Claire DeCook leads defending DuPage Valley Conference champion Naperville North into a season that begins with multiple experienced teams, including 2024 sectional champion Naperville Central.
BENET
Fourteen players are back for the Redwings (16-4-1). Among them are junior forward Ivana Vukas, senior forward Eleanor Mahan and senior forward Natalie Grover, who were three of the team’s top four scorers.
Senior defender Chloe Sentman moves to the midfield, where she will join promising freshmen Keira Stone and Ashley Polanco. Senior Meghan Sarros returns to anchor a defense that includes senior Abby Gits, sophomore Audrey Eiseman and freshman Sahana Raju. Junior Giada McGlynn takes over in goal.
METEA VALLEY
The Mustangs (14-4-1) had their string of nine straight regional titles snapped last season. They will look to start a new streak with a veteran cast of eight returning starters, many of whom are college commits.
Senior midfielder Olivia Hernandez (Marquette), senior forward Isabelle Leofanti (Kent State), senior forward Lily Senese (Northern Michigan), junior midfielder Emma Strcic (DePaul), junior forward/midfielder Mckenna Wigfield (SIU-Edwardsville), senior defender Sydney Phillips, sophomore defender Jessica Terada and senior midfielder Daniela Tomassini are back.
NAPERVILLE CENTRAL
Senior forward Callie Tumilty (Ohio State) makes her high school soccer debut for the Redhawks (14-6-1), who won a sectional title last season.
Tumilty joins a veteran group that includes 13 returning players. Senior forward Bella Brozek (Green Bay), senior midfielder Rebecca Ruggiero (UIC), sophomore forward Emerson Burke, sophomore defender Eleanor Kane and junior goalkeeper Erin Hackett lead a group of nine returning starters with high expectations.
NAPERVILLE NORTH
The Huskies (13-6-4) have three of the top players in the area with junior forward Claire DeCook (Tennessee), senior defender Emily Buescher (Minnesota) and sophomore defender Lily Radek. DeCook is a two-time all-state pick.
Eleven other players are back for the reigning DuPage Valley Conference champions.
Neuqua Valley’s Selma Larbi, left, plays the ball against Naperville Central’s Anna Sadowski during a DuPage Valley Conference game in Naperville on Tuesday, April 11, 2023. (Mike Mantucca / Naperville Sun)
NEUQUA VALLEY
The Wildcats (6-10-1) are young overall but have a trio of proven veterans with seniors Selma Larbi (Yale) and Chloe Orlow (St. Cloud State) and junior Allessandra Russo (Marquette).
Orlow and Russo, who can also play on the wing, anchor the defense. Larbi returns after a year playing club to lead the attack. Freshman midfielders Samantha Latawiec and Samantha Horner are top newcomers.
WAUBONSIE VALLEY
The Warriors (11-8-1) made a four-game improvement last season and return six starters. Leading the way are senior defender Katie Chapman and senior forward Thanya Castelan.
Four juniors — midfielders Macy Evans and Bella Woolard, forward Emerson Hallihan and defender McKinley Ladd — also are back.
Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter.
