St. Charles East brings back big-time punch on offense, but watch out for South Elgin and Oswego.
Top 10 Teams
1. St. Charles East (19-7-2): Sophomore forward Mya Leon, coming off 34-goal season, powers stacked lineup that features nine returning starters. Junior forward Sophia Wollenberg posted 22 goals and 16 assists last spring. Sophomore defender Georgia Smith anchors the back.
2. South Elgin (15-8-2): Senior forward Nevaeh Gyurko, the 2025 Beacon-News/Courier-News Girls Soccer Player of the Year, totaled 23 goals and eight assists last season. Senior midfielder Avianna Hernandez, who had 11 goals and 22 assists, orchestrates offense bolstered by junior midfielder Lucy Tomasi and sophomore midfielder Lindy Vidic. Senior Ellie Vidic leads defense.
3. Oswego (20-4-1): Panthers return nine starters and four key rotation players. Senior forward Jordyn Washington scored 28 goals last year. Junior midfielder Analia Ortiz, senior midfielder Gianna Rizzo and sophomore midfielder Mane Brolley add athleticism and scoring versatility. Senior Peyton Johnson is one of top defenders in the state.
4. Metea Valley (13-6): Senior midfielder Emma Strcic (DePaul), a four-year starter, is a dynamic talent. She keys versatile roster with four returning starters. Senior midfielder Mckenna Wigfield (SIU-Edwardsville) is another offensive standout. Junior defender Kylie Paulding and sophomore defender Reagan Bellagamba solidify back line.
5. St. Charles North (11-6-3): North Stars’ deep roster features 11 returnees and six starters. Senior forward Kaitlyn Nudera leads standout group of attackers. Junior forward Maddie Room, junior midfielder Keira Connolly and sophomore midfielder Madi Shanahan add to the offense. Senior goalkeeper Lauren Korioth is a four-year starter. Junior defender Aubri Magana is a disruptive stopper.
6. Kaneland (18-6-2): Knights bring back high-powered offense in senior midfielder Erin Doucette, who had 40 goals and 18 assists, and senior midfielder Kyra Lilly (Lake Forest College), who had 12 goals and 18 assists. Sophomore forward Taylor Mills broke out with 23 goals. Senior defender Adriana Warrington and sophomore defender Corinne Faivre anchor aggressive back line.
7. Batavia (11-9-1): Bulldogs’ roster features intriguing combination of experience and talented newcomers. Senior forward Emma Wecker is leader on offense, with strong support from senior midfielder Addison Wujciga and junior midfielders Anna Grometer and Leah Zimberoff. Junior goalkeeper Gianna Reid anchors defense.
8. West Aurora (12-4-1): Senior midfielder McKenzie Pearch (Northern Iowa) headlines Blackhawks’ attack. Junior forwards Giselle Perez scored team-best 15 goals last spring, while Lizbeth Salinas added eight goals and eight assists. Junior Makayla Parra solidifies midfield. Entire defender group returns, keyed by junior Sarahi Carlos and seniors Sonia Alanis and Ashley Lopez. Junior Maelynn Coyle is top-notch goalkeeper.
9. Burlington Central (11-11): Rockets feature 13 seniors, including veterans from finishing fourth in the state in Class 2A two years ago. Senior goalkeeper Mackenzie Lorkowski (Louisiana Tech) is defensive linchpin. Senior forward Kendall Grigg and senior midfielders Annie Magan and Grace Brown are leaders on offense. Senior Alison Kowall (Benedictine) is top defender.
10. Aurora Central Catholic (12-7-1): Chargers welcome back seven starters. Senior midfielder Olivia Lujano is catalyst for offense, joined by senior forward Isabella Matty and sophomore forward Viviana Lujano. Back line is stellar with junior defenders Maddie Berry and Ailidzie Perez and junior goalkeeper Nora Shwartz.
The 25 Players to Watch
• Nataly Barrera, Streamwood, junior, forward.
• Kenzie Coleman, Oswego East, senior, midfielder.
• Erin Doucette, Kaneland, senior, midfielder.
• Nevaeh Gyurko, South Elgin, senior, forward.
• Avianna Hernandez, South Elgin, senior, midfielder.
• Peyton Johnson, Oswego, senior, defender.
• Alison Kowall, Burlington Central, senior, defender.
• Mia Lamz, Bartlett, senior, defender.
• Mya Leon, St. Charles East, sophomore, forward.
• Kyra Lilly, Kaneland, senior, midfielder.
• Mackenzie Lorkowski, Burlington Central, senior, goalkeeper.
• Olivia Lujano, Aurora Central Catholic, senior, midfielder.
• Aubri Magana, St. Charles North, junior, defender.
• Ximena Magana, Elgin, senior, forward/midfielder.
• Rylie Mensik, Dundee-Crown, senior, forward.
• Taylor Mills, Kaneland, sophomore, forward/midfielder.
• Kaitlyn Nudera, St. Charles North, senior, forward.
• McKenzie Pearch, West Aurora, junior, midfielder.
• Emma Strcic, Metea Valley, senior, midfielder.
• Audrey Stredde, Geneva, senior, midfielder.
• Qori Strotkamp, St. Charles East, sophomore, midfielder.
• Jordyn Washington, Oswego, senior, forward.
• Emma Wecker, Batavia, senior, forward.
• Mckenna Wigfield, Metea Valley, senior, midfielder/forward.
• Sophia Wollenberg, St. Charles East, junior, midfielder.
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
