Spring Preview: Illinois Teams to Watch (Part 2)

Here’s a look at some more programs to watch for the high-school season this spring. <strong>Triad</strong> The state’s lone unbeaten from 2021. Only five seniors are gone from last season. Triad's unbeaten run included wins over both 1A champ Althoff and 3A champ O’Fallon last season. Regan (IL-Springfield) and Kendall (Illinois College) Chigas might be the best 1-2 keeper punch in the state. Seniors Breanna Zurek, Maddie Milligan Macy Mell, Kinlee Lippert (Missouri-St. Louis), and a few more will also lead the way. Look out for juniors Laney Harshany and Gabbie Wood. Both scored double-digit goals last season and have much more to improve on coming up. <strong>Lyons</strong> 3A runner-ups in 2021. Izzy Lee is one of the state's top goalkeepers. The Illinois commit had a GAA of 0.2 last season. Air Force commit Eleanor Musgrove is the only offensive starter returning and is poised for an outstanding senior season. The Lions were one win away from perfection. Will get tested at New Trier and Naperville North invites this season. <strong style="font-size: 1rem;">Lane Tech</strong> The CPS powerhouse will be seeking its seventh consecutive city championship. Ohio commit [player_tooltip player_id="22202" first="Scout" last="Murray"] scored 29 goals last season and is back for more. Oberlin commit Dale Sink was a consistent goal-scorer last season and will lead the attack. Some under-the-radar juniors also will contribute. <strong>Freeport</strong> The Pretzels are an under-the-radar team from the Rockford area. Their lone loss came in the sectional final last season. Sophomore F Autumn Diduch scored a phenomenal 31 goals as a freshman. Her twin sister Cadence also impressed. Big things ahead for the NIC-10 favorites. Will play several Chicago-area teams this spring. <strong>Glenbrook North</strong> Two Division I commits, Morissa Lambert (American) and Margy Porta (Boston University), return despite graduating Gatorade POTY and Wisconsin recruit Riley Philbin. Look out for sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="22096" first="Danielle" last="Gichner"]. She’s one of the top center backs in her class. Will contend for sectional title in the loaded north suburbs. New Trier, Lane, Payton, Libertyville, Evanston, and Oak Park are all on the schedule. <strong>Timothy Christian</strong> Runner-ups in 1A last season. Probably the best small-school team in Chicagoland as nine regular starters return. Junior Maddie Drye scored 20 goals last season to lead the team. Corinne Myket had nine shutouts with a 0.427 GAA last season. Junior midfielders Angie Tornabene and Mili Martens each had double-digit goals last season. Should be favorites to win the Metro Suburban Conference. <strong>Libertyville</strong> The Wildcats went downstate last spring for the first time in 20 years. Finishing third, Libertyville has tons of star power returning. Senior F Avery Gleason is the biggest name back after scoring a team-high 16 goals last year. Abby Gordon (8 goals, 10 assists), UC San Diego commit Lauren Rocco (2 goals, 7 assists), Paige Gleason (2 goals, 6 assists), junior [player_tooltip player_id="22131" first="Jenna" last="Krakowski"] (4 goals, 7 assists) and Ohio State commit [player_tooltip player_id="22095" first="Dakota" last="Lyons"] will lead a deep midfield. Sally Grace Rodgers and Riley Brennan will lead a strong back line. Will be a senior-heavy team.