Team preview: Neuqua Valley
By Matt Le Cren
Joe Moreau has learned a thing or two during a coaching career that has spanned three decades.
The Neuqua Valley coach usually has a good feel for what the future holds for his team.
While he cannot predict what will result from the coronavirus pandemic, or even if soccer will be played this spring, Moreau was pleased with what he saw during the Wildcats’ abbreviated preseason.
“I saw a real hard-working group of kids,” Moreau said. “That’s always a positive because if it starts out good like that or they start off working hard, they continue to do it throughout the year, typically.
“It’s a nice group, and they are pretty close already. We were truly together only about a week after tryouts. We had five practices before going on hiatus.”
Like a lot of teams, the Wildcats have question marks on offense, which was their greatest weakness last season. But they have some talented attacking pieces and their defense and goalkeeping figure to be outstanding.
Neuqua has two Chicagoland Soccer All-State Watch List players in senior midfielder Piper Biziorek and sophomore defender Brooke Miller. Biziorek is the team’s top returning goal-scorer and has committed to North Carolina-Charlotte, while Miller is one of the top sophomores in the state and will be highly recruited.
Miller, a superb athlete who also played varsity basketball this winter, can play anywhere on the field and her role may change depending on what the team needs.
“We’re not sure if Brooke will play a center back or if we’ll move her up to a midfielder,” Moreau said. “She’s fun to watch. She is non-stop hustle.”
Miller would aid in Neuqua’s attack and the Wildcats are so deep on the backline that moving her up might make sense.
Junior Tara Tesmond, an Indiana State recruit, returns in goal, while the defense also boasts returning veterans Paige Munar and Megan Olah. Both are seniors; Munar will continue her career at Ball State. Moreau also is high on senior Ashleigh Dwyer as a potential starting center back.
The midfield will be patrolled once again by Xavier-bound junior Katelyn Nardulli, who figures to be the main playmaker following the graduation of Danielle Hopkins.
The front line features senior Julia Rushing and sophomores Megan McCarthy, Abby Michalczyk and Kristen Hopkins.
“Abby Michalczyk is a first-year varsity player and we saw some good things from her right away,” Moreau said. “Then Piper is the leading returning scorer, so I expect her to score a lot of goals.”
Rushing, McCarthy and Hopkins could also find the back of the net with regularity. That trio are continuing family traditions as all three have played with now-graduated older sisters.
Hopkins was on varsity as a freshman for Danielle’s senior year, as was McCarthy, who teamed with sister Erin. Rushing is the middle of three sisters, having played two seasons with older sister Sydney. If the season gets started, she will be teammates with younger sister Reagan, a freshman defender.
“Someone who looked really good in preseason was Julia Rushing,” Moreau said. “She is possibly going to be Neuqua’s Female Athlete of the Year because she’s a two-sport athlete.”
Indeed, Julia Rushing has earned eight varsity letters, four each in soccer and cross-country, where she was one of Neuqua’s top two runners throughout her career.
“She hasn’t played soccer since last spring because she’s focused on cross-country in the fall,” Moreau said. “Last year it took her a while to come around from cross-country, but this year she’s started out real strong, which is a great surprise for us.”
Moreau is also looking for good things from McCarthy and Hopkins.
“(McCarthy) is the tall girl like Erin and can place the ball really well,” Moreau said. “So, we’re expecting a lot from her and then Dani’s younger sister is also a forward.”
It all could add up to successful season for the Wildcats, who may not be an elite team but are one that has a chance to make some noise.
“There are a lot of good teams in the area, but I don’t know if there is anyone fabulous,” Moreau said. “I think it could be a fun, fast year if we get back. I can’t see us making up any of these games that we’re cancelling.”
Indeed, most teams will need practice time together before any games resume as mass gatherings and organized practices are prohibited until further notice.
“The Keen sisters (Ellie and Frannie) and the Rushing sisters, they can push each other,” Moreau said. “But for everyone else, it’s hard to push hard by yourself when no one else is there to push you.
“There are exceptions to the rule – Piper is a workout machine. She’ll be completely fit when she comes back, but some kids need that extra motivation to push them.”
