Bartlett besties Evans, Fowler
look forward to future
By Bill Stone
Bartlett sophomores Tessa Evans and Sabrina Fowler have enjoyed quite a ride as soccer teammates and friends.
They’ve often sat in Evans’ white Jeep Renegade in the school parking lot until the current stay-at-home measures to combat the COVID-19 outbreak were enacted.
For their afterschool practices with the Chicago Rush (formerly Bartlett Hawks) club soccer program, Fowler, still awaiting her driver’s license, often travels with Evans.
“I call it the Barbie car because it looks like the Barbie car I had when I was growing up,” Fowler said. “It’s white and very nice. It’s very sleek looking, and she’s always going to car washes so it’s very clean.”
Their soccer bond began in second grade as club teammates. It’s grown to best friends ever since Evans rejoined the club during middle school.
Even with the cancellation of this high school season, there still are many more miles on this journey.
The next entries are how much club soccer, if any, will happen this spring and summer and the arrival of June 15, the date when colleges can begin contacting rising high school juniors for recruiting.
Both already have made their mark nationally with their Chicago Rush teams and the club’s select teams and Super Y League entries that play throughout the Midwest in the summer. Both are considering playing in college, perhaps even at the same school.
“She’s one my best friends. We’re super close in soccer but outside of soccer we always see each other,” Evans said.
“At practice, we joke around with our coaches when it’s an appropriate time or laugh with teammates, make the most of every moment. But I always take it serious when I have to.”
During this layoff, the pair have struggled being apart and kept from their teammates. They’re still communicating via Face Time and are good for a game of Fortnite about every evening.
There’s another setback. With Fowler driver’s education classes also on hold, she probably won’t get her license until the end of the year.
“She’ll always be my ‘Uber’ driver. She was driving me everywhere, but that was because she was going to the same place,” Fowler said.
“I think about how easy it is to get along with her for sure and how funny she is. That’s outside of soccer. In soccer, I like how she pushes others, and she personally pushed me to be the best I can. I think we communicate really well together.”
Even as freshmen, Evans and Fowler were driving forces for Bartlett in 2019. Add Alexis DeRango, Madison Neer and Caitlin Yurkovich, and five freshmen were on varsity in all with 11 seniors. DeRango and Neer also play for the Chicago Rush.
Fowler played center back on defense usually with graduated Paige Bednarke or current senior Maddie Donnelly and started every game other than Senior Night.
“I think we all did a really good job working with the other players and sophomores to earn our positions,” Fowler said.
“I definitely was very scared making varsity my freshman year, but I felt that’s where I belonged. I knew I had to work for my starting spot.”
Evans started at attacking center midfield. Her three goals and one assist put her among the Hawks’ top returning scorers with current junior striker Serena Salvato (7 goals, 2 assists) and Donnelly (3 assists). The Hawks finished 7-13-2.
“I think it was super fun. It was a really good experience. I met a lot of girls, really nice. Our coaches were really great. They wanted us to be the best that we can be,” Evans said.
“I think I learned that we had a lot of critics that maybe didn’t always believe in us. I think we showed no matter what, we’re always going to be working hard and coaches talked that we have to be responsible and show a lot of good character.”
Fowler and Evans enjoyed the chance to play together full-time. That sometimes is the case with the Chicago Rush.
In club, Fowler can play in the younger 2004 age division because of her later birthdate, but she also often plays with Evans’ 2003 team.
They’ve achieved great team and individual achievements together and apart – and both have overcame personal challenges.
Evans bounced back from a slight MCL tear in her right knee to make her first of three appearances with Rush select team entries for the US Youth Soccer Presidents Cup. Evans’ team won the title twice, including this past fall.
In January, Fowler was elated to be among U15/16 girls selected to attend the 2020 USL Experience April 16-19 in Birmingham, Ala. before it was canceled officially March 12. Fowler was among 72 players in Girls and Boys 15/16 and 13/14 age groups representing 33 Super Y League clubs and 13 states.
“I’d play against the best girls in Super Y Under-15 or 16 girls,” Fowler said. “It was supposed to be a really good trip. The only thing I had to pay for was airfare. I would have been gone for a couple of days in nice, warm weather.”
Fowler solidified her invitation based on her play with Evans and the Rush during the Super Y Finals in December in Tampa, Fla. The Rush reached the semifinals.
There may have been additional pressure beforehand. Fowler was named among 11 players to watch at the finals as determined by the USL Scouting Network.
“To be recognized, I loved it. It was like, ‘Wow. My hard work is really paying off,’” Fowler said. “I personally was getting nervous but once in the game I was able to calm down and play my best.
That also heightens other people’s expectations, and you have to play to other people’s expectations so it pushes you. Overall, it’s a really cool feeling. You just feel really proud of yourself.”
