Team preview: Willowbrook
By Ken Keenan
A combination of depth, experience, offensive firepower and a strong sense of team chemistry has Willowbrook eager to take the field for the 2020 season, if and when the campaign ever gets underway.
The Warriors, who finished 11-9-2 overall and 4-2-0 in West Suburban Conference Gold Division play in 2019, return no less than 14 players from last year's squad, including eight seasoned seniors.
Unfortunately one key veteran who can not play this season is junior Grace Tumilty. The midfielder is out of action while recovering from an ACL injury. Tumilty totaled a combined 19 goals and 17 assists in her first two varsity go-rounds.
"We'll miss her the most," said Willowbrook head coach Julio Del Real. "It will be very difficult to replace her heart, desire, vision of the game and leadership abilities. Still, this is probably the strongest group I've ever had in my 30 years of coaching. Overall, in every position, we have two or three players on the bench to get the job done."
Del Real continued: "We have a lot of experience, and looking at our practices, they have been jelling nicely. Every day we practiced, they were competing for playing time and encouraging everyone else to do their best. You want to be able to pick anybody on the bench, and if anyone goes down, we have players who can step in and do the job."
Even with that level of depth, Del Real will be leaning on his starters to carry most of the load.
"Last year, we did subs four or five at a time, and we were still pretty strong," he said. "This year, with this group, we'll try not to sub as much at one time. We want to find a rhythm with the starters and sub more in need."
A trio of veteran seniors lead the pack, beginning with dangerous forward Lizzy Florey, an all-conference and all-sectional selection in 2019 after compiling 21 goals and nine assists. Florey enters her fourth varsity campaign with career totals of 39 goals and 17 assists.
"She's a tough, hard worker who will take down anything to get to the ball," Del Real said. "She plays really hard -- a strong competitor -- and she brings a lot of experience, skill and a knack for finding the ball in goal-scoring opportunities. She's definitely a leader on the field as well."
Complementing Florey up-top is fellow four-year vet Juliana Paulsen, who counted 12 goals and two helpers a year ago. Career-wise, Paulsen owns 20 goals and nine assists.
"(Paulsen) is extremely fast, and she plays very hard," Del Real said. "You give her the ball, she'll beat almost everybody. She's also a lot better at finishing strong with her head and making smart touches. We're looking for her to have a breakout year -- in scoring opportunities and goals as well."
Midfielder Sara Fitzgibbon rounds out the trio of veteran returnees. A fine distributor, Fitzgibbon dished out 10 assists in 2019.
"First, Sara brings a wealth of experience," Del Real said. "She sets the table for scoring opportunities. If there was a stat for passes before assists, she'd be at the top. She'll be the quarterback on the field, and she's also the one to keep the team chemistry going."
Fitzgibbon said, "Our team chemistry is really good. It's an even mix (of grade levels), and we bond together well. There's also a lot of people with a lot of experience. If one of our main players got hurt, we're not worried because we have people capable of filling that spot. Our bench, every player that comes on has something unique they bring ... different skills to help us win."
Fitzgibbon played as an outside back at the club level before joining the Warriors and moving to midfield as a junior last year.
"At midfield, I can help direct people on the field ... be a leader on the field," she said. "You're in control of doing more things at midfield. You can see more things at the same time. Always staying positive is key, too."
As far as being a leader off the field, Fitzgibbon said, "Outside of practice, it's team bonding things. Once school resumes, we'll be hanging around together again."
Del Real said that three freshmen also will be counted on in a big way this season: goalkeeper Maddie Aderholt, defender or forward Layla Elgamal and midfielder Molly Brennan.
"We'll be placing a lot of responsibility on (Aderholt)," the Warriors' skipper said. "She has the skill. As a club player, she trains year-round -- and goalie is her no. 1 priority. We're working with her to be mentally strong as a freshman on varsity."
Concerning the other two newcomers, Del Real said, "Either way, defender or forward, Layla (Elgamal) is very strong. She's strong with the ball -- good at possessing -- and also passing and moving without the ball. We're looking for good things from her.
"Molly (Brennan) is a very calm, cool individual. I see her recognizing things to complement Fitzgibbon in the midfield. She's very good with field vision, reading the game -- and anticipating opponents' moves as well."
Among others expected to contribute are sophomore defenders Rachael Klamecki and Izzy Manning, senior back Alli Cameron and junior defender Abbey Spada.
"We'll depend on (Klamecki and Manning) heavily to keep the defense together," Del Real said. "And if (Cameron and Spada) can come together, we could potentially have a defense that would be hard to beat."
Sophomore middie Brooke Vandergrift and the Vittorio sisters (senior defender Jenna and sophomore back Ali) fit nicely in the mix as well.
"Brooke (Vandergrift) is a pleasant surprise in the midfield," De Real said. "The Vittorio sisters are tireless, hard workers who will be counted on to help out as much as possible with our defense."
Until the games begin, soccer is on the back burner as everyone deals with the effects of the ongoing COVID-19 virus. That includes no practices or team get-togethers, in addition to the school being closed.
"We're communicating ... trying to keep level-headed and safe, and keep families healthy," Del Real said. "Individually, the players can try to stay active ... try to keep busy and keep their minds occupied. It's difficult not to be out there (on the field), but we have to remember other things are bigger than the game itself."
Click here to see the Warriors team page!
