Naperville North's Sylvester
finds the silver lining
By Matt Le Cren
Paige Sylvester is Naperville North’s shining light.
Most people have a happy face; Sylvester is a perpetual happy face.
The senior defender is often smiling and has an innate ability to keep her teammates’ spirits up during good times and bad. That trait will be put to good use after after the IHSA officially cancelled the season April 21.
“My parents describe me as I’ve always had a smile on my face from the time I wake up until the time I go to bed,” Sylvester said. “I appreciate life, I guess you could say.
“I’ve gone through tough times of my own and (appreciate) having someone there to make me happy, so I want to be there for other people.
“I try to make sure everyone’s having fun and the new kids are meeting everyone. I’m just myself; like to smile and laugh.”
The Huskies had had plenty to smile and laugh about during Sylvester’s first two varsity seasons. The first ended with North finishing third at the 2018 state finals and the second with the Huskies capturing their third state championship since 2012.
Sylvester’s skill at right back is unquestionable, but her positive attitude is unmatched.
“One of the things that comes to mind with Paige is just her energy and her enthusiasm,” senior striker Hannah Martin said. “She’s always making everyone around her feel included and part of a family.
“That’s one of the big things I think of when I think of Paige - everyone likes her. She’s always there, and she’s a super reliable person on the field.
“She makes the team a family, and I know she can always make people laugh and that’s just part of the North family.”
Indeed, Sylvester’s immediate family has been a big part of the soccer program at North, which can be considered her extended family.
Sylvester is the youngest of four siblings who have played soccer for the Huskies. Her brother, Matty, was the starting right back on the boys team that reached the supersectionals when he was a senior in 2014.
Matty played one year at Elmhurst College before joining the Army, where he is now a sergeant working in an intelligence unit.
Sylvester’s older sisters, Jill and Kelly, each played varsity soccer as seniors. Kelly just completed her junior year at Olivet Nazarene, where she was an NAIA honorable mention all-American defender last fall.
“Her family has been a staple for Naperville North,” Naperville North coach Steve Goletz said. “They’re all just hard-working kids, doing whatever you ask as a coach and giving you everything that they’ve got.”
Sylvester and her teammates had to give everything they had in last year’s state championship game against Barrington. The Huskies won on penalty kicks after not mustering a shot during regulation or overtime.
The triumph was especially meaningful for Sylvester, Martin, Leah Shumate and Emily Magee, who have been teammates since they were little kids. How little?
“I’ve been playing soccer with Leah since I was four years old and with Emily since I was 6 and with Hannah since I was 7,” Sylvester said. “The four us have been kind of a foursome. Playing together, we just click; and we always know that we have each other’s back.”
All of that experience culminated in a dream ending to their junior seasons.
“That game was really cool,” Sylvester said. “It was like all those years of practicing together was for that exact moment.
“We all played a different role in that game, so it was special for me. Honestly, it’s the best day of my life so far.”
Sylvester was a midfielder on the 2018 team that lost to Barrington in the state semifinal, so the chance to get some revenge was sweet.
But the Huskies were huge underdogs and Sylvester, who had switched to right back, had the most difficult time. While center backs Magee and then-senior Reilly Riggs bore most of the pressure from Barrington’s relentless attack, Sylvester wasn’t 100 percent healthy and frequently found herself running out of gas.
“I was recovering from a lung problem,” Sylvester said. “I didn’t play the first three playoff games, because it was painful to breathe.
“(That game) it was still pretty tough. I had to be taken off to get a breather, but I remember going on and off. There was so much adrenaline in me, but also so much happiness because win or lose, this is such a cool experience in itself.
“We can tell people, ‘Hey, in my junior year, my soccer team went to state.’”
Despite facing long odds against the two-time defending state champion Fillies, the Huskies were in the right frame of mind, thanks to Goletz.
“Before we played, Goletz said look up at the stands and just take it all in. so I remember looking at the stands and seeing all the people there,” Sylvester said. “That was super special to be there with girls I’ve played a long time with and some girls I met that year who are to this day some of my best friends.”
