http://highschoolsports.suntimes.com Latest news from the Chicago Sun-Times - High School Sports en-us webmaster@suntimes.com (Editor) Newspapers http://highschoolsports.suntimes.com/csp/cms/sites/YourSeason/assets/img/logo.gif http://highschoolsports.suntimes.com 84 34 30 Copyright 2013 When Courtney Raetzman arrived as a freshman at Conant four years ago, the Cougars’ soccer program had little history or success to draw on. ‘‘The farthest we ever advanced [in the state tournament] was a sectional semifinal,’’ Conant coach Jason Franco said. The dynamic Raetzman changed everything. The 5-foot forward propelled the Cougars to two state trophies and punctuated her four-year career … ]]> Sat, 02 Jun 2012 18:46:03 CST http://highschoolsports.suntimes.com/schools/conant/girls_soccer/12938930-393/girls-soccer-player-of-the-year-courtney-raetzman-synonymous-with-conants-success.html http://highschoolsports.suntimes.com/schools/conant/girls_soccer/12938930-393/girls-soccer-player-of-the-year-courtney-raetzman-synonymous-with-conants-success.html Her career has just started, but Leah Celarek in a blinding instant had a moment she is not likely to ever forget. The Conant freshman forward controlled a loose ball and smashed in a left-foot shot from about 14 yards out in the 72nd minute that proved the game-winner in host No. 5 Conant’s thrilling 2-1 win over No. 6 Schaumburg Monday … ]]> Mon, 16 Apr 2012 22:34:53 CST http://highschoolsports.suntimes.com/schools/conant/girls_soccer/11950299-393/girls-soccer-leah-celarek-leads-conant-comeback-against-schaumburg.html http://highschoolsports.suntimes.com/schools/conant/girls_soccer/11950299-393/girls-soccer-leah-celarek-leads-conant-comeback-against-schaumburg.html In preparation for the match against No.2 Conant, Barrington coach Ryan Stengren emphasized two key areas where he felt his team needed to be particularly strong in order to upset the Cougars. One area was to play a disciplined defensive game against the Cougars’ powerful attack, which features University of Kentucky recruit Courtney Raetzman. The second was to capitalize on its advantage … ]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 22:21:56 CST http://highschoolsports.suntimes.com/schools/conant/girls_soccer/11891582-393/girls-soccer-barrington-upsets-conant.html http://highschoolsports.suntimes.com/schools/conant/girls_soccer/11891582-393/girls-soccer-barrington-upsets-conant.html Beauty is the eye of the beholder. Sometimes, the eye deceives. Courtney Raetzman is a brilliant example. The Conant senior forward is electric in the open field. “She sure is an exciting player to watch,” Schaumburg coach Greg Charvat said. “She’s just so quick. The score could be zero-zero and she comes down, passes through a double team and scores. “Any time … ]]> Fri, 06 Apr 2012 17:40:29 CST http://highschoolsports.suntimes.com/schools/conant/girls_soccer/11756906-393/girls-soccer-courtney-raetzmans-game-is-gigantic.html http://highschoolsports.suntimes.com/schools/conant/girls_soccer/11756906-393/girls-soccer-courtney-raetzmans-game-is-gigantic.html Top 10 teams • 1. Naperville North: First-year coach Steve Goletz returns seven starters from last year’s Class 3A state runner-up, keyed by junior forward Zoe Swift and all-conference players Hunter Drendel and Christa Szalach. As if that weren’t enough, the Huskies also celebrate the return of Northwestern-bound Jen Korn. • 2. Neuqua Valley: The Wildcats return five starters from last year’s … ]]> Wed, 09 May 2012 10:23:07 CST http://highschoolsports.suntimes.com/schools/conant/girls_soccer/11427774-393/girls-soccer-top-10-teams-top-50-players.html http://highschoolsports.suntimes.com/schools/conant/girls_soccer/11427774-393/girls-soccer-top-10-teams-top-50-players.html She is magic in the open field, a dynamic and creative playmaker. Conant senior forward Courtney Raetzman also had a personal score to settle with St. Charles North. Two years ago, the North Stars blasted the Cougars 5-0 in a Class 3A sectional game, denying Raetzman and the rest of the Cougars a chance to earn a second consecutive state tournament final. … ]]> Thu, 15 Mar 2012 21:44:09 CST http://highschoolsports.suntimes.com/schools/conant/girls_soccer/11328287-393/girls-soccer-conant-holds-off-st-charles-north.html http://highschoolsports.suntimes.com/schools/conant/girls_soccer/11328287-393/girls-soccer-conant-holds-off-st-charles-north.html It was a Mid-Suburban West grudge match, this time with a state trophy at stake. Sammi van de Linde scored twice and Kaitlin Chiero had a goal and an assist as Conant reeled off four straight goals to rally from an early deficit for a 4-2 victory Saturday over conference rival Fremd in the Class 3A third-place game. “We knew what we … ]]> Sat, 04 Jun 2011 22:16:00 CST http://highschoolsports.suntimes.com/schools/conant/girls_soccer/5782817-393/conant-overcomes-fremd-for-third.html http://highschoolsports.suntimes.com/schools/conant/girls_soccer/5782817-393/conant-overcomes-fremd-for-third.html
