Team preview: St. Charles East
By Dave Owen
Two weeks ago, St. Charles East raced into the 2020 season with one of the top players in Illinois, a run of six-straight regional championships and sights set on its first state title since 2000.
The Saints seemed well prepared for a schedule that includes defending Class 3A state champ Naperville North, the Naperville Invitational and a rugged DuKane Conference slate.
Then an unusual opponent appeared – the coronavirus – whose defeat, though certain, forced the shutdown of Illinois high school sports.
“The health and safety of our kids is the number one concern of our program,” SCE coach Vince DiNuzzo said, “so we will continue to follow our administration’s suggestions and directions.
“It is tough to go through the teams’ dead balls and other team specific tactics for two weeks, and then stop (preseason practices) so abruptly.”
But DiNuzzo and his players have tried to keep things moving forward, despite a lack of practices.
“Our kids have (received) written set pieces to review during their time away,” he said. “Conditioning is something we have stressed to reduce the chance of injury upon returning to play.
“We will respect whatever the IHSA decides to do with the season, and understand that this is much bigger than the high school soccer season. But we hope that for our kids’ sakes that the seniors get another chance to represent their school on the field, even if that means a reduced season.”
Those wishes echo across the country, but hold extra meaning for the Saints with their talent-packed senior class led by Mississippi State recruit Elle McCaslin.
“We have all been texting, and we all want to get out of the house. We want to play and want to practice,” McCaslin said. “But we know that it’s not the best idea right now. So we’ve put together every day a little self practice plan I guess, self workouts.
“And I know some of us get together two or three at a time and go for runs and have this core workout with touches on the ball. We have a bunch of little stuff we’re doing, but it’s obviously not what we want.”
On the field, McCaslin is everything a coach and soccer team could want. Last year she earned All-State and All-Sectional honors as well as one of the state's ultimate prizes: Player of the Year honors from the coaches association. She scored 73 points (29 goals, 15 assists) which ranked tied: for 30th overall state-wide; and seventh in the Class of 2020 and in Class 3A (third highest underclassman).
“Elle proved last year that she is one of if not the most effective players in our state,” DiNuzzo said of the former Michigan prep star, who moved to Illinois last school year. “She has the ability to break down the opponents backline, create something out of nothing and change a game with her athleticism.
“What makes Elle a joy to be around is her selflessness and her ability to be a good teammate. She is someone that you want your younger kids (to follow) and is a great example for all in our program.”
McCaslin’s reaction to her major 2019 accolades is part of that great leadership example she sets.
“Getting the Player of the Year and All-State, that was beyond exciting,” she said. “I worked hard for it, but honestly I give it to my teammates.”
Those teammates are very impressive in their own right.
Junior all-sectional midfielder Hannah Miller is another offensive juggernaut.
“This is a player who scored 23 goals and had 14 assists (last year),” DiNuzzo said. “Often she is overlooked due to the other players she plays with.
“Hannah is someone who has been on varsity since the start of her freshman year. She started playing in the back, but quickly made the adjustment into a more attacking player.
“She has the ability to create space for herself and others,” DiNuzzo added. “She also is a great finisher who has a tendency to find herself in the right place at the right time. Hannah is very determined and hardworking, and we cannot wait to see when she brings to the Saints this year and next.”
As for the excellent senior class, senior midfielder Alondra Carranza is en route to her own college soccer future at St. Cloud State University.
“Alondra is a two-time All-Sectional player for a reason,” DiNuzzo said. “She has the ability to play anywhere on the field and be very effective.
“She plays the game with determination and physicality that usually takes opponents by surprise. She is very well rounded with her ability to defend, attack, create and communicate. The passion that Alondra plays the game with is what sets her apart from her peers.”
Two more key seniors in the midfield are Margaret Harper and Christina Hull.
“Margaret is one of our selected captains because of her ability to motivate and push her peers,” DiNuzzo said of Harper, who will play this fall at the University of Texas-Dallas. “Margaret is a player whose strength is her soccer IQ, physicality and ability to defend.
“Margaret is someone who plays the game without fear. She is very confident in herself and her teammates which is valuable to the team.
“Christina is a leader who has grown into a very good box-to-box midfielder,” DiNuzzo added. “She has the ability to defend in space, attack and create for others and her technique allows her to play quickly.
“Christina is someone that all of the players look up to and respect. We are excited to see her contribute this season.”
Adding to the excitement is the arrival in St. Charles of senior defender Kaitlin Gahagan.