As an eighth grader, Evans played up with the 2001 Chicago Rush girls as they won regionals and the Presidents Cup national title.
Evans achieved a great individual accomplishment by being the only nominee from her Rush team to try out for the select team but then suffered the MCL tear only three weeks later.
“That kind of showed me to be grateful, because nothing is guaranteed,” Evans said.
Fortunately, the damage was slight and surgery was not recommended. Instead, Evans went through extensive rehab and made herself able to play after still being recommended for the team despite missing tryouts. Evans continued wearing a knee brace until high school season.
“That definitely helped me to be more motivated to do my physical therapy at home, too, because I really wanted to be OK so I could play in the tournament,” Evans said.
“It was awesome. I got to meet a lot of cool people, and I have been doing that program every February since. Since I’m an ’03, next year will be the last time. I’m looking forward to having that because it’s always so much fun.”
The fun comes from each other and their teammates, old and new and coaches from whom they continue learning. Both said friendship is one of the greatest benefits of the sport.
Evans marvels at the additional friends she has made through her national PDP experience. One of them in Hawaii has verbally committed to UCLA.
“I’ve had so many new relations and people I’m meeting, and it’s helped with my work ethic. I never want to give up, and I want to give good energy on the field. With Super Y, I talk to people I’d probably never get the chance to meet because of soccer,” Evans said.
“I’ve learned that I have to have good time management and to make sure I take care of schoolwork and family before soccer. I have to be more disciplined than if I didn’t play soccer. I’m really outgoing and soccer has really helped. Sometimes you’re in situations where you get to ID (identification) camp. You don’t have a choice. You have to talk to people and that’s a really good life skill to have.”
An almost daily event they’re currently missing is going to Jamba Juice or Chipotle after high school practices and games with Neer and sometimes Donnelly.
“I think (soccer is) a great opportunity to meet friends, and I have built-in friends that I travel places with. I enjoy the energy and environment, and I enjoy the opportunities it has given me,”
Fowler said.
“I think I’ve definitely learned how perseverant I am and how much I like to succeed for sure. That’s what pushed me to get better so in order to get those results, I need to work for them.
“For school, both of my parents are teacher so I’m definitely expected to get good grades, and I’m always pushing myself. I do extra work to make sure I understand things. Definitely soccer has taught me you have to work for what you want.”
Friendship factored in Fowler’s early soccer success.
When she was in sixth grade, Fowler was disappointed about not being on the club’s higher-level team along with good friend Neer, whom she had played park district soccer with since age 3 with Fowler’s father as coach.
Fowler was determined to get promoted. She did.
“I think to this day if I didn’t push myself to where I am now, and now, especially pushing myself every day during this quarantine, making varsity as a freshman and being chosen to USL Experience, even though I wasn’t able to go,” Fowler said.
“I definitely was very shy when I was little and I also wanted to work hard to move up to play with (Neer). That’s what pushed me. But I’m so glad when I was on the other team. That’s where I found my friends that I hope to be friends with in college and after college.”
Can such talented friends and dedicated soccer players really be goofy? Yes, such as the cool journey to Florida for the Super Y League nationals.
Their coach said players couldn’t eat ice cream until after the tournament but at Sweet Tomatoes for a lunch break during action, Fowler couldn’t hold out any longer.
She began devouring ice cream as incognito as she could rapidly and humorously. Of course, Evans was right there recording the event.
“Sabrina got an ice cream cone and hid behind a wall. And it was funny. (And) she did not get in trouble,” Evans said.
“I was using two spoons, and it was really funny,” Fowler explained. “I tried to get it down before our coach could get us, but that day I really wanted ice cream. It was Florida. I was hot. I was like, ‘I really needed ice cream.’ ”
The chance to have official fun on the field with the Hawks will have to wait until 2021. Fowler was disappointed she didn’t get more time to patrol the defensive line with Donnelly, who filled in for Bednarke in 2019 but generally was outside.
Team bonding has continued as best as possible. At the start of the layoff, Donnelly created a video that features all 20 varsity players individually juggling a soccer ball and then passing to their left for the next player to continue the process.
“It’s different (than club) because in our high school we do a lot more stuff as a team. It’s super involved (like) weightlifting,” Evans said. “Our club team, we have a lot of training but we more need to make sure doing we’re weight training on our own. You’re more self-dependent. High school is more as a group. It’s more time consuming but it’s worth it.”
One of the last team bonding events before the layoff was at Bartlett’s auto shop class. The Hawks were taught how to change flat tires.
Unfortunately, Evans had already experienced a flat -- and Fowler again was a passenger -- in December soon after their return from Florida.
The weather was cold and they were in unfamiliar territory in the far west suburbs. They received assistance from a good Samaritan.
“The man who helped us was very nice,” Fowler said. “We offered to pay him, but he said just do something kind for somebody else.”