Naperville North is used to doing the dirty work of eliminating some the nation’s top teams from the Class 3A playoffs. This time the Huskies want to reap the rewards. The Huskies are one game away after Zoe Swift scored an early goal and Naperville North’s defense grinded out its fifth 1-0 victory of the playoffs in a Class 3A state semifinal … ]]> Fri, 03 Jun 2011 21:59:11 CST http://highschoolsports.suntimes.com/schools/conant/girls_soccer/5763166-393/naperville-north-shuts-down-conant.html http://highschoolsports.suntimes.com/schools/conant/girls_soccer/5763166-393/naperville-north-shuts-down-conant.html
Headlined by five players who helped their teams to undefeated regular seasons, the 2011 Sun-Times All-Area squad features seven players who will play Division I soccer in the fall. Two of them — including the only sophomore on the team — have extensive experience within the U.S. national youth system, and all of them have distinguished themselves as the area’s best. Laura … ]]> Fri, 03 Jun 2011 18:49:10 CST http://highschoolsports.suntimes.com/schools/conant/girls_soccer/5743906-393/loaded-all-area-team-tough-to-beat.html http://highschoolsports.suntimes.com/schools/conant/girls_soccer/5743906-393/loaded-all-area-team-tough-to-beat.html Zoe Swift and Naperville North derailed Neuqua Valley’s perfect season and picked up a sectional title for their troubles. They followed that up with a win over No. 3 York and supersectional title. On Friday, the Huskies will have their chance to punch their ticket to the Class 3A state title game. And at this point, it would be a mistake to … ]]> Wed, 01 Jun 2011 22:59:54 CST http://highschoolsports.suntimes.com/schools/conant/girls_soccer/5727212-393/dont-count-out-naperville-north.html http://highschoolsports.suntimes.com/schools/conant/girls_soccer/5727212-393/dont-count-out-naperville-north.html Courtney Raetzman figured if Conant scored first, her and the Cougars could beat Loyola. Sammie Van de Linde did just that in the 17th minute Tuesday, and Conant made the goal stand up in a 1-0 win over Loyola to capture the championship at the Elk Grove Supersectional. Van de Linde got herself free in front of the net and pounded a … ]]> Tue, 31 May 2011 22:44:29 CST http://highschoolsports.suntimes.com/schools/conant/girls_soccer/5704931-393/conant-pulls-upset-against-loyola.html http://highschoolsports.suntimes.com/schools/conant/girls_soccer/5704931-393/conant-pulls-upset-against-loyola.html Conant’s Courtney Raetzman and Kaitlin Chiero are dangerous enough threats all by themselves. When they combine, the Cougars are downright unstoppable. Chiero scored twice and Raetzman had a goal and assisted on one of Cheiro’s scores to lead No. 5 Conant to a 4-1 victory Wednesday over host Palatine. “At the beginning of year we were more spread out on the field … ]]> Wed, 04 May 2011 20:32:42 CST http://highschoolsports.suntimes.com/schools/conant/girls_soccer/5192220-393/conant-duo-too-much-for-palatine.html http://highschoolsports.suntimes.com/schools/conant/girls_soccer/5192220-393/conant-duo-too-much-for-palatine.html After her hat trick paced Conant in a 5-0 win over Rolling Meadows on Saturday, Courtney Raetzman had no idea how many goals she has scored or what her No. 3 Cougars’ record is this season. The girl just plays the game. For the record, Conant improved to 12-2 with Saturday’s win, also getting goals from Kaitlin Chiero and Alyssa Altosino and … ]]> Sat, 30 Apr 2011 22:22:28 CST http://highschoolsports.suntimes.com/schools/conant/girls_soccer/5120479-393/raetzman-paces-conant-past-rolling-meadows.html http://highschoolsports.suntimes.com/schools/conant/girls_soccer/5120479-393/raetzman-paces-conant-past-rolling-meadows.html Given the choice, Neuqua Valley's Noelle Leary will fire left-footed every time, but she took what Conant's defense gave her on Wednesday. Leary's goal at 65 minutes of No. 1 Neuqua's game against No. 4 Conant came off her right foot from 20 yards out, and stood up as the game-winner the Wildcats' 2-1 victory in opening-round play of the Naperville Invitational. … ]]> Mon, 25 Apr 2011 06:22:01 CST http://highschoolsports.suntimes.com/schools/conant/girls_soccer/5009879-393/leary-gets-neuqua-off-on-right-foot.html http://highschoolsports.suntimes.com/schools/conant/girls_soccer/5009879-393/leary-gets-neuqua-off-on-right-foot.html Conant 3, Elk Grove 0: Courtney Raetzman had a goal and an assist for Conant (7-0). … ]]> Thu, 14 Apr 2011 14:18:04 CST http://highschoolsports.suntimes.com/schools/conant/girls_soccer/4834367-393/conant-tops-elk-grove.html http://highschoolsports.suntimes.com/schools/conant/girls_soccer/4834367-393/conant-tops-elk-grove.html