“Kaitlin is a transfer from Virginia who plays her club soccer at Eclipse,” DiNuzzo said. “She is one of our three center backs.
“She plays the game with a degree of physicality that is noticeable. She is a great communicator and organizer of that backline and will be able to step in and help our defense who returns a lot of players.”
Leading those returnees is junior Jessica Stepien.
“Jessica was our defensive MVP during her sophomore season,” DiNuzzo said.
“Jessica‘s ability to defend at the level in which she is doing has allowed us to move players like Alondra into the midfield. She has the ability to organize the backline, defend 1-v.-1 and anticipate opponents’ movement.”
Sophomore Anna Champine will be another key defender.
“Anna started and played every game at center back for our JV team her freshman year,” DiNuzzo said. “We pulled her up in the later part of the season, and we believe that experience she earned will allow her to contribute this year. Anna has great ability on the ball and instincts that allow her to play the game at a high level.”
One of the few positions the Fighting Saints are short on varsity experience at is goalkeeper, where sophomore Sofia Iori and freshman Grace Stehman vie for the job.
“These two players will try their best to fill the role of all-state goalkeeper Grace Griffin, who graduated last year,” DiNuzzo said. “Both players have qualities that we feel will allow our team to have a smooth transition for our backline.
“They are getting more comfortable every day and are going to make each other better through the ongoing competition in practice.”
Other sophomores of note include midfielder McKenna Gahagan, Kaitlin’s sister and another Eclipse club player, and sophomore defender/midfielder Yazmine Martinez.
“McKenna has great ability on the ball and a high work-rate,” DiNuzzo said. “She will be able to contribute to our midfield, and add something different.
“Yazmine (a Chicago Soccer Academy player) has the ability to play multiple positions,” DiNuzzo added. “Her versatility and skill set will give the team more flexibility. Yazmine is calm on the ball and rarely loses possession.”
Add it all together, and when the virus worries subside, Saints opponents will have a whole new set of major concerns.
“This is a very strong group,” McCaslin said. “Last year we had a strong group, and this year we’re back again with another one.
“We have a couple new players that are going to come off the bench flying for sure, and we have players that we pulled up from JV last year that are super excited. Our bench is very deep this year. Everyone is super excited to play.”
Click here to see the Fighting Saints team page!
By Dave Owen
Two weeks ago, St. Charles East raced into the 2020 season with one of the top players in Illinois, a run of six-straight regional championships and sights set on its first state title since 2000.
The Saints seemed well prepared for a schedule that includes defending Class 3A state champ Naperville North, the Naperville Invitational and a rugged DuKane Conference slate.
Then an unusual opponent appeared – the coronavirus – whose defeat, though certain, forced the shutdown of Illinois high school sports.
“The health and safety of our kids is the number one concern of our program,” SCE coach Vince DiNuzzo said, “so we will continue to follow our administration’s suggestions and directions.
“It is tough to go through the teams’ dead balls and other team specific tactics for two weeks, and then stop (preseason practices) so abruptly.”
But DiNuzzo and his players have tried to keep things moving forward, despite a lack of practices.
“Our kids have (received) written set pieces to review during their time away,” he said. “Conditioning is something we have stressed to reduce the chance of injury upon returning to play.
“We will respect whatever the IHSA decides to do with the season, and understand that this is much bigger than the high school soccer season. But we hope that for our kids’ sakes that the seniors get another chance to represent their school on the field, even if that means a reduced season.”
Those wishes echo across the country, but hold extra meaning for the Saints with their talent-packed senior class led by Mississippi State recruit Elle McCaslin.
“We have all been texting, and we all want to get out of the house. We want to play and want to practice,” McCaslin said. “But we know that it’s not the best idea right now. So we’ve put together every day a little self practice plan I guess, self workouts.
“And I know some of us get together two or three at a time and go for runs and have this core workout with touches on the ball. We have a bunch of little stuff we’re doing, but it’s obviously not what we want.”
On the field, McCaslin is everything a coach and soccer team could want. Last year she earned All-State and All-Sectional honors as well as one of the state's ultimate prizes: Player of the Year honors from the coaches association. She scored 73 points (29 goals, 15 assists) which ranked tied: for 30th overall state-wide; and seventh in the Class of 2020 and in Class 3A (third highest underclassman).
“Elle proved last year that she is one of if not the most effective players in our state,” DiNuzzo said of the former Michigan prep star, who moved to Illinois last school year. “She has the ability to break down the opponents backline, create something out of nothing and change a game with her athleticism.
