Preview: Naperville Invitational
By Steve Nemeth
If ever there is a must-watch tournament, it’s the 2019 Naperville Invitational for girls soccer.
The field is best described as quality -- underlined, italicized, and all caps.
Consider the following metrics for the 24-team event for which play begins Wednesday in World Cup-format style. Competition in the eight groups continues through Saturday to determine the eight finalists for a bracketed tourney.
It debuted in 1998 and crowned two pool winners. Since 1999, a single title has been awarded and when it comes to evidence of its quality, of the 31 state champions decided since 1988, 27 of those have competed in the Naperville Invite.
Since the advent of the three-class system in 2009, 10 members of the field have accounted for 18-of-20 participants in the championship match.
When it comes to the current Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, 13 of the 15 highest-rated teams are in the field. Tack on three more from the honorable mention section, plus one other from the preseason First 50, and this is truly a destination point for collegiate coaches.
Fourteen players who earned CS All-State acclaim in 2018 are competing. Now think about this -- 52 more players, who were named on last season's Chicagoland Soccer All-State Watch List, will also compete.
There are other school-based annual tournaments: the North Shore Invitational which morphed into the Lou Malnati’s Deep Dish Classic, thirty-plus-year-old Augsburg-Drach competition now shared by the St. Charles high schools; the new Plainfield Classic; Prospect's Knights Invitational, along with many secondary level events
like Stillman Valley’s Colin Smith or DeKalb’s Barbfest. But not one in-state, in-season tournament, school-based or otherwise, can match the competitive quality of the Naperville Invitational.
Two-time defending state champ, and Chicagoland Soccer no. 1 Barrington has the biggest target on its back. Technically, the event’s defending champion is no. 3-rated New Trier, whose success last year earned a best-ever fifth invite crown.
From the Naperville Invitational list of previous winners, there’s also no. 8 St. Charles East, no. 9 Naperville North, no. 12 Sandburg, no. 13 Waubonsie Valley, no. 14 Neuqua Valley and honorable mention Naperville Central. However, it's foolish not to think history might with a first-time title-winner, especially when one recognizes that no. 2 St. Charles North, no. 4 Lyons, no. 6 Conant, no. 10 Benet and no. 15 Geneva will vie for that honor.
Is there anyone else among this stacked tournament who can take home the hardware? Sure. That's why they play the games.
Here’s a look at all eight groups.
Group A
Benet, Oswego and Naperville Central
Naperville Central serves as the host location for Groups A and B matches. The Redhawks (7-4-1) own honorable mention recognition in the Chicagoland Soccer poll and hope homefield advantage will help them deal with Oswego and no. 10-ranked Benet.
Oswego coach Kelsey Champion has a predominantly young and unfortunately injury-plagued roster. However, the Panthers (2-9-0) enter play off 5-0 win over Romeoville in a Southwest Prairie Conference match Monday.
Benet got off to an 8-0-0 start that included notable wins over Sandburg and downstate stalwart Notre Dame (Peoria) before enduring a 2-1 upset by Joliet Catholic. Coach Gerard Oconer’s crew rebounded with a 5-0 win over Oak Park-River Forest and handled conference foe Marian Catholic 8-0 Tuesday. The Redwings (10-0-1) will open with Oswego on Wednesday. Team members on the Chicagoland Soccer All-State Watch List (ASWL) include four seniors: forward Abby Casmere (team-best eight goals and 17 points), midfielder Mia Ullmer, defender Mary Kate Olson and goalie Eva Frantzen. Two juniors are on the list: defender Kate Flynn and forward Mia Tommasone. Benet sophomore forward Jamie Cibulka was recognized on spring’s Chicagoland Soccer Players to Watch (PW) roster.
Naperville Central standouts on the ASWL include a pair of seniors, defender Abbey Hillman and midfielder Maddie Mills, plus junior midfielder Hannah Bradley-Leon. Senior forward Caroline Reedy appears in the PW group. Coach Ed Watson's Redhawks own three Naperville Invitational title with the most recent from 2012.
Group B
Geneva, Neuqua Valley and Sandburg
Based on rankings, this may be the most competitive trio. No. 12 Sandburg (9-1-1) is grouped with no. 14 Neuqua Valley (4-2-3) and no. 15 Geneva (5-2-1).
