Many starters, including Division I recruits, return for Lake County’s girls soccer teams, particularly among contenders in the North Suburban Conference and Northern Lake County Conference.
TOP 10 TEAMS
1. Stevenson (12-5-2): The Patriots must replace several talented players, most notably Maryland’s Ellie Egeland, but still welcome back a strong group led by her sister, junior defender Anabelle Egeland (Michigan), who is one of the best players in Lake County. In all, seven starters return, including sophomore forward Morgan McKelvey and junior midfielder Emma Mendoza, to make a run at the North Suburban Conference title.
2. Warren (13-8-1): Senior forward Addison Stanciak (Saint Louis), a fourth-year starter, is capable of lifting the Blue Devils to new heights after they won a Class 3A regional title last year, when she compiled 20 goals and 10 assists. Senior goalkeeper Emma Megerle (North Central College) anchors the defense after recording seven shutouts. They are among six returning starters for Warren, which also has the talent to win the NSC title.
3. Libertyville (14-5-1): The Wildcats welcome former assistant Ian Taylor to run the defending NSC champion. Seven starters who reached the 3A sectional finals last year are back, led by junior midfielder Shea Krakowski, senior defender Shannon Phillips (IU Indy) and senior midfielder/forward Sydney Dulak (Saint Louis).
4. Lake Zurich (17-3-3): The Bears are one of the most experienced teams in Lake County with six starters and seven rotational players back. Sophomore forward Reilly Novak, who had 21 goals and 13 assists last season, is a big-time talent. Senior goalkeeper Erin Bohn, an All-NSC pick last year, is slated to start for the fourth straight season.
5. Vernon Hills (11-8-2): The Cougars, who reached the 2A sectional finals last year, are led by senior forward Sophie Ackerman (Loyola) and senior midfielder Frannie Poulos (Indianapolis). They are among five returning starters.
6. Wauconda (12-7-1): Nine returning starters make the Bulldogs strong contenders for the Northern Lake County Conference title. Sophomore forward Isabelle Gerle, who scored nine goals last year, is slated for a bigger role. Senior midfielder Ava Hortillosa led the team in assists.
7. Grayslake Central (6-7-2): The Rams aim to be in the mix for the NLCC crown, too, with seven starters back, including senior forward Dahlia Rodriguez. Sophomore defender Peyton Hoffmann, junior midfielder Ava Henne and sophomore forward Lila Hartmann are other top players.
8. Mundelein (7-8-5): The Mustangs have 12 players back and will rely on emerging sophomore midfielder Carlie Bestler, who had nine goals and six assists last year, along with senior defender Ailani Zires and senior midfielder Grace Cordova.
9. Carmel (4-13-3): The Corsairs have six starters returning but are a young team. Senior midfielder Ema Delgado (Northern Michigan) is one of the key returnees, and junior midfielder Libby Magnone is a talented newcomer.
10. Lake Forest (8-9-1): Senior midfielder Haylee Aranda-Rios is among the returning starters who will help the Scouts, who won a 2A regional title last year, try to contend in the NSC. Aranda-Rios, senior defender Ava Walsh, senior midfielder Chloe Hvostik and senior midfielder Ryan Rice are the backbone of the team.
25 PLAYERS TO WATCH
- Sophie Ackerman, Vernon Hills, senior, forward
- Haylee Aranda-Rios, Lake Forest, senior, midfielder
- Carlie Bestler, Mundelein, sophomore, midfielder
- Erin Bohn, Lake Zurich, senior, goalkeeper
- Izzy Ceaser, Grayslake North, senior, defender/midfielder
- Leah Cohen, Deerfield, sophomore, forward
- Liliana Cruz, Zion-Benton, sophomore, midfielder
- Ema Delgado, Carmel, senior, midfielder
- Sydney Dulak, Warren, senior, midfielder/forward
- Anabelle Egeland, Stevenson, junior, defender
- Isabelle Gerle, Wauconda, sophomore, forward
- Ava Hortillosa, Wauconda, senior, midfielder
- Shea Krakowski, Libertyville, junior, midfielder
- Libby Magnone, Carmel, junior, midfielder
- Emma Megerle, Warren, senior, goalkeeper
- Reilly Novak, Lake Zurich, sophomore, forward
- Shannon Phillips, Libertyville, senior, defender
- Frannie Poulos, Vernon Hills, senior, midfielder
- Grace Quirke, Antioch, senior, midfielder
- Dahlia Rodriguez, Grayslake Central, senior, forward
- Ella Sager, Lakes, senior, defender
- Addison Stanciak, Warren, senior, forward
- Alexa Vega, Round Lake, junior, midfielder
- Ava Walsh, Lake Forest, senior, defender
- Ailani Zires, Mundelein, senior, defender
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter.
