Ted’s Takes: Illinois HS Notebook 5/2/24

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a quick notebook from some recent action around Illinois high school soccer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='172181' first='Ava' last='Kozak'] Propels Lockport</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 19-0 Lockport Porters are becoming the story of the season. Leading the way up top is [player_tooltip player_id='172181' first='Ava' last='Kozak']. The 2025 Marquette commit has 20 goals and 8 assists in her first season of HS soccer. Her long strides on the run as well has her touch around the box makes her a lethal #9. Recently, the Porters picked up some big wins over midwest powers in DSHA (WI), Ankeny Centennial (IA), and Northwest (IA). Failing to concede a goal in all three matchups. Senior Natalie Zodrow has also impressed in the attack with 14 goals and 7 assists. Including two goals vs DSHA.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Freeport Sensation Scores Over 115 Career Goals</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Autumn Diduch, one of the most electrifying forwards in recent years to come out of the Rockford Area finishes her high school career with 118 goals and 36 assists. Averaging 2.2 goals per game for the Pretzels. Unfortunately, the Illinois State commit will have season-ending ACL surgery. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Evanston Confidence is Sky-High</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wildkits currently sit at 14-1-1 this season with their only loss coming on the road at New Trier. But if someone is capable of stopping the Trevians, it's Evanston. Jocelyn Leigh has had an extraordinary senior campaign and has been the go-to option up top for the last few years. This season, she's displayed outstanding awareness on and off the ball while also exploiting defenses with good spacing and off ball movements. I've also seen her score with both feet while getting others involved as a playmaker. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='233211' first='Alexandra' last='Merriam'] has also caught my attention with her speed on the ball as well as her shooting abilities. The future is bright. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Look out for Hinsdale Central</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Red Devils recently gave Barrington their first loss of the season in a PK shootout thriller. The team has been very balanced overall with tons of promise. Senior Cate McDonnell has a wicked shot and leads the team with 14 goals. On defense, the GK duo of Katherine Skinner (So) and Emeline Mcclenahan (Jr) has combined to concede less than 1 goal per game. But the youth is just as impressive. Top-15 2026 prospect [player_tooltip player_id='102322' first='Piper' last='Bingham'] dazzles with potential and is complemented well by Emily Ditomasso and freshman Caitlin Doherty.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lane Tech Controls the Public League</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's looking like the CPS will run through Lane Tech yet again. The Champions (yes, that's that new mascot) are currently 14-2 and 5-0 in league play. Their win over DePaul caught my attention a couple weeks ago. Sophomore Jackson Caffey and Junior Grace Carman caught my eye with the pace they play at as well as their IQ. Each scoring and assisting in a 4-0 win. Caffey and Carman also have a combined 32 goals and 17 assists this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->