College futures, unforgettable
pasts for South Elgin duo
By Dave Owen
A common thread runs between two hit TV series, the White House, the Basketball Hall of Fame and the soccer futures of two South Elgin seniors.
Danielle Kucharski and Bella Tusa will be the only two members of the Storm’s talented Class of 2020 who will play college soccer.
That is where the other connections come in.
Kucharski will play at Division III Hanover College in southeast Indiana. It is the alma mater of actor Woody Harrelson of “Cheers” fame and current U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, among others.
Tusa will be back on the pitch at the next level as well, playing at Division II Barry University. The Fort Lauderdale school’s graduates include Shaquille O’Neal (an ex-NBA All-Star and current TV analyst who earned his degree during his basketball playing career) and the former star of the courtroom reality TV show “Judge Alex,” Alex Ferrer.
Tusa (a three-year varsity forward for South Elgin) won’t be playing pro basketball or likely presiding over a courtroom, but she hopes to follow Barry’s two alumni into futures in television.
“I always knew that I wanted to play soccer in college and go back to where I am originally from,,” said Tusa, who moved north from Hollywood, Fla. at a young age. “That prompted me to search for schools around the (south Florida) area offering majors in television and digital media, and a great women's soccer program.”
Barry finished 8-2-0 in conference play last year, and 9-7-0 overall.
“When I met the team at Barry for the first time, it immediately clicked,” Tusa said. “I could not see myself anywhere else.
“Florida schools tend to also pick girls from outside the country. which is super interesting. I will be playing with girls next year who the majority are from countries like Sweden (four teammates from that country), Spain and England.”
While lacking that international flair and the balmy weather, Hanover offers strong academics on a scenic campus along the Ohio River in Madison, Ind..
“I chose Hanover because it feels like a home away from home,” Kucharski said. “I plan on majoring in business analytics with a possible minor in multimedia business, and they are both new majors coming in the fall with their Business Scholars Program.”
Hanover (which finished with an 11-6-2 record in 2019) literally went the extra mile to sell the South Elgin three-year varsity defender on the school.
“In the whole process coach (James) Watts drove all the way up here just to meet with me and my parents,” Kucharski said, “and when he invited me to campus he didn’t come up short in including me with everything.
“He introduced me to all the professors and even the president of Hanover, and it made me feel like I belong there.
“Going forward I’m really excited about the season, because all of my other (Hanover) teammates had a high school season because they play in the fall, and I feel like there is something left unsaid about my soccer career. I have the next four years to write that.
“I will never take a workout, practice, a game, and even a bus ride for granted again because those are moments and memories that cannot be replaced.”
Tusa has similar melancholy memories of the missed 2020 season.
“As for this season, I am absolutely heartbroken,” Tusa said. “I was looking forward to playing with this outstanding group, and we got it taken away from us.
“My best friend Haley Molidor is also part of this senior group, and we had dreamed about our senior season as we would ride on the bus together our freshman year.”
Concerning the 2019 freshmen, the chance to play forward alongside sensational newcomer and Chicagoland Soccer All-Stater Katrina Barthelt (33 goals) was one of Tusa's many career highlights.
“Me and Katrina got along really well on and off the field,” Tusa said, “and I always admired how humble she was.
“She was a really great teammate and friend to me. She was really fun to play with, and I was looking forward to Katrina, Haley (Molidor) and I dominating in the upper third of the field this year.
“I know that even with a new team at SEHS next year, she (Barthelt) will be able to adapt well and play her game.”
The 2019 Storm adapted and improved beyond belief. Coming off a three-win season, South Elgin won 14 games last spring and won conference and regional championships.
“There are three games (from 2019) I still think about to this day,” Kucharski said. “Beating Glenbard East on their home field, winning conference at West Aurora, and winning regionals in Huntley.
“Each of those games paved a path for South Elgin and showed us what it meant to be a team. We did something no other team in the history of SEHS has done (winning conference), and that team will forever have a special place in my heart.”
A senior-dominated roster set hopes high this year, only to never have a chance to play.
“After last year, all of us came into this year with big dreams, and we knew it would be better than last year and were ready to go the extra mile,” Kucharski said.
“Sadly we seniors never got to write the goodbye we wanted. But there has not been a day where one of us will reach out to the team and relive a memory or say how much we miss each other.”
