2014 Girls'
Season Preview
By Aaron Brown
February 2014
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THE
SLEEPERS: GIRLS
There are several teams on the rise and others who lost a ton of
production to graduation but could reload quickly in order to make
an impact during the 2014 season.
Let's take a closer look at ten
teams considered 'Sleepers' this season:
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31.
GLENBROOK NORTH
The
Spartans surged at the right time during the 2013 season, winning
key conference and sectional round games to finish with a 14-9 mark.
They should be able to improve on that resume, as goalie Kerry
Goodspeed is back to make opposing offenses miserable with her
shot-blocking ability. On the other end, look for Patricia Doolan, Lindsay
Fraser and Melaney van Spankeren to give head coach Robin Walker
plenty of options as the team looks to make noise in the CSL and
survive beyond the sectional semifinal round, where their season
ended last May.
Head
Coach:
Robin Walker
Key Players:
Patricia Doolan,
Lindsay Fraser,
Melaney van Spankeren
Goalkeeper: Kerry
Goodspeed
Final 2013 Ranking:
30th
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32. GLENBROOK SOUTH
Glenbrook South has the majority of their lineup back in place for
new head coach Mike Stancik, so the team could be primed to rise
into the Top 25 with a few early season wins. Rema Abu Hashim and
Margaret Schneider
made huge contributions offensively in 2013 and will look to do
the same during this campaign. Meanwhile, Dana Grad, Anna Hofmockel
and Sinead Heneghan each return to solidify the starting lineup.
Samantha Wykurz also returns for another season as the Titans'
netminder to give the defense a boost.
Head
Coach:
Mike Stancik
Key Players: Dana
Grad, Rema
Abu Hashim,
Sinead Heneghan, Anna
Hofmockel,
Margaret Schneider
Goalkeeper:
Samantha Wykurz
Final 2013 Ranking:
32nd
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33.
LOCKPORT
The Porters are
hoping that a long list of fresh faces can keep them in contention
for conference and sectional honors in 2014. The top returning
player is goaltender Rachel Unger, who had a solid season in front
of the net and will be called upon to keep the team in the majority
of their games. Players that head coach Rick DeLeon hopes can make a
big impact are
Ashley O'Neill, Katie Philbrick, Jen Rothgery,
Danielle Slavik and Hailey Slavik. If the new players can gel
quickly, the Porters might surpass last year's .500 mark and once
again make some noise in the postseason.
Head
Coach:
Rick DeLeon
Key Players:
Maggie Belair, Ashley O'Neill, Katie Philbrick, Jen Rothgery,
Danielle Slavik, Hailey Slavik
Goalkeeper:
Rachel Unger
Final 2013 Ranking:
22nd
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34.
WHITNEY YOUNG
The Dolphins return a solid amount of production to their starting
lineup and could be in line for another run at the CPS title in
2014. They will hope to erase their sectional quarterfinal loss to
Evanston last May and will set their sights on getting back to
double-digits wins as well. The team uses a balanced attack on the
offensive end, with Audrey Anderson, Gabby Chelette and Jessie
Cronin all expected to handle the bulk of the scoring duties.
Kennedy Baldwin and Nora Murphy should also make a significant
impact on both ends of the pool. Meanwhile, the team's hopes may
rest on Nora Murphy being able to replace long-time starting goaltender Nya
Wilkins.
Head
Coach:
Andy Parro
Key Players:
Audrey Anderson, Kennedy Baldwin, Gabby Chelette, Jessie Cronin,
Fairie Hughes
Players to Watch:
Melanie Balanon, Jessica Beahl, Sarah Engemann
Goalkeeper: Nora
Murphy
Final 2013 Ranking:
35th
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35. LANE
Lane has a mix of youth and veteran players hoping to come together
to challenge for the CPS title and a state tournament berth when the
postseason rolls around. The Indians went 24-7 last year and lasted
until the sectional final round before bowing out of the playoffs to
the eventual state champions. Allison Cortez, Raluca Dima, and both
Gretel and Natalie O'Connell give head coach Danny Robertson plenty
of options in the starting lineup, while goaltender Meghan Levelle
returns to spearhead things on the defensive end.
