Resilient Spinell scores Chicagoland Soccer Player of the Year honor
By Patrick Z. McGavin
Around 9 p.m. on Saturday, June 3, Sophia Spinell stood at the south end of the stadium at North Central College with the chance to finish what she could not two years earlier.
Barrington's star senior midfielder ran to the spot, addressed the ball and drilled a laser into the lower left corner. The shot would give the Fillies their first state championship.
After 100 minutes of scoreless soccer against New Trier in the big school title game, Spinell's finish as the third shooter became the clincher after the Trevians missed their trio of attempts.
“What a great way for me to get redemption against the team that had ended our season a couple of times,” Spinell said.
The Fillies’ victory over three-time defending champion New Trier punctuated a remarkable accomplishment for Spinell who finished with a team-best 18 goals and 26 assists.
Two years earlier as a sophomore, Spinell watched her state semifinal penalty kick against the Trevians hit off the post in regulation. New Trier eventually won the game 1-0 in double overtime.
“That was hard,” she said.
Spinell grew from the experience and blossomed into one of the state's best players. For her achievements this season, Sophia Spinell is the Chicagoland Soccer Player of the Year.
“That is pretty resilient on her part and for her to achieve what she did,” Barrington coach Ryan Stengren. “What a story, getting to redeem herself like that.”
And the Fillies' tale kept adding chapters.
Barrington (28-1-0), which was ranked no. 1 in the last four Chicagoland Soccer polls, was named the national champion in the final polls for both Top Drawer Soccer and USA Today/NSCAA.
Spinell was at her best in the state tournament. She scored two goals and recorded an assist in the Fillies’ 3-0 sectional final victory over Warren. She assisted Michayla Herr for the game-winner in the state semifinal victory over Downers Grove North.
“Once we got to the state tournament, we all knew we had to contribute a little bit more,” she said. “We had to take it up a level because of the competition and knowing we were expecting to play our hardest games of the year.”
Spinell, a two-time Chicagoland Soccer all-stater who's headed to play at Miami of Ohio, played with purpose, passion and radiated style and movement.
Her progress has entailed both the physical and psychological.
“I knew when she came into our program as a freshman she was good and really liked the sport,” Stengren said. “Did I know she’d become this good? That is something you can never predict. She always was very coachable, and had the right attitude and the determination to be the best.”
Spinell began on the varsity as a freshman. She did not start right away. She had to begin her Fillies career as an observer, watching great players like Jenna Szczesny, the centerpiece of the team.
“Initially as a freshman, I was around a lot of older leaders who really knew how to lead the team. And they set a really good example of something to look up to and aspire toward,” she said.
She fused her natural ability to a strong desire to improve. She got stronger and faster and her role on the team expanded. “Her point totals went up every year,” Stengren said.
She used the the experience of watching and applied the lessons to her play.
“I am a sucker for the offensive end, where I able to use my technical ability to get crosses,” she said. “Obviously scoring is fun, but I get my biggest thrill from getting the balls into the box. I love serving the ball, doing footwork and all of the crosses.”
She came into her own as a junior with 17 goals and 17 assists for the 22-2-4 team that was stunned in the supersectional by Huntley. Agile and explosive, she combined vision, strength and ability to anticipate the game in breathtaking fashion.
“I have always been an offensive player, and I have played almost every offensive position. So I have the different perspectives of knowing the game. Being able to dominate the game as an outside midfielder, I could see how the rest of the game developed,” she said.
Her progress led to a greater confidence. Her leadership, in conjunction with senior defender Jackie Batliner, elevated the program to unprecedented levels.
“Sophia was a great leader, especially some of the speeches she made before games,” Stengren said. “Dribbling, cutting and serving, those are her greatest skills but as she got bigger and faster, her technical game got a lot better. She was a midfielder who acted as a forward.
“The bigger the game, she just rose to the occasion.”
By Patrick Z. McGavin
Around 9 p.m. on Saturday, June 3, Sophia Spinell stood at the south end of the stadium at North Central College with the chance to finish what she could not two years earlier.
Barrington's star senior midfielder ran to the spot, addressed the ball and drilled a laser into the lower left corner. The shot would give the Fillies their first state championship.
After 100 minutes of scoreless soccer against New Trier in the big school title game, Spinell's finish as the third shooter became the clincher after the Trevians missed their trio of attempts.
“What a great way for me to get redemption against the team that had ended our season a couple of times,” Spinell said.
The Fillies’ victory over three-time defending champion New Trier punctuated a remarkable accomplishment for Spinell who finished with a team-best 18 goals and 26 assists.
Two years earlier as a sophomore, Spinell watched her state semifinal penalty kick against the Trevians hit off the post in regulation. New Trier eventually won the game 1-0 in double overtime.
“That was hard,” she said.
Spinell grew from the experience and blossomed into one of the state's best players. For her achievements this season, Sophia Spinell is the Chicagoland Soccer Player of the Year.
“That is pretty resilient on her part and for her to achieve what she did,” Barrington coach Ryan Stengren. “What a story, getting to redeem herself like that.”
And the Fillies' tale kept adding chapters.
Barrington (28-1-0), which was ranked no. 1 in the last four Chicagoland Soccer polls, was named the national champion in the final polls for both Top Drawer Soccer and USA Today/NSCAA.
Spinell was at her best in the state tournament. She scored two goals and recorded an assist in the Fillies’ 3-0 sectional final victory over Warren. She assisted Michayla Herr for the game-winner in the state semifinal victory over Downers Grove North.
“Once we got to the state tournament, we all knew we had to contribute a little bit more,” she said. “We had to take it up a level because of the competition and knowing we were expecting to play our hardest games of the year.”
Spinell, a two-time Chicagoland Soccer all-stater who's headed to play at Miami of Ohio, played with purpose, passion and radiated style and movement.
Her progress has entailed both the physical and psychological.
“I knew when she came into our program as a freshman she was good and really liked the sport,” Stengren said. “Did I know she’d become this good? That is something you can never predict. She always was very coachable, and had the right attitude and the determination to be the best.”
Spinell began on the varsity as a freshman. She did not start right away. She had to begin her Fillies career as an observer, watching great players like Jenna Szczesny, the centerpiece of the team.
“Initially as a freshman, I was around a lot of older leaders who really knew how to lead the team. And they set a really good example of something to look up to and aspire toward,” she said.
She fused her natural ability to a strong desire to improve. She got stronger and faster and her role on the team expanded. “Her point totals went up every year,” Stengren said.
She used the the experience of watching and applied the lessons to her play.
“I am a sucker for the offensive end, where I able to use my technical ability to get crosses,” she said. “Obviously scoring is fun, but I get my biggest thrill from getting the balls into the box. I love serving the ball, doing footwork and all of the crosses.”
She came into her own as a junior with 17 goals and 17 assists for the 22-2-4 team that was stunned in the supersectional by Huntley. Agile and explosive, she combined vision, strength and ability to anticipate the game in breathtaking fashion.
“I have always been an offensive player, and I have played almost every offensive position. So I have the different perspectives of knowing the game. Being able to dominate the game as an outside midfielder, I could see how the rest of the game developed,” she said.
Her progress led to a greater confidence. Her leadership, in conjunction with senior defender Jackie Batliner, elevated the program to unprecedented levels.
“Sophia was a great leader, especially some of the speeches she made before games,” Stengren said. “Dribbling, cutting and serving, those are her greatest skills but as she got bigger and faster, her technical game got a lot better. She was a midfielder who acted as a forward.
“The bigger the game, she just rose to the occasion.”