Team preview: Grayslake Central
By Matt Misiek
You’ve seen “Coming attractions” posters outside of movie theaters, getting the public primed for future motion pictures.
Now, 400 North Lake Street in Grayslake isn’t really known as a famous cinema production studio, but Grayslake Central has presented some fine moments on its athletic surfaces.
A few weeks ago, a small group of local talents donned the green and white Rams colors on the hardwood. They got rave reviews on their way to an IHSA Girls Basketball Class 3A supersectional appearance.
Would it be too soon for a sequel for some of these young ladies on the soccer pitch?
How would first-year director (coach) Keith Andersson have the cast work as a cohesive unit?
Lake County is in suspense.
Quiet on the set, please.
LIGHTS (from the stadium)
CAMERA (from a smartphone, of course)
ACTION (Not yet)
A showstopper, a new virus that caused the disease COVID-19, has temporarily prevented play from starting.
Andersson, who played Division I collegiate soccer after his prep career at Libertyville High School, is very hopeful on the start of the season.
“I hope for the girls’ sake that there will be some sort of season,” he said. “On our last practice day before our postponement, we had a team scrimmage. It was amazing to watch our younger players mesh so well with our seniors.”
Optimism is running high for a varsity squad that finished 9-9-0 last season and a program that features its fourth different head coach in four years. Andersson, though, has plans for putting a door stop in the revolving coaching door.
“I am stepping into a program that has changed every year,” Andersson noted. “I am hoping to bring stability and less change, which would be unique.
“I want this to be a season for them to remember, and understand we are here for them, and more importantly care. They are an amazing group of young women that I am lucky to coach and be a part of their lives.”
The Rams players have consistently shown that caring spirit on the field, as well as this time away from the classroom and field.
“The way we all supported and encouraged each other during tryouts and the first week of practice really stood out to me,” said senior midfielder/forward Hannah Kolb.
“The past three years, tryouts were always about beating out the opponent rather than supporting future teammates. I am really looking forward to the season, because we have so much potential and so much chemistry when we all play together.”
Kolb, (3 goals, 5 assists in 2019) one of the senior captains, gave a shining example of the team’s work off the field during this stretch of uncertainty.
“Emma (Stopka) and I have been trying to help out in any way we can,” said Kolb, who had hip surgery this past summer. “Emma has been seeking donations to a local food pantry, and I have been giving blood.”
“This could be Hannah's year with her putting in the hard work in the off season,” Andersson added. “I am expecting big results from her.”
Stopka, showing goodwill to many during this time, isn’t as charitable on the back half of a soccer field. One of the senior captains and a four-year defensive starter, she played 18 games last season and was a 2018 Northern Lake County All-Conference selection.
“Emma is our anchor in the defense,” Andersson said. “Her ability to see the field and adapt her play to help her teammates is something truly special. Emma's leadership both on and off the field has impressed me from Day One. She wants to be first at every drill and pushes everyone to work hard. She is an amazing role model.”
Kolb added to that perspective.
“Emma definitely holds the defense together. She is very vocal and smart when it comes to positioning on the defensive side. She has the authority to get anyone to listen to her.”
Up front, senior forward Madeline Mussay leads by lighting up Grayslake Central’s basketball and soccer scoreboards.
Mussay, another of the senior captains and a member of the Chicagoland Soccer All-State Watch List, notched 19 goals and 14 assists over 18 games last season. The totals were good for second overall in the Northern Lake County Conference.
She will be the offensive focus this season, as her counterpart on the attack last season, 2019 Chicagoland Soccer All-State Team member Grace Herrman (25 goals, 6 assists) graduated and is now at Wisconsin-Oshkosh, where she played in 14 games as a freshman.
“Madeline has been a 4-year starting varsity player,” Stopka said. “She is super aggressive and strong up-top and is the top goal scorer in almost every game.”
Mussay is also excited about the change in attitude the first few weeks of tryouts and practice.
“I was excited about having a new coach and seeing how the program would change,” Mussay said. This could be seen at the tryouts. A lot of girls didn’t know what to expect, but they were excited.”
“Madeline is a game-changer,” Andersson said. “When she is on the field, her work ethic is second to none, and her ability to turn any possession into a goal is pretty amazing to watch. She was selected as one of our captains; the players look up to her for guidance.”
Senior midfielder Amanda Kocialkowski and sophomore keeper Piper Gallaher played key roles on the basketball team as well this past winter. Both are also instrumental to coach Andersson and team.
“Amanda is the center of our midfield; she never stops running!” Andersson noted. “Her ability to change the pace of the game and move the ball so fluidly is incredible. She is an amazing athlete and role model for the younger players.
“Piper was pulled up to varsity in the middle of last season, and stepped into the role perfectly. She will only continue to grow and advance as a player, playing at a higher level.”
Andersson had great things to say about his entire roster and cannot wait to get this season going.
“These girls have a tremendous amount of influence on our youth, and I couldn't have asked for such an amazing group of young women to coach,” he added. “I just hope the seniors get to play this season; they have worked so hard this offseason.”
