Fenwick
Coach: Rob Watson
Top returners: Sr. M Colette Jaslowski, Sr. F Caitlin Josephs, Sr. D Moira Hillsman, Sr. M Quinn Reilly, So. F Lauren Stibich
Newcomers: Fr. M Anissa Nourse, Fr. M Erin Frumkin
2015 record: 11-7-2 (East Suburban Catholic 5-3-1), lost to Lyons in Class 3A regional final
Season outlook: Depite losing All-American defender Sydney Jensen and goalkeeper Lexi Rodriguez to graduation, Fenwick has a lot of starters back. Coach Rob Watson wants his experienced team to fulfill its potential.
They said it: “We have a lot of talent on paper but a lot of hard work ahead.” — coach Rob Watson
Oak Park-River Forest
Coach: Ignacio Ponce
Top returners: Sr. D Penny Hawthorne, Sr. D Jamie Heneghan, Sr. M Patricia Heneghan, Jr. M Grace Huettel, Sr. F Anna Eddelbuettel, Sr. D Brianne Bujnowski
Newcomers: Jr. M Cedella Breitenstein, Jr. M Quinn Berleman-Paul
2015 record: 6-9-3 (2-4 West Suburban), lost to Hinsdale Central in Class 3A regional final
Season outlook: With seven starters returning, the Huskies are trying to advance to sectionals for the first time since 2011.
Storyline to watch: Junior goalkeeper Ava Trogus emerged late last season, and coach Ignacio Ponce is excited to see her get better. “She has great height and speed,” Ponce said. “I am really expecting her to do great things this year.”
They said it: “I have a great group of leaders on the team that really want to perform well in both conference and the state tournament.” — coach Ignacio Ponce
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
Mike Nelson is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Twitter @Pioneer_Press
