Shutdown delays Devona's
ascension at Barrington
By Mike Garofola
One year after winning the 2017 Class 3A state title in dramatic fashion, Barrington repeated in sensational fashion.
That the Fillies lifted back-to-back championship trophies is due in part to the heroics to Jen Devona, who came to the program as an unheralded freshman forward and scored perhaps the biggest goal of the 2018 march to the repeat title.
"(That) 2017 team had it all: an unbelievable backline; a great keeper; scoring; depth; work ethic. But it also had a roster filled with several extremely talented seniors, which accounted for most of our first 11," recounted Fillies manager Ryan Stengren.
"We were not expected to get back to the state tournament (in 2018) with (St. Charles North) the number one-rated team in the state and nation at the time standing in our way in our supersectional."
On May 29, 2018, St. Charles North looked every bit of the that top-ranked team in the first half hour until Devona's shocking opener just before intermission inspired the Fillies to advance with a 2-0 victory.
"Most people might not remember Jen's goal late in the first half, but it turned that game around for us, and it would be the start of what has become a terrific career for her so far," said a proud Stengren.
"I can honestly say I do not even remember seeing the ball go into the back of the net," said Devona, who scored six times in her first season.
"I am pretty sure (Ashley) Rocco got the ball to me, and I just found a way to get something on my shot. But after, all I remember is my teammates hugging me after we scored."
Devona, who was in Stengrens' first 11 for most of the season, was either deployed up-top or as an attacking midfielder. She has improved like a fine wine according to Stengren.
"Jen is like a sponge. She works so hard, wants to get better and is one of those players who is so coachable," said Stengren.
"She had a great sophomore year last season, and from just those couple of weeks of training prior to when the COVID-19 crisis hit us, she was looked like she was ready to be one of the elite players in our area and the state."
"(Stengren) is easily the best coach I've ever been around," said Devona, who began as most Fillies do with the FCX club out of Barrington before following in the footsteps of current mates Tina Teik and Coast Liapis with a move up north to FC United.
"(Stengren) was the perfect coach for me during my freshmen year, because he knew when to hit the gas pedal to push me a little harder, and when to slow things down a bit. He was always so good because his line of communication is great, and he just knows how to bring us along at the right speed as the season goes along."
Devona, an easy choice for Chicagoland Soccer's All-State Watch List after last season, scored eight goals and helped on another eight in her sophomore campaign. But on a wonderfully balanced roster like Barrington’s, individual statistics hardly prove the worth of a player such as Devona.
If the Fillies junior is playing more of a deep-lying midfield position, she has the innate ability to pick an opponent’s pass. When a central midfielder, the two-year star provides provide thoughtful and meaningful distribution, while attacking with purpose and speed.
Technically proficient, her movement, quickness and deadly shot makes her quite capable of getting her name onto the score sheet on a regular basis.
Devona is between DePaul and Loyola for her next stop following the 2021 high school season. At DePaul, she got a close-up view of the campus and training facilities from former Barrington defensive star Jackie Batliner to help her with her decision.
Batliner, a key figure in the Fillies 2017 championship season, was a two-time Chicagoland Soccer All-Stater, twice named Mid-Suburban League West Division Player of the Year and three-year starter at DePaul ahead of her final season there.
"It was late January, early February when I went to hang-out with Jackie; it was a great visit and experience. We talked about everything from soccer to academics," said Devona, who will initially study Health Sciences.
The National Honor Society member has a 4.3 GPA (out of 4.0), has been a summer camp volunteer for boys head coach Scott Steib the last three summer sessions. She is also a mentor for the toddlers program at FCX.
The hope for Barrington to claim its ninth-straight league title, and fourth-consecutive trip to the state tournament was dashed after the IHSA spring season was cancelled.
"We were all doing our best to stay fit, and ready to go if and when the season would start again.” Devona said. “For me personally, it was important to go out there this year, do my best, help the team win, to play for seniors on this team who have provided great leadership and friendship."
ascension at Barrington
By Mike Garofola
One year after winning the 2017 Class 3A state title in dramatic fashion, Barrington repeated in sensational fashion.