“What makes Elle a joy to be around is her selflessness and her ability to be a good teammate. She is someone that you want your younger kids (to follow) and is a great example for all in our program.”
McCaslin’s reaction to her major 2019 accolades is part of that great leadership example she sets.
“Getting the Player of the Year and All-State, that was beyond exciting,” she said. “I worked hard for it, but honestly I give it to my teammates.”
Those teammates are very impressive in their own right.
Junior all-sectional midfielder Hannah Miller is another offensive juggernaut.
“This is a player who scored 23 goals and had 14 assists (last year),” DiNuzzo said. “Often she is overlooked due to the other players she plays with.
“Hannah is someone who has been on varsity since the start of her freshman year. She started playing in the back, but quickly made the adjustment into a more attacking player.
“She has the ability to create space for herself and others,” DiNuzzo added. “She also is a great finisher who has a tendency to find herself in the right place at the right time. Hannah is very determined and hardworking, and we cannot wait to see when she brings to the Saints this year and next.”
As for the excellent senior class, senior midfielder Alondra Carranza is en route to her own college soccer future at St. Cloud State University.
“Alondra is a two-time All-Sectional player for a reason,” DiNuzzo said. “She has the ability to play anywhere on the field and be very effective.
“She plays the game with determination and physicality that usually takes opponents by surprise. She is very well rounded with her ability to defend, attack, create and communicate. The passion that Alondra plays the game with is what sets her apart from her peers.”
Two more key seniors in the midfield are Margaret Harper and Christina Hull.
“Margaret is one of our selected captains because of her ability to motivate and push her peers,” DiNuzzo said of Harper, who will play this fall at the University of Texas-Dallas. “Margaret is a player whose strength is her soccer IQ, physicality and ability to defend.
“Margaret is someone who plays the game without fear. She is very confident in herself and her teammates which is valuable to the team.
“Christina is a leader who has grown into a very good box-to-box midfielder,” DiNuzzo added. “She has the ability to defend in space, attack and create for others and her technique allows her to play quickly.
“Christina is someone that all of the players look up to and respect. We are excited to see her contribute this season.”
Adding to the excitement is the arrival in St. Charles of senior defender Kaitlin Gahagan.
“Kaitlin is a transfer from Virginia who plays her club soccer at Eclipse,” DiNuzzo said. “She is one of our three center backs.
“She plays the game with a degree of physicality that is noticeable. She is a great communicator and organizer of that backline and will be able to step in and help our defense who returns a lot of players.”
Leading those returnees is junior Jessica Stepien.
“Jessica was our defensive MVP during her sophomore season,” DiNuzzo said.
“Jessica‘s ability to defend at the level in which she is doing has allowed us to move players like Alondra into the midfield. She has the ability to organize the backline, defend 1-v.-1 and anticipate opponents’ movement.”
Sophomore Anna Champine will be another key defender.
“Anna started and played every game at center back for our JV team her freshman year,” DiNuzzo said. “We pulled her up in the later part of the season, and we believe that experience she earned will allow her to contribute this year. Anna has great ability on the ball and instincts that allow her to play the game at a high level.”
One of the few positions the Fighting Saints are short on varsity experience at is goalkeeper, where sophomore Sofia Iori and freshman Grace Stehman vie for the job.
“These two players will try their best to fill the role of all-state goalkeeper Grace Griffin, who graduated last year,” DiNuzzo said. “Both players have qualities that we feel will allow our team to have a smooth transition for our backline.
“They are getting more comfortable every day and are going to make each other better through the ongoing competition in practice.”
Other sophomores of note include midfielder McKenna Gahagan, Kaitlin’s sister and another Eclipse club player, and sophomore defender/midfielder Yazmine Martinez.
“McKenna has great ability on the ball and a high work-rate,” DiNuzzo said. “She will be able to contribute to our midfield, and add something different.
“Yazmine (a Chicago Soccer Academy player) has the ability to play multiple positions,” DiNuzzo added. “Her versatility and skill set will give the team more flexibility. Yazmine is calm on the ball and rarely loses possession.”
Add it all together, and when the virus worries subside, Saints opponents will have a whole new set of major concerns.
“This is a very strong group,” McCaslin said. “Last year we had a strong group, and this year we’re back again with another one.
“We have a couple new players that are going to come off the bench flying for sure, and we have players that we pulled up from JV last year that are super excited. Our bench is very deep this year. Everyone is super excited to play.”
Click here to see the Fighting Saints team page!