Carranza is St. Charles East's
jack of all trades
By Dave Owen
Alondra Carranza has a natural ability to score goals that runs in her family.
But as the 2018 and 2019 coaches all-sectional honors she earned at two different positions shows, the St. Charles East senior has an even more impressive knack for versatility.
“Her sophomore year she played center back, pairing with all-conference player Hailey Popiel,” Saints coach Vince DiNuzzo said.
“Last year during our match vs. Wheaton-Warrenville South, we experimented by pushing her up into the midfield to help add a more dynamic presence moving forward and more physical presence in the center of the field.
“She scored the match-winning goal in that match,” DiNuzzo added, “and has remained there ever since.”
While happy to contribute anywhere she is on the field, Carranza was more than OK with the shift.
“My freshman year (then-Saints head) coach (Paul) Jennison put me at center back because we had a lot of people for the midfield positions,” said Carranza, a two-time Chicagoland Soccer All-Stater. “That’s why I started out at center back, but I’ve always loved the midfield.
“This year DiNuzzo was going to try me at the 10 (attacking midfielder) but I never got a chance to try it (with the COVID-19 virus delaying the season).”
Carranza’s midfield preference showed in the numbers last year.
“Last year she scored six goals and had seven assists while only playing in the midfield for a handful of games,” DiNuzzo said.
Carranza saved one of her best offensive moments for last: the high stakes postseason match vs. rival St. Charles North.
“For me the number one (play) was the sectional against North last year,” she said. “I know we lost, but the goal I had was the most unbelievable for me.
“I remember sliding, winning the ball from their keeper and then just shooting it with my left foot. That tied the game for us, and it was just amazing.
“That was the most memorable (play) to me,” Carranza added, “because it brought our spirits up in a huge game. We lost, but I was still proud of the team.”
Producing improbable goals like that comes as no surprise to anyone familiar with the Carranza name.
Younger brother Sebastian was a sophomore forward on the Saints’ boys team that went 18-2-1 last fall.
And for her first two seasons at St. Charles East, Carranza was varsity teammates with her sister Chantel.
“Alondra loved having Chantel on the team and looked up to her like any little sister would,” DiNuzzo said.
While injuries sidelined Chantel for much of her senior year for the Saints, she showed her scoring power last fall at the college level for Grand Valley State in Michigan.
Producing 23 goals and eight assists in just 24 games, Chantel helped GVSU to the Division II national championship.
“Obviously when you have a sister that has Chantel's ability, it makes it difficult to fill those shoes,” DiNuzzo said. “But I don't think anyone views it like that.
“Alondra is a completely different player that brings something different to the team, and I believe that everyone respects the way she plays the game.”
When asked what has made her successful, Alondra Carranza’s matching respect for the Saints’ program is obvious.
“It’s my team and my coach,” she said. “DiNuzzo pushes me to be the best I can be, and my team is so supportive of me. I just want to give back, so I’ve worked really hard to be where I am.”
And when it came to playing sports, there was a best and then the rest.
“I’ve tried different sports,” she said, “but soccer has always been there for me. The feeling I get when I play is just amazing. I can be who I am. Soccer’s just a part of me that I don’t think I could ever let go of.”
Unfortunately, the COVID-19 virus has forced Carranza and prep players nationwide to put the game on hold.
“It’s been frustrating, but we’re hoping,” she said. “They haven’t officially canceled, and we’re working out by ourselves to make sure we stay fit. We have our own workout (plan) that we are keeping each other accountable for.”
With several standouts back from last year’s 22-win season, even an abbreviated 2020 slate would be especially nice for a state title contender like the Saints.
“Our talent is really good, the best I’ve seen it,” Carranza said. “This year everything that’s happened, not being able to play with them is so hard.”
Carranza, Hannah Miller, Megan Stout, Lindsey Rzeszutko, Olivia Guerri, Margaret Harper and Jamie McDermott have been varsity teammates since Day 1 of the 2018 season. A combined 35-12-6 record over two years has been the result.
“We make it each other so much better because we know how each of us plays,” Carranza said. “It’s easy to connect.”
