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The high school girls lacrosse season is just around the corner. Here are previews of teams in the Kane County Chronicle coverage area.
Burlington Central
Coach: Dominic Pearson
Last season: JV team
Top returning players: Sophia Arnold, jr., midfielder; Victoria Zielinski, sr., midfielder; Zoe Westra, jr., midfielder
Top new player: Lily Kratz, fr., attack
Worth noting: The Rockets are heading into their first year at the varsity level with high energy. The roster has some experience in the field and also fresh faces. Westra returns after earning all-conference honors last season and is expected to be a leader alongside Zielinski and Arnold. Pearson said the newcomers such as Kratz have the potential to make an immediate impact for the Rockets.
“Our team motto of developing athletes for long-term excellence is proving true,” Pearson said. “We’ve seen great progress moving from junior varsity to varsity. We laid the foundation last year and now it’s time to grow.”
Geneva
Coach: Nia Stompanato
Last season: 10-7 (1-0 Upstate 8)
Top returning players: Alissa Borowski, so., goalie; Kayla Schultz, sr., attack, Maddy Diamond, sr., midfielder; Maisy Maranville, sr., defense
Worth noting: The Vikings are looking to get past the sectional quarterfinals for the first time in school history. They will look to their experienced players to lead the charge. Borowski returns for her second season in the net after recording a .57% save percentage in her freshman campaign, which was the seventh-best mark among goalies in the state. Schultz will head the attack after recording 60 points last season, including her 100th career goal with the Vikings. Diamond, who is committed to play at North Central College next season, had 18 goals to go along with 57 ground balls and a .525% draw percentage. Northwood commit Maranville is expected to lead the back line after fielding 23 ground balls last season.
St. Charles North and St. Charles East (coop)
Coach: Jordyn McFarlane
Last season: 11-6
Top returning players: Katherine Erickson, sr., midfielder; Mia Hoppes, sr., defender; Ella Duffin, sr., attack
Worth noting: The St. Charles co-op team will look to make it back to the sectional finals for the fifth time in six seasons with an upperclassmen-heavy roster. Erickson is coming off a season in which she earned All-State honorable mention. Hoppes earned All-Sectional honors last season.