During the last girls soccer season, Evanston and coach Marx Succes spent the spring of 2002 proving all their doubters wrong.
Not only did the Wildkits win the Class AA state title, they finished with a 27-0-2 record.
Evanston may have lost five starters, may have to wait a bit until speedy forward Rachael Hansen is at full strength and even may have to wait for Succes to get back to full speed on the sidelines–he’s recovering from an emergency appendectomy.
But the No. 1 Wildkits haven’t lost sight of their mission for 2003.
“We want to be state champions again,” said Wisconsin recruit Hansen, who is recovering from what is believed to be a torn ACL in her left knee.
So does St. Viator, which won the Class A title a year ago. Lauren Weber, who is also headed to the Badger State to play at Marquette, is the top returnee from coach Rory Dames’ 19-4-4 champions.
Winning a state title may appeal to these teams and a dozen more, but one of the subplots of this season is that several players have decided to play soccer this spring for their clubs, not their high schools.
Among the most notable examples, Jen Buczkowski, an All-Stater as a junior last season who is headed for Notre Dame, will not be playing for Elk Grove.
The IHSA forbids student-athletes from competing in the same sport for a club and school at the same time.
But as Evanston’s Succes, who lost one player himself, said, “These kids are giving up the experience of a lifetime and the high school camaraderie.”
The camaraderie theme may seem corny, but it isn’t to Hansen, one of Evanston’s captains.
“My job is to build relationships with each other and become friends,” she said. “It makes it easier to play.”
Making things easier for Succes is that Franny Iacuzzi, Stacy Omundson, Kathleen Head and Akilah Moore are also back for a team ranked No. 4 nationally by StudentSports.com.
Iacuzzi was the team’s leading scorer as a sophomore last season with 28 goals and 16 assists. Hansen had 24 goals and 22 assists, and Moore was a pleasant surprise with 12 goals.
And Succes received another pleasant surprise when Amanda Steele, an outstanding freshman at Von Steuben last season, transferred into the Evanston district. At Von Steuben, she would often play the field in the first half, give her team a lead, then go to her natural position–goalkeeper–in the second half.
Although her new team extended its unbeaten streak to 31 with a 5-0 win over Libertyville on Thursday, the Wildkits are not obsessed with coming up with another unbeaten season.
“Our goal last year was not to go undefeated,” Succes said. “If we go 0-20 and still win [state], it’s just as good as going 29-0.”
It may not be surprising if the Kits pick up a loss this season, what with another tough schedule that includes the nation’s No. 1 high school team–St. Joseph’s Academy of St. Louis–coming to town April 5.
And then there’s what’s being called “the game of the century,” keeping in mind that this century is still pretty young. Evanston visits St. Viator (ranked No. 2 national by studentsports.com) April 10.
Hansen is trying to get medical clearance to face St. Viator. But her coach has a more relaxed attitude.
“To me it’s just another game,” Succes said.
To others it may not be.
It’s no secret that Dames would love to have faced Evanston after last spring’s state final. He doesn’t like to oversell his team and said, “I think we have some questions to sort out. If the girls are willing to put the team first, we’ll be OK come May.
“And I think we’d be OK in Class A or Double-A.”
He probably feels confident because of a returning group headed by Weber, who had 28 goals and 12 assists last season.
Three of those goals came in a 5-1 spanking of Normal University and All-Stater Ashlee Pistorius in the championship game at North Central College.
But Lauren Griebel (12 goals) and DePaul recruit Nicole Meschbach (12 goals, 12 assists) also are back with Val Cooper (Wisconsin-Milwaukee), junior Natalia Walters, sophomore Elyse Weber (Lauren’s sister), and goalkeeper Lauren Moser.
That’s enough to get anyone excited about the April 10 meeting between these two teams. At least it should qualify for game of the week.
Top girls soccer teams
1. Evanston
Another season of big games for the defending Class AA champion Wildkits, who were 27-0-2 in 2002. The Saints come marching in–national power St. Joseph’s Academy of Missouri and St. Viator–along with New Trier and Sandburg. Rachel Hansen (Wisconsin) will be healthy soon. Still around are Franny Iacuzzi, Stacy Omundson and Akilah Moore. Transfer Amanda Steele (Von Steuben) was the best freshman in the Public League.
2. St. Viator
Just the best Class A team? “I think we’ll be OK in Class A–or Double A,” coach Rory Dames said. He believes Lauren Weber (Marquette) is the second-best player in the state next to Troy Triad’s Jessie Bayne. The Lions (19-4-4) also have Nicole Meschbach (DePaul), Val Cooper (Wisconsin-Milwaukee), junior Natalia Walters and Lauren Greibel returning, as well as sophomore Elyse Weber, Lauren’s sister.
3. Wheaton Warrenville South
Overlooked in all the applause for Evanston and St. Viator last season was the Class AA runner-up finish for the Tigers (24-2-2). Coach Guy Callipari never had All-State speedster Therese Heaton and lost Kristin Radcliffe to a late-season injury. The junior has returned at full strength and is surrounded by talent–Kristi Martinson, Liz Passiales, Lauren Holcomb (nine goals, eight assists) and Beth Barton.