“It was before (our class), but now I know for the future, at least,” Evans said.
look forward to future
By Bill Stone
Bartlett sophomores Tessa Evans and Sabrina Fowler have enjoyed quite a ride as soccer teammates and friends.
They’ve often sat in Evans’ white Jeep Renegade in the school parking lot until the current stay-at-home measures to combat the COVID-19 outbreak were enacted.
For their afterschool practices with the Chicago Rush (formerly Bartlett Hawks) club soccer program, Fowler, still awaiting her driver’s license, often travels with Evans.
“I call it the Barbie car because it looks like the Barbie car I had when I was growing up,” Fowler said. “It’s white and very nice. It’s very sleek looking, and she’s always going to car washes so it’s very clean.”
Their soccer bond began in second grade as club teammates. It’s grown to best friends ever since Evans rejoined the club during middle school.
Even with the cancellation of this high school season, there still are many more miles on this journey.
The next entries are how much club soccer, if any, will happen this spring and summer and the arrival of June 15, the date when colleges can begin contacting rising high school juniors for recruiting.
Both already have made their mark nationally with their Chicago Rush teams and the club’s select teams and Super Y League entries that play throughout the Midwest in the summer. Both are considering playing in college, perhaps even at the same school.
“She’s one my best friends. We’re super close in soccer but outside of soccer we always see each other,” Evans said.
“At practice, we joke around with our coaches when it’s an appropriate time or laugh with teammates, make the most of every moment. But I always take it serious when I have to.”
During this layoff, the pair have struggled being apart and kept from their teammates. They’re still communicating via Face Time and are good for a game of Fortnite about every evening.
There’s another setback. With Fowler driver’s education classes also on hold, she probably won’t get her license until the end of the year.
“She’ll always be my ‘Uber’ driver. She was driving me everywhere, but that was because she was going to the same place,” Fowler said.
“I think about how easy it is to get along with her for sure and how funny she is. That’s outside of soccer. In soccer, I like how she pushes others, and she personally pushed me to be the best I can. I think we communicate really well together.”
Even as freshmen, Evans and Fowler were driving forces for Bartlett in 2019. Add Alexis DeRango, Madison Neer and Caitlin Yurkovich, and five freshmen were on varsity in all with 11 seniors. DeRango and Neer also play for the Chicago Rush.
Fowler played center back on defense usually with graduated Paige Bednarke or current senior Maddie Donnelly and started every game other than Senior Night.
“I think we all did a really good job working with the other players and sophomores to earn our positions,” Fowler said.
“I definitely was very scared making varsity my freshman year, but I felt that’s where I belonged. I knew I had to work for my starting spot.”
Evans started at attacking center midfield. Her three goals and one assist put her among the Hawks’ top returning scorers with current junior striker Serena Salvato (7 goals, 2 assists) and Donnelly (3 assists). The Hawks finished 7-13-2.
“I think it was super fun. It was a really good experience. I met a lot of girls, really nice. Our coaches were really great. They wanted us to be the best that we can be,” Evans said.
“I think I learned that we had a lot of critics that maybe didn’t always believe in us. I think we showed no matter what, we’re always going to be working hard and coaches talked that we have to be responsible and show a lot of good character.”
Fowler and Evans enjoyed the chance to play together full-time. That sometimes is the case with the Chicago Rush.
In club, Fowler can play in the younger 2004 age division because of her later birthdate, but she also often plays with Evans’ 2003 team.
They’ve achieved great team and individual achievements together and apart – and both have overcame personal challenges.
Evans bounced back from a slight MCL tear in her right knee to make her first of three appearances with Rush select team entries for the US Youth Soccer Presidents Cup. Evans’ team won the title twice, including this past fall.
In January, Fowler was elated to be among U15/16 girls selected to attend the 2020 USL Experience April 16-19 in Birmingham, Ala. before it was canceled officially March 12. Fowler was among 72 players in Girls and Boys 15/16 and 13/14 age groups representing 33 Super Y League clubs and 13 states.
“I’d play against the best girls in Super Y Under-15 or 16 girls,” Fowler said. “It was supposed to be a really good trip. The only thing I had to pay for was airfare. I would have been gone for a couple of days in nice, warm weather.”
Fowler solidified her invitation based on her play with Evans and the Rush during the Super Y Finals in December in Tampa, Fla. The Rush reached the semifinals.
There may have been additional pressure beforehand. Fowler was named among 11 players to watch at the finals as determined by the USL Scouting Network.
“To be recognized, I loved it. It was like, ‘Wow. My hard work is really paying off,’” Fowler said. “I personally was getting nervous but once in the game I was able to calm down and play my best.
That also heightens other people’s expectations, and you have to play to other people’s expectations so it pushes you. Overall, it’s a really cool feeling. You just feel really proud of yourself.”
As an eighth grader, Evans played up with the 2001 Chicago Rush girls as they won regionals and the Presidents Cup national title.
