Crown Point and Munster will try to defend their conference titles, but challenges await both teams.
TOP 10 TEAMS
1. Crown Point (14-3): The defending Duneland Athletic Conference champion Bulldogs, who also won a Class 3A sectional title, bring back their top scorer, senior forward Hannah Pesich (15 goals), and starting goalkeeper, senior Sam Quick (4 shutouts). Senior defender Jordan Villeneuve and senior midfielder Addy Sabau also are key players, and sophomore forward Ariana Schutt is an additional scoring threat.
2. Lake Central (13-4): Longtime boys soccer coach Jereme Rainwater adds the girls program to his responsibilities and inherits a lineup that features multiple key producers from last season, including senior midfielder Phoebe Fogarty (10 goals), sophomore forward Claire Widstrand (8 goals, 7 assists) and senior defender Olivia Connelly. Rainwater also raved about freshman forward Ella Crowley, who should make an immediate impact.
3. Valparaiso (14-5-2): Leading the Vikings after their 3A regional runner-up finish last season is junior forward Mia Smith (14 goals), who was an all-state sprinter in the spring. The defense also has a veteran presence, senior Grace Ely, while newer varsity players like junior midfielder Ainslee McGinty and sophomore defender Gabby Bilek should be lineup fixtures.
4. Chesterton (7-10): Senior forward Adey Avey is healthy again and looking for her fourth double-digit goal season. Senior forward Eva Montes and senior midfielder Claire Vrahoretis will also help the Trojans score goals, while senior defenders Salina Ford and Alice Fancher will help prevent them.
5. Munster (11-6-1): The defending Northwest Crossroads Conference champion Mustangs return their leading scorer, senior forward Maya Maldonado (11 goals), and senior goalkeeper Jenna Krieg. They provide bookends for a team that should remain a conference contender.
6. Hobart (14-3-1): The Brickies have advanced from four wins in 2020 to NCC title contention. Junior forward Kurah Krucina (19 goals, 9 assists) and junior midfielder Addy Hendricks (11 goals, 18 assists) return, and the defense is led by juniors Olivia Mehay and Emma Bullington.
7. Lowell (7-8-1): Seniors lead at every level of the field for the Red Devils with defender Ginny Banek, midfielder Brooke Miller (6 assists) and forward Kaelen Lulinski (14 goals). But a trio of freshmen are expected to start: midfielder Emma Hamilton and defenders Lilly Oman and Camille Joppek.
8. Hanover Central (18-3): The graduation of Kiara Desiderio, who scored 241 career goals
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, leaves a sizable hole for the 2A semistate runner-up Wildcats. But junior goalkeeper Layla Nestor (8 shutouts) returns.9. Highland (12-6): After winning a 2A sectional title last season, the Trojans will be anchored by senior defender Addison Hill. But veterans are all over the field with junior midfielder Grace Houchin, junior midfielder Savannah Ballard, senior midfielder Payton Bailey, sophomore forward Elise Barreiro and junior forward Madelyn Gora.
10. Wheeler (12-6): The Bearcats, who have won two straight sectional titles and nine in 13 seasons, are led by senior forward Jessica Surufka (14 goals). Senior defender/midfielder Sadie Bolan and senior goalkeeper Ashlynne Trinidad also are key players.
25 Players to Watch
- Miriam Avalos, Griffith, senior, forward
- Adey Avey, Chesterton, senior, forward
- Ginny Banek, Lowell, senior, defender
- Gabby Bilek, Valparaiso, sophomore, defender
- Olivia Connelly, Lake Central, senior, defender
- Ella Crowley, Lake Central, freshman, forward
- Sienna Eenigenburg, Illiana Christian, senior, midfielder
- Grace Ely, Valparaiso, senior, defender
- Cole Engibous, Morgan Township, senior, midfielder
- Krystina Gil, Andrean, senior, midfielder
- Addy Hendricks, Hobart, junior, midfielder
- Addison Hill, Highland, senior, defender
- Mali Kennedy, Portage, sophomore, forward
- Jenna Krieg, Munster, senior, goalkeeper
- Kurah Krucina, Hobart, junior, forward
- Maya Maldonado, Munster, senior, forward
- Eva Montes, Chesterton, senior, forward
- Layla Nestor, Hanover Central, junior, goalkeeper
- Hannah Pesich, Crown Point, senior, forward
- Sam Quick, Crown Point, senior, goalkeeper
- Rhianna Ramos, Boone Grove, junior, forward
- Addy Sabau, Crown Point, senior, midfielder
- Mia Smith, Valparaiso, junior, forward
- Jessica Surufka, Wheeler, senior, forward
- Claire Widstrand, Lake Central, sophomore, forward
Dave Melton is a freelance reporter.