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Chicagoland Soccer
girls preseason top 25


By Patrick Z. McGavin

Let the conversation start.

Last November as the Naperville North boys were completing their 3-1 victory over Barrington in the Class 3A state championship game, a great many observers outlining the track at Hoffman Estates remarked the game could be a preview of things to come with the girls as well.

Four months later, the start of the girls season is upon us.

On paper, this could be a season for the ages despite the fact that great talent graduated last spring, most significantly at New Trier.

The Trevians graduated player of the year Kelly Maday (Illinois) and other key cogs who led the three-time defending state champion to a streak of 21-consecutive state tournament games in which they didn't allow a goal.


New Trier, as always, is formidable. But during its current run, the Trevians never won the Naperville Invitational — the state’s most competitive in-season tournament. 

Segue to Naperville North, which had a 22-game unbeaten streak last year before Glenbard East stunned the Huskies in a Class 3A supersectional.

Naperville North was ranked in the top five in the country before that loss. The team must replace Tennessee-recruit Maddie Krejci.

Coach Steve Goletz, who won back-to-back state titles in 2012 and 2013, has foundational talents in seniors Elizabeth Cablk and Morgan Krause and junior Katelynn Buescher. Goalkeeper Cablk, an Illinois-recruit, recorded 19 shutouts and a 0.25 goals-against average last year. Defender Krause (Iowa) was part of a backline that allowed just six goals (she scored five goals and had 13 assists). Buescher, a midfielder, has flashed star potential.


With that kind of star power, the Huskies earn the top spot in Chicagoland Soccer’s preseason top 25. The team has depth, size and skill.

Barrington returns nine starters from a 20-win team that also reached the supersectionals a year ago. The Fillies might lack the marquee offensive talent of recent years like Molly Pfeiffer or Jenna Szczesny, but Barrington has talent and skill at every position. Team leaders include Jackie Batliner -— the most valuable player in the Mid-Suburban League -— Sophia Spinell and Kayla Keck. 

The past is a good predictor. The teams that make up the list are programs that have proven their talent and achieved a level of success, particularly at the level of the state tournament. Even in this volatile age, where players have the choice and freedom to play club year round, the center has often held.

But we know that surprises are not only possible but should be expected. Glenbard East and Huntley beat Naperville North and Barrington, respectively, en route to top-4 state finishes. In Class 2A, Deerfield reached the title for the first time in program history. Sycamore and St. Francis also return strong cores that played in the final weekend at North Central College.

Defending Class 1A state champion Wheaton Academy has two of the state’s best players in Gretchen Pearson and Erin Teevans. Now the team jumps a class and gets to see where it belongs.

Another team to watch is Lincoln-Way East, an already stocked group that now incorporates a number of talented players from the shuttered Lincoln-Way North. Those two programs won a combined 33 games last year.

Mike Murphy, who took North to a Class 3A fourth-place finish three years ago, takes over the program. He has a combined 12 returning starters from the two teams. One of the year’s most interesting developments is tracking how fluidly the players from the two schools jell.


Overall, power is concentrated in the western suburbs, the North Shore and northwest.

It all starts Monday, when the best opening game of the season features Naperville North at Barrington. There is the season in a microcosm.

​Get ready to rejoice. 

Editor's note: records are from the 2016 season.


RankSchoolWLTComment
1Naperville N2121Elizabeth Cablk is star keeper
2Barrington2031D Jackie Batliner leads 9 returning starters
3New Trier2631Going for four straight
4Neuqua Valley8102Roster has 6 Division I signees
5St. Charles N2041Junior F Gia Wahlberg is dynamic
6St. Charles E1841F Claire Rasmussen is high-level talent
7Evanston1942M Maia Cella is one of state’s best players
8Loyola1844Iowa recruit Riley Burns keys elite defense
9Glenbard East2450Dana Plotke is one to watch
10Glenbrook S2032Lily Sands (18 goals, 11 assists) is back
11Lincoln-Way E1670M Bianca Galassini is South Carolina recruit
12Fremd1084Kelsie Stone is brilliant keeper
13Sandburg1723Kylie Hase and Paige Pappanastos great duo
14Huntley2252F Brenna Keegan leads 5 returning starters
15Naperville C1455F Meridith Hannan is 4-year standout
16Waubonsie V1181Purdue recruit Sarah Griffith scored 6 GW goals
17Hinsdale C1870Red Devils retool behind talented offense
18Warren1492Alliyah Parker leads 10 returning starters
19Plainfield N1472Young, talented and deep
20Metea Valley1294Jade Eriksen-Russo is elite talent
21Bartlett1861Jenna Dombrowski tops 8 returning starters
22Geneva1562Jenna Dominguez heads strong returning group
23Sycamore2431Holland sisters part of 8 starters back
24St. Francis17 50Hannah Rittenhouse is elite sophomore
25Wheaton A22 33Erin Teevans is electric offensive talent
Look out for: Lyons, Wheaton Warrenville South, Libertyville, Andrew, Deerfield, Latin, Benet, Jones, Palatine, Batavia, Lake Forest, Marist, Crystal Lake South, Lane, Young.
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