Crown Point takes the top spot, with Duneland Athletic Conference rivals Chesterton and Lake Central right behind.
TOP 10 TEAMS
1. Crown Point (18-3-1): The Bulldogs, who were Class 3A semistate runners-up and the Duneland Athletic Conference champions last year, have several key contributors back. Junior forward Hannah Pesich (12 goals) and senior forward Izzy Sainato (10 goals), senior midfielders Ava Haluska and Ellie Prendergast, senior defender Ryann Adzia and junior goalkeeper Sam Quick lead the way.
2. Chesterton (13-5): The Trojans should be right on Crown Point’s heels in the conference, led up front by junior forward Adey Avey, who scored a team-high 15 goals last season. Chesterton’s net will be guarded by senior goalkeepers Kate Wantuch and Korissa Downs, whose twin sister, Kaitlyn, a senior defender, will make things even more difficult for opponents.
3. Lake Central (13-5-2): Another team that will likely be in contention in the DAC, the Indians have veterans like senior midfielder Isabella Soria, senior goalkeeper Olivia Pelot (Purdue Northwest) and senior defender Malia Silvers all over the field. Up front, sophomore forward Liana Navarro (12 goals) returns.
4. Munster (10-6-1): The defending Northwest Crossroads Conference champion bring back junior midfielder/forward Maya Maldonado (11 goals) and senior midfielder Gabriela Maldonado (8 goals), who are sisters, although the Mustangs will have a large hole to fill in net following the graduation of goalkeeper Natalie Kindt.
5. Valparaiso (11-8-1): The top five goal scorers graduated after the Vikings finished third in the DAC, making senior defender Beatrice Douglas-Arnold all the more important. Senior forward/midfielder Claire Brown will shoulder the burden up front.
6. Hanover Central (15-4): When leading scorer Kiara Desiderio missed the playoffs last year, coach Jim Pattison said several players stepped up in roles that helped them get ready for this season. Among those players are senior midfielders Sarah Pena and Sam Kraus, senior defenders Shea Garringer and Lexi Smith, and sophomore goalkeeper Layla Nestor. The Wildcats, who finished second in the NCC in their debut, have won Class 2A sectional titles in three straight years.
7. Highland (11-7): Senior defender Katherine Robinson was the team MVP last season, when the Trojans were third in the NCC, and highlights the lineup once again. Additional veteran help will come from senior defender Athena Meza, senior midfielders Casey DiSanto and Alison Baker, and junior defender/midfielder Addison Hill. Sophomore forward Madelyn Gora (7 goals) was the team’s leading scorer.
8. Lowell (10-6-2): Experienced players at opposite ends of the field highland the Red Devils’ roster, with senior goalkeeper Reagan Claus preventing goals and senior forward Sam Guerra scoring them. With senior defender Ana Lara and junior midfielder Paige Evans, too, Lowell should be in the mix in the NCC.
9. Wheeler (12-5-4): The Bearcats finished atop the Greater South Shore Conference last season, and two of the top players from that group are back for more. Senior midfielder Grace Christos (13 goals, 15 assists) will lead the way on the offensive side of the field, and senior defender Genevieve Mills will help anchor the back line.
10. Illiana Christian (8-7-1): The Vikings were the runners-up in the GSSC and should be near the top again with senior forward Sam Bultema (12 goals) leading the offense after reaching double figures for the third time in her career. Junior defenders Ana DeBoer and Sienna Eenigenburg will try to prevent opponents from scoring.
25 PLAYERS TO WATCH
- Ryann Adzia, Crown Point, senior, defender
- Adey Avey, Chesterton, junior, forward
- Claire Brown, Valparaiso, senior, forward/midfielder
- Sam Bultema, Illiana Christian, senior, forward
- Morgan Cadwallader, Andrean, senior, forward
- Grace Christos, Wheeler, senior, midfielder
- Reagan Claus, Lowell, senior, goalkeeper
- Ana DeBoer, Illiana Christian, junior, defender
- Kiara Desiderio, Hanover Central, senior, midfielder
- Korissa Downs, Chesterton, senior, goalkeeper
- Beatrice Douglas-Arnold, Valparaiso, senior, defender
- Sam Guerra, Lowell, senior, forward
- Ava Haluska, Crown Point, senior, midfielder
- Sam Kraus, Hanover Central, senior, midfielder
- Gabriela Maldonado, Munster, senior, midfielder
- Maya Maldonado, Munster, junior, midfielder/forward
- Mia Ortega, Portage, senior, defender
- Olivia Pelot, Lake Central, senior, goalkeeper
- Hannah Pesich, Crown Point, junior, forward
- Sam Quick, Crown Point, junior, goalkeeper
- Katherine Robinson, Highland, senior, defender
- Izzy Sainato, Crown Point, senior, forward
- Malia Silvers, Lake Central, senior, defender
- Isabella Soria, Lake Central, senior, midfielder
- Kate Wantuch, Chesterton, senior, goalkeeper
Dave Melton is a freelance reporter.
