Metea Valley will look to continue its success in Class 3A with the addition of Veneto this season.
Veneto
The Red Wings (21-5) finished second in 2A each season and were promoted to 3A. Junior forward Kyra Petrucelli will miss the season with a torn ACL, but 12 other players, including six starters, will return. Leading scorer Ivana Vukas, a sophomore forward, returns along with senior midfielder Rania Fikri and sophomore midfielder Annie Fitzgerald. On defense, experienced Bailey Abbott, senior Gabby Hedden and junior Chloe Saintman return to the starting lineup.
Meteor Valley
The Mustangs (19-1-3) are still a talented team that includes a number of Division I newcomers after losing in the 3A sectional final last year. Senior forward Lucy Burke (Northern Michigan), senior forward Sydney Bayless (Northern Illinois), junior forward Isabelle Leofanti (Kent State), and junior forward Lilly Senese (Northern Michigan) are seniors. He will lead the attack along with midfielder Kylie Janisch (Winona State). Midfielder Kaylee Hansen (Austin Peay) and junior midfielder Olivia Hernandez will be starters on the 2022 state championship team, returning after playing for the club last season. Senior Alyssa Grooting (Fairfield) is one of the best goalies in the state.
naperville central
The Red Wings (9-6-1) have six starters back, most of them young. Senior defenders Chloe Mowry and Lauren Thorne will lead the way in front of sophomore goaltender Erin Hackett, who averaged 1.13 goals against last season. The team's speed should be an asset, especially at the top with third-year forward Bela Brozek and sophomore forward Maria Shen. Junior Rebecca Ruggiero will anchor the midfield.
Naperville North
The Huskies (13-6-1) have eight returning starters, including sophomore forward Claire DeCook and senior forward Annie Chan, who combined for 28 goals last season. De Cook is healthy after suffering a torn ACL late last season. Senior midfielder Jaycee Starek (Winona State) is a rock in the middle, and sophomore goalie Olivia Ochsner has eight shutouts as a freshman. Junior defender Emily Buescher (Minnesota) was the top newcomer.
Neuqua Valley
The Wildcats (6-8-2) hope to improve with nine starters returning. Senior forward Brianna Klaasen (Saginaw Valley State) and senior midfielders Victoria James (North Central) and Grace Petrina (Wisconsin La Crosse) provide leadership and experience to the offensive line, along with sophomores Alessandra Russo, Lauren Milani, a senior, and Kate Wohlfeil, a senior, serve as anchors. Defending in front of senior goalie Zoe Fabian. Freshman forward Gabriel Smith could make an impact.
waubonsie valley
The Warriors (7-12-1) have 15 players, led by senior midfielder/forward Taylor Ahmadian, who was named team MVP along with senior defenseman Zoe Evans last season and was an all-section selection. I was reinstated. Ahmadian and junior forward Tanya Castellan combined for 30 goals. Other notable veterans are junior midfielder/defender Katie Chapman and senior midfielder Eleanor Oster. Emerson Hallihan, Chloe Shaffer, McKinley Ladd and Macy Evans lead a strong sophomore class.
Matt Le Crenn is a freelance reporter.
