Elmwood Park
Coach: Martin Blake
Top returners: Sr. F Oksana Andrukhiv, Jr. D Aleks Witkos, So. M Sam Garcia
Newcomers: Fr. Denisse Avila, Fr. Elliana Jimenez, Fr. Ashley Kerner¿
2015 record: 11-5-1 (5-0 Metro Suburban East), lost to Noble/Pritzker in Class 2A regional final¿
Season outlook: Coach Martin Blake said the team goals are to defend its conference title and win a regional title.
Storyline to watch: Blake also coaches the school’s boys soccer team, which advanced to the sectional finals last fall.
They said it: “Many of the girls followed the fall season and supported (the boys soccer team). It was important for them to do so. I encouraged it because when someone witnesses success, they want to emulate it for themselves.” — coach Martin Blake
Guerin
Coach: Anthony Donato
Top returners: Jr. F Melanie Martinez (10 goals), Sr. GK Missy Salinas, So. D Seana McNally
2015 record: 6-12 (0-5 Metro Suburban East), lost to Latin in Class 1A sectional semifinals
Season outlook: Guerin lost only two seniors from its regional champion team in 2015. Unfortunately, those two were leading goal-scorer Alondra Rodriguez and goalkeeper Claudia Guerrero. Junior forward Melanie Martinez will be asked to take on more of the offensive load, and senior Missy Salinas is expected to step in and provide strong goalkeeping right away.
Storyline to follow: Guerin has won regional titles two of the past three seasons. Guerin has enough experience to make it three titles in four years.
They said it: “We’re a stronger team this year, so I’m excited to see what we can do. We’re starting this year a couple steps ahead of where we’ve been in past years.” — coach Anthony Donato
Leyden
Coach: Robert Fowler
Top returners: Sr. M Michelle Andrade (3 goals, 10 assists), Sr. D Jocelyn Garcia (1 goal, 1 assist), Sr. M Gabriela Castillo (6 goals)
Newcomers: Fr. D Liliana Herrera
2015 record: 7-15-1 (2-4 West Suburban Gold), lost to Lane Tech in Class 3A regional semifinals
Season outlook: Although Leyden lost 10 seniors from last year’s team, the Eagles enter 2016 with eight seniors who have playing experience. Leyden will rely on some newcomers, and freshman Liliana Herrera will contribute defensively right away. The success of their season may hinge on their ability to replace the offensive output of their leading scorer from last season, Dagmara Nowicka (12 goals).
Storyline to watch: Leyden’s midfield should be strong in 2016, led by senior Michelle Andrade, the Eagles’ lone returning all-conference player. Seniors Elise Roa (five goals in 2015) and Gabriela Castillo (six goals in 2015) each have the ability to find the back of the net.
They said it: “The strength is in a core group of seniors who have been starters at some time in previous years. We will rely on this group for leadership and being difference-makers.” — coach Robert Fowler
Trinity
Coach: Dave Preston
Top returners: Sr. F Heather Baran, Sr. Sydney O’Malley, Jr. D Sarah Doyle, Sr. GK Rosanna Mazzulla
Newcomers: Fr. F Deato Mazzulla
2015 record: 10-9-2 (4-4-1 Girls Catholic Athletic), lost to York in Class 3A regional semifinal
Season outlook: Heather Baran (ACL), Sydney O’Malley (torn Achilles tendon) and Sarah Doyle (ACL) are returning from injuries that forced them to miss all or most of 2015. Eight seniors are back, and if the Blazers can stay healthy, they could be formidable.
Storyline to watch: Playing in what coach Dave Preston called “probably the strongest soccer conference in the state” with the addition of five teams this season (Montini, Fenwick, St. Francis, Bishop McNamara and Providence), the Blazers will learn quickly how they stack up.
They said it: “On paper this is probably one of the best teams I’ve had in 13 years. Optimism is high.” — coach Dave Preston
Jakub Rudnik, Todd Marver and Mike Nelson are freelance reporters for Pioneer Press.
Twitter @Pioneer_Press
