JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers SKILLS—Jillian DeGennaro, right, keeps the ball from Oak Park's Kaycee Holcomb. Sophomore Jillian DeGennaro is a standout goal scorer for the La Reina girls' soccer squad, having found the back of the net a team-high 14 times entering Wednesday.

The 15-year-old, in her second year with the Regents' varsity team, took time out of practice this week to answer 10 questions. Here's what she had to say:

Q) Jillian, you lead the team in scoring. Didn't anyone tell you sophomores aren't supposed to do that at this level?

A) No. They didn't really mention that. I'd heard that freshmen often start strong but have less success their sophomore year because teams around the league know them better.

Q) In the Regents' first six matches of the year you scored seven goals. Did you feel like you were really in the zone at that point?

A) I was really excited for the new season, and I was trying to make it a good one. I was just really pumped up at that point.

Q) What about your hat trick against Carpinteria on Jan. 9. Was that the best game of your high school career?

A) It definitely was in terms of goal scoring. I had a good game, but maybe not my best game.

Q) How excited is the team about the upcoming CIFSouthern Section playoffs?

A) We're very excited and are looking forward to it as long as we make it.

Q) Based on how well your team has competed against strong programs like Oaks Christian and Oak Park, can the Regents, if things break your way, win a CIFSS championship?

A) It'll definitely be difficult, but we have a good team that's always working hard. As long as we keep focused, stay dedicated, practice and come to play in the games, I think we can do pretty well.

Q) Who is La Reina's unsung hero on the pitch?

A) I don't know if they're under the radar, but two of our really good players are senior cocaptains Kelsea Brajkovich and Megan Scanlon. They've done an amazing job on defense for us and have really kept us in a lot of games.

Q) Is there a soccer player— professional or college—you model your game after?

A) Abby Wambach (USA women's national team member). I really like her style. I don't know if I model myself after her, but I've seen her play, and she's amazing.

Q) What's the best part and the worst part about attending an allgirls school?

A) The best part is it's so easy to be yourself. I mean, nobody cares about impressing each other. It's so relaxed and such a good learning environment.

The worst part, I'd have to say, is probably not having boys around. It can be a little boring at times, but it's still a really good environment because everyone is nice and welcoming.

Q) As an offensiveminded forward, when you look at your team's defense, how tough is it to score on them?

A) They're very tough, and they've been working hard this year. We have a solid back four. All of them are playing tough.

Q) The World Cup is in South Africa next year. If you could attend that event or receive a $2,500 shopping spree at The Oaks mall, which would you choose?

A) I would definitely choose the World Cup, just because it's a once in a lifetime opportunity. The atmosphere—everything about it is cool. You can go shopping any time, but you can't go to the World Cup anytime you want to. — Stephen Dorman