Naperville Sun All-Area girls soccer team

Updated: June 24, 2011 2:53PM

When it comes to selecting the Naperville Sun’s All-Area squad, the bar is just about the same as is used for picking the state’s best girls soccer players.

That’s not just a bold claim; it’s a fact since six members of the Sun All-Area crew can also be found on the Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association All-State unit.

Any all-area honor unit has to start with the Player of the Year — Neuqua Valley’s Megan Oyster. The consummate defender earned IHSSCA All-State notoriety for the fourth consecutive year and was recently in Chula Vista, Calif., as a member of the U.S. Under-20 Women’s National Team.

The UCLA signee was also chosen Gatorade Player of the Year for Illinois. Last year’s accolades included Parade Magazine All-America as well as ESPN Rise All-America distinction. Veteran coach Joe Moreau’s best comment on her ability was the admission “We’re able to play a three-back defense strictly because of Megan. I can guarantee you we won’t be doing that next season.”

Neuqua Valley didn’t run off 24 straight victories without other talented players and one of those who was most prominent on the offensive end of the field was Zoey Goralski, who led the Sun area schools in points (50), tied for first in assists (14) and was second in goals scored (18).

The sophomore was another IHSSCA All-State pick as was Naperville North’s Zoe Swift, who helped the Huskies (18-6-1) knock off the Wildcats and go on to take second in the 3A state finals. The sophomore forward established herself as one of the Huskies’ most potent offensive threats, compiling a team-high 23 points off a team-best 11 goals.

Since even IHSSCA voters designated Naperville Central’s Jill D’Amico and Metea Valley’s Megan Geldernick as All-State goalies, both keepers earn positions on the All-Area unit as well. Bad news for opponents, both will be back with D’Amico aiming to claim All-State acclaim for a third year by surpassing her 8.0 shutouts (seven solo and two shared) while Geldernick looks to increase her 6.5 tally (four solo and five shared).

The sixth All-Area pick boasting IHSSCA All-State credentials is Naperville Central’s talented senior midfielder Krissy Many, whose versatility in distributing and directing play through the middle made her invaluable in the Redhawks’ 14-7-3 season and fourth consecutive DuPage Valley Conference crown.

Two of the reasons defending 3A state champion Waubonsie Valley was back in the Top 10 poll and a formidable post-season opponent would be the All-Area duo of senior midfielder Megan Green — team-bests for points (36), goals (12), match winners (6), and assists (12) — plus sophomore mid Jenna Romano, an 18-point contributor (6 goals/6 assists), whose abilities ranged from being a threat up top to another formidable defender when dropping back. Both Warriors earned IHSSCA All-Section 8 standing, which is common among the remaining All-Area selections.

Neuqua Valley senior Alexa Wilde led the area in goals scored (20) and was second in point production (42) to bolster a Wildcat attack that outscored its opposition 105-11.

One of the reasons Benet put together yet another superlative season (18-6-3) was the manner in which senior Brittany Pullen bolstered the attack (26 points — 11 goals/4 assists) while Maria Schwabe’s consistency and tenacity helped the Redwings whitewash 14 opponents.

Of course Schwabe’s ability to partner with goalkeeper Claire Munaretto made the senior keeper the individual to head up the honorable mention choices that in any other season would undoubtedly be first-team picks.

Those players include Metea Valley teammates Jenna Kentgen (freshman forward) and Alexis McKay (junior defender), Naperville Central’s Veronica Ellis (sophomore middle), Benet’s Kelly Diedrich (senior defender), Naperville North’s Adrienne Schertz (senior defender) and Jamie Meno (senior defender), the Waubonsie Valley duo of Mary Wright (senior defender) and Kristen Brots (freshman middle), plus Neuqua Valley teammates Hope D’Addario (sophomore middle) and Noelle Leary (senior middle).

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