BEECHER
Athletes to watch: Stephanie Hall, Jr., MF; Sam Schwartz, Sr., D; Sydney Strick, So., MF; Lyndsay Wachowski, So., F; Gianna Myers, Jr., MF.
Outlook: The Ladycats' biggest question mark coming into the season was goalkeeping, and after their starting netminder suffered an MCL/ACL injury in the opening match, Beecher will now rely on junior Roxanne Milan. Luckily, the Ladycats' biggest strength will be the defense in front of Milan. Beecher is already 3-1 on the young season and will look for a top-four finish in the River Valley Conference.
Quote: "I've been extremely happy with our defense. We did graduate a big part of our offense, so we're working on that." -- coach Dawn Compton
BLOOM TWP.
Athletes to watch: Monica Chavolla, Sr., MF; Guadelupe Mendez, Sr., D; Jazmin Aldapa, Fr., F; Katelin Wallek, Jr., K.
Outlook: The Blazing Trojans will look to battle Crete-Monee for a shot at the Southland Athletic Conference title. Chavolla, an all-conference and all-sectional selection last season, will lead Bloom. Freshman Aldapa had two goals in the first match of the season and should continue to contribute.
Quote: "We're at least as strong as we were last year and we're hoping to win our conference. If everyone is able to stay healthy and is working really hard, I think we should do OK." -- coach Kelly Gutierrez
CRETE-MONEE
Athletes to watch: Allie Rodas, Sr., F; Amy Carollo, Sr., MF; Rachel Spellfox, Jr., D; Nikki Reardon, Sr., K; Miranda Martin, Sr., D.
Outlook: The Warriors started last season 4-4 before winning 11 matches in a row on their way to a regional championship. A heartbreaking loss to Joliet Catholic in a sectional final ended the playoff run, but Crete-Monee is a senior-heavy team that should be able to build on the past successes. Rodas will continue her career next season at the Division I level when she heads to Indiana State, but before that happens, she'll be the Warriors' workhorse and team leader.
Quote: "We're just trying to keep on with the attitude of working hard and keeping (up) a winning tradition. We want to take that next step and get into the supersectional after winning a sectional championship." -- coach Jeff Polson
HOMEWOOD-FLOSSMOOR
Athletes to watch: Kelly Lewers, Sr., F; Ali Farkos, Jr., MF; Emily Johnson, Sr., D; Chelsea Moss, Sr., D; Chrissy Coderres, So., D.
Outlook: Lewers, Farkos, and Johnson, who will all take their talents to the next level in the fall, provide the backbone for a strong Vikings squad in their final year of high school. First-year coach Charlie Ward takes over the program and inherits a group with plenty of talent. A team-first attitude should take the Vikings a long way this season.
Quote: "We play as a team -- we have no individuals, and individual goals are on the back burner. Their goal is to go as far as we can in the playoffs and prove to everyone that we are a team to be reckoned with." -- Ward
ILLIANA CHRISTIAN
Athletes to watch: Sarah Witvoet, Sr., F; Erinn Behn, Sr., MF; Caroline Toren, Jr., D; Emma Pawlowski, Fr., MF.
Outlook: The Vikings suffered a tough, penalty-kicks loss to Tinley Park in last year's regional championship, which was played on one of the hottest days of the spring. Behn was the MVP of the Metro Suburban Conference last season and is the table setter for Illiana. Look for Witvoet to be the go-to goal scorer as both seniors try to take the Vikings further in 2011.
Quote: "We want to defend our Metro Suburban Conference championship, (but) that's going to be a tall order because we've taken Glenbard South into our conference. They're from the west side, where soccer is pretty strong. We want to be above .500, and we want to win games and keep improving." -- coach A.J. Turkstra
MARIAN CATHOLIC
Athletes to watch: Patricia Resner, Sr., MF; Deanna Sizemore, Sr., D; Christine Franzese, So., D; Mary Ann Crosetto, So., MF; Mollie Lindeman, Jr., D.
Outlook: Marian Catholic was 10-12 in the 2010 campaign, but seeks to improve upon that record in 2011. The Spartans are a young team that lost its core to graduation and will face an uphill climb in its quest to make a name for itself.
Quote: "We are a younger team, but I am hoping that they will accept the challenge." -- coach Nasser Shahtaji
ST. FRANCIS DE SALES
Athletes to watch: Miriam Lopez, Sr., MF; Alexis Arambula, Sr., D; Lizet Alvarez, Sr., K; Celeste Martinez, Jr., F.
Outlook: St. Francis de Sales recorded only two wins in 2010, but has already equaled that victory total this season. The Pioneers are hoping to finish in the top half of the Girls Catholic Athletic Conference and will rely on their seniors to carry them throughout the campaign.
Quote: "We're basically half seniors and half freshmen, so we're looking for the seniors to show the other kids what a winning culture is all about." -- coach Craig Shaman
THORNTON TWP.
Athletes to watch: Jamie Gutierrez, F; Maria Millan, K; Lilian Gonzalez, MF; Jasmin Zambrano, MF.
Outlook: Gutierrez should give the team a scoring threat. There is a chance for some success.
THORNTON FRACTIONAL
Athletes to watch: Jamie Kats, Jr., MF; Melissa Medina, Sr., D; Elizabeth Munoz, Jr., D; Andrea Munoz, So., MF; Lisa Urbina, Jr., D.
Outlook: The T.F. co-op team is relatively young and in a rebuilding mode, but has a lot of potential. After returning from a two-year hiatus, coach Alejandro Lagunas will need time to decide where the girls fit into his system.
Quote: "It's going to take a while, but I think if we continue working and stay focused on the end product, we're going to see a lot of improvements. I think when it does click, we're going to be a tough team." -- coach Alejandro Lagunas
NOTE: Washington did not provide preview information to The Times.
Please Wait…