Head Coach: Danny
Robertson
Key Players:
Allison Cortez,
Raluca Dima,
Gretel O'Connell, Natalie O'Connell, Erica
Skibicki
Goalkeeper:
Meghan Lavelle
Final 2013 Ranking:
33rd
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36.
LINCOLN-WAY EAST
(updated 3/6)
The Griffins have plenty of talent back as they seek to improve on their 12-16
record of last season. There are scorers aplenty for head
coach Ryan Lodes, as Julia Gramont, Taryn Linke, Erica Mangia and
Haley McCabe are all back in the fold. Aimee Schaff and Lauren
Vandervelde also expect to log major minutes for a team hoping to
claw its' way up the SWSC Blue division standings in 2014.
Goaltender
Jill Connolly returns to boost the Griffins' chances for a better
finish in both their conference and in the playoffs, where they lost
to Lincoln-Way Central in the sectional semifinals last May.
Head
Coach:
Ryan Lodes
Key Players:
Julia Gramont,
Taryn Linke, Erica Mangia, Haley McCabe,
Aimee Schaff, Lauren
Vandervelde
Player to Watch:
Zoe Spada
Goalkeeper: Jill
Connolly
Final 2013 Ranking:
37th
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37.
HOMEWOOD-FLOSSMOOR
The Vikings are in the midst of a rebuilding process, but they could
see significant improvements right away this season with a solid
group of returning players looking to make a strong impact.
Josephine Edelbrock returns in goal to lead the defense, while the
likes of Amber Barney, Megan Dunlavy, Abby Schultz and Madison
Thiros combine to give H-F a chance to more than double last year's
8-win total for head coach Pat Duignan.
Head Coach: Pat
Duignan
Key Players: Amber Barney, Megan Dunlavy, Kelly Morrissey, Abby Schultz, Madison Thiros
Players to Watch:
Sarah Tozer
Goalkeeper: Josephine Edelbrock
Final 2013 Ranking:
36th
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38.
MARIAN
Plenty of potential exists for Marian Catholic to put together a
remarkable 2014 campaign. Isabelle Keating, Killian McDonald and
Sophie Sesto return to the lineup to give the offense a jolt, while
players like Diana Fernandez and Hannah Morris could play a major
role in head coach Sean Scanlon's plans throughout the Catholic
League season as well as the postseason. Genevieve Helsel has
emerged as the starting goaltender and should also play a big role
in the team's success.
Head
Coach:
Sean Scanlon
Key Players: Diana
Fernandez,
Isabelle Keating,
Killian McDonald,
Hannah Morris,
Sophie Sesto
Goalkeeper:
Genevieve Helsel
Final 2013 Ranking:
40th
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39.
LINCOLN-WAY WEST
The Warriors return the bulk of their lineup from last season's
10-win performance, so they should see a rise in their win total as
they challenge for the SWSC Red division title. West puts forth a
balanced attack that showcases Kailey Gallagher, Shannon Soukup and
Sarah Suppes while also asking for major contributions from Carlyn
Clarke, Erika and Gena Tanquilut, and Tori Tibieri. Meanwhile,
goalie Brenna Bowers is back to hold down the defensive duties for a
team hoping to eclipse last season's sectional performance.
Head
Coach:
Keith Huizinga
Key Players:
Carlyn Clarke,
Kailey Gallagher, Shannon Soukup, Erika Tanquilut,
Tori Tibieri
Players to Watch:
Sarah Suppes, Gena Tanquilut
Goalkeeper:
Brenna Bowers
Final 2013 Ranking:
38th
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40. HERSEY
The
Huskies return plenty of production from last year's MSL East
divisional championship squad; they also went 13-12 and won their
opening-round sectional game. That bodes well for the season
ahead, as head coach Megan Brownley will likely look to Jillian Hoffman, Katie
Lindholm, Hannah Lippstreuer and Kathryn Lutz to continue making a
big impact. Natalie Curtis is also back between the posts to
lead the Hersey defense.
Head
Coach:
Megan Brownley
Key Players: Emily
Goldsberry,
Jillian Hoffman, Katie
Lindholm,
Hannah Lippstreuer,
Kathryn Lutz
Goalkeeper:
Natalie Curtis
Final 2013 Ranking:
39th
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