Evans achieved a great individual accomplishment by being the only nominee from her Rush team to try out for the select team but then suffered the MCL tear only three weeks later.
“That kind of showed me to be grateful, because nothing is guaranteed,” Evans said.
Fortunately, the damage was slight and surgery was not recommended. Instead, Evans went through extensive rehab and made herself able to play after still being recommended for the team despite missing tryouts. Evans continued wearing a knee brace until high school season.
“That definitely helped me to be more motivated to do my physical therapy at home, too, because I really wanted to be OK so I could play in the tournament,” Evans said.
“It was awesome. I got to meet a lot of cool people, and I have been doing that program every February since. Since I’m an ’03, next year will be the last time. I’m looking forward to having that because it’s always so much fun.”
The fun comes from each other and their teammates, old and new and coaches from whom they continue learning. Both said friendship is one of the greatest benefits of the sport.
Evans marvels at the additional friends she has made through her national PDP experience. One of them in Hawaii has verbally committed to UCLA.
“I’ve had so many new relations and people I’m meeting, and it’s helped with my work ethic. I never want to give up, and I want to give good energy on the field. With Super Y, I talk to people I’d probably never get the chance to meet because of soccer,” Evans said.
“I’ve learned that I have to have good time management and to make sure I take care of schoolwork and family before soccer. I have to be more disciplined than if I didn’t play soccer. I’m really outgoing and soccer has really helped. Sometimes you’re in situations where you get to ID (identification) camp. You don’t have a choice. You have to talk to people and that’s a really good life skill to have.”
An almost daily event they’re currently missing is going to Jamba Juice or Chipotle after high school practices and games with Neer and sometimes Donnelly.
“I think (soccer is) a great opportunity to meet friends, and I have built-in friends that I travel places with. I enjoy the energy and environment, and I enjoy the opportunities it has given me,”
Fowler said.
“I think I’ve definitely learned how perseverant I am and how much I like to succeed for sure. That’s what pushed me to get better so in order to get those results, I need to work for them.
“For school, both of my parents are teacher so I’m definitely expected to get good grades, and I’m always pushing myself. I do extra work to make sure I understand things. Definitely soccer has taught me you have to work for what you want.”
Friendship factored in Fowler’s early soccer success.
When she was in sixth grade, Fowler was disappointed about not being on the club’s higher-level team along with good friend Neer, whom she had played park district soccer with since age 3 with Fowler’s father as coach.
Fowler was determined to get promoted. She did.
“I think to this day if I didn’t push myself to where I am now, and now, especially pushing myself every day during this quarantine, making varsity as a freshman and being chosen to USL Experience, even though I wasn’t able to go,” Fowler said.
“I definitely was very shy when I was little and I also wanted to work hard to move up to play with (Neer). That’s what pushed me. But I’m so glad when I was on the other team. That’s where I found my friends that I hope to be friends with in college and after college.”
Can such talented friends and dedicated soccer players really be goofy? Yes, such as the cool journey to Florida for the Super Y League nationals.
Their coach said players couldn’t eat ice cream until after the tournament but at Sweet Tomatoes for a lunch break during action, Fowler couldn’t hold out any longer.
She began devouring ice cream as incognito as she could rapidly and humorously. Of course, Evans was right there recording the event.
“Sabrina got an ice cream cone and hid behind a wall. And it was funny. (And) she did not get in trouble,” Evans said.
“I was using two spoons, and it was really funny,” Fowler explained. “I tried to get it down before our coach could get us, but that day I really wanted ice cream. It was Florida. I was hot. I was like, ‘I really needed ice cream.’ ”
The chance to have official fun on the field with the Hawks will have to wait until 2021. Fowler was disappointed she didn’t get more time to patrol the defensive line with Donnelly, who filled in for Bednarke in 2019 but generally was outside.
Team bonding has continued as best as possible. At the start of the layoff, Donnelly created a video that features all 20 varsity players individually juggling a soccer ball and then passing to their left for the next player to continue the process.
“It’s different (than club) because in our high school we do a lot more stuff as a team. It’s super involved (like) weightlifting,” Evans said. “Our club team, we have a lot of training but we more need to make sure doing we’re weight training on our own. You’re more self-dependent. High school is more as a group. It’s more time consuming but it’s worth it.”
One of the last team bonding events before the layoff was at Bartlett’s auto shop class. The Hawks were taught how to change flat tires.
Unfortunately, Evans had already experienced a flat -- and Fowler again was a passenger -- in December soon after their return from Florida.
The weather was cold and they were in unfamiliar territory in the far west suburbs. They received assistance from a good Samaritan.
“The man who helped us was very nice,” Fowler said. “We offered to pay him, but he said just do something kind for somebody else.”
“It was before (our class), but now I know for the future, at least,” Evans said.