As the girls soccer season begins, we take a look at the schools playing in the Public League this spring.

*Note: All coaches were contacted multiple times, the schools below are the ones who responded. If your school isn’t listed, have your coach reach out to Michael Wojtychiw at mmwojtychiw@cps.edu. This post will be updated if more schools respond.

School: Acero-Soto

Last Year’s Record: 10-7-2

Starters Returning: Anayansi Mejia (Senior)
Nashaly Baizabal, Senior)
Dafnie Solis (Senior)
Arleth Sanchez (Senior)
Melissa Silva (Junior)
Emely Cruz (Sophomore)
Yinereth Medina (Junior)
Ariana Chavez (Sophomore)
Ariana Gonzalez (Sophomore)

Key Non-Starters Returning: Yareli Gomez (Junior)

Key Newcomers: Rubi Mendoza (Freshman), Mimi Rojas (Sophomore)

Coach’s Season Outlook: This season, we’re looking forward to building on our success from last season and continuing to get better as a team and as a program.

School: Back of the Yards College Prep

Last year’s record: 6-9-3

Social media handle: Instagram – boycpgsoc 

Starters returning (name, position, year):

– Emmely Munoz, Forward, Sophomore

– Camila Torres, Midfielder, Junior

– Yasmin Martinez, Defender, Junior

Key non-starters returning (name, position, year):

– Natalia Balleza, Midfielder, Junior

– Jenny Rebello, Forward, Senior

– Brenda Macias, Forward, Senior

Key newcomers (name, position, year): 

– Jimena Figueroa, Defender, Sophomore

Coach’s Season Outlook: Our goals are to win our conference title and to challenge for a regional championship in the state tournament. 

School: Curie Metropolitan High School

Last year’s record: 3 – 9 – 2

Social media handles: Instagram: @Curiemetrohssoccer (Instagram); @curiesoccer (Twitter) 

Starters returning (name, position, year):

Destiny Miranda, Midfield, Senior

Abigail Moreno, Midfield/Defense, Senior

Yajaira Daza Mendoza, Senior, Goalkeeper

Key non-starters returning (name, position, year):

Guadalupe Gil, Junior, Defense

Alexia Torres, Sophomore, RM

Dominica Villasenor, Senior, Striker

Key newcomers (name, position, year):

Frida Rodriguez, Mid, Freshman

Alondra Molina, Defense, Freshman

Coach’s Season Outlook:

With a new coaching staff and new game plan, some players returning and several young players with high energy and a lot of skill on and off the ball, it will be a very exciting season. 

School: Juarez

Last Year’s Record: 7-4-1

Social Media Handle: @bjcaeagles1 (Instagram)

Starters returning:

Cindy Montoya, Forward, Senior

Jennifer Gonzalez, Defense, Senior

Stephanie Cruz, Middle/Defense, Senior

Melissa Arce, Middle/Defense, Senior

Nicole Salinas, Middle, Senior

Reyna Ceja, Middle, Senior

Newcomers to watch:

Camila Lopez, Middle/Forward, Sophomore

Melanie Garcia, Middle/Forward, Sophomore

Milagros Chacon, Forward, Sophomore

Desserie Treto, Middle, Freshman

Coach’s Season Outlook:

In the previous season, the Lady Eagles had a conference score of 6-1-0, leading to semifinals. There we were defeated against a phenomenal opponent, but left with our heads up high. The team is back with six seniors ready to make this their best season yet!

School: Kennedy High School

Last year’s record: 7 – 8 – 2

Social Media Handle: @jfkcrusadersathletics (Instgram)

Starters returning:
Valeria Canelo, MF
Areen Ahmad, DEF
Endy Reynoso Valenica, DEF
Melanie Villazana, MF
Krystal Sandoval, MF
Mia Millan, DEF
Yoseline Lopez-Chihuahua, MID/ST

Newcomers to watch:
Karen Tapia, DEF, Junior
Maritza Hernandez, ST, Sophomore

Coach’s Season Outlook: 

We continue to be a young team who will be competing in the top conference after a reshuffle. We tied with another school for Conference Champions and look to build on that. We graduated some of the most talented players but they were fewer than the Freshmen and Sophomore Varsity players who stepped up last year. Our schedule this year will be challenging as we face several teams who regularly compete for the CPL championship. Kennedy can guarantee that we will be disruptive and bring a high level of energy in every outing.

