Barrington counts on newcomers,
while Neuqua Valley has balance
Key returnees could help both teams
By Ken Keenan
A patient approach will be the cornerstone of Barrington
coach Ryan Stengren's philosophy regarding the start of the 2015
season. The Fillies graduated six starters from a squad that
finished 14-4-2 overall (including 9-2-0 in Mid-Suburban League play)
after falling to eventual IHSA Class 3A champion New Trier by a 1-0
count in supersectional play last year.
"We have a lot of young kids, really a pretty young roster," said
Stengren, whose team hosts Neuqua Valley at 6 p.m. Wednesday. "So we
have a lot of kids without experience. Usually we're pretty set. But
any time you graduate that many kids, you have to grow and see where
you are. We've got to find out what we have, creating an identity as
we go."
What the Fillies do have is the returning Illinois Gatorade Player of
the Year, senior forward Jenna Szczesny. An all-state and
all-Midwest selection in 2014, Szczesny, back for her fourth varsity
campaign, compiled an astounding 30 goals and 15 assists last season.
She also has led Barrington to three straight MSL championships and
three consecutive supersectional appearances.
"She's super-athletic, she's got speed and she's very good at
finishing," Stengren said. "She's just a threat every time she gets
the ball on her feet at the goal, and she creates more space on the
field because opponents pay attention to her. She has a lot of
experience."
Szczesny is tabbed to continue her playing career at Loyola University
upon graduation.
Another ace returnee is senior goalkeeper Hannah Luedtke, also
returning for her fourth year of varsity soccer. Luedtke has tended the net
to the tune of three straight MSL championships and three consecutive
supersectional appearances.
"She's one of the better goalkeepers in the state," Stengren said.
"She's a very good leader for us -- a vocal leader -- and she makes
the difficult saves look easy. And it usually takes a really good shot
to beat her. She doesn't give away easy goals."
Also back in the fold are senior midfielders Megan Fox and Kelsey
Muniz and sophomore defender Jackie Batliner. Fox returns for her
fourth varsity campaign, while Muniz enters her third. Sophomore
forward Maesyn Poidomani returns as well.
"Megan brings really good senior leadership, and as a center
midfielder, she connects a lot of passes for us," Stengren said.
"Kelsey has a really high work rate, and she can cover a lot of ground
for us. Jackie is a strong defensive kid who plays really hard."
Joining the Fillies for her first year of high school soccer is Notre
Dame-bound club player Anne Marie Niro, a senior midfielder.
"She's got a high soccer IQ, and she's probably one of the best ball
distributors we've had come through the program," Stengren said.
Barrington opened the season on Monday with a 1-0 win over Naperville
North. Poidomani tallied the lone goal, while Luedtke recorded the
shutout.
"The girls worked really, really hard," Stengren said. "We did some
things really well, some we have to improve upon. You can't get too up
or down this time of year. But I like the way we've been training,
making a constant effort to improve on a daily basis. If we continue
to do that, we're headed in the right direction."
Neuqua Valley ended up with a solid 10-6-3 overall mark last year,
including a 4-2 record in Upstate 8 action. The Wildcats concluded the
season with a 2-1 loss to Naperville North in the regional final.
"We have a good combination of veteran players and new varsity
players," said Neuqua Valley coach Joe Moreau. "We will be a hardworking team,
and we will be successful if we are able to possess the ball."
A quartet of fourth-year varsity seniors will lead the way for the Wildcats:
midfielders Kiley Czerwinski and Lauren Ciesla, along with defender
Sophie Moreau and goalkeeper Hannah Parrish. Czerwinski totaled four
goals and nine assists in '14; Moreau notched two assists.
"Kiley is very fast and likes to attack the goal," Moreau said.
"Lauren is strong on the ball and a good distributor. Sophia is very
smart and calm. She also distributes the ball very well. Hannah has
good hands, and she reads the game well."
Three midfielders are chief among the newcomers: freshmen Jamie
Goralski and Alyssa Bombacino, and junior Anna Toersloev.
"Jamie is very fast, with good footwork," Moreau said. "Alyssa is a
good distributor, also with good footwork, and Anna is a strong
tackler and a good distributor as well."
Moreau said the Wildcats "will be strong defensively, but the
question is, 'Who will be the player that steps up to be a goal
scorer?' Plus, our first six games of the season will be a strong test
for us -- including Barrington.
"Barrington is an excellent program with good coaches," Moreau said.
"They are always an aggressive, fast team."