Talk about a rags-to-riches story. Last year Sandburg started 0-3-0 before standout Maddie Manzke broke her patella and the 2018 campaign ended with two victories. Since opening 2019 with a 0-0 tie against Plainfield East, the Eagles’ only loss was a 1-0 thriller versus Benet that decided the Wheaton North Kickoff Classic champion. Manzke’s back and coach Tom Kubowicz’s crew had a five-match win streak going into Tuesday night.
As is always the case with Neuqua Valley, coach Joe Moreau’s program never shies away from competition. In addition to a tie and loss in the Parkway College Showcase in St. Louis, all but one of the Wildcats’ seven foes are ranked in the Top 25. The results include a season-opening tie with top-rated Barrington and a 2-0 loss to no. 2 St. Charles North. Leading the team is 2018 CS All-Stater Erin McCarthy, a senior defender. Two more seniors Danielle Hopkins and Shannon Tagler earned ASWL status. Neuqua would welcome a bookend for its 2011 Naperville Invitational title trophy.
Geneva also went 0-1-1 in the Parkway College Showcase and is eager to bounce back from a 2-1 DuKane Conference loss Saturday at St. Charles East that ended a three-game win streak. Coach Megan Owens’ line-up is led by CS All-State senior midfielders Jenna Dominguez and Sydney Gratz. ASWL returnees include senior midfielder Stephanie Howe plus juniors (goalie) Katie Montgomery and (defender) Annalise Spindle.
Group C
Lyons, Naperville North, Oswego East
Naperville North provides the location for Group C and D matches and the Huskies (6-2-1) are hoping everyone is looking past them starting with fellow Group C foes Lyons (7-1-1) and Oswego East (5-5-1).
While Lyons is ranked no. 4 and North is No. 9, both teams must first deal with a feisty Oswego East crew which had a split in the Parkway College Showcase. Coach Juan Leal’s Wolves led by ASWL pick Allison Adams, a junior defender. A quartet of players with PW status include senior forward Sydney Conway and goalie Reagan Sanders, plus junior midfielders Madison Frazer and Haley Lewis.
Lyons has recovered from the frustration of a 95th-minute, 2-1 overtime loss to New Trier in the Lou Malnati’s Deep Dish Classic semifinal match. Coach Bill
Lansperry’s roster has talent throughout the field starting with 2018 All-State pick and senior midfielder Eileen Murphy. The Lions’ PW members include two seniors in defenders Grace Truax and Bri Stirrat, junior goalie Sophia Grabis plus sophomore forward Ava Dallano.
As for North, junior forward Hannah Martin is a 2018 All-Stater joined by four ASWL selections: senior defenders Reilly Riggs and Paige Sylvester, senior forward Katie Murphy, and junior midfielder Leah Shumate. Senior midfielder-defender Madie Schecht is a PW pick. Coach Steve Goletz’s Huskies would be ecstatic to claim a fifth Naperville Invitational crown and are one of only three teams to win a title in consecutive years (2015 and 2016).
Group D
Hinsdale Central, St. Charles East, Waubonsie Valley
On paper, St. Charles East would be listed as the Group D favorite but neither Waubonsie Valley or Hinsdale Central care about that. The latter two start things on Wednesday, a day after road matches.
First-year coach Tony Madonia and Hinsdale Central (3-4-1) are eager to put a tough start behind them. The Red Devils look to a pair of ASWL players in senior defender Samantha Moriarty and junior forward Haley Arnold. Central has a trio of seniors on the Players to Watch list in defender Sophie Simmons and midfielders Samantha Guido and Caroline Lyman.
Although Waubonsie Valley’s last of four Naperville Invitational trophies was earned in 2014, coach Julie Bergstrom’s program has been rising in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25 to its current no. 13 level and boasts a stellar 9-1-1 ledger. Junior forward Grace Setter PW pick, are spearheading the Warriors resurgence.
