TOP 10 TEAMS
1. Sandburg (18-2): Eagles allowed just four goals last season and return the core of their defense in four-year starters Rosie Richardson and Erin O’Connor. Kristiana Pappanastos, the 2021 Daily Southtown Player of the Year, will be missed offensively, but senior midfielder Ashley Sak scored 17 goals and senior midfielder Karli Ferguson (Dayton) is a big addition after previously playing club.
2. Joliet Catholic (16-2-1): Angels graduated a decorated senior class that led them to a runner-up finish in Class 2A. However, senior goalkeeper Abby Pasternak (Missouri Southern) is back after allowing less than a goal per game in 2021. Senior forward Emma Gruber has scored 28 career goals and senior Emy Diaz anchors the back line.
3. Andrew (9-7): Seventeen players are back from last season, paced by a strong offensive duo in senior midfielder Leah Crotty (Illinois State) and senior forward Bella Milazzo (Lewis). Milazzo scored 12 goals last season. Look for junior midfielder Emily Tobin to make a difference in her first high school season. Senior Addy Kreydich and junior Simone Cortes are both talented goalkeepers.
4. Lockport (11-5-1): Senior Sarah Matuszek is a lockdown defender who also dished out seven assists while earning all-state honors. Senior forwards Anna Domina and Karolina Stasik form dangerous duo up top, having scored 13 and seven goals, respectively, in 2021.
5. Lincoln-Way Central (15-2-1): Megan Hutchinson is gone to Purdue after scoring 22 goals last season. Knights, though, have senior anchors in midfielder Jenni Andjelic (Milwaukee) and defender Grace Grundhofer (Fort Hayes State). Watch for sophomores Reagan Schultz and Emma Vogler in the midfield.
6. Lincoln-Way East (10-8-1): Griffins return eight starters from young team. Sophomore midfielder Breanna Herlihy is a blossoming star who scored 11 goals. Seniors Brianna Meehan and Maggie Haverstock anchor defense in front of senior goalkeeper Lindsay Fortier (St. Norbert), who missed last season with torn ACL.
7. Marist (10-8): RedHawks, who return eight starters, are experienced in back with senior defenders Sarah Immordino and Kate Boyle leading the way. Senior midfielder Paulina Gutierrez will be counted on offensively.
8. Lemont (13-3-1): Lemont is in a bit of a rebuilding mode after graduating a large senior class. Sophomore Emma Amberg and junior Suzie Knutte are talented forwards who scored 15 and seven goals, respectively, last season. Keep an eye on freshman midfielder Ella Simpson.
9. Lincoln-Way West (9-6-1): New coach Joe Stephens has veteran defense led by seniors Casey Bumstead and Elly Hermanson. Senior midfielder Zoey Trout is a four-year varsity player who dished out 10 assists last season.
10. St. Laurence (12-7-3): Vikings won a regional last year with no seniors on their roster. Senior midfielder Jocelyn Ruiz and junior forward Emily Garcia are headliners, while freshman midfielder Perla Guzman is expected to make an immediate impact.
TOP 25 PLAYERS TO WATCH
Emma Amberg, Lemont, sophomore, forward; Jenni Andjelic, Lincoln-Way Central, senior, midfielder; Serenity Berrios, Oak Forest, junior, goalkeeper; Leah Crotty, Andrew, senior, midfielder; Anna Domina, Lockport, senior, forward; Gema Garibay, De La Salle, senior, midfielder; Emily Garcia, St. Laurence, junior, forward; Kit Gormley, Tinley Park, sophomore, midfielder; Emma Gruber, Joliet Catholic, senior, forward; Grace Grundhofer, Lincoln-Way Central, senior, defender; Paulina Gutierrez, Marist, senior, midfielder; Maggie Haverstock, Lincoln-Way East, senior, defender; Breanna Herlihy, Lincoln-Way East, sophomore, midfielder; Solana Hernandez, Homewood-Flossmoor, junior, midfielder; Ciara Hosty, Mother McAuley, junior, forward; Sarah Immordino, Marist, senior, defender; Sarah Matuszek, Lockport, senior, defender; Charlene Mendoza, Bloom, junior, forward; Emily Mendoza, Eisenhower, senior, forward; Bella Milazzo, Andrew, senior, forward; Erin O’Connor, Sandburg, senior, defender; Abby Pasternak, Joliet Catholic, senior, goalkeeper; Rosie Richardson, Sandburg, senior, defender; Jocelyn Ruiz, St. Laurence, senior, midfielder; Zoey Trout, Lincoln-Way West, senior, midfielder.