School:  Lincoln Park 

Last year’s record: 19-5

Social media handles: @lincolnparksoccer_boosterclub (Instagram)

Starters returning (name, year, position and honors):

Carolina Carreon, Soph., Midfield

Lex Thanasouras, Junior, Defense (All-Conference)

Charlotte Ericson, Senior, Centerback (All Conference

Dani Pule, Senior, Forward

Mariette Araujo, Junior, Defense (All-Conference)

Taylor Spriggs, Junior, Forward (All-Conference)

Lola Biederman, Soph., Midfield

Key non-starters returning (name, year, position):

PJ Ryan, Soph., Centerback

Lizzie Deeds, Soph., Keeper

Ayah Zenati, Soph., Forward

Ava Bogdanovich, Junior, Forward

Klaudio Sadko, Soph., Defense

Simone Burchell, Junior, Forward

Kimberly Arellano Luna, Junior, Forward 

Key newcomers (name, year):

Reese Barnes, Freshman

Joelle Holt, Freshman

Alejandra Martinez-Bates, Freshman

Abigail Flores, Senior

Lucy Sitar, Senior

Coach’s Season Outlook:

Although we lost nine seniors, we are returning a very talented nucleus. Our success will depend on our ability to find quality replacement players and jell as a team. 

School: Marine Leadership Academy

Last year’s record: 20-6-1 (Lost in 1A Sectional Finals)

Social media handles: @MLAathletics (Twitter); Mla_bulldogs_ (Instagram)

College commits: Lisbeht Sanchez – Governors State; Ruby Robles – Governors State.  

Starters returning (name, position, year, honors, stats):

Maricarmen Vinalay, D, Sr

Yulisa Avilez, M, Sr

Lisbeht Sanchez M, Sr. (15G, 4A).

Ivette Herrera D, Jr, (All Sectional; 11G 11A sophomore year)

Melany Arenas D, Jr, (All Sectional HM)

Kenia Torres D, Jr.

Valerie Betancourt GK, Jr. (17W, 1.00 GAA sophomore year)
Nayeli Rivera M, Soph. (13G, 9A) .

Crystal Gutierrez M, Soph. (All Sectional, Chicagoland Soccer Freshman All State, 34G 12A)

Key non-starters returning (name, position, year):

Ruby Robles, Mid, Sr.

Coach’s Season outlook:

Talented 1A team that has 12 of the top 14 players back from last year’s Sectional Final team.

School: Northside Prep

Last year’s record: 7-9-3 (5-1-1 in 1st Division North conference)

Starters returning (name, position, year and honors):

Angie Vazquez, G, So.

Veronica Skipper, MF, Sr., All Conference, All Sectional Honorable Mention

Sofia Migon, MF, Sr., All City 2nd team

Grace Monago, F, Sr., All Conference, All Sectional 

Rachel Yosowitz, D, Sr.

Key non-starters returning (name, position, year):

Phoebe Phonwiang, MF, So.

Coach’s Season Outlook:

• The team looks to build off a successful conference season last year in the First Division North, while competing in a very talented Premier Conference North this year.  
• The attacking unit includes most of the returning experience, which the defensive unit will be working in several new players.  The team hopes to find balance in time for playing the top talent in CPS.  In addition, a very competitive non-conference schedule, which  includes smaller strong schools like DePaul Prep, as well as larger schools like Niles West, will get the team reading for IHSA playoffs.

