The North Suburban Conference is loaded at the top once again as Lake Zurich, Stevenson, Warren and Mundelein try to unseat Libertyville. Don’t count out Waukegan.
Top 10 teams
1. Libertyville (18-2-3): Returning a strong group of upperclassmen after winning North Suburban Conference and Class 3A sectional titles, the Wildcats are led by senior midfielder Shea Krakowski (Southern Indiana), who had 24 goals and 10 assists. Sophomore midfielder Danica Meller, who had 18 goals and five assists, adds more scoring punch. Senior goalkeeper Tatiana Valdez and junior Lainey Chung lead a rebuilt defense.
2. Lake Zurich (17-3-2): The Bears have the talent to contend in the NCS and the postseason too. Junior forward Reilly Novak (Creighton), who had 11 goals and six assists, leads the way. Senior defender Lizzie Quesinberry and senior goalkeeper Kelly Nelson (Loras) are strong in the back.
3. Stevenson (11-5-3): The Patriots won’t have elite defender Annie Egeland, who enrolled early at Michigan, but still do have standout senior Grace Harper (Washington University) in the back. Junior forward Morgan McKelvey and junior midfielder Abby Samson also are among the top returnees.
4. Warren (12-5-2): The Blue Devils will reload around senior midfielder Kate Mondejar, who had 11 goals and four assists. The return of junior defender Kimberly White (Louisville), who didn’t play last season after tallying six goals and two assists as a freshman, is a major boost.
5. Lakes (15-3): The three-time defending Northern Lake County Conference champion Eagles have four key players back with senior forward Raina Schmitt, who had 11 goals and 13 assists, senior midfielder Anya Silber and junior midfielders Leah Rojas and Cici Hopkins.
6. Wauconda (11-6): The Bulldogs can contend in the NLCC with eleven returnees. Among them are junior midfielder/forward Isabelle Gerle, who has 34 goals and 11 assists in her career, and her sister, junior defender Meagan Gerle.
7. Deerfield (14-10-2): The Warriors’ returning starters include junior defender Addy Margulis, who helped record 10 shutouts, and junior forward Leah Cohen, who had 23 goals and 14 assists. Several talented freshmen are expected to contribute.
8. Mundelein (11-7-3): Fifteen players return for the Mustangs coming off their first regional title since 2010. Among them are junior forward Carlie Bestler, who had 21 goals and seven assists, and senior forward Sam Biesterfeld, who had 14 goals and six assists.
9. Carmel (9-10-2): Senior midfielder Libby Magnone (Case Western Reserve) is the top returnee for the Corsairs. Senior Josie Hartman, a three-sport standout who helped the girls basketball team win a Class 4A sectional title, leads the defense.
10. Waukegan (8-12-3): Eight returning players provide optimism for the Bulldogs, led by senior forward Jocelyn Lopez, who had 18 goals and nine assists; senior goalkeeper Genesis Hurtado, who had seven shutouts; and senior midfielder Xiaoxu Mejia.
25 players to watch
• Carlie Bestler, Mundelein, junior, forward
• Sam Biesterfeld, Mundelein, senior, forward
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• Lainey Chung, Libertyville, junior, defender
• Leah Cohen, Deerfield, junior, forward
• Liliana Cruz, Zion-Benton, junior, midfielder
• Analee De Anda, Round Lake, sophomore, midfielder
• Isabelle Gerle, Wauconda, junior, midfielder/forward
• Meagan Gerle, Wauconda, junior, defender
• Grace Harper, Stevenson, senior, defender
• Josie Hartman, Carmel, senior, defender
• Peyton Hoffmann, Grayslake Central, junior, defender
• Ryan Kadlec, Grant, senior, midfielder
• Shea Krakowski, Libertyville, senior, midfielder
• Jocelyn Lopez, Waukegan, senior, forward
• Libby Magnone, Carmel, senior, midfielder
• Addy Margulis, Deerfield, junior, defender
• Morgan McKelvey, Stevenson, junior, forward
• Danica Meller, Libertyville, sophomore, midfielder
• Kate Mondejar, Warren, senior, midfielder
• Reilly Novak, Lake Zurich, junior, forward
• Lizzie Quesinberry, Lake Zurich, senior, defender
• Abby Samson, Stevenson, junior, midfielder
• Tatiana Valdez, Libertyville, senior, goalkeeper
• Alexa Vega, Round Lake, senior, midfielder
• Kimberly White, Warren, junior, defender
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter.