The senior striker smashed the program record with 29 goals, set the career record as well and helped the Timberwolves reach the sectional round for the first time in almost a decade.

Prolific goal scorers. Lockdown defenders. Midfielders that do both. We look at the top players in the Daily Chronicle coverage area.

DeKalb surged late. Kaneland broke through in the postseason. And Indian Creek had its most successful season. Throw in some record-setting performances and there were a lot of highlights in the 2023 girls’ soccer season.

For 78 minutes Tuesday, the Benet girls soccer team pushed, pushed and pushed some more in the hopes of eking out a goal against a tough-as-nails Kaneland defense. Benet kept knocking, and finally scored two goals in the final two minutes for a 2-0 sectional semifinal win.

Facing a seemingly never-ending offensive assault from Alleman Catholic, Molly Feitlich and the Timberwolves saw their magical season come to an end after a 7-1 loss to the Pioneers in the Class 1A Hinckley-Big Rock championship game.

Grace Helzer had a hat trick, including a pivotal goal before halftime, as Huntley won its first regional since 2017 with a 5-0 win over DeKalb, which was in its first regional final since 2017.

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The Indian Creek girls soccer team met Alleman Catholic in a Class 1A sectional final Friday afternoon at Hinckley-Big Rock High School.

Maria Falkowska scored a first-half goal and Alayna Cooper and the Prairie Ridge defense made it hold up in the No. 7 Wolves' 1-0 upset over No. 4 Sycamore.

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The Sycamore and Prairie Ridge girls soccer teams met Wednesday in a Class 2A regional game at Sycamore High School.