That the Fillies lifted back-to-back championship trophies is due in part to the heroics to Jen Devona, who came to the program as an unheralded freshman forward and scored perhaps the biggest goal of the 2018 march to the repeat title.
"(That) 2017 team had it all: an unbelievable backline; a great keeper; scoring; depth; work ethic. But it also had a roster filled with several extremely talented seniors, which accounted for most of our first 11," recounted Fillies manager Ryan Stengren.
"We were not expected to get back to the state tournament (in 2018) with (St. Charles North) the number one-rated team in the state and nation at the time standing in our way in our supersectional."
On May 29, 2018, St. Charles North looked every bit of the that top-ranked team in the first half hour until Devona's shocking opener just before intermission inspired the Fillies to advance with a 2-0 victory.
"Most people might not remember Jen's goal late in the first half, but it turned that game around for us, and it would be the start of what has become a terrific career for her so far," said a proud Stengren.
"I can honestly say I do not even remember seeing the ball go into the back of the net," said Devona, who scored six times in her first season.
"I am pretty sure (Ashley) Rocco got the ball to me, and I just found a way to get something on my shot. But after, all I remember is my teammates hugging me after we scored."
Devona, who was in Stengrens' first 11 for most of the season, was either deployed up-top or as an attacking midfielder. She has improved like a fine wine according to Stengren.
"Jen is like a sponge. She works so hard, wants to get better and is one of those players who is so coachable," said Stengren.
"She had a great sophomore year last season, and from just those couple of weeks of training prior to when the COVID-19 crisis hit us, she was looked like she was ready to be one of the elite players in our area and the state."
"(Stengren) is easily the best coach I've ever been around," said Devona, who began as most Fillies do with the FCX club out of Barrington before following in the footsteps of current mates Tina Teik and Coast Liapis with a move up north to FC United.
"(Stengren) was the perfect coach for me during my freshmen year, because he knew when to hit the gas pedal to push me a little harder, and when to slow things down a bit. He was always so good because his line of communication is great, and he just knows how to bring us along at the right speed as the season goes along."
Devona, an easy choice for Chicagoland Soccer's All-State Watch List after last season, scored eight goals and helped on another eight in her sophomore campaign. But on a wonderfully balanced roster like Barrington’s, individual statistics hardly prove the worth of a player such as Devona.
If the Fillies junior is playing more of a deep-lying midfield position, she has the innate ability to pick an opponent’s pass. When a central midfielder, the two-year star provides provide thoughtful and meaningful distribution, while attacking with purpose and speed.
Technically proficient, her movement, quickness and deadly shot makes her quite capable of getting her name onto the score sheet on a regular basis.
Devona is between DePaul and Loyola for her next stop following the 2021 high school season. At DePaul, she got a close-up view of the campus and training facilities from former Barrington defensive star Jackie Batliner to help her with her decision.
Batliner, a key figure in the Fillies 2017 championship season, was a two-time Chicagoland Soccer All-Stater, twice named Mid-Suburban League West Division Player of the Year and three-year starter at DePaul ahead of her final season there.
"It was late January, early February when I went to hang-out with Jackie; it was a great visit and experience. We talked about everything from soccer to academics," said Devona, who will initially study Health Sciences.
The National Honor Society member has a 4.3 GPA (out of 4.0), has been a summer camp volunteer for boys head coach Scott Steib the last three summer sessions. She is also a mentor for the toddlers program at FCX.
The hope for Barrington to claim its ninth-straight league title, and fourth-consecutive trip to the state tournament was dashed after the IHSA spring season was cancelled.
"We were all doing our best to stay fit, and ready to go if and when the season would start again.” Devona said. “For me personally, it was important to go out there this year, do my best, help the team win, to play for seniors on this team who have provided great leadership and friendship."