By Ken Keenan
A combination of depth, experience, offensive firepower and a strong sense of team chemistry has Willowbrook eager to take the field for the 2020 season, if and when the campaign ever gets underway.
The Warriors, who finished 11-9-2 overall and 4-2-0 in West Suburban Conference Gold Division play in 2019, return no less than 14 players from last year's squad, including eight seasoned seniors.
Unfortunately one key veteran who can not play this season is junior Grace Tumilty. The midfielder is out of action while recovering from an ACL injury. Tumilty totaled a combined 19 goals and 17 assists in her first two varsity go-rounds.
"We'll miss her the most," said Willowbrook head coach Julio Del Real. "It will be very difficult to replace her heart, desire, vision of the game and leadership abilities. Still, this is probably the strongest group I've ever had in my 30 years of coaching. Overall, in every position, we have two or three players on the bench to get the job done."
Del Real continued: "We have a lot of experience, and looking at our practices, they have been jelling nicely. Every day we practiced, they were competing for playing time and encouraging everyone else to do their best. You want to be able to pick anybody on the bench, and if anyone goes down, we have players who can step in and do the job."
Even with that level of depth, Del Real will be leaning on his starters to carry most of the load.
"Last year, we did subs four or five at a time, and we were still pretty strong," he said. "This year, with this group, we'll try not to sub as much at one time. We want to find a rhythm with the starters and sub more in need."
A trio of veteran seniors lead the pack, beginning with dangerous forward Lizzy Florey, an all-conference and all-sectional selection in 2019 after compiling 21 goals and nine assists. Florey enters her fourth varsity campaign with career totals of 39 goals and 17 assists.
"She's a tough, hard worker who will take down anything to get to the ball," Del Real said. "She plays really hard -- a strong competitor -- and she brings a lot of experience, skill and a knack for finding the ball in goal-scoring opportunities. She's definitely a leader on the field as well."
Complementing Florey up-top is fellow four-year vet Juliana Paulsen, who counted 12 goals and two helpers a year ago. Career-wise, Paulsen owns 20 goals and nine assists.
"(Paulsen) is extremely fast, and she plays very hard," Del Real said. "You give her the ball, she'll beat almost everybody. She's also a lot better at finishing strong with her head and making smart touches. We're looking for her to have a breakout year -- in scoring opportunities and goals as well."
Midfielder Sara Fitzgibbon rounds out the trio of veteran returnees. A fine distributor, Fitzgibbon dished out 10 assists in 2019.
"First, Sara brings a wealth of experience," Del Real said. "She sets the table for scoring opportunities. If there was a stat for passes before assists, she'd be at the top. She'll be the quarterback on the field, and she's also the one to keep the team chemistry going."
Fitzgibbon said, "Our team chemistry is really good. It's an even mix (of grade levels), and we bond together well. There's also a lot of people with a lot of experience. If one of our main players got hurt, we're not worried because we have people capable of filling that spot. Our bench, every player that comes on has something unique they bring ... different skills to help us win."
Fitzgibbon played as an outside back at the club level before joining the Warriors and moving to midfield as a junior last year.
"At midfield, I can help direct people on the field ... be a leader on the field," she said. "You're in control of doing more things at midfield. You can see more things at the same time. Always staying positive is key, too."
As far as being a leader off the field, Fitzgibbon said, "Outside of practice, it's team bonding things. Once school resumes, we'll be hanging around together again."
Del Real said that three freshmen also will be counted on in a big way this season: goalkeeper Maddie Aderholt, defender or forward Layla Elgamal and midfielder Molly Brennan.
"We'll be placing a lot of responsibility on (Aderholt)," the Warriors' skipper said. "She has the skill. As a club player, she trains year-round -- and goalie is her no. 1 priority. We're working with her to be mentally strong as a freshman on varsity."
Concerning the other two newcomers, Del Real said, "Either way, defender or forward, Layla (Elgamal) is very strong. She's strong with the ball -- good at possessing -- and also passing and moving without the ball. We're looking for good things from her.
"Molly (Brennan) is a very calm, cool individual. I see her recognizing things to complement Fitzgibbon in the midfield. She's very good with field vision, reading the game -- and anticipating opponents' moves as well."
Among others expected to contribute are sophomore defenders Rachael Klamecki and Izzy Manning, senior back Alli Cameron and junior defender Abbey Spada.
"We'll depend on (Klamecki and Manning) heavily to keep the defense together," Del Real said. "And if (Cameron and Spada) can come together, we could potentially have a defense that would be hard to beat."
Sophomore middie Brooke Vandergrift and the Vittorio sisters (senior defender Jenna and sophomore back Ali) fit nicely in the mix as well.
"Brooke (Vandergrift) is a pleasant surprise in the midfield," De Real said. "The Vittorio sisters are tireless, hard workers who will be counted on to help out as much as possible with our defense."
Until the games begin, soccer is on the back burner as everyone deals with the effects of the ongoing COVID-19 virus. That includes no practices or team get-togethers, in addition to the school being closed.
"We're communicating ... trying to keep level-headed and safe, and keep families healthy," Del Real said. "Individually, the players can try to stay active ... try to keep busy and keep their minds occupied. It's difficult not to be out there (on the field), but we have to remember other things are bigger than the game itself."
Click here to see the Warriors team page!