Sylvester was totally spent at the end of overtime, but was at her loudest during the shootout, when goalkeeper Amanda Johnson made two saves to spark the victory.
“I remember during the penalty kicks I kept screaming. So first of all, I was so light-headed. And the excitement was (unreal),” Sylvester said. “I think it was Maddie Schlecht that took the last PK, and I remember when it went in just running onto the field.
“It’s such a blur still. It was happiness, but I was so tired and so in shock of what just happened. I kept crying on and off and hugging everyone.”
Sylvester’s sunny disposition may be the first thing that comes to mind when people think of her, but underneath that exterior lies a competitive spirit and work ethic that shouldn’t be underestimated.
“Paige is probably harder on herself than anybody in the world,” Goletz said. “She was such a big part of our state championship last year defensively. She takes everything to heart, and as defender there’re always times where you’re going to get hung out to dry a little bit.
“Things are going to happen, so having a short memory (is important). As she’s continued to play and get more experience, I think she’s done a way better job of being able to process those things.
“I think this year would have been a great year for her. I know she was really looking forward to ending her time at Naperville North.”
Instead, the coronavirus ended the 2020 season before the games began, thus robbing the seniors of a chance to successfully defend their championship.
If so, Sylvester is at peace with it. She has decided not to play in college but is thinking about following another family tradition by going into teaching. Jill teaches kindergarten, and Kelly plans to become a middle school science teacher upon graduating next year.
“The coaches really pushed me, and I felt like I was finally at a point where I can go all out,” Sylvester said. “I was super disappointed to hear that we … won’t have (a season), but my parents say, ‘How cool is it that you basically ended your high school career on a state championship team?’
“At first I was like, ‘No, I want to go to state again as a senior,’ but it’s a really good point. (Other) people have it worse, so I’ve been doing my best to be positive about it all.”
Positivity is what she will be remembered for at North.
“Paige is someone who is always uplifting,” Goletz said. “She’s fun-loving, and we really enjoy having her in the program. And I know she enjoys being in it.”
finds the silver lining
By Matt Le Cren
Paige Sylvester is Naperville North’s shining light.
Most people have a happy face; Sylvester is a perpetual happy face.
The senior defender is often smiling and has an innate ability to keep her teammates’ spirits up during good times and bad. That trait will be put to good use after after the IHSA officially cancelled the season April 21.
“My parents describe me as I’ve always had a smile on my face from the time I wake up until the time I go to bed,” Sylvester said. “I appreciate life, I guess you could say.
“I’ve gone through tough times of my own and (appreciate) having someone there to make me happy, so I want to be there for other people.
“I try to make sure everyone’s having fun and the new kids are meeting everyone. I’m just myself; like to smile and laugh.”
The Huskies had had plenty to smile and laugh about during Sylvester’s first two varsity seasons. The first ended with North finishing third at the 2018 state finals and the second with the Huskies capturing their third state championship since 2012.
Sylvester’s skill at right back is unquestionable, but her positive attitude is unmatched.
“One of the things that comes to mind with Paige is just her energy and her enthusiasm,” senior striker Hannah Martin said. “She’s always making everyone around her feel included and part of a family.
“That’s one of the big things I think of when I think of Paige - everyone likes her. She’s always there, and she’s a super reliable person on the field.
“She makes the team a family, and I know she can always make people laugh and that’s just part of the North family.”
Indeed, Sylvester’s immediate family has been a big part of the soccer program at North, which can be considered her extended family.
Sylvester is the youngest of four siblings who have played soccer for the Huskies. Her brother, Matty, was the starting right back on the boys team that reached the supersectionals when he was a senior in 2014.
Matty played one year at Elmhurst College before joining the Army, where he is now a sergeant working in an intelligence unit.
Sylvester’s older sisters, Jill and Kelly, each played varsity soccer as seniors. Kelly just completed her junior year at Olivet Nazarene, where she was an NAIA honorable mention all-American defender last fall.