At no. 8, St. Charles East shook off a season-opening 1-0 loss to Fremd to beat Naperville North 2-0 and then pick up the Huntley Invitational trophy before falling short in a 2-1 championship match with rival and co-host St. Charles North in the Augsburg-Drach Invitational. That result was followed by another 2-1, this one against St. Ignatius, before the Saints flipped that score in their favor in beating Geneva. CS 2018 All-State junior defender Alondra Carranza is simply tenacious. Senior midfielder and ASWL pick Kayla Villa provides notable leadership. The recent PW selections include a very talented newcomer and scorer in Elle McCaslin, senior keeper Grace Griffin, junior midfielder Margaret Harper, and sophomore midfielder Hannah Miller. The Saints’ trophy case does contain hardware from two Naperville Invitationals one in 2002 as East, and one from 2000 when there was only one St. Charles program.
Group E
Barrington, Bartlett, Burlington Central
Barrington serves as the location for Group E and F contests. Those Fillies, who won the 2017 Naperville Invite, entered this season having lost goalie and CS 2018 Player of the Year Sam Schmitz, but have barely skipped a beat. Coach Ryan Stengren’s squad opened the season with a 2-0 win over Naperville North and then rallied for a 1-1 draw with Neuqua Valley. That’s been followed by seven straight victories including Tuesday’s 1-0 triumph at Prospect. There’s no shortage of talent for the Fillies (8-0-1) starting with 2018 All-State picks in senior defenders Madi Rosen and Christine Batliner, plus junior forward Tina Teik. Unfortunately a fourth All-Stater -- senior forward Ashley Prell -- is now sidelined. ASWL members include a pair of seniors in defender Juliane Moreno and midfielder Ashley Rocco, a junior trio in midfielder Ashley Armando and forwards Ellie McAuley and Kara Jones, plus sophomore defenders Jennifer Devona and Kate McGreevy. Junior midfielder Rebecca Shomaker can be found among the PWs.
Now completely under the leadership of coach Vince Revak, Bartlett continues the improvement he produced as a co-head coach and assistant. The Hawks are far more capable than their 4-5-2 record suggest following a 1-0 Monday loss to Glenbard East. Much hinges on the healthy return of defender Paige Bednarke, who helps set the table for fellow senior and forward Mikayla Brown. Bartlett boasts a pair quick-improving freshmen in keeper Caitlin Yurkovich and midfielder-forward Tessa Evans.
Yes Burlington Central is a Class AA program that appears out of place at first glance. But coach Jessica Arneson schedules the Rockets as much as possible against top-level competition. Last year’s Class 3A champion Barrington lost by a 1-0 tally twice in 2018, both times in the Naperville Invitational. The second was to co-host Naperville North, but the first was to Burlington Central based on a 4-3 shootout in group play. Don’t expect the Fillies to be looking past the rematch. Unlike last year the Rockets (4-3-1) record can be broken down by opposition class: 0-3-1 in order versus 3A foes Naperville Central, Bartlett, St. Charles East, and Schaumburg, and 4-0 while outscoring Class AA schools 34-0 -- the reason, besides perhaps jealousy, that led to the Kishwaukee River Conference booting Central after this year. Keep an eye on 2018 All-Stater Zoey Kolhoff, a junior midfielder, and ASWL selections junior forward Madelyn Menke or soph mid Isabella Hartmann.
Group F
St. Charles Nort, Evanston, Palatine
While Barrington might have some revenge in mind for Burlington Central, the Fillies could find themselves on the opposite side of that equation if the opportunity develops for St. Charles North, the Group F favorite. The North Stars were an undefeated club projected throughout 2018 to play for the state crown until Barrington’s 2-0 “surprise” in a supersectional showdown. The deep and talented North Stars had a prolific All-State scoring duo (Gia Wahlberg and Hailey Rydberg) signed by Big Ten programs and yet their run ended in the same round as 2017 when state runner-up New Trier won a 1-0 nail-biter. Those two stars are gone, but guess what, North enters the tourney at 7-0-1. Since a 2-2 season-opening draw at Conant, this constellation of North Stars -- ranked No. 2 -- has done nothing but win with seven-straight triumphs heading into the group-opening clash with no. 11 Evanston. Coach Brian Harks still has a Wahlberg-Rydberg duo to count on -- in this case Cece and Sami -- plus a third threat in junior forward Sarah Andrey. Cece earned 2018 All-State acclaim while Sami, a junior
midfielder, and Claudia Najera, a senior forward, were ASWL honorees. The recent Players to Watch pack includes Andrey plus seniors in goalie Sara Maleski and defender Ali Wessel.