Tusa’s time on the South Elgin pitch ended in style, and began the same way.
“My first game as a varsity player (in 2017),” Tusa said, “I scored the first goal of our first game against Hoffman Estates, which is also where a few of my best friends played. Also a bunch of my family and friends were watching (that day), and it was a great moment.
“My next most memorable games were when we won the conference championship and the regional championship last year. It was such a great reward for our hard work that season.”
Hard work was just one ingredient in the turnaround season.
“Our team's bond was unreal,” Tusa said. “We always were doing everything together and kept each other accountable which led to our success in practice and games.
“With the team I am so grateful for the laughs, the cries, the performances we had on the bus, the tough practices, the games we won and lost, and our team get-togethers. I will never forget this great group of girls.”
Kucharski felt a special link to the great group of seniors, and particularly her longtime teammates on the South Elgin defense.
“Within the defensive unit, I had my right-hand man who I could count on for everything and anything, Kaleigh LaRue,” Kucharski said. “She played right next to me, and I haven’t played a year of soccer without her.
“On the outside, we had Kayla Mathis and Taylor Latsonas, who I have also played with years before ever coming to South Elgin. Those two can both hold their own.
“With the four of us (defenders) playing together before,” Kucharski added, “we all knew how each other would play on and off the ball, and we were able to grow together. That’s what made our defense so strong last year -- the ability to know what the other would do before it would even happen."
The emergence of other Class of 2020 standouts like goalkeeper Megan McClure (10 shutouts in 2019) added to one of the biggest improvements made by any team in Illinois.
“There is definitely something different about our senior class,” Kucharski said. “Anyone from the outside could even see the connection we had. All of us played together for years before even coming into high school.”
Storm coach Laura Szwaja also holds a special place in the seniors’ memories.
“Coach Szwaja was a coach who wanted the best for her team and knew that ‘Mission Matters Most,’” Tusa said. “I vividly remember sitting with my team in a circle and talking about our goals and how we would work for them, and we did just that.
“She was tough on me, because she cared and saw potential in me. She definitely helped shape me into the person and player I am today. I am hurt that I don't get another year playing for her, but I'm grateful for the note we ended on last season.”
pasts for South Elgin duo
By Dave Owen
A common thread runs between two hit TV series, the White House, the Basketball Hall of Fame and the soccer futures of two South Elgin seniors.
Danielle Kucharski and Bella Tusa will be the only two members of the Storm’s talented Class of 2020 who will play college soccer.
That is where the other connections come in.
Kucharski will play at Division III Hanover College in southeast Indiana. It is the alma mater of actor Woody Harrelson of “Cheers” fame and current U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, among others.
Tusa will be back on the pitch at the next level as well, playing at Division II Barry University. The Fort Lauderdale school’s graduates include Shaquille O’Neal (an ex-NBA All-Star and current TV analyst who earned his degree during his basketball playing career) and the former star of the courtroom reality TV show “Judge Alex,” Alex Ferrer.
Tusa (a three-year varsity forward for South Elgin) won’t be playing pro basketball or likely presiding over a courtroom, but she hopes to follow Barry’s two alumni into futures in television.
“I always knew that I wanted to play soccer in college and go back to where I am originally from,,” said Tusa, who moved north from Hollywood, Fla. at a young age. “That prompted me to search for schools around the (south Florida) area offering majors in television and digital media, and a great women's soccer program.”
Barry finished 8-2-0 in conference play last year, and 9-7-0 overall.
“When I met the team at Barry for the first time, it immediately clicked,” Tusa said. “I could not see myself anywhere else.
“Florida schools tend to also pick girls from outside the country. which is super interesting. I will be playing with girls next year who the majority are from countries like Sweden (four teammates from that country), Spain and England.”
While lacking that international flair and the balmy weather, Hanover offers strong academics on a scenic campus along the Ohio River in Madison, Ind..
“I chose Hanover because it feels like a home away from home,” Kucharski said. “I plan on majoring in business analytics with a possible minor in multimedia business, and they are both new majors coming in the fall with their Business Scholars Program.”
Hanover (which finished with an 11-6-2 record in 2019) literally went the extra mile to sell the South Elgin three-year varsity defender on the school.
“In the whole process coach (James) Watts drove all the way up here just to meet with me and my parents,” Kucharski said, “and when he invited me to campus he didn’t come up short in including me with everything.