“Our communication together (is a key),” Carranza added, “and our connection in just being able to read what each other is going to do. And, of course, the talent too. The talent has always been so good on the team.”
Add Elle McCaslin to that talented group. She transferred in from Michigan last year, earned Chicagoland Soccer All-State honors and was named the coaches Player of the Year.
Carranza’s ability to show her talent at many different positions has made her a special part of the elite squad.
“Alondra is a gamer,” DiNuzzo said. “She is someone that you can play all over the field, because she is a great soccer player who understands how the game should be played.”
Even if the virus concerns deny that talented group a chance this spring, Carranza has a college soccer future ahead.
She has committed to play this fall at St. Cloud State in Minnesota, where 2017 St. Charles East graduate Kaitlyn Dziubinski will be only one familiar new teammate.
“I really love the school, and I have my best friend there, (current freshman) Jenna Dominguez from Geneva,” Carranza said. “We were club teammates, and I’ve known her forever.
“We grew up together so we’ve played soccer with each other a lot. Besides in high school, where we were rivals.
“My coach helped me out, and she (Dominguez) also recommended me to St. Cloud and talked to her coach about me,” Carranza added. “Then things started going from there.”
Known for its great hockey tradition (legendary U.S. Olympic coach Herb Brooks coached there, and several current and former NHL stars are graduates), St. Cloud State’s soccer program is also worthy of attention with a 12-5-3 record last fall.
Focused and successful on the soccer field, Carranza has also taken early steps towards her future beyond the game.
“I’m thinking elementary education (as a college major),” she said. “In high school I’ve started in a program where I’m a student teacher in a second-grade elementary class for bilingual students. It’s opened my eyes to teaching, and I really love it. It’s a nice connection you have with the kids.”
If Carranza teaches as well as she plays soccer, her students will be in good hands.
“The passion that Alondra plays the game with is what sets her apart from her peers,” DiNuzzo said.
“She plays the game with determination and physicality. She is very well rounded with her ability to defend, attack, create and communicate."
jack of all trades
By Dave Owen
Alondra Carranza has a natural ability to score goals that runs in her family.
But as the 2018 and 2019 coaches all-sectional honors she earned at two different positions shows, the St. Charles East senior has an even more impressive knack for versatility.
“Her sophomore year she played center back, pairing with all-conference player Hailey Popiel,” Saints coach Vince DiNuzzo said.
“Last year during our match vs. Wheaton-Warrenville South, we experimented by pushing her up into the midfield to help add a more dynamic presence moving forward and more physical presence in the center of the field.
“She scored the match-winning goal in that match,” DiNuzzo added, “and has remained there ever since.”
While happy to contribute anywhere she is on the field, Carranza was more than OK with the shift.
“My freshman year (then-Saints head) coach (Paul) Jennison put me at center back because we had a lot of people for the midfield positions,” said Carranza, a two-time Chicagoland Soccer All-Stater. “That’s why I started out at center back, but I’ve always loved the midfield.
“This year DiNuzzo was going to try me at the 10 (attacking midfielder) but I never got a chance to try it (with the COVID-19 virus delaying the season).”
Carranza’s midfield preference showed in the numbers last year.
“Last year she scored six goals and had seven assists while only playing in the midfield for a handful of games,” DiNuzzo said.
Carranza saved one of her best offensive moments for last: the high stakes postseason match vs. rival St. Charles North.
“For me the number one (play) was the sectional against North last year,” she said. “I know we lost, but the goal I had was the most unbelievable for me.
“I remember sliding, winning the ball from their keeper and then just shooting it with my left foot. That tied the game for us, and it was just amazing.
“That was the most memorable (play) to me,” Carranza added, “because it brought our spirits up in a huge game. We lost, but I was still proud of the team.”
Producing improbable goals like that comes as no surprise to anyone familiar with the Carranza name.
Younger brother Sebastian was a sophomore forward on the Saints’ boys team that went 18-2-1 last fall.
And for her first two seasons at St. Charles East, Carranza was varsity teammates with her sister Chantel.