After facing the Fillies, Neuqua Valley will take on St. Charles East
-- the defending Class 3A runner-up -- on March 24, as well as
Naperville North (March 25), Metea Valley (March 26) and two top
programs from Missouri on April 3 and 4: Jefferson City and Incarnate
Word.
while Neuqua Valley has balance
Key returnees could help both teams
By Ken Keenan
A patient approach will be the cornerstone of Barrington
coach Ryan Stengren's philosophy regarding the start of the 2015
season. The Fillies graduated six starters from a squad that
finished 14-4-2 overall (including 9-2-0 in Mid-Suburban League play)
after falling to eventual IHSA Class 3A champion New Trier by a 1-0
count in supersectional play last year.
"We have a lot of young kids, really a pretty young roster," said
Stengren, whose team hosts Neuqua Valley at 6 p.m. Wednesday. "So we
have a lot of kids without experience. Usually we're pretty set. But
any time you graduate that many kids, you have to grow and see where
you are. We've got to find out what we have, creating an identity as
we go."
What the Fillies do have is the returning Illinois Gatorade Player of
the Year, senior forward Jenna Szczesny. An all-state and
all-Midwest selection in 2014, Szczesny, back for her fourth varsity
campaign, compiled an astounding 30 goals and 15 assists last season.
She also has led Barrington to three straight MSL championships and
three consecutive supersectional appearances.
"She's super-athletic, she's got speed and she's very good at
finishing," Stengren said. "She's just a threat every time she gets
the ball on her feet at the goal, and she creates more space on the
field because opponents pay attention to her. She has a lot of
experience."
Szczesny is tabbed to continue her playing career at Loyola University
upon graduation.
Another ace returnee is senior goalkeeper Hannah Luedtke, also
returning for her fourth year of varsity soccer. Luedtke has tended the net
to the tune of three straight MSL championships and three consecutive
supersectional appearances.
"She's one of the better goalkeepers in the state," Stengren said.
"She's a very good leader for us -- a vocal leader -- and she makes
the difficult saves look easy. And it usually takes a really good shot
to beat her. She doesn't give away easy goals."
Also back in the fold are senior midfielders Megan Fox and Kelsey
Muniz and sophomore defender Jackie Batliner. Fox returns for her
fourth varsity campaign, while Muniz enters her third. Sophomore
forward Maesyn Poidomani returns as well.
"Megan brings really good senior leadership, and as a center
midfielder, she connects a lot of passes for us," Stengren said.
"Kelsey has a really high work rate, and she can cover a lot of ground
for us. Jackie is a strong defensive kid who plays really hard."
Joining the Fillies for her first year of high school soccer is Notre
Dame-bound club player Anne Marie Niro, a senior midfielder.
"She's got a high soccer IQ, and she's probably one of the best ball
distributors we've had come through the program," Stengren said.
Barrington opened the season on Monday with a 1-0 win over Naperville
North. Poidomani tallied the lone goal, while Luedtke recorded the
shutout.
"The girls worked really, really hard," Stengren said. "We did some
things really well, some we have to improve upon. You can't get too up
or down this time of year. But I like the way we've been training,
making a constant effort to improve on a daily basis. If we continue
to do that, we're headed in the right direction."
Neuqua Valley ended up with a solid 10-6-3 overall mark last year,
including a 4-2 record in Upstate 8 action. The Wildcats concluded the
season with a 2-1 loss to Naperville North in the regional final.
"We have a good combination of veteran players and new varsity
players," said Neuqua Valley coach Joe Moreau. "We will be a hardworking team,
and we will be successful if we are able to possess the ball."
A quartet of fourth-year varsity seniors will lead the way for the Wildcats:
midfielders Kiley Czerwinski and Lauren Ciesla, along with defender
Sophie Moreau and goalkeeper Hannah Parrish. Czerwinski totaled four
goals and nine assists in '14; Moreau notched two assists.
"Kiley is very fast and likes to attack the goal," Moreau said.
"Lauren is strong on the ball and a good distributor. Sophia is very
smart and calm. She also distributes the ball very well. Hannah has
good hands, and she reads the game well."
Three midfielders are chief among the newcomers: freshmen Jamie
Goralski and Alyssa Bombacino, and junior Anna Toersloev.
"Jamie is very fast, with good footwork," Moreau said. "Alyssa is a
good distributor, also with good footwork, and Anna is a strong
tackler and a good distributor as well."
Moreau said the Wildcats "will be strong defensively, but the
question is, 'Who will be the player that steps up to be a goal
scorer?' Plus, our first six games of the season will be a strong test
for us -- including Barrington.
"Barrington is an excellent program with good coaches," Moreau said.
"They are always an aggressive, fast team."
After facing the Fillies, Neuqua Valley will take on St. Charles East
-- the defending Class 3A runner-up -- on March 24, as well as
Naperville North (March 25), Metea Valley (March 26) and two top
programs from Missouri on April 3 and 4: Jefferson City and Incarnate
Word.