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.
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.
| Rank | School | W | L | T | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Naperville N | 21 | 2 | 1 | Elizabeth Cablk is star keeper |
| 2 | Barrington | 20 | 3 | 1 | D Jackie Batliner leads 9 returning starters |
| 3 | New Trier | 26 | 3 | 1 | Going for four straight |
| 4 | Neuqua Valley | 8 | 10 | 2 | Roster has 6 Division I signees |
| 5 | St. Charles N | 20 | 4 | 1 | Junior F Gia Wahlberg is dynamic |
| 6 | St. Charles E | 18 | 4 | 1 | F Claire Rasmussen is high-level talent |
| 7 | Evanston | 19 | 4 | 2 | M Maia Cella is one of state’s best players |
| 8 | Loyola | 18 | 4 | 4 | Iowa recruit Riley Burns keys elite defense |
| 9 | Glenbard East | 24 | 5 | 0 | Dana Plotke is one to watch |
| 10 | Glenbrook S | 20 | 3 | 2 | Lily Sands (18 goals, 11 assists) is back |
| 11 | Lincoln-Way E | 16 | 7 | 0 | M Bianca Galassini is South Carolina recruit |
| 12 | Fremd | 10 | 8 | 4 | Kelsie Stone is brilliant keeper |
| 13 | Sandburg | 17 | 2 | 3 | Kylie Hase and Paige Pappanastos great duo |
| 14 | Huntley | 22 | 5 | 2 | F Brenna Keegan leads 5 returning starters |
| 15 | Naperville C | 14 | 5 | 5 | F Meridith Hannan is 4-year standout |
| 16 | Waubonsie V | 11 | 8 | 1 | Purdue recruit Sarah Griffith scored 6 GW goals |
| 17 | Hinsdale C | 18 | 7 | 0 | Red Devils retool behind talented offense |
| 18 | Warren | 14 | 9 | 2 | Alliyah Parker leads 10 returning starters |
| 19 | Plainfield N | 14 | 7 | 2 | Young, talented and deep |
| 20 | Metea Valley | 12 | 9 | 4 | Jade Eriksen-Russo is elite talent |
| 21 | Bartlett | 18 | 6 | 1 | Jenna Dombrowski tops 8 returning starters |
| 22 | Geneva | 15 | 6 | 2 | Jenna Dominguez heads strong returning group |
| 23 | Sycamore | 24 | 3 | 1 | Holland sisters part of 8 starters back |
| 24 | St. Francis | 17 | 5 | 0 | Hannah Rittenhouse is elite sophomore |
| 25 | Wheaton A | 22 | 3 | 3 | Erin 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.