Click here to see the Wildcats team page!
By Matt Le Cren
Joe Moreau has learned a thing or two during a coaching career that has spanned three decades.
The Neuqua Valley coach usually has a good feel for what the future holds for his team.
While he cannot predict what will result from the coronavirus pandemic, or even if soccer will be played this spring, Moreau was pleased with what he saw during the Wildcats’ abbreviated preseason.
“I saw a real hard-working group of kids,” Moreau said. “That’s always a positive because if it starts out good like that or they start off working hard, they continue to do it throughout the year, typically.
“It’s a nice group, and they are pretty close already. We were truly together only about a week after tryouts. We had five practices before going on hiatus.”
Like a lot of teams, the Wildcats have question marks on offense, which was their greatest weakness last season. But they have some talented attacking pieces and their defense and goalkeeping figure to be outstanding.
Neuqua has two Chicagoland Soccer All-State Watch List players in senior midfielder Piper Biziorek and sophomore defender Brooke Miller. Biziorek is the team’s top returning goal-scorer and has committed to North Carolina-Charlotte, while Miller is one of the top sophomores in the state and will be highly recruited.
Miller, a superb athlete who also played varsity basketball this winter, can play anywhere on the field and her role may change depending on what the team needs.
“We’re not sure if Brooke will play a center back or if we’ll move her up to a midfielder,” Moreau said. “She’s fun to watch. She is non-stop hustle.”
Miller would aid in Neuqua’s attack and the Wildcats are so deep on the backline that moving her up might make sense.
Junior Tara Tesmond, an Indiana State recruit, returns in goal, while the defense also boasts returning veterans Paige Munar and Megan Olah. Both are seniors; Munar will continue her career at Ball State. Moreau also is high on senior Ashleigh Dwyer as a potential starting center back.
The midfield will be patrolled once again by Xavier-bound junior Katelyn Nardulli, who figures to be the main playmaker following the graduation of Danielle Hopkins.
The front line features senior Julia Rushing and sophomores Megan McCarthy, Abby Michalczyk and Kristen Hopkins.
“Abby Michalczyk is a first-year varsity player and we saw some good things from her right away,” Moreau said. “Then Piper is the leading returning scorer, so I expect her to score a lot of goals.”
Rushing, McCarthy and Hopkins could also find the back of the net with regularity. That trio are continuing family traditions as all three have played with now-graduated older sisters.
Hopkins was on varsity as a freshman for Danielle’s senior year, as was McCarthy, who teamed with sister Erin. Rushing is the middle of three sisters, having played two seasons with older sister Sydney. If the season gets started, she will be teammates with younger sister Reagan, a freshman defender.
“Someone who looked really good in preseason was Julia Rushing,” Moreau said. “She is possibly going to be Neuqua’s Female Athlete of the Year because she’s a two-sport athlete.”
Indeed, Julia Rushing has earned eight varsity letters, four each in soccer and cross-country, where she was one of Neuqua’s top two runners throughout her career.
“She hasn’t played soccer since last spring because she’s focused on cross-country in the fall,” Moreau said. “Last year it took her a while to come around from cross-country, but this year she’s started out real strong, which is a great surprise for us.”
Moreau is also looking for good things from McCarthy and Hopkins.
“(McCarthy) is the tall girl like Erin and can place the ball really well,” Moreau said. “So, we’re expecting a lot from her and then Dani’s younger sister is also a forward.”
It all could add up to successful season for the Wildcats, who may not be an elite team but are one that has a chance to make some noise.
“There are a lot of good teams in the area, but I don’t know if there is anyone fabulous,” Moreau said. “I think it could be a fun, fast year if we get back. I can’t see us making up any of these games that we’re cancelling.”
Indeed, most teams will need practice time together before any games resume as mass gatherings and organized practices are prohibited until further notice.
“The Keen sisters (Ellie and Frannie) and the Rushing sisters, they can push each other,” Moreau said. “But for everyone else, it’s hard to push hard by yourself when no one else is there to push you.
“There are exceptions to the rule – Piper is a workout machine. She’ll be completely fit when she comes back, but some kids need that extra motivation to push them.”
Click here to see the Wildcats team page!