Patrick Z. McGavin’s top 10 girls soccer teams and 25 players to watch in the Aurora-Elgin area for the 2025 season

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Metea Valley takes top spot, but St. Charles North and Burlington Central also bring back talent.

Top 10 Teams

1. Metea Valley (14-4-1)

Mustangs’ stacked lineup features eight returning starters, topped by four Division I recruits. Senior midfielder Olivia Hernandez (Marquette) and junior midfielder Emma Strcic (DePaul) are the primary playmakers. Senior forward Lily Senese scored 19 goals last season.

2. St. Charles North (18-3-5)

North Stars have four starters and key rotation players back from last year’s state runner-up. Senior forward Kaitlin Glenn and junior forward Kaitlyn Nudera spark the offense. Junior goalkeeper Lauren Korioth posted 10 shutouts a year ago.

3. Burlington Central (15-10-2)

Rockets welcome back 17 returnees from last year’s Class 2A fourth-place finisher. The offensive catalyst is Mekenzie Rogers (Michigan State), a junior midfielder who scored 39 goals last spring. Junior midfielder Sydney Batts and junior goalkeeper Mackenzie Lorkowski (Purdue) are the other top players.

4. Geneva (13-8-2)

Perennial power returns five starters and six rotation players. Junior midfielder Audrey Stredde is the Vikings’ top offensive threat, gaining crucial support from junior forwards Olivia Hagen and Lilly Vostal. Senior defender Riley Pryor keys the back line.

5. South Elgin (16-7-2)

Storm feature a lethal offensive attack with four returning double-digit goal scorers in junior midfielder Avianna Hernandez, junior forward Nevaeh Gyurko and sophomore forwards Christina Slovik and Lucy Tomasi. Those four combined for 72 goals last season. Senior Ashley Gonzalez is the defensive leader.

6. St. Charles East (16-5-6)

Saints have eight returning starters, keyed by senior goalkeeper Sidney Lazenby and sophomore midfielder Sophia Wollenberg. Junior midfielders Payton Rivard and Georggia Desario are dynamic playmakers. Sophomore defenders Averie Foulkes and Presley Kannaka stabilize the back.

7. Oswego (11-9-5)

Panthers are primed for a breakout season behind a two-way standout in junior defender Peyton Johnson and an athletic, high-scoring star in junior forward Jordyn Washington. Senior midfielder Grace Braun is another talented attacking skill player. Sophomore forward Analia Ortiz, a transfer from Plano, scored 25 goals last spring.

Oswego East’s Gabby McPhee (7) moves to the ball as Oswego’s Aubrey Eirich (5) defends during a Class 3A Lockport Regional semifinal game on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. (Jon Cunningham / The Beacon-News)

8. Bartlett (11-5-4)

Senior goalkeeper Megan Kron had more shutouts last season with 13 than goals allowed with nine. Hawks return five starters and seven rotation players. Junior midfielder Mia Lamz and senior midfielder Grace Johansen are the offensive leaders.

9. Oswego East (14-7-2)

Wolves bring back seven key rotation players bolstered by a very gifted sophomore class. Junior forward Gabby McPhee is poised to become the next great offensive threat. Also watch junior forward McKenzie Coleman and senior midfielder Natalie Hamilton. Sophomore midfielder Rachel Kangas is the top newcomer.

10. Waubonsie Valley (11-8-2)

The Warriors return several two-way standouts, keyed by senior defender Katie Chapman and senior forward Thanya Castelan. Junior forward Emerson Hallihan and junior midfielders Macy Evans and Bella Woolard are other key contributors.

Burlington Central's Mekenzie Rogers (3) moves into position to kick the first goal of the game as Wheaton Academy's Hannah Lindberg defends during the Class 2A Hinsdale South Supersectional game on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, in Darien.(Jon Cunningham/for The Beacon-News)
Burlington Central’s Mekenzie Rogers (3) scores first goal as Wheaton Academy’s Hannah Lindberg defends in the Class 2A Hinsdale South Supersectional in Darien on Tuesday, May 28, 2024. (Jon Cunningham / The Beacon-News)

The 25 Players to Watch

  • Sydney Batts, Burlington Central, junior, midfielder.
  • Thanya Castelan, Waubonsie Valley, senior, forward.
  • Katie Chapman, Waubonsie Valley, senior, defender.
  • Olivia Del Toro, West Aurora, senior, midfielder.
  • Zoe Gannon, Kaneland, senior, defender/forward.
  • Kaitlin Glenn, St. Charles North, senior, forward.
  • Ashley Gonzalez, South Elgin, senior, defender.
  • Nevaeh Gyurko, South Elgin, junior, forward.
  • Natalie Hamilton, Oswego East, senior, midfielder.
  • Avianna Hernandez, South Elgin, junior, midfielder.
  • Olivia Hernandez, Metea Valley, senior, midfielder.
  • Hannah Hickman, Batavia, senior, defender.
  • Peyton Johnson, Oswego, junior, defender.
  • Megan Kron, Bartlett, senior, goalkeeper.
  • Sidney Lazenby, St. Charles East, senior, goalkeeper.
  • Mackenzie Lorkowski, Burlington Central, junior, goalkeeper.
  • Gabby McPhee, Oswego East, junior, forward.
  • Kaitlyn Nudera, St. Charles North, junior, forward.
  • Riley Pryor, Geneva, senior, defender.
  • Lily Senese, Metea Valley, senior, forward.
  • Emma Strcic, Metea Valley, junior, midfielder.
  • Audrey Stredde, Geneva, junior, midfielder.
  • Jordyn Washington, Oswego, junior, forward.
  • Gabby Wojtarowicz, Jacobs, senior, forward.
  • Sophia Wollenberg, St. Charles East, sophomore, midfielder/forward

Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Beacon-News.

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