Metea Valley brings back loaded lineup featuring a boatload of college recruits, but keep an eye on St. Charles North, St. Charles East and Oswego East.
Top 10 Teams
1. Metea Valley (19-1-3)
Mustangs’ stacked lineup features eight college recruits. Senior forward Lucy Burk (Northern Michigan), the offensive catalyst, is one of six returning starters. Senior goalkeeper Alyssa Gluting (Fairfield) headlines athletic back line. Junior midfielder Olivia Hernandez, a starter on the 2022 state championship team, returns from club.
2. St. Charles North (17-4-2)
Perennial powerhouse returns six starters. Expect North Stars’ elite attack to be directed by senior midfielders Kayla Floyd and Juliana Park and senior forwards Laney Stark and Rian Spaulding. Senior defender Abby Sims anchors the back line.
3. St. Charles East (20-4)
Saints feature four returning starters and six players from regular rotation. Senior midfielder Alli Saviano (Southeast Missouri State) leads attack. Senior defender Mackenzie Loomis (Eastern Michigan) is one of state’s best two-way players. Junior goalkeeper Sidney Lazenby posted 12 shutouts last season.
4. Oswego East (12-7-2)
Senior midfielder Riley Gumm (San Diego State) returns from club, providing a superb secondary playmaker and scorer to team up with senior forward Anya Gulbrandsen (Wisconsin). Wolves will look to mesh seven returning starters with an infusion of young prospects. Seniors defenders Morgan Dick and Emma Klosterman are standouts in back.
5. Geneva (18-6-1)
Vikings are physical, deep, fast and explosive. Senior midfielder Lilly Coats (Marquette) is one of eight returning starters. Senior midfielders Caroline Madden and Evyn Schokora (Winthrop) power attack. Senior defender Cami Bishop and senior goalkeeper Jordan Forbes are keys in back.
6. Batavia (9-8-4)
Bulldogs return 11 players who saw regular action, keyed by senior forward Abi Edwards (Wheaton), senior midfielder Sarah Koziol and junior midfielder Reece Recker. Senior midfielder/defender Addi Lowe toggles between playmaker in middle and disruptive stopper.
7. Waubonsie Valley (7-12-1)
Warriors return 10 starters, including two standouts who missed last season due to injuries. Senior midfielder/forward Taylor Ahmadian brings back 17 goals and eight assists. Senior midfielder Eleanor Oster and junior forward Thanya Castelan boost attack. Senior defender Zoe Evans was all-conference.
8. Kaneland (14-6)
Knights reload with 12 returnees, including eight starters. Senior midfielders Emily Kunzer and Jade Schrader are offensive stars. Senior defenders Casey O’Brien and Alex Warrington stabilize the back line.
9. Jacobs (11-8-1)
Junior midfielder Gabby Wojtarowicz leads solid nucleus of five returning starters. Senior midfielder Bella Mickey and Delaney Lukowski and junior midfielder Sam Diaz offer creativity and playmaking from middle third. Sophomore Maggie Body is Golden Eagles’ best defender.
10. Burlington Central (13-7-1)
Rockets are young, skilled and talented with five returning starters. Senior midfielders Eva Samuelian and Ellie Elders and sophomore midfielder Kendall Grigg are offensive stalwarts. Newcomer Mekenzie Rogers, a sophomore forward, is expected to spark attack. Keep an eye on sophomore goalkeeper Mackenzie Lorkowski.
The 25 Players to Watch
- Taylor Ahmadian, Waubonsie Valley, senior, midfielder/forward.
- Lucy Burk, Metea Valley, senior, forward.
- Lilly Coats, Geneva, senior, midfielder.
- Morgan Dick, Oswego East, senior, defender.
- Ella Dihel, South Elgin, senior, forward.
- Zoe Evans, Waubonsie Valley, senior, defender.
- Kayla Floyd, St. Charles North, senior, midfielder.
- Alyssa Gluting, Metea Valley, senior, goalkeeper.
- Anya Gulbrandsen, Oswego East, senior, forward.
- Riley Gumm, Oswego East, senior, midfielder.
- Olivia Hernandez, Metea Valley, junior, midfielder.
- Annika Johnson, IMSA, senior, forward.
- Sarah Koziol, Batavia, senior, midfielder.
- Megan Kron, Bartlett, junior, goalkeeper.
- Emily Kunzer, Kaneland, senior, defender/midfielder.
- Sidney Lazenby, St. Charles East, junior, goalkeeper.
- Mackenzie Loomis, St. Charles East, junior, defender.
- Addi Lowe, Batavia, senior, defender/midfielder.
- Caroline Madden, Geneva, senior, midfielder.
- Rylie Mensik, Dundee-Crown, sophomore, forward.
- Juliana Park, St. Charles North, senior, midfielder.
- Alli Saviano, St. Charles East, senior, midfielder.
- Jade Schrader, Kaneland, senior, forward/midfielder.
- Laney Stark, St. Charles North, senior, forward.
- Gabby Wojtarowicz, Jacobs, junior, forward.
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