Evanston brings a 9-3-0 mark to the tourney led by ASWL picks Hadley Bushala, a senior forward, and Calista O’Connor, a junior midfielder. Coach Stacy Salgado’s roster includes five PWs starting with a trio of seniors in defender Annika DeStefano and midfielders Keara Kerr and Katarina Sehgal. Joining them on the ist are sophomore midfielder Ryann Lucas and freshman forward Brelyn Viamille.
Palatine (2-7-1) comes in winless in five Mid-Suburban League matches which include losses to fellow tourney participants Barrington, Fremd, and Conant, but veteran boss Willie Fillian is no stranger to success. The 26th-year Pirates coach is one victory shy of his 300th triumph with the girls to go with 370 career victories on the boys side highlighted by a 1994 state championship. Forced to tinker with the lineup, Fillian has a core of three PW performers that includes two juniors, forward Olivia Radtke and defender Melanie Simon, plus sophomore forward Ashley Donselaar.
Group G
Conant, Downers Grove South, New Trier
Group G and H matches will be contested at two sites, New Trier plus Oak Park and River Forest, with one exception. This could be notable for Group G when it comes to the two-ranked programs as no. 6 Conant has to visit no. 3 New Trier. But before that tangle takes place, Downers Grove South hopes either or both can be caught
looking ahead.
Downers Grove South (5-3-1) looks to a trio of ASWL designees in seniors, Nicole Fajardo (forward) and Jillian Paladino (midfielder), plus junior midfielder Jordan Rose. Coach Chris Hernandez also has a pair of PW picks in senior goalie Angel Biondo and junior midfielder-forward Maddie Raftery.
Conant (9-0-1) followed an early 2-2 draw with St. Charles North with eight-consecutive wins including four shutouts. The most recent was a 4-0 clean sheet on Monday at ranked Hersey. Coach Jason Franco builds around two key juniors, all-state forward Stephanie Mazurek and defender and ASWL selection Delaney Hoye. Mazurek has begun the year with 16 goals in a quest to follow in the footsteps of her sister Emily, who departed as the Cougars’ third-leading goal scorer with four-year totals of 46 goals and 32 assists.
As previously noted, defending tourney champion New Trier (9-1-5) would love to continue its reign. Veteran coach Jim Burnside has an impressive nucleus starting with 2018 All-Staters in senior goalie Meghan Dwyer and junior midfielder Emma Weaver. While ASWL member and soph midfielder Grace Walker is sidelined by injury, three of her teammates on that list -- seniors Lily Conley (midfielder) and Josie Crumley (defender) plus sophomore midfielder Mia Sedgwick -- are ready to do battle. Another Trevian from the PW chart is senior midfielder Fallon Warshauer.
Group H
Fremd, Loyola, Oak Park and River Forest
To alleviate a conflict based on spring break, Group H has one match already in the books as no. 23 Loyola used a 5-4 shootout advantage to get past former top 10 member Fremd.
With two exceptions, Loyola's schedule has also resembled a who’s who from the Chicagoland Soccer poll. The Rambler (5-4-2) have tangled with Fremd, Lyons, Evanston, Prairie Ridge and St. Ignatius, as well as Naperville Invitational participant Hinsdale Central. First-year coach Shannon Hartinger has all-stater Maggie Brett back and nearing full-strength after an injury, a ASWL pick in junior midfielder Vanessa Murray plus three PW selections including senior goalie Katherine Jaros, plus a freshmen twosome in midfielder Grace Ehlert and forward Molly Sipe.
Fremd’s Vikings are 5-3-1 following Monday’s 2-1 Mid-Suburban League triumph over Elk Grove. Coach Steve Keller’s troop is led by a quartet of ASWL performers in two juniors, forward Mackenzie Stein and goalie Jennifer Norris, plus sophomore midfielders Lauren Burk and Caleigh Stone.
Oak Park and River Forest (2-4-1) faces Loyola at New Trier on Wednesday and coach Christine Johnson hopes the Huskies can utilize home field advantage for Thursday’s meeting with Fremd.
