Libertyville returns a lot of talent to make another jump in Class 3A, and Deerfield will try to do the same in 2A.
top 10 teams
1. Libertyville (18-3-2): The Wildcats bring back a number of standout players after winning the North Suburban Conference title and finishing third in Class 3A last season. Senior goaltender Kate Hopma (Drake), junior Shannon Phillips, senior Erin Kelly and senior Maddy Kopara (Purdue-Fort Wayne) return on defense. Sophomore midfielder Shea Krakowski, who scored 16 goals, and fourth-year midfielder Molly Koch, who had 12 goals and 10 assists, led the attack.
2. Lake Zurich (18-4-2): The Bears have a good mix of returning players and newcomers that are causing some noise within the NSC. Among the veterans are senior forward Lauren Bailey, who had 32 goals and 19 assists last season, as well as junior forward Cammy Nypomnik, senior midfielder Mallory Collins and senior defender Ella Knight.
3. Deerfield (16-6-2): The Warriors will be looking to advance to the Class 2A state semifinals for the second time in three years behind senior forward Emily Fox (St. Louis), who had 29 goals and nine assists last season. Also returning are senior goalie Lauren Gottlieb, senior midfielder Jesse Fisher, junior forward Ryan Emory and senior midfielder Ruby Levy. Senior defender Addison Soroka (University of Washington) and sophomore defender Samantha Bullock are talented additions.
4. Warren (10-6-3): Junior forward Addison Stansiak (St. Louis), who had 23 goals and five assists last season, junior defender Maja Martinek and junior midfielder Sofia Ogren are at the top of a talented class that could make the Blue Devils dangerous. is decorated.
5. Stevenson (14-6-1): The Patriots, led by senior forward Elie Egeland (Maryland), who had 18 goals and five assists last season, expect to be competitive despite the heavy loss to alumni. Their solid core includes senior midfielder Ashley Liang (Case Western Reserve), senior defender Chloe Robinson (UIC), junior forward Samian and sophomore defender Annabelle Egeland.
6. Carmel (12-7-1): Senior forward Anna Hartman is healthy again after suffering a serious knee injury in 2022 and 2023, and is joined by seven other returning starters. They include senior defender Jillian Miller, senior defender Mira Schakelmeyer, senior defender Bella D'Amore (Lolas), senior forward Peyton Kearney and junior forward Nora Belmonte.
7. Lake (11-8-1): The Eagles will rely on the senior leadership of midfielder Mia Silver (Winthrop) and defender Tessa Smith, as well as talented sophomore forward Raina Schmidt, to once again be crowned Northern Lake County Conference champions. You can aim for it.
8. Grayslake Central (8-11-1): Senior midfielder Sarah Armstrong, last season's NLCC Player of the Year, will be joined by senior forward Eva Ramsey, senior midfielder Avalyn Woods, junior midfielder Dalia Rodriguez, and junior defender Madison Hoffman. He has headlined talented groups including;
9. Grayslake North (11-6-2): Junior midfielder Izzy Caesar (West Virginia) returns to the Knights, along with senior defender Olivia Tabbert, junior forward Ashley Hernandez, sophomore midfielder Riley Jaramillo and sophomore defender Eliana Sopias.
10. Lake Forest (11-8-1): Senior goaltender Sarah Constantine, who had 10 shutouts last season, senior defender Hannah Sands and junior defender Eva Walsh form the core of the Scouts' strong back line.
25 players to watch
Sarah Armstrong, Grayslake Central, senior, midfielder
Lauren Bailey, Lake Zurich, senior, forward
Maddie Barrett, Antioch, senior, goalie
Mia Carias, Zion-Benton, senior, forward
Izzy Caesar, Grayslake North, junior, midfielder
Mallory Collins, Lake Zurich, senior, midfielder
Sarah Constantine, Lake Forest, senior, goalie
Ellie Egeland, Stevenson, Sr., Forward
Emily Fox, Deerfield, senior, forward
Ali Gonzalez, Round Lake, senior, forward
Anna Hartman, Carmel, senior, forward
Kate Hopma, Libertyville, senior, goalie.
Haley Kirschvehm, Wauconda, junior, defender
Molly Koch, Libertyville, senior, midfielder
Maddie Kopala, Libertyville, senior, defender.
Shea Krakowski, Libertyville, sophomore, midfielder
Eva Luchian, Vernon Hills, senior, forward
Jillian Miller, Carmel, senior, defender
Cammy Niepomnik, Lake Zurich, junior, forward
Vera Perry, Round Lake, senior, midfielder.
Daria Rodriguez, Grayslake Central, junior, midfielder
Carly Sides, Vernon Hills, Sr., Goalie
Mia Silver, Lakes, senior, midfielder
Addison Soroka, Deerfield, senior, defender
Addison Stanciak, Warren, junior, forward
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter.