“Alondra loved having Chantel on the team and looked up to her like any little sister would,” DiNuzzo said.
While injuries sidelined Chantel for much of her senior year for the Saints, she showed her scoring power last fall at the college level for Grand Valley State in Michigan.
Producing 23 goals and eight assists in just 24 games, Chantel helped GVSU to the Division II national championship.
“Obviously when you have a sister that has Chantel's ability, it makes it difficult to fill those shoes,” DiNuzzo said. “But I don't think anyone views it like that.
“Alondra is a completely different player that brings something different to the team, and I believe that everyone respects the way she plays the game.”
When asked what has made her successful, Alondra Carranza’s matching respect for the Saints’ program is obvious.
“It’s my team and my coach,” she said. “DiNuzzo pushes me to be the best I can be, and my team is so supportive of me. I just want to give back, so I’ve worked really hard to be where I am.”
And when it came to playing sports, there was a best and then the rest.
“I’ve tried different sports,” she said, “but soccer has always been there for me. The feeling I get when I play is just amazing. I can be who I am. Soccer’s just a part of me that I don’t think I could ever let go of.”
Unfortunately, the COVID-19 virus has forced Carranza and prep players nationwide to put the game on hold.
“It’s been frustrating, but we’re hoping,” she said. “They haven’t officially canceled, and we’re working out by ourselves to make sure we stay fit. We have our own workout (plan) that we are keeping each other accountable for.”
With several standouts back from last year’s 22-win season, even an abbreviated 2020 slate would be especially nice for a state title contender like the Saints.
“Our talent is really good, the best I’ve seen it,” Carranza said. “This year everything that’s happened, not being able to play with them is so hard.”
Carranza, Hannah Miller, Megan Stout, Lindsey Rzeszutko, Olivia Guerri, Margaret Harper and Jamie McDermott have been varsity teammates since Day 1 of the 2018 season. A combined 35-12-6 record over two years has been the result.
“We make it each other so much better because we know how each of us plays,” Carranza said. “It’s easy to connect.”
“Our communication together (is a key),” Carranza added, “and our connection in just being able to read what each other is going to do. And, of course, the talent too. The talent has always been so good on the team.”
Add Elle McCaslin to that talented group. She transferred in from Michigan last year, earned Chicagoland Soccer All-State honors and was named the coaches Player of the Year.
Carranza’s ability to show her talent at many different positions has made her a special part of the elite squad.
“Alondra is a gamer,” DiNuzzo said. “She is someone that you can play all over the field, because she is a great soccer player who understands how the game should be played.”
Even if the virus concerns deny that talented group a chance this spring, Carranza has a college soccer future ahead.
She has committed to play this fall at St. Cloud State in Minnesota, where 2017 St. Charles East graduate Kaitlyn Dziubinski will be only one familiar new teammate.
“I really love the school, and I have my best friend there, (current freshman) Jenna Dominguez from Geneva,” Carranza said. “We were club teammates, and I’ve known her forever.
“We grew up together so we’ve played soccer with each other a lot. Besides in high school, where we were rivals.
“My coach helped me out, and she (Dominguez) also recommended me to St. Cloud and talked to her coach about me,” Carranza added. “Then things started going from there.”
Known for its great hockey tradition (legendary U.S. Olympic coach Herb Brooks coached there, and several current and former NHL stars are graduates), St. Cloud State’s soccer program is also worthy of attention with a 12-5-3 record last fall.
Focused and successful on the soccer field, Carranza has also taken early steps towards her future beyond the game.
“I’m thinking elementary education (as a college major),” she said. “In high school I’ve started in a program where I’m a student teacher in a second-grade elementary class for bilingual students. It’s opened my eyes to teaching, and I really love it. It’s a nice connection you have with the kids.”
If Carranza teaches as well as she plays soccer, her students will be in good hands.
“The passion that Alondra plays the game with is what sets her apart from her peers,” DiNuzzo said.
“She plays the game with determination and physicality. She is very well rounded with her ability to defend, attack, create and communicate."