“Her family has been a staple for Naperville North,” Naperville North coach Steve Goletz said. “They’re all just hard-working kids, doing whatever you ask as a coach and giving you everything that they’ve got.”
Sylvester and her teammates had to give everything they had in last year’s state championship game against Barrington. The Huskies won on penalty kicks after not mustering a shot during regulation or overtime.
The triumph was especially meaningful for Sylvester, Martin, Leah Shumate and Emily Magee, who have been teammates since they were little kids. How little?
“I’ve been playing soccer with Leah since I was four years old and with Emily since I was 6 and with Hannah since I was 7,” Sylvester said. “The four us have been kind of a foursome. Playing together, we just click; and we always know that we have each other’s back.”
All of that experience culminated in a dream ending to their junior seasons.
“That game was really cool,” Sylvester said. “It was like all those years of practicing together was for that exact moment.
“We all played a different role in that game, so it was special for me. Honestly, it’s the best day of my life so far.”
Sylvester was a midfielder on the 2018 team that lost to Barrington in the state semifinal, so the chance to get some revenge was sweet.
But the Huskies were huge underdogs and Sylvester, who had switched to right back, had the most difficult time. While center backs Magee and then-senior Reilly Riggs bore most of the pressure from Barrington’s relentless attack, Sylvester wasn’t 100 percent healthy and frequently found herself running out of gas.
“I was recovering from a lung problem,” Sylvester said. “I didn’t play the first three playoff games, because it was painful to breathe.
“(That game) it was still pretty tough. I had to be taken off to get a breather, but I remember going on and off. There was so much adrenaline in me, but also so much happiness because win or lose, this is such a cool experience in itself.
“We can tell people, ‘Hey, in my junior year, my soccer team went to state.’”
Despite facing long odds against the two-time defending state champion Fillies, the Huskies were in the right frame of mind, thanks to Goletz.
“Before we played, Goletz said look up at the stands and just take it all in. so I remember looking at the stands and seeing all the people there,” Sylvester said. “That was super special to be there with girls I’ve played a long time with and some girls I met that year who are to this day some of my best friends.”
Sylvester was totally spent at the end of overtime, but was at her loudest during the shootout, when goalkeeper Amanda Johnson made two saves to spark the victory.
“I remember during the penalty kicks I kept screaming. So first of all, I was so light-headed. And the excitement was (unreal),” Sylvester said. “I think it was Maddie Schlecht that took the last PK, and I remember when it went in just running onto the field.
“It’s such a blur still. It was happiness, but I was so tired and so in shock of what just happened. I kept crying on and off and hugging everyone.”
Sylvester’s sunny disposition may be the first thing that comes to mind when people think of her, but underneath that exterior lies a competitive spirit and work ethic that shouldn’t be underestimated.
“Paige is probably harder on herself than anybody in the world,” Goletz said. “She was such a big part of our state championship last year defensively. She takes everything to heart, and as defender there’re always times where you’re going to get hung out to dry a little bit.
“Things are going to happen, so having a short memory (is important). As she’s continued to play and get more experience, I think she’s done a way better job of being able to process those things.
“I think this year would have been a great year for her. I know she was really looking forward to ending her time at Naperville North.”
Instead, the coronavirus ended the 2020 season before the games began, thus robbing the seniors of a chance to successfully defend their championship.
If so, Sylvester is at peace with it. She has decided not to play in college but is thinking about following another family tradition by going into teaching. Jill teaches kindergarten, and Kelly plans to become a middle school science teacher upon graduating next year.
“The coaches really pushed me, and I felt like I was finally at a point where I can go all out,” Sylvester said. “I was super disappointed to hear that we … won’t have (a season), but my parents say, ‘How cool is it that you basically ended your high school career on a state championship team?’
“At first I was like, ‘No, I want to go to state again as a senior,’ but it’s a really good point. (Other) people have it worse, so I’ve been doing my best to be positive about it all.”
Positivity is what she will be remembered for at North.
“Paige is someone who is always uplifting,” Goletz said. “She’s fun-loving, and we really enjoy having her in the program. And I know she enjoys being in it.”