Libertyville returns plenty of talent to make another run 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 numerous standouts after winning the North Suburban Conference title and finishing third in Class 3A last season. Senior goalkeeper Kate Hopma (Drake), junior Shannon Phillips, senior Erin Kelly and senior Maddy Kopala (Purdue Fort Wayne) return on defense. Sophomore midfielder Shea Krakowski, who scored 16 goals, and senior midfielder Molly Koch, who had 12 goals and 10 assists, lead the offense.
2. Lake Zurich (18-4-2): The Bears have a good mix of returning players and newcomers to make some noise in 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 Niepomnik, senior midfielder Mallory Collins and senior defender Ella Knight.
3. Deerfield (16-6-2): The Warriors will try to make a run to the Class 2A state semifinals for the second time in three years behind senior forward Emily Fox (Saint Louis), who had 29 goals and nine assists last season. Senior goalkeeper Lauren Gottlieb, senior midfielder Jessie Fisher, junior forward Ryane Emory and senior midfielder Ruby Levy also are back. Senior defender Addison Soroka (Washington University) and sophomore defender Samantha Block are talented additions.
4. Warren (10-6-3): Junior forward Addison Stanciak (Saint Louis), who had 23 goals and five assists last season, junior defender Maya Martinek and junior midfielder Sofia Ogren headline a talented class that could make the Blue Devils dangerous.
5. Stevenson (14-6-1): Led by senior forward Ellie Egeland (Maryland), who had 18 goals and five assists last season, the Patriots expect to be competitive despite heavy graduation losses. Their solid core includes senior midfielder Ashley Liang (Case Western Reserve), senior defender Chloe Robinson (UIC), junior forward Sami An and sophomore defender Anabelle Egeland.
6. Carmel (12-7-1): Senior forward Anna Hartman, healthy again after suffering serious knee injuries in 2022 and 2023, is joined by seven other returning starters. Among them are senior defender Jillian Miller, senior defender Mila Schachelmayer, senior defender Bella D’Amore (Loras), senior forward Peyton Carney and junior forward Norah Belmonte.
7. Lakes (11-8-1): The Eagles can lean on the senior leadership of midfielder Mia Silber (Winthrop) and defender Tessa Smith and on talented sophomore forward Raina Schmitt to try to repeat as Northern Lake County Conference champions.
8. Grayslake Central (8-11-1): Senior midfielder Sara Armstrong, the NLCC player of the year last season, headlines a talented group that includes senior forward Ava Ramsey, senior midfielder Avalyn Woods, junior midfielder Dahlia Rodriguez and junior defender Madison Hoffmann.
9. Grayslake North (11-6-2): Junior midfielder Izzy Ceaser (West Virginia) returns for the Knights along with senior defender Olivia Tabbert, junior forward Ashley Hernandez, sophomore midfielder Rylee Jaramillo and sophomore defender Elliana Sopiarz.
10. Lake Forest (11-8-1): Senior goalkeeper Sarah Constantine, who had 10 shutouts last season, senior defender Hannah Sands and junior defender Ava Walsh form the nucleus of a strong back line for the Scouts.
25 PLAYERS TO WATCH
Sara Armstrong, Grayslake Central, senior, midfielder
Lauren Bailey, Lake Zurich, senior, forward
Maddie Barrett, Antioch, senior, goalkeeper
Mia Carias, Zion-Benton, senior, forward
Izzy Ceaser, Grayslake North, junior, midfielder
Mallory Collins, Lake Zurich, senior, midfielder
Sarah Constantine, Lake Forest, senior, goalkeeper
Ellie Egeland, Stevenson, senior, forward
Emily Fox, Deerfield, senior, forward
Ari Gonzalez, Round Lake, senior, forward
Anna Hartman, Carmel, senior, forward
Kate Hopma, Libertyville, senior, goalkeeper
Haley Kirchwehm, Wauconda, junior, defender
Molly Koch, Libertyville, senior, midfielder
Maddy Kopala, Libertyville, senior, defender
Shea Krakowski, Libertyville, sophomore, midfielder
Ava Lukyan, Vernon Hills, senior, forward
Jillian Miller, Carmel, senior, defender
Cammy Niepomnik, Lake Zurich, junior, forward
Bella Perry, Round Lake, senior, midfielder
Dahlia Rodriguez, Grayslake Central, junior, midfielder
Carly Sides, Vernon Hills, senior, goalkeeper
Mia Silber, Lakes, senior, midfielder
Addison Soroka, Deerfield, senior, defender
Addison Stanciak, Warren, junior, forward
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter.
