TOP 10 TEAMS
1. St. Charles North: North Stars return 15 rotation players and seven starters from a Class 3A sectional finalist. Junior midfielder Bella Najera, a Michigan State recruit, is elite at creating shots. Forwards Rian Spaulding and Sophie Sutherland power the attack. Junior goalkeeper Kara Claussner posted nine shutouts last season.
2. St. Charles East: Senior midfielder McKenna Gahagan (18 goals, 13 assists) is the top returning offensive talent from a 3A supersectional qualifier. Senior midfielder Yazmin Martinez is another skilled player. Senior defender Anna Champine is a first-rate stopper. Senior goalkeeper Sofia Iori is athletic and rangy.
3. Metea Valley: Deep and gifted Mustangs return 10 starters from a 3A sectional qualifier. Junior forward Tyra King (15 goals, 7 assists) and junior midfielder Jordan Lange (10 goals, 13 assists) power the attack. Senior Addison Wargo is as good as it gets at stopper.
4. Oswego East: Wolves feature five college recruits from a team that posted a perfect regular season. Senior midfielders Taylor English and Chloe Noon and sophomore forward Anya Gulbrandsen spark the offense. Junior Sam McPhee is a standout goalkeeper.
5. Burlington Central: Rockets return a strong nucleus from a 2A supersectional qualifier. Sophomore midfielders Ava Elders (13 goals) and Eva Boer (3 goals, 7 assists) are creative in space. Sophomore midfielder Eva Samuelian and sophomore forward Rylee Butler also are expected to make an instant impact.
6. Geneva: Vikings welcome back eight starters and 18 rotation players. Junior midfielder Rilee Hasegawa is the next star. Also keep an eye on junior forward Morgan Rudowicz and junior defender Bella Walls. Senior midfielder Kya Trejo and senior defender Payton Dominguez bolster the depth.
7. Bartlett: Hawks feature eight returning starters from an undefeated conference champion. Senior midfielder Tessa Evans, sophomore midfielder Laney Stark and junior midfielder Brooke Baumann are the offensive standouts. Senior Sabrina Fowler is a lockdown defender.
8. South Elgin: Bemidji State recruit Katrina Barthelt, a senior forward, is one of the state’s top scorers. Senior Chloe Beucler is an athletic stopper. Sophomore Ella Dihel is an all-purpose standout who played every field position last year.
9. Batavia: Bulldogs are poised for a comeback season with several top club players returning to the team. Senior goalkeeper Aubrey Hahn, an Iowa recruit, is the defensive headliner. Senior defender Mia Anzalone is another disruptive and heady talent. Winona State recruit Johanna Shubert, a senior forward, is the offensive leader.
10. West Aurora: In addition to senior forward Lizzy Kuhn, junior midfielder Isabella Vargas and senior defender Krystal Diaz are the top returnees. Junior defender Xochitl Galvan is another gifted talent. Blackhawks are loaded with youth and speed.
TOP 25 PLAYERS TO WATCH
Katrina Barthelt, South Elgin, senior, forward; Chloe Beucler, South Elgin, senior, defender; Eva Boer, Burlington Central, sophomore, midfielder; Macey DeMoss, Rosary, junior, forward; Krystal Diaz, West Aurora, senior, defender; Ava Elders, Burlington Central, sophomore, midfielder; Taylor English, Oswego East, senior, forward; Sarah Epstein, Oswego, senior, defender; Sarah Erickson, Elgin, senior, defender; Tessa Evans, Bartlett, senior, midfielder; Sabrina Fowler, Bartlett, senior, defender; McKenna Gahagan, St. Charles East, senior, midfielder; Aubrey Hahn, Batavia, senior, goalkeeper; Rilee Hasegawa, Geneva, junior, midfielder; Diana Herrera, Streamwood, senior, midfielder; Sofia Iori, St. Charles East, senior, goalkeeper; Tyra King, Metea Valley, junior, forward; Lizzy Kuhn, West Aurora, senior, forward; Jordan Lange, Metea Valley, junior, midfielder; Bella Najera, St. Charles North, junior, midfielder; Brooke Nelson, Waubonsie Valley, senior, defender; Chloe Noon, Oswego East, senior, midfielder; Kya Trejo, Geneva, senior, midfielder; Abby Vichich, St. Charles North, junior, defender; Addison Wargo, Metea Valley, senior defender.
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.