolfpack
return their top two scorers in the talented duo of Celeste Almarez and Kate Stelnicki.
The pair combined for well over 100 goals last season and should be even
better this year. Yvette Leon is a solid overall player who excels at both
ends of the pool and should be a key contributor in her senior season. In
her first year, Stephanie Fernandez provided a boost to the Ignatius
lineup and could be even more productive as a sophomore starter. Head
coach Mike Cashman also welcomes back seniors Sarah Fleming, Jenny Hendler,
Liz
Sweeney, and Hannah Cronin.
4. Lyons
The Lions return several starters and
plenty of scoring options from last year's state-qualifying team, so new
coach Lynn Castro and company will be looking to contend for a state title
once again in 2010. Last year's leading scorer Allie Grimes returns and
will look to make an even bigger impact, while fellow senior Katelyn
Jacobs should also increase her role on the offensive end.
The Lions got a huge boost from Kirby Kaptur and Lizzy
Kosin in their first year at the high school level in 2009, and the
talented sophomores should be even better this season.
Grace Trilla takes over in goal after
getting some brief experience in the net last season, while Adriana Hoak, Erika Ronning,
and Madelon Craig are
among several experienced players that Lyons will depend
on in order to get back to state.
5. Loyola
The Ramblers have plenty of reason to be
optimistic after their fourth-place finish in 2009, as they return their
top two playmakers that accounted for over 200 goals last year. Maeve O'Connor
is a force on the offensive end and should have a monster season. Fellow
senior Ashley Letrich is also back to make an impact offensively, while
senior Krissy Durkin provides additional experience and leadership for
head coach Rich Schici's squad. Loyola will look to a terrific junior
class led by Sarah Gross, Caitlin Sershon, Rachel Nieman and Ellie Ansani
to get them
back in contention this year, while
junior Kristina Alexander
is expected to take over in goal this season. Schici may also look to
Emily Levison and Kate Ansani to play big minutes for the Ramblers this
year.
6. Mother McAuley
The Mighty Macs return plenty of scoring
options from last season's team, giving them optimism that they can get
back in contention for a state title this year. McAuley can once again
expect big things from offensive standout
Yuri Chavez in her senior season. The Macs are also loaded with
experienced seniors, as Katie Moran,
Aileen Riley, Malissa Vasquez, Kim Healy,
and Ann Shellberg are all expected to play key roles for new head coach
Vanessa Carroll's team. Other players that are expected to make a big
impact include junior
Jackie Knightly, sophomore Adrianna Izquierdo, and talented
incoming freshman Vicky Arciniega.
7. Fremd
The Vikings will look to build off their
surprise third-place finish in 2009, and they have the returning pieces in
place from their state-qualifying team to do it. Leading scorer Erika Lauraitis
is back after scoring over 150 goals last season, while senior Kristina D'Andrea
also returns to the starting lineup and is expected to increase her
scoring output this year. Sophomore Julie Conrath takes over the
goaltending duties, while talented junior Emily Orlowski and sophomore
Samantha DelPrado are also expected to play a big role in this year's
team. Meanwhile, the Vikings have plenty of depth with
juniors Haley Shoaf, Samantha Kirby, and Megan Kennedy
all available to head coach Brian Newby's team.
8.
Homewood-Flossmoor
The
Vikings are loaded with returning players this season, giving them a solid
chance at returning to state after missing out on a berth last year.
Michelle Mayer had a breakout season on the offensive end and should
continue to excel in her junior season, while senior Maya Holst and
junior Hannah Ongman give the Vikings plenty of offensive options. Rebecca Matthews
earned valuable Varsity-level experience as a freshman and should make an
even bigger contribution this season, while junior goalie Sophie Schloen
returns to anchor a solid defensive team. Head coach Pat Duignan
could also look to experienced seniors Alana Hernandez, Rachel
Mahler and Jackie Adamonis to play valuable minutes in 2010.
9. Stevenson
The junior pairing of Cheyenne Montijo
and Karen Lowry both return to lead the Stevenson offense in 2010, as Jeff
Wimer's squad will look for a seventh straight state tournament
appearance. The Patriots will need to replace several productive seniors
from last year's campaign, but Samantha Petti, Taylor Saltzman and goalie Claire Moschovas are among several returning players that could provide
a boost to the starting lineup. Jessica Rozemberg, Kim Nolte, Rachel Lauter
and Laura Goodell also return from last year's state team for the
Patriots.
10. Young
The
Dolphins boast a strong lineup featuring offensive standout
Gabriela Cabrera, a talented player who
looks to boost Young's challenge for a state berth in 2010. Shay Bell
returns in goal, Yadi Casimoro should be even better this year with
another year of experience under her belt, and Tiare Esquivel, Lindsay Lucido and
Susy Zizumbo
are among several starters who should be highly productive for co-coaches
Aaron Fleischhacker and Oscar Calderon
this
season.
11. New Trier
The Trevians will use depth and team speed to challenge
for a potential trip to state under new head coach Matt Wendt.
Sophia Palmer leads the way for New
Trier on the offensive end; she'll be backed up by returning
starters
Anna Stern, Erisa Apantaku, Maddy Urban
and Anna Horstkotte. Other players who could contribute for a deep squad
include Caroline Hoff, Samantha Medland, Katie Flynn
and Zara Wysockey. Sophomores Erika Nothnagel and Isabelle Baneux should
also factor in for the Trevians this season.
12. Latin
The Romans are a young but talented
side that steadily improved last season and should be even better this
year. Brittany Wallace leads the way for Latin, but she'll have plenty of
support from teammates Jordan Yaakoby and Ashley Henderson. Others who are
expected to play a big role for coach Kim Przekota's squad are returning
players Sarah Kaminski and goalie Chloe Kaulas.
13. Mundelein
The Mustangs return two of their top
scorers from last year's team, as Alexis Jones and Evelyn Kurzac will look
to provide the bulk of the scoring in 2010. Meanwhile, head coach Drew
Schneider has plenty of returning players at his disposal, as Dani Caldwell,
Sarah Honda, Jacqui Lodor, Emily Tylka, and Yesenia
Rossi are among a handful of talented players that could all play a vital
role in this year's team.
14. Lincoln-Way
East
The Griffins qualified for the state
tournament last year with a well-balanced scoring attack, and they will
look to do the same in 2010. Though they lost four of their top six
scorers to graduation, they do return two talented scorers in senior
Alyssa Toland and junior Mary Reilly. Brittany
Becvar will likely takeover full-time duties in goal after splitting time in the
net last season. Head coach Jennifer Klein will also look to
senior Abby Maze and junior Julie Warren to slot
into the starting lineup and make a definite impact this year.
15. Evanston
The Wildkits return several players from
last year's team with plenty of experience, so they should be in
contention for the Central Suburban League title and a state berth under
new coach Claire Howie. Rosy Capron, Roxy Capron, and Ellis O'Connor are
just a few of the scoring options that Evanston will look to in 2010,
while Sarah Thompson, Claire Strunk, and Madeline Polinski provide the
team with plenty of depth.
16. Sandburg
The Eagles will be a much younger team in 2010 after
losing most of their starters to graduation. They will likely rely on
Kathy Asztalos to provide a huge boost to the offense after playing a more
defensive role last season. Sophomores Jamie Pappanastos, Tara Capouch,
and Julie Jenkot are expected to play important roles in this year's
squad, while freshman Cara Hays should also see valuable minutes for
Sandburg. Seniors Michelle Kuyper and Evayn Roper provide experience and
leadership, while goalie Korey Flynn started 10 games last season and
takes over full-time duties in the net.
17. Lincoln-Way
Central
The Knights will look for major
contributions from Sarah Hanly, their top returning offensive player, and Danijela Jackovich,
a freshman who is expected to make an immediate impact in 2010. LWC also
returns a handful of talented players with solid experience like Jessica
Graf and Kelsey Martiniak. The Knights also have no
problem with depth, as Lauren Dundek and Markie Kulovitz could play valuable minutes for head coach Karen Desruisseaux.
18. Neuqua
Valley
The Wildcats return most of the key
components from last year's team, giving them a chance to contend for a
state berth in 2010. Tricia Bannister is exceptionally fast and hard to
defend on the counterattack, while senior goalie Danielle Cirrintano
returns to mind the net for Neuqua's defense. The rest of the lineup is
loaded with experienced seniors like Chelsea Pesesky, Jen Nehls, Callie
Young, Jessica Zimmerman and Shianne Gillespie.
19. Oak Park
The Huskies boast one of the top goaltenders in the
state, as senior Vicki Maslowski returns to lead the defense. The rest of
the veteran lineup includes seniors Claire Helwig, Paige Gruber, Shannon
Kooser and juniors Katie Hunt, Kimmy Stefanik, and Alison Coogan.
