Expect senior forward Sam Biesterfeld to be at the forefront if Mundelein takes the next step this season.
Biesterfeld’s teammates certainly understand her importance to the Mustangs, who are coming off their first regional title in 15 years.
“Sam has the ability to make plays out of nothing and is dangerous with the ball on either foot,” Mundelein senior midfielder Hannah Boone said. “In last year’s regional final, she was even-minded under pressure and made a massive impact offensively and defensively.
“She is such an inspiration to me and all of my teammates.”
But Biesterfeld and the Mustangs want to accomplish even more this season.
“Last year was a huge accomplishment, so we have big expectations for this year,” she said. “We want to win regionals and go further.
“We have some new parts to the team who are learning to work together. The last couple of games we’ve gone through some adversity but got some key wins. Communication and collaboration are key.”
Communication and collaboration between Biesterfeld and junior midfielder Carlie Bestler, a Fairfield recruit, is particularly important for the Mustangs (7-1), who have scored 26 goals during a seven-game winning streak. Biesterfeld, a Milwaukee School of Engineering commit, already has eight goals and three assists this season.
“She’s someone we depend on,” Mundelein coach Alix McArthur said. “Being left-footed and having a special connection with Carlie is unique. One of them is always servicing to the other. The girls look up to Sam because her work ethic really stands out.”
That work ethic is one of the reasons Bestler has so much confidence in Biesterfeld, a fourth-year starter who has totaled 39 goals and 23 assists in her varsity career.
“My connection with Sam is special because of our trust,” Bestler said. “I can always count on her to be at the back post to finish my crosses and vice versa. She constantly makes the right run for through balls and gives 100% in every moment that she’s on the field.”
Mundelein senior midfielder Maika Loerakker agrees that Biesterfeld is relentless on the field.
“Sam is always playing with such high energy,” Loerakker said. “She never gives up, which gives chances for the team. She also lifts others up when we’re down.”
Biesterfeld, who had 14 goals and six assists last season, when she was named All-North Suburban Conference, works hard during the offseason too.
“I always like to look at what I’ve struggled on to improve for the next season,” she said. “I wanted to improve the accuracy of my crosses, create more space and be more dynamic on runs up front.
“I worked on it a lot. I did a lot of running and played club soccer and weightlifted.”
Biesterfeld knows from experience that such effort will be rewarded.
“Winning the regional title was special and showed that a lot of hard work paid off,” she said. “I loved how the team was connecting and working well together. We learned from our mistakes and powered through them.”
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter.