4. New Trier
Jim Burnside’s enthusiasm comes through when he describes his players: “phenomenal off-season improvement” he said of senior Mary Harvey; “born goal scorer” is how he portrays freshman Kayanne Gummersal. Caroline Jenner (10 goals, 10 assists), Maddie Johnson, Crysti Howser, Jaime Maltman and goalkeeper Alison Eckenhoff are others counted on to improve the Trevians’ 19-5-2 record of 2002.
5. Lake Zurich
The Bears (22-4-3) are coming off an impressive third-place Class AA finish, which was especially impressive because their 1-0 semifinal loss to Evanston came on a penalty kick. But Pete Ternes’ team may get off to a slow start as Tennessee recruit Jen Jeffers (broken leg) and Heather Lau (ACL injury) won’t be back until May. Molly Uyenishi, Michelle Martin, Michelle Nadeau and Liz Eng will try to hold things together.
6. Neuqua Valley
The Wildcats have a lot of talent: Senior defender Candice Choquette (Toledo), midfielder Erin McDowell (Iowa State) and sophomore Brittany Bock return from a 19-3-2 sectional finalist. McDowell, Bock, Kiley Tirreno and MacKenzie Milazzo combined for 45 goals last season. Coach Dawn Maramba is thrilled to have Joe Moreau, who guided St. Charles to five consecutive state titles, as an assistant.
7. Downers Grove South
If there’s one advantage the Mustangs, fourth in Class AA last season, have it is goalkeeper Sarah West. The University of Dayton recruit is a returning All-Stater with 34 career shutouts and helped the team to a 22-6-2 record last season. In front of her is Andrea Apa. According to coach Barry Jacobson, “she’s one of the best defenders in the state. She created so much for us.”
8. St. Charles North
The North Stars (15-5) have grown out of the shadow of their more established sister school. Auburn recruit Jen Lee is one of five seniors who played for coach Ruth Poulin when they were freshmen at the “old” St. Charles. The others are Randi Streng, Kim Collins, Lynae Polanin and Deanna Derrico. Poulin says current freshman Lauren Switzer is “as good as I expected.”
9. Naperville Central
Not since 1995 have the Redhawks made an appearance in the Elite Eight, but this team could end the drought. Sophomores Jessica Levitt and Alissa Vonderhaar, freshman Christina Sahly and junior Shaina Mango are in key offensive roles. Defense should be a strength with Abby Buhrandt, Maureen Mohan, Diana Coley and Karie Sahly. Central (16-4-2) has won or shared eight of the last 10 DuPage Valley titles.
10. St. Charles East
A new coach and a new attitude are apparent as the Saints try to recapture the magic that meant five consecutive state titles. Pat Feulner, whose daughter was a high school All-American for the Saints, replaces Moreau. Karen Enockson, Audra Cavallo, Laura Williams and goalkeeper Kirstie Linkimer return from a 19-3-7 club.
Best of the rest: Sandburg, Naperville North, Barrington, Carmel, Fremd
Alan Sutton.
Top local players
Forwards
Abby Anderson, sr., Oswego
Meghan Boler, sr. St. Francis
Jen Dyer, jr., Naperville North
Karen Enockson, sr., St. Charles East
Ariel Fortune, so., Wheaton Academy
Claire Goldenberg, sr., Oak Park
Franny Iacuzzi, jr., Evanston
Jen Jeffers, sr., Lake Zurich
Caroline Jenner, sr., New Trier
Crystal Lanski, sr., Downers South
Dominique Locascio, so., Fremd
Nicole Meschbach, sr., St. Viator
Carrie Schurr, jr., Hersey
Randi Streng, sr., St. Charles North
Lauren Switzer, fr., St. Charles North
Kirby Wells, jr., Deerfield
Juliana Zavala, jr., Kelly
Christy Zwolski, jr., Carmel.
Midfielders
Mairen Beazley, sr., Barrington
Samantha Blank, so., Lincoln Park
Brittany Bock, so., Neuqua Valley
Sarah Fack, jr., Jacobs
Stefanie Foley, jr., Benet
Rachel Hansen, sr., Evanston
Alison Iglehart, jr., Glenbrook South
Maddie Johnson, jr., New Trier
Kara Kabellis, sr., Providence
Jill Krivacek, sr., Rosary
Jessica Levitt, so., Naperville Central
Michelle Martin, sr., Lake Zurich
Erin McDowell, sr., Neuqua Valley
Elyse Nikonchuk, sr., Lincoln-Way C.
Kristin Radcliffe, jr., Wheaton W. South
Katie Riemersma, sr., Sandburg
Liz Ruberry, jr., Oak Forest
Natalia Walters, jr., St. Viator
Lauren Weber, sr., St. Viator.
Defenders
Candice Choquette, sr., Neuqua Valley
Shannon Durocher, jr., Lincoln-Way E.
Jen Lee, sr., St. Charles North
Karen Malcolm, sr., Maine South
Shannon McDonnell, sr., Sandburg
Stacy Omundson, sr., Evanston
Rae Sauerman, sr., Naperville North
Molly Uyenishi, so., Lake Zurich.
Goalkeepers
Kate Cahalan, sr., Wheaton W. South
Kirstie Linkimer, jr., St. Charles East
Julie Ryder, sr., DeKalb
Danielle Wagner, so., Stagg
Sarah West, sr., Downers Grove South.