School: Payton

Last year’s record: 14-6-3

Social media handle: @Paytonsoccer34 (Twitter)

College commit: Lola Feuer – Emory 

Key players returning (name, position, year and honors):  
Cate Cupps All City 2022
Lola Feuer All City 2022

Coach’s Season Outlook:  Looking to go further than the sectional finals this year and make a deep run in the CPS playoffs

School: Prosser

Last year’s record: Conference 2-3-1, overall 4-12-1

Social media handle: @pcasoccergirls (Instagram)

Starters returning (name, position, year): 

Yaneli Garcia Midfield, Sophomore

Honey Lomas, Defense, Senior

Naydaline Medina, Midfield, Senior

Destiny Reed, Goalie, Junior 

Lucelvy Velazquez, Defense, Senior

Key newcomers (name, position, year): 

Irma Trinidad, Forward, Freshman

Aida Tenemaza, Midfield, Freshman

School:  Rickover Naval Academy
Last Year’s Record: 3-2-2

Starters returning:
Samantha Booth (Goalie) – Sophomore
Mercedes Ramirez-Ross (Captain) – Senior

Newcomers to watch:
Amy Uruchima Sinchi – Junior

Coach’s Season Outlook:
Since last season, Rickover has lost some talent due to graduation, including our highest scorer.  Nevertheless, we look forward to the new season, as we have acquired some very dedicated Freshmen who are not new to the game of soccer.  So with the loss of superstars, our team is looking more balanced, which can be very promising this upcoming season. 

School: Senn

Last year’s record: 3-12

Social media handles: @Senn_Athletics (Twitter); @Senngirlssoccer (Instagram)

Starters Returning:

Sareli Garciai – Senior

Daniela Palacios – Junior

Lesly Sanchez – Senior

Belma Ceric – Junior

Karla Martinez – Junior

Isabel Auffant – Sophomore

Isabella Gratzl – Sophomore

Newcomers to watch:

Mia Rodriguez – Freshman

Shelly Fuentes – Freshman

Alexa Palacios – Sophomore

Coach’s Season’s Outlook:

We may have had a rocky season last year but this year, our players are looking young and healthy and will be under new coach, Wendy Castro. Most of our players this year played together last year, adding a few new players to the roster this year. We are ready to compete for the first north title. 

School: Taft 

Last year’s record: 10-7-2

Social media handle: @TaftHS_Soccer (Twitter)

College commit: Alexa Calix – South Suburban College

Starters returning (name, position, year, stats and honors):

– Ava Balmaseda – Defender – Sophomore – All-City 2nd Team, All-Sectional

– Alexa Calix – Forward – Senior – All Conference 2x – led team in points 2022

– Sarah Gorder – Midfield – Senior – All Conference

– Ashley Gorder – Forward – Senior – All Conference

– Asia Ling – Junior – Defender – All Conference 2x

– Morgan Tucker – Junior – Forward – Leading goal scorer 2022

– Olivia Kennedy – Junior – Midfielder – All Conference

– Adi Robinson – Sophomore – Defender

Key non-starters returning (name, position, year):

– Raquel Sandoval – Senior – Goalie

– Jaylene Mercado – Sophomore – Midfielder

– Melenie Deleon – Sophomore – Forward

– Abigail Meneses – Junior – Forward

– Maya Piotrowski – Junior – Forward

– Isabelle Meza – Senior – Defender

– Melina Bernal – Junior – Defender

– Katie Kawa – Senior – Defender

– Ashley Carone – Senior – Forward

Key newcomers (name, position, year):

– Aria Lipa – Freshman – Defender

– Sophia Suarez – Sophomore – Midfielder

– Lejla Drndar – Freshman – Defender

– Lilyanna Sarli – Freshman – Forward

Coach’s Season Outlook: We are very optimistic about the season with a good blend of good experienced seniors and younger players who can really play. That balance typically leads to quality performances, but we will have to earn that. We plan to compete for eighty minutes every game and be a team that no one wants to play against. When we are in possession we will look to keep the ball, express our personalities, generate chances and score great goals. Our team goals always involve winning trophies and this year is no different. This season we need to prove that we should be mentioned among the best teams in the state.

School: Wells

Last year’s record: 3-3

Starters returning (name, position, year):

Jackie Castrejon, senior

Esmerelda Bravo, senior

Alexa Watson, junior

Kathy Martinez, sophomore

Magali Rodriguez, sophomore

Odalis Olea, sophomore

Ivette Diaz-Gaspar, sophomore 

Anny Dubon Murillo, sophomore

Key newcomers (name, position, year):

Genevieve Kloss, junior

Ana Melo Freire, sophomore

Armoni Williams, sophomore

Coach’s Season Outlook:

The girls are looking to build on their successes last season with some new additions and a strong core squad that is looking to work hard and stay strong as a team.