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Top 10 Teams

1. Deerfield: Plenty of returnees and motivation could mean another big season for the Warriors, who finished third in Class 2A last season. Five starters are back, led by midfielder Emily Fox, who has 44 goals in two seasons, and goalkeeper Lauren Gottlieb, who has 18 career shutouts.

2. Stevenson: The Patriots are aiming to defend their North Suburban Conference title behind standout midfielder Bella Chavez and forward Ellie Egeland. Florida State recruit Mimi Van Zanten chose not to play in her senior season.

3. Carmel: The one-two forward combination of Emily Fix (Marquette) and Anna Hartman will score a bunch of goals this season. The Corsairs are retooling their back line on the fly, so expect some early growing pains.

4. Libertyville: The Wildcats, who reached a supersectional last season, have multiple talented newcomers after losing a lot of players to graduation. Defender Pru Babat and midfielder Jenna Krakowski will shoulder a bigger load.

Warren's Emma Paraskos moves the ball against Elk Grove during a Class 3A Fremd Regional semifinal against Elk Grove on Tuesday, May 17, 2022.
Warren’s Emma Paraskos moves the ball against Elk Grove during a Class 3A Fremd Regional semifinal against Elk Grove on Tuesday, May 17, 2022.

5. Warren: Like Libertyville, the Blue Devils lost a lot of talent after last season. Midfielder Emma Paraskos and defender Paige Hogberg step into the spotlight.

6. Vernon Hills: New coach Cory Smith inherits a strong group of returnees, including seven returning starters. Arielle Gluck and Alyssa Waitzman are players to watch, joining Ava Lukyan and Carly Sides.

7. Wauconda: With five starters back, the Bulldogs are looking to win their sixth straight Northern Lake County Conference title. Kenna Wisniewski is a top-notch scorer, and goalkeeper Lily Schmidt is looking to build off her nine shutouts last season.

8. Round Lake: Expectations are high for the Panthers after winning nine games last season. Ari Gonzalez, Bella Perry and Jasmin Ortiz are key returnees for a team looking to contend for a conference title.

9. Grayslake Central: The Rams have a good mixture of young and experienced players. Midfielder Dahlia Rodriguez could be set for a big season, and midfielder Katie Armstrong, midfielder Madison Hoffmann and defender Katie Dinsmore are among five returning starters.

10. Waukegan: Experience is a big asset for the Bulldogs, who have seven starters returning after winning nine games. Their strength lies in their midfield with Anabel Lopez and Jocelyn Rogel.

25 Players to Watch

Pru Babat, Libertyville, senior, defender; Maddie Barrett, Antioch, junior, goalkeeper; Mia Carias, Zion-Benton, junior, goalkeeper; Izzy Ceaser, Grayslake North, sophomore, defender; Bella Chavez, Stevenson, senior, midfielder; Mallory Collins, Lake Zurich, junior, midfielder; Ellie Egeland, Stevenson, junior, forward; Emily Fix, Carmel, senior, forward; Emily Fox, Deerfield, junior, midfielder; Lauren Gottlieb, Deerfield, junior, goalkeeper; Anna Hartman, Carmel, junior, forward; Riley Irvin, Lake Zurich, senior, midfielder; Maddy Kopala, Libertyville, junior, defender; Jenna Krakowski, Libertyville, senior, midfielder; Kayla McCarthy, Wauconda, senior, defender; Maggie Miller, Lake Zurich, senior, defender; Greta Ohlwein, Highland Park, senior, forward; Emma Paraskos, Warren, senior, midfielder; Bella Perry, Round Lake, junior, midfielder; Dahlia Rodriguez, Grayslake Central, sophomore, midfielder; Jocelyn Rogel, Waukegan, sophomore, midfielder; Carly Sides, Vernon Hills, junior, goalkeeper; Mia Silber, Lakes, junior, midfielder; Tessa Smith, Lakes, junior, defender; Kenna Wisniewski, Wauconda, senior, midfielder.

Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.