BEECHER

Players to watch: Lindsey Garlich, D, So., D; Allyson Herlitz, F, Fr.; Stephanie Koehn, G, Sr.; Brittany Mulderink, MF, Jr.

Outlook: Every goal Beecher had in 2006 was by a senior with Kelcy Resa and the Griffith twins leading the way. Thus, the Bobcats might have serious problems scoring. They will have to rely even more on Koehn, who had nine shutouts and made The Times' All-Area team. Beecher was 12-2-1 with her last season, 1-5 when she was hurt. She's recovering from another injury.

Quote: "I would like to see us finish in the top half of the (Interstate Eight) Conference." -- coach Dawn Hannon.

BLOOM TWP.

Players to watch: Valeria Desiderio, MF, Fr.; Olivia Gutierrez, D, So.; Veronica Gutierrez, MF, Sr.; Jordan Wallek, F, So.

Outlook: Small but fast. With many freshmen, Bloom improved markedly in 2006, but finished under .500. Coach Kelly Gutierrez said Bloom is still improving. Wallek scored more than 20 goals and could become one of the area's best forwards, but Danice Carbajal moved to Indiana.

Quote: "We'd love to win at least half of our games." -- Gutierrez.

CRETE-MONEE

Players to watch: Ivy Clinton, F, Sr.; Michelle Costalunga, F, So.; Andrea Miranda, G, Jr.; Katie Mulderink, F, So.; Amanda Tucker, MF, Fr.

Outlook: The Warriors improved dramatically last season in Marvin Rodas' first year as coach. They finished second in the SICA South with a 9-2 mark after winning only a couple of games in 2005. Times All-Area selection Meagan Scartozzi graduated, but the team has exciting new talent in Tucker as well as 2006 late-season additions Costalunga and Mulderink.

Quote: "They got a taste of victory (in 2006) and I think they like it." -- Rodas.

DE LA SALLE

Players to watch: Laura Alva, D, Jr.; Candice Burke, D, Fr.; Dana Dalrymple, D, Sr.; Monica Gonzalez, MF, Sr.; Analyssa Valdez, F/MF, Sr.

Outlook: The Meteors will be playing for the first time without C.C. Cline, their best player every year that they have had a team and a four-time Times honorable mention selection. Replacing her will be a huge problem, but coach Tom Dufficy hopes improved play by Dalrymple, Gonzalez, and Valdez can help De La Salle match or better last year's second consecutive 10-9-1 season. Burke is "as fast as lightning."

Quote: "We will be a defensive team (without Cline)." -- Dufficy.

HOMEWOOD-FLOSSMOOR

Players to watch: Ashley Berner, F, Sr.; Angie Coderre, D, Jr.; Elaine Coldren, D, Sr.; Maggie Hoskin, F, Sr.; Kelly Johnson, MF, Jr..; Chelsea Jones, MF, Jr.; Zoe Lubeck, MF, So.

Outlook: H-F could contend for a state berth after losing a 2006 sectional final. Kim Schmitt was the only senior. The Vikings have many talented freshmen, including Emily Oliver, a goalie on a girls national team. Hoskin is expected to replace Schmitt as the top scorer.

Quote: "We're a much deeper and versatile team than we've been in the past." -- coach Todd Elkei.

ILLIANA CHRISTIAN

Players to watch: Caitlyn Beans, D, Jr.; Kaylyn Blaauw, D, Jr.; Kerianne Blaauw, MF, So.; Susan Blocker, D, Jr.; Noelle Kreykes, MF, Sr.; Meghan Nymeyer, G, Jr.

Outlook: In its first year in Class AA, Illiana was 17-4, won a regional, and was second in the Private School League. That performance will be difficult to duplicate because Times Player of the Year Emily Beans, the No. 6 scorer in state history, graduated after scoring 152 times in four years. This year's squad is very strong in the midfield and on defense, but its forwards are inexperienced.

Quote: "We will struggle a little bit to find scorers." -- coach Dave Bosman.

MARIAN CATHOLIC

Players to watch: Kasey Cartwright, MF, Jr.; Melanie Hall, MF, Jr.; Meghan Rockrohr, F, Jr.; Molly Rockrohr, D, Jr.

Outlook: Defender/midfielder's Abby Shepherd's graduation could hurt Marian dramatically. She made The Times' all-area team four times. In 2006, she was the No. 2 scorer for a team that was 10-9-4 and fifth in the East Suburban Catholic Conference.

Quote: "We will be strong in midfield, but there will be some question marks defensively." -- coach Nasser Shahtaji.

RICH EAST

Players to watch: Amanda Gonzalez, F, Sr.; Jessica Harris, G, Sr.; Alyssa Hernandez, MF, So.; Julie Larson, D, Sr.; Marisa McGill, F, Jr.

Outlook: The Rockets were a few games under .500 last season, but coach Sherrie Towery said she is optimistic about this season because the school's summer program has improved turnout and the girls' skills. Larson is considering Harvard.

Quote: "I'm easily hoping we will be over .500." -- Towery.

THORNTON TWP.

Players to watch: Brenda Ayala, D, Sr.; Christi Borowicz, MF, Sr.; Leni Glenn, F, So.; Helen Presley, F, Sr.; Diana Serrano, G, Jr.

Outlook: The Wildcats were 1-17 in 2006, but new coach Maria Gonzalez is very optimistic about this season. She believes a huge turnaround is in the offing because eight seniors with a lot of club experience have finally tried out for the school team. Youngsters like sophomore Denise Flores and freshman Bernice Zambrano provide depth.

Quote: "We're going to surprise a lot of our opponents. I expect at least 50 percent wins." -- Gonzalez.

THORNTON FRACTIONAL

Players to watch: Cristina Frigo, F, Jr.; Brittany Kern, F, Sr.; Leah Rusk, G, Jr.; Ashley Sanchez, F, Sr.

Outlook: The Meteors had their best record ever last season, 15-6- 1, and won their first SICA South title. This season's team has a lot of offensive talent; Kern and Sanchez both scored more than 25 goals in 2006 and Frigo was the No. 3 scorer.

Quote: "Although we lost two great seniors (Ashley Kekelik and Gina Trama), we hope to compete for the conference title again this year." -- coach Alejandro Lagunas.