“He introduced me to all the professors and even the president of Hanover, and it made me feel like I belong there.
“Going forward I’m really excited about the season, because all of my other (Hanover) teammates had a high school season because they play in the fall, and I feel like there is something left unsaid about my soccer career. I have the next four years to write that.
“I will never take a workout, practice, a game, and even a bus ride for granted again because those are moments and memories that cannot be replaced.”
Tusa has similar melancholy memories of the missed 2020 season.
“As for this season, I am absolutely heartbroken,” Tusa said. “I was looking forward to playing with this outstanding group, and we got it taken away from us.
“My best friend Haley Molidor is also part of this senior group, and we had dreamed about our senior season as we would ride on the bus together our freshman year.”
Concerning the 2019 freshmen, the chance to play forward alongside sensational newcomer and Chicagoland Soccer All-Stater Katrina Barthelt (33 goals) was one of Tusa's many career highlights.
“Me and Katrina got along really well on and off the field,” Tusa said, “and I always admired how humble she was.
“She was a really great teammate and friend to me. She was really fun to play with, and I was looking forward to Katrina, Haley (Molidor) and I dominating in the upper third of the field this year.
“I know that even with a new team at SEHS next year, she (Barthelt) will be able to adapt well and play her game.”
The 2019 Storm adapted and improved beyond belief. Coming off a three-win season, South Elgin won 14 games last spring and won conference and regional championships.
“There are three games (from 2019) I still think about to this day,” Kucharski said. “Beating Glenbard East on their home field, winning conference at West Aurora, and winning regionals in Huntley.
“Each of those games paved a path for South Elgin and showed us what it meant to be a team. We did something no other team in the history of SEHS has done (winning conference), and that team will forever have a special place in my heart.”
A senior-dominated roster set hopes high this year, only to never have a chance to play.
“After last year, all of us came into this year with big dreams, and we knew it would be better than last year and were ready to go the extra mile,” Kucharski said.
“Sadly we seniors never got to write the goodbye we wanted. But there has not been a day where one of us will reach out to the team and relive a memory or say how much we miss each other.”
Tusa’s time on the South Elgin pitch ended in style, and began the same way.
“My first game as a varsity player (in 2017),” Tusa said, “I scored the first goal of our first game against Hoffman Estates, which is also where a few of my best friends played. Also a bunch of my family and friends were watching (that day), and it was a great moment.
“My next most memorable games were when we won the conference championship and the regional championship last year. It was such a great reward for our hard work that season.”
Hard work was just one ingredient in the turnaround season.
“Our team's bond was unreal,” Tusa said. “We always were doing everything together and kept each other accountable which led to our success in practice and games.
“With the team I am so grateful for the laughs, the cries, the performances we had on the bus, the tough practices, the games we won and lost, and our team get-togethers. I will never forget this great group of girls.”
Kucharski felt a special link to the great group of seniors, and particularly her longtime teammates on the South Elgin defense.
“Within the defensive unit, I had my right-hand man who I could count on for everything and anything, Kaleigh LaRue,” Kucharski said. “She played right next to me, and I haven’t played a year of soccer without her.
“On the outside, we had Kayla Mathis and Taylor Latsonas, who I have also played with years before ever coming to South Elgin. Those two can both hold their own.
“With the four of us (defenders) playing together before,” Kucharski added, “we all knew how each other would play on and off the ball, and we were able to grow together. That’s what made our defense so strong last year -- the ability to know what the other would do before it would even happen."
The emergence of other Class of 2020 standouts like goalkeeper Megan McClure (10 shutouts in 2019) added to one of the biggest improvements made by any team in Illinois.
“There is definitely something different about our senior class,” Kucharski said. “Anyone from the outside could even see the connection we had. All of us played together for years before even coming into high school.”
Storm coach Laura Szwaja also holds a special place in the seniors’ memories.
“Coach Szwaja was a coach who wanted the best for her team and knew that ‘Mission Matters Most,’” Tusa said. “I vividly remember sitting with my team in a circle and talking about our goals and how we would work for them, and we did just that.
“She was tough on me, because she cared and saw potential in me. She definitely helped shape me into the person and player I am today. I am hurt that I don't get another year playing for her, but I'm grateful for the note we ended on last season.”