By Steve Nemeth
If ever there is a must-watch tournament, it’s the 2019 Naperville Invitational for girls soccer.
The field is best described as quality -- underlined, italicized, and all caps.
Consider the following metrics for the 24-team event for which play begins Wednesday in World Cup-format style. Competition in the eight groups continues through Saturday to determine the eight finalists for a bracketed tourney.
It debuted in 1998 and crowned two pool winners. Since 1999, a single title has been awarded and when it comes to evidence of its quality, of the 31 state champions decided since 1988, 27 of those have competed in the Naperville Invite.
Since the advent of the three-class system in 2009, 10 members of the field have accounted for 18-of-20 participants in the championship match.
When it comes to the current Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, 13 of the 15 highest-rated teams are in the field. Tack on three more from the honorable mention section, plus one other from the preseason First 50, and this is truly a destination point for collegiate coaches.
Fourteen players who earned CS All-State acclaim in 2018 are competing. Now think about this -- 52 more players, who were named on last season's Chicagoland Soccer All-State Watch List, will also compete.
There are other school-based annual tournaments: the North Shore Invitational which morphed into the Lou Malnati’s Deep Dish Classic, thirty-plus-year-old Augsburg-Drach competition now shared by the St. Charles high schools; the new Plainfield Classic; Prospect's Knights Invitational, along with many secondary level events
like Stillman Valley’s Colin Smith or DeKalb’s Barbfest. But not one in-state, in-season tournament, school-based or otherwise, can match the competitive quality of the Naperville Invitational.
Two-time defending state champ, and Chicagoland Soccer no. 1 Barrington has the biggest target on its back. Technically, the event’s defending champion is no. 3-rated New Trier, whose success last year earned a best-ever fifth invite crown.
From the Naperville Invitational list of previous winners, there’s also no. 8 St. Charles East, no. 9 Naperville North, no. 12 Sandburg, no. 13 Waubonsie Valley, no. 14 Neuqua Valley and honorable mention Naperville Central. However, it's foolish not to think history might with a first-time title-winner, especially when one recognizes that no. 2 St. Charles North, no. 4 Lyons, no. 6 Conant, no. 10 Benet and no. 15 Geneva will vie for that honor.
Is there anyone else among this stacked tournament who can take home the hardware? Sure. That's why they play the games.
Here’s a look at all eight groups.
Group A
Benet, Oswego and Naperville Central
Naperville Central serves as the host location for Groups A and B matches. The Redhawks (7-4-1) own honorable mention recognition in the Chicagoland Soccer poll and hope homefield advantage will help them deal with Oswego and no. 10-ranked Benet.
Oswego coach Kelsey Champion has a predominantly young and unfortunately injury-plagued roster. However, the Panthers (2-9-0) enter play off 5-0 win over Romeoville in a Southwest Prairie Conference match Monday.
Benet got off to an 8-0-0 start that included notable wins over Sandburg and downstate stalwart Notre Dame (Peoria) before enduring a 2-1 upset by Joliet Catholic. Coach Gerard Oconer’s crew rebounded with a 5-0 win over Oak Park-River Forest and handled conference foe Marian Catholic 8-0 Tuesday. The Redwings (10-0-1) will open with Oswego on Wednesday. Team members on the Chicagoland Soccer All-State Watch List (ASWL) include four seniors: forward Abby Casmere (team-best eight goals and 17 points), midfielder Mia Ullmer, defender Mary Kate Olson and goalie Eva Frantzen. Two juniors are on the list: defender Kate Flynn and forward Mia Tommasone. Benet sophomore forward Jamie Cibulka was recognized on spring’s Chicagoland Soccer Players to Watch (PW) roster.
Naperville Central standouts on the ASWL include a pair of seniors, defender Abbey Hillman and midfielder Maddie Mills, plus junior midfielder Hannah Bradley-Leon. Senior forward Caroline Reedy appears in the PW group. Coach Ed Watson's Redhawks own three Naperville Invitational title with the most recent from 2012.
Group B
Geneva, Neuqua Valley and Sandburg
Based on rankings, this may be the most competitive trio. No. 12 Sandburg (9-1-1) is grouped with no. 14 Neuqua Valley (4-2-3) and no. 15 Geneva (5-2-1).
