Mundelein sophomore midfielder Carlie Bestler seems destined to follow in her mother’s footsteps and play Division I soccer too.
But Dana Bestler, a former defender at Indiana, knows their games are much different.
“It was my job to shut players like her down,” Dana Bestler said. “But even in my prime, I’m not sure I would’ve been able to do that. She’s a much better soccer player than I ever was, both in skills and understanding the game.”
Dana Bestler isn’t alone. Few have been able to stop Carlie Bestler, who has already recorded twice as many goals and just as many assists as she did last season. She has 18 goals and six assists for the Mustangs (8-1-2, 1-1), who will play Libertyville in a key North Suburban Conference game at home on Tuesday.
“This year, she has stepped up in a big way,” Mundelein coach Alix McArthur said. “Obviously, she’s finding the back of the net a lot and changes the game for us. Teams are double-teaming her because they know they have to shut her down.
“But she still finds a way not only to score but to give the ball to other people. She’s not selfish with the ball and looks for others first and puts herself in a good position. She’s very hardworking and just a special player.”
Carlie Bestler has been making an impact since her first varsity game in the Mustangs’ 2024 season opener, when she scored back-to-back goals to earn a 3-3 tie against Palatine.
“That game was a turning point for me in my freshman year,” she said. “We were down 3-1 and came back. I scored two goals in the last 15 minutes.
“Those goals made me realize I’m good enough to play on this level even though the girls were three or four years older than me.”
Carlie Bestler has been even better this season.
“She’s faster and stronger,” McArthur said. “She put in a lot of work in the offseason, especially with her club team. That experience really helped her.
“She knew she was going to have more players around her this year, but we needed her to be better. She’s done a great job of filling that, and the added competition on our team has made her better.”
Mundelein senior midfielder Grace Cordova, a captain who has eight goals and 11 assists, said levelheadedness is one of Carlie Bestler’s strengths.
“Carlie’s ability to keep composure on the ball when it’s at her feet is something she does very well,” Cordova said. “Her decision-making on the ball is what I think helps her find the back of the net.”
Carlie Bestler’s parents have been significant influences. Her mother isn’t the only former Division I athlete in the family. Her father, John Bestler, is a 1999 Mundelein graduate who played baseball at Indiana.
“My mom would see the entire game play out in front of her from the back line,” Carlie Bestler said. “She taught me a lot about seeing the play develop and about mental toughness. My dad taught me to put more effort in if you want to get to the next level. He pushed me and helped me become the player I am. He was always encouraging and giving feedback.
“My parents didn’t coddle me. They helped me realize there’s always more I can do.”
Especially if Carlie Bestler wants to play Division I soccer.
“They both want that for me too,” she said. “Being able to reach that level is important to me.”
Mundelein senior defender Ailani Zires said Carlie Bestler is already on another level.
“Carlie’s ability to keep her composure with and without the ball makes her a special player,” Zires said. “There can be a lot of pressure, especially being such a key aspect of our offense. She does such a great job beating defenders and making creative plays but also being vocal by giving feedback to her teammates and lifting them up.
“For being such a young player, she leads the team, and she can only grow from here.”
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter.
