Ninness a net gain for Prospect
By Mike Garofola
There are several reasons for the goals-against statistical turnaround at Prospect during the past two seasons.
The emphasis on defending from front-to-back is certainly one reason for the change as has been the veteran leadership put forth by the likes of senior Ashley Erickson and 2019 graduates Madalyn Ladd and Helen Siavelis. On match days, that trio have helped squeeze the life out their opponents' attacks.
Then too, there's the player between the sticks. Is there a more important position than the goalkeeper?
Lost perhaps in a list of keepers from the high profile teams in the Mid-Suburban League like Jenny Norris (Fremd), Leah Eisenbarth (Barrington) and Olivia Messerges (Conant) would be Annie Ninness.
As a sophomore Ninness, and her teammates, were part of a 2019 campaign that saw the Lady Knights claim 12 clean-sheets and post a second-consecutive year in which the club surrendered under one goal per contest.
"Annie stepped into the starting role last year as a sophomore and didn't miss a beat," said manager Tom Froats, who in 2017 watched his club concede (35) during a 8-10-2 season.
"Her steady demeanor and style of play brought a calmness to an area of the pitch that can be both frenetic and unsettling even to the most calm of keepers, but not for Annie."
"It was a big change for sure after playing with the freshmen team, but my teammates in front of me made things really easy for me, kind of showing me the ropes during training and in our games," Ninness said.
"(So) with their help, it didn't take long for me to feel real comfortable being in the starting lineup for our varsity team."
Her career as a keeper began in fourth grade when the father of a friend coached her team and took her under his wing.
"(He) loved the sport, and especially the keeper position," Ninness said. "So he was the perfect guy to have as a mentor and someone who knew and understood what it took to play the position. He was the person that got me started in a positive way."
Ninness, who displays wonderful reflexes, diving abilities, proficient ball handling and distribution, calls Elite SC as her second soccer home. She plays with the U19 team along with teammates Kiley and Quinnn Whisler. The team is managed by former Fremd and Loyola University star Erika Butler.
Butler, who helped lead the Vikings into the supersectionals in 1999 where they lost to eventual state champion St. Charles was named Athlete of the Year at Fremd after that season.
Ninness' time with Butler and Elite SC has helped sharpen her game, which she still is considering taking to the collegiate level.
"Junior year is the time to take a real serious look at your options if you want to play in college," Ninness said. "Obviously it's something I've been thinking about. The COVID-19 situation has kind of put going to ID Camps on hold for now."
Ninness continues to train and work on her own, taking part in group chats with her teammates while staying in touch with Froats.
"(Coach) Froats does a really great job of staying connected with us during the season and offseason. Nothing has changed once our season was put on hold," Ninness said.
"He made me feel real comfortable when I first came with the varsity. It's another thing he does so well with our team - keeping things comfortable and positive."
Despite the loss of so many seniors from the 2019 club, including the trio of Ladd, Siavelis and Karson Keller who were all in front of Ninness in the regional final defeat to Fremd, the junior remains optimistic about this new season.
"With what I saw during our first couple of weeks of training, I feel like this team, in time, can be real dynamic once we get some games (in) and we sort things out."
By Mike Garofola
There are several reasons for the goals-against statistical turnaround at Prospect during the past two seasons.
The emphasis on defending from front-to-back is certainly one reason for the change as has been the veteran leadership put forth by the likes of senior Ashley Erickson and 2019 graduates Madalyn Ladd and Helen Siavelis. On match days, that trio have helped squeeze the life out their opponents' attacks.
Then too, there's the player between the sticks. Is there a more important position than the goalkeeper?
Lost perhaps in a list of keepers from the high profile teams in the Mid-Suburban League like Jenny Norris (Fremd), Leah Eisenbarth (Barrington) and Olivia Messerges (Conant) would be Annie Ninness.
As a sophomore Ninness, and her teammates, were part of a 2019 campaign that saw the Lady Knights claim 12 clean-sheets and post a second-consecutive year in which the club surrendered under one goal per contest.
"Annie stepped into the starting role last year as a sophomore and didn't miss a beat," said manager Tom Froats, who in 2017 watched his club concede (35) during a 8-10-2 season.
"Her steady demeanor and style of play brought a calmness to an area of the pitch that can be both frenetic and unsettling even to the most calm of keepers, but not for Annie."
"It was a big change for sure after playing with the freshmen team, but my teammates in front of me made things really easy for me, kind of showing me the ropes during training and in our games," Ninness said.
"(So) with their help, it didn't take long for me to feel real comfortable being in the starting lineup for our varsity team."
Her career as a keeper began in fourth grade when the father of a friend coached her team and took her under his wing.
"(He) loved the sport, and especially the keeper position," Ninness said. "So he was the perfect guy to have as a mentor and someone who knew and understood what it took to play the position. He was the person that got me started in a positive way."
Ninness, who displays wonderful reflexes, diving abilities, proficient ball handling and distribution, calls Elite SC as her second soccer home. She plays with the U19 team along with teammates Kiley and Quinnn Whisler. The team is managed by former Fremd and Loyola University star Erika Butler.
Butler, who helped lead the Vikings into the supersectionals in 1999 where they lost to eventual state champion St. Charles was named Athlete of the Year at Fremd after that season.
Ninness' time with Butler and Elite SC has helped sharpen her game, which she still is considering taking to the collegiate level.
"Junior year is the time to take a real serious look at your options if you want to play in college," Ninness said. "Obviously it's something I've been thinking about. The COVID-19 situation has kind of put going to ID Camps on hold for now."
Ninness continues to train and work on her own, taking part in group chats with her teammates while staying in touch with Froats.
"(Coach) Froats does a really great job of staying connected with us during the season and offseason. Nothing has changed once our season was put on hold," Ninness said.
"He made me feel real comfortable when I first came with the varsity. It's another thing he does so well with our team - keeping things comfortable and positive."
Despite the loss of so many seniors from the 2019 club, including the trio of Ladd, Siavelis and Karson Keller who were all in front of Ninness in the regional final defeat to Fremd, the junior remains optimistic about this new season.
"With what I saw during our first couple of weeks of training, I feel like this team, in time, can be real dynamic once we get some games (in) and we sort things out."