Talk about a rags-to-riches story. Last year Sandburg started 0-3-0 before standout Maddie Manzke broke her patella and the 2018 campaign ended with two victories. Since opening 2019 with a 0-0 tie against Plainfield East, the Eagles’ only loss was a 1-0 thriller versus Benet that decided the Wheaton North Kickoff Classic champion. Manzke’s back and coach Tom Kubowicz’s crew had a five-match win streak going into Tuesday night.
As is always the case with Neuqua Valley, coach Joe Moreau’s program never shies away from competition. In addition to a tie and loss in the Parkway College Showcase in St. Louis, all but one of the Wildcats’ seven foes are ranked in the Top 25. The results include a season-opening tie with top-rated Barrington and a 2-0 loss to no. 2 St. Charles North. Leading the team is 2018 CS All-Stater Erin McCarthy, a senior defender. Two more seniors Danielle Hopkins and Shannon Tagler earned ASWL status. Neuqua would welcome a bookend for its 2011 Naperville Invitational title trophy.
Geneva also went 0-1-1 in the Parkway College Showcase and is eager to bounce back from a 2-1 DuKane Conference loss Saturday at St. Charles East that ended a three-game win streak. Coach Megan Owens’ line-up is led by CS All-State senior midfielders Jenna Dominguez and Sydney Gratz. ASWL returnees include senior midfielder Stephanie Howe plus juniors (goalie) Katie Montgomery and (defender) Annalise Spindle.
Group C
Lyons, Naperville North, Oswego East
Naperville North provides the location for Group C and D matches and the Huskies (6-2-1) are hoping everyone is looking past them starting with fellow Group C foes Lyons (7-1-1) and Oswego East (5-5-1).
While Lyons is ranked no. 4 and North is No. 9, both teams must first deal with a feisty Oswego East crew which had a split in the Parkway College Showcase. Coach Juan Leal’s Wolves led by ASWL pick Allison Adams, a junior defender. A quartet of players with PW status include senior forward Sydney Conway and goalie Reagan Sanders, plus junior midfielders Madison Frazer and Haley Lewis.
Lyons has recovered from the frustration of a 95th-minute, 2-1 overtime loss to New Trier in the Lou Malnati’s Deep Dish Classic semifinal match. Coach Bill
Lansperry’s roster has talent throughout the field starting with 2018 All-State pick and senior midfielder Eileen Murphy. The Lions’ PW members include two seniors in defenders Grace Truax and Bri Stirrat, junior goalie Sophia Grabis plus sophomore forward Ava Dallano.
As for North, junior forward Hannah Martin is a 2018 All-Stater joined by four ASWL selections: senior defenders Reilly Riggs and Paige Sylvester, senior forward Katie Murphy, and junior midfielder Leah Shumate. Senior midfielder-defender Madie Schecht is a PW pick. Coach Steve Goletz’s Huskies would be ecstatic to claim a fifth Naperville Invitational crown and are one of only three teams to win a title in consecutive years (2015 and 2016).
Group D
Hinsdale Central, St. Charles East, Waubonsie Valley
On paper, St. Charles East would be listed as the Group D favorite but neither Waubonsie Valley or Hinsdale Central care about that. The latter two start things on Wednesday, a day after road matches.
First-year coach Tony Madonia and Hinsdale Central (3-4-1) are eager to put a tough start behind them. The Red Devils look to a pair of ASWL players in senior defender Samantha Moriarty and junior forward Haley Arnold. Central has a trio of seniors on the Players to Watch list in defender Sophie Simmons and midfielders Samantha Guido and Caroline Lyman.
Although Waubonsie Valley’s last of four Naperville Invitational trophies was earned in 2014, coach Julie Bergstrom’s program has been rising in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25 to its current no. 13 level and boasts a stellar 9-1-1 ledger. Junior forward Grace Setter PW pick, are spearheading the Warriors resurgence.
