The report says Novak’s influence extended beyond her finishing. She was decisive in key moments, scoring the only goal against Stevenson and converting an important penalty against St. Viator to help Lake Zurich claim the regional title.
Castronova also believes her numbers could have been even stronger. The coach said Novak often chose to create chances for teammates rather than chase another goal, an indication of a forward increasingly comfortable carrying responsibility while still serving the team.
Her performance reportedly earned conference offensive player of the year recognition, another all-conference selection and a second all-state mention.
Novak’s development appears to have been driven by self-criticism. After a quieter previous season, she acknowledged: “Senti que perdi muito a bola e sabia que, no meu ano de júnior, precisava arriscar mais e ser mais egoísta.”
That change produced a more aggressive attacking presence without erasing her creative instincts. Teammate Teryn Gravistin reportedly praised Novak’s ability to find space, create opportunities and compete for every ball.
Her route to this point was not straightforward. Before moving to Illinois, Novak played both soccer and softball in Seattle, where she was a pitcher and shortstop. She ultimately chose soccer when the seasons began to overlap, explaining: “Escolhi o futebol em vez do softball porque as temporadas conflitavam.”
Novak is committed to Creighton, giving her next chapter a clear direction after a high school season built on production, resilience and leadership. She also reflected on the group behind the run: “Tivemos uma conexão muito forte como time nesta temporada, e guardo muitas boas memórias com o grupo.”
The next storyline will be whether that attacking confidence and all-around growth translate quickly to the college game.