Click here to see the Rams team page!
By Matt Misiek
You’ve seen “Coming attractions” posters outside of movie theaters, getting the public primed for future motion pictures.
Now, 400 North Lake Street in Grayslake isn’t really known as a famous cinema production studio, but Grayslake Central has presented some fine moments on its athletic surfaces.
A few weeks ago, a small group of local talents donned the green and white Rams colors on the hardwood. They got rave reviews on their way to an IHSA Girls Basketball Class 3A supersectional appearance.
Would it be too soon for a sequel for some of these young ladies on the soccer pitch?
How would first-year director (coach) Keith Andersson have the cast work as a cohesive unit?
Lake County is in suspense.
Quiet on the set, please.
LIGHTS (from the stadium)
CAMERA (from a smartphone, of course)
ACTION (Not yet)
A showstopper, a new virus that caused the disease COVID-19, has temporarily prevented play from starting.
Andersson, who played Division I collegiate soccer after his prep career at Libertyville High School, is very hopeful on the start of the season.
“I hope for the girls’ sake that there will be some sort of season,” he said. “On our last practice day before our postponement, we had a team scrimmage. It was amazing to watch our younger players mesh so well with our seniors.”
Optimism is running high for a varsity squad that finished 9-9-0 last season and a program that features its fourth different head coach in four years. Andersson, though, has plans for putting a door stop in the revolving coaching door.
“I am stepping into a program that has changed every year,” Andersson noted. “I am hoping to bring stability and less change, which would be unique.
“I want this to be a season for them to remember, and understand we are here for them, and more importantly care. They are an amazing group of young women that I am lucky to coach and be a part of their lives.”
The Rams players have consistently shown that caring spirit on the field, as well as this time away from the classroom and field.
“The way we all supported and encouraged each other during tryouts and the first week of practice really stood out to me,” said senior midfielder/forward Hannah Kolb.
“The past three years, tryouts were always about beating out the opponent rather than supporting future teammates. I am really looking forward to the season, because we have so much potential and so much chemistry when we all play together.”
Kolb, (3 goals, 5 assists in 2019) one of the senior captains, gave a shining example of the team’s work off the field during this stretch of uncertainty.
“Emma (Stopka) and I have been trying to help out in any way we can,” said Kolb, who had hip surgery this past summer. “Emma has been seeking donations to a local food pantry, and I have been giving blood.”
“This could be Hannah's year with her putting in the hard work in the off season,” Andersson added. “I am expecting big results from her.”
Stopka, showing goodwill to many during this time, isn’t as charitable on the back half of a soccer field. One of the senior captains and a four-year defensive starter, she played 18 games last season and was a 2018 Northern Lake County All-Conference selection.
“Emma is our anchor in the defense,” Andersson said. “Her ability to see the field and adapt her play to help her teammates is something truly special. Emma's leadership both on and off the field has impressed me from Day One. She wants to be first at every drill and pushes everyone to work hard. She is an amazing role model.”
Kolb added to that perspective.
“Emma definitely holds the defense together. She is very vocal and smart when it comes to positioning on the defensive side. She has the authority to get anyone to listen to her.”
Up front, senior forward Madeline Mussay leads by lighting up Grayslake Central’s basketball and soccer scoreboards.
Mussay, another of the senior captains and a member of the Chicagoland Soccer All-State Watch List, notched 19 goals and 14 assists over 18 games last season. The totals were good for second overall in the Northern Lake County Conference.
She will be the offensive focus this season, as her counterpart on the attack last season, 2019 Chicagoland Soccer All-State Team member Grace Herrman (25 goals, 6 assists) graduated and is now at Wisconsin-Oshkosh, where she played in 14 games as a freshman.
“Madeline has been a 4-year starting varsity player,” Stopka said. “She is super aggressive and strong up-top and is the top goal scorer in almost every game.”
Mussay is also excited about the change in attitude the first few weeks of tryouts and practice.
“I was excited about having a new coach and seeing how the program would change,” Mussay said. This could be seen at the tryouts. A lot of girls didn’t know what to expect, but they were excited.”
“Madeline is a game-changer,” Andersson said. “When she is on the field, her work ethic is second to none, and her ability to turn any possession into a goal is pretty amazing to watch. She was selected as one of our captains; the players look up to her for guidance.”
Senior midfielder Amanda Kocialkowski and sophomore keeper Piper Gallaher played key roles on the basketball team as well this past winter. Both are also instrumental to coach Andersson and team.
“Amanda is the center of our midfield; she never stops running!” Andersson noted. “Her ability to change the pace of the game and move the ball so fluidly is incredible. She is an amazing athlete and role model for the younger players.
“Piper was pulled up to varsity in the middle of last season, and stepped into the role perfectly. She will only continue to grow and advance as a player, playing at a higher level.”
Andersson had great things to say about his entire roster and cannot wait to get this season going.
“These girls have a tremendous amount of influence on our youth, and I couldn't have asked for such an amazing group of young women to coach,” he added. “I just hope the seniors get to play this season; they have worked so hard this offseason.”
Click here to see the Rams team page!