At no. 8, St. Charles East shook off a season-opening 1-0 loss to Fremd to beat Naperville North 2-0 and then pick up the Huntley Invitational trophy before falling short in a 2-1 championship match with rival and co-host St. Charles North in the Augsburg-Drach Invitational. That result was followed by another 2-1, this one against St. Ignatius, before the Saints flipped that score in their favor in beating Geneva. CS 2018 All-State junior defender Alondra Carranza is simply tenacious. Senior midfielder and ASWL pick Kayla Villa provides notable leadership. The recent PW selections include a very talented newcomer and scorer in Elle McCaslin, senior keeper Grace Griffin, junior midfielder Margaret Harper, and sophomore midfielder Hannah Miller. The Saints’ trophy case does contain hardware from two Naperville Invitationals one in 2002 as East, and one from 2000 when there was only one St. Charles program.
Group E
Barrington, Bartlett, Burlington Central
Barrington serves as the location for Group E and F contests. Those Fillies, who won the 2017 Naperville Invite, entered this season having lost goalie and CS 2018 Player of the Year Sam Schmitz, but have barely skipped a beat. Coach Ryan Stengren’s squad opened the season with a 2-0 win over Naperville North and then rallied for a 1-1 draw with Neuqua Valley. That’s been followed by seven straight victories including Tuesday’s 1-0 triumph at Prospect. There’s no shortage of talent for the Fillies (8-0-1) starting with 2018 All-State picks in senior defenders Madi Rosen and Christine Batliner, plus junior forward Tina Teik. Unfortunately a fourth All-Stater -- senior forward Ashley Prell -- is now sidelined. ASWL members include a pair of seniors in defender Juliane Moreno and midfielder Ashley Rocco, a junior trio in midfielder Ashley Armando and forwards Ellie McAuley and Kara Jones, plus sophomore defenders Jennifer Devona and Kate McGreevy. Junior midfielder Rebecca Shomaker can be found among the PWs.
Now completely under the leadership of coach Vince Revak, Bartlett continues the improvement he produced as a co-head coach and assistant. The Hawks are far more capable than their 4-5-2 record suggest following a 1-0 Monday loss to Glenbard East. Much hinges on the healthy return of defender Paige Bednarke, who helps set the table for fellow senior and forward Mikayla Brown. Bartlett boasts a pair quick-improving freshmen in keeper Caitlin Yurkovich and midfielder-forward Tessa Evans.
Yes Burlington Central is a Class AA program that appears out of place at first glance. But coach Jessica Arneson schedules the Rockets as much as possible against top-level competition. Last year’s Class 3A champion Barrington lost by a 1-0 tally twice in 2018, both times in the Naperville Invitational. The second was to co-host Naperville North, but the first was to Burlington Central based on a 4-3 shootout in group play. Don’t expect the Fillies to be looking past the rematch. Unlike last year the Rockets (4-3-1) record can be broken down by opposition class: 0-3-1 in order versus 3A foes Naperville Central, Bartlett, St. Charles East, and Schaumburg, and 4-0 while outscoring Class AA schools 34-0 -- the reason, besides perhaps jealousy, that led to the Kishwaukee River Conference booting Central after this year. Keep an eye on 2018 All-Stater Zoey Kolhoff, a junior midfielder, and ASWL selections junior forward Madelyn Menke or soph mid Isabella Hartmann.
Group F
St. Charles Nort, Evanston, Palatine
While Barrington might have some revenge in mind for Burlington Central, the Fillies could find themselves on the opposite side of that equation if the opportunity develops for St. Charles North, the Group F favorite. The North Stars were an undefeated club projected throughout 2018 to play for the state crown until Barrington’s 2-0 “surprise” in a supersectional showdown. The deep and talented North Stars had a prolific All-State scoring duo (Gia Wahlberg and Hailey Rydberg) signed by Big Ten programs and yet their run ended in the same round as 2017 when state runner-up New Trier won a 1-0 nail-biter. Those two stars are gone, but guess what, North enters the tourney at 7-0-1. Since a 2-2 season-opening draw at Conant, this constellation of North Stars -- ranked No. 2 -- has done nothing but win with seven-straight triumphs heading into the group-opening clash with no. 11 Evanston. Coach Brian Harks still has a Wahlberg-Rydberg duo to count on -- in this case Cece and Sami -- plus a third threat in junior forward Sarah Andrey. Cece earned 2018 All-State acclaim while Sami, a junior
midfielder, and Claudia Najera, a senior forward, were ASWL honorees. The recent Players to Watch pack includes Andrey plus seniors in goalie Sara Maleski and defender Ali Wessel.
Evanston brings a 9-3-0 mark to the tourney led by ASWL picks Hadley Bushala, a senior forward, and Calista O’Connor, a junior midfielder. Coach Stacy Salgado’s roster includes five PWs starting with a trio of seniors in defender Annika DeStefano and midfielders Keara Kerr and Katarina Sehgal. Joining them on the ist are sophomore midfielder Ryann Lucas and freshman forward Brelyn Viamille.
Palatine (2-7-1) comes in winless in five Mid-Suburban League matches which include losses to fellow tourney participants Barrington, Fremd, and Conant, but veteran boss Willie Fillian is no stranger to success. The 26th-year Pirates coach is one victory shy of his 300th triumph with the girls to go with 370 career victories on the boys side highlighted by a 1994 state championship. Forced to tinker with the lineup, Fillian has a core of three PW performers that includes two juniors, forward Olivia Radtke and defender Melanie Simon, plus sophomore forward Ashley Donselaar.
Group G
Conant, Downers Grove South, New Trier
Group G and H matches will be contested at two sites, New Trier plus Oak Park and River Forest, with one exception. This could be notable for Group G when it comes to the two-ranked programs as no. 6 Conant has to visit no. 3 New Trier. But before that tangle takes place, Downers Grove South hopes either or both can be caught
looking ahead.
Downers Grove South (5-3-1) looks to a trio of ASWL designees in seniors, Nicole Fajardo (forward) and Jillian Paladino (midfielder), plus junior midfielder Jordan Rose. Coach Chris Hernandez also has a pair of PW picks in senior goalie Angel Biondo and junior midfielder-forward Maddie Raftery.
Conant (9-0-1) followed an early 2-2 draw with St. Charles North with eight-consecutive wins including four shutouts. The most recent was a 4-0 clean sheet on Monday at ranked Hersey. Coach Jason Franco builds around two key juniors, all-state forward Stephanie Mazurek and defender and ASWL selection Delaney Hoye. Mazurek has begun the year with 16 goals in a quest to follow in the footsteps of her sister Emily, who departed as the Cougars’ third-leading goal scorer with four-year totals of 46 goals and 32 assists.
As previously noted, defending tourney champion New Trier (9-1-5) would love to continue its reign. Veteran coach Jim Burnside has an impressive nucleus starting with 2018 All-Staters in senior goalie Meghan Dwyer and junior midfielder Emma Weaver. While ASWL member and soph midfielder Grace Walker is sidelined by injury, three of her teammates on that list -- seniors Lily Conley (midfielder) and Josie Crumley (defender) plus sophomore midfielder Mia Sedgwick -- are ready to do battle. Another Trevian from the PW chart is senior midfielder Fallon Warshauer.
Group H
Fremd, Loyola, Oak Park and River Forest
To alleviate a conflict based on spring break, Group H has one match already in the books as no. 23 Loyola used a 5-4 shootout advantage to get past former top 10 member Fremd.
With two exceptions, Loyola's schedule has also resembled a who’s who from the Chicagoland Soccer poll. The Rambler (5-4-2) have tangled with Fremd, Lyons, Evanston, Prairie Ridge and St. Ignatius, as well as Naperville Invitational participant Hinsdale Central. First-year coach Shannon Hartinger has all-stater Maggie Brett back and nearing full-strength after an injury, a ASWL pick in junior midfielder Vanessa Murray plus three PW selections including senior goalie Katherine Jaros, plus a freshmen twosome in midfielder Grace Ehlert and forward Molly Sipe.
Fremd’s Vikings are 5-3-1 following Monday’s 2-1 Mid-Suburban League triumph over Elk Grove. Coach Steve Keller’s troop is led by a quartet of ASWL performers in two juniors, forward Mackenzie Stein and goalie Jennifer Norris, plus sophomore midfielders Lauren Burk and Caleigh Stone.
Oak Park and River Forest (2-4-1) faces Loyola at New Trier on Wednesday and coach Christine Johnson hopes the Huskies can utilize home field advantage for Thursday’s meeting with Fremd.