Barrington prevails over New Trier in PKs
Fillies take 1st title with 3-0 shootout edge, Spinell hits title-winner
By Mike Garofola
NAPERVILLE -- Barrington flags will fly triumphantly all around the town.
At last, a girls soccer championship trophy has come home to Barrington.
The Fillies are the new Class 3A state champions after toppling three-time defending champion New Trier in the final. Barrington's sheer determination showed after all seemed lost as they stared defeat in the eyes after a PK call against them in the 98th minute.
In this 100-minute thriller there was: brilliant goalkeeping, glorious chances that were missed, exquisite technical play, air-tight defense, industry and purpose in the attack. The evening inlcuded tactical varitation plus plenty of intrigue, late drama and a bit of deja vu revolving around the game-winning spot kick by Sophia Spinell.
The Fillies' victory came after a scoreless duel and was fueled by a 3-0 advantage in penalty kicks. The win gave the program its first state title and fifth top-three finish in history.
"Wow - that was quite an incredible soccer game to be a part of, and watch if you were a fan here tonight," said New Trier manager Jim Burnside, who has guided the Trevians to 10 state trophies during his remarkable 21-year tenure at the school. Six of the trophies are of championship variety.
On the other side of the scorer's table at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium, manager Ryan Stengren enjoyed his first championship win. During the postseason he has taken each victory to proclaim his appreciation for his roster, which includes 10 seniors. Seven of them were directly involved two years ago in the Fillies epic semifinal loss to New Trier at the state finals.
"The focus, business-like approach and commitment by everyone on this team has been something that I'll never forget as long as I coach," said Stengren. "I've been so fortunate to be around a group of girls who never stop working to get better at everything, including all of the little things that revolve around this sport.
"It was that (focus) on the little things, such as practicing PKs every time we train, that ultimately was the difference here tonight."
Spinell, who along with teammate Jackie Batliner, were both named to the IHSSCA All-State team recently, could not believe the irony at the end of this exhilarating, unpredictable and thrilling state final.
"It's incredible how close this night was to what happened here in 2015," said the senior, who began to recount the events she lived through -- twice.
"From the penalty spot I hit the bar two years ago, and tonight, I was at the spot again, only this time I was able to put this one in."
As a sophomore Spinell was summoned to the spot after a yellow card was issued to New Trier keeper Dani Kaufmann in the 56th minute. With backup Michelle Sokal on the line, Spinell hit the right post. The Trevians scored in the second overtime for a 1-0 win and went on to win their second-straight title.
"The whole thing is so amazing -- just crazy really," Spinell said.
"If you believe that things happen for a reason, two years ago, then tonight all happened for a reason, and now we're finally state champs."
You would be hard pressed to pick a better-played final than this one -- at least in recent memory. It was a final with the two best sides at the end of the season, with all due respect to St. Charles North and Naperville North.
"We had all of it the last 3-4 games, including an incredible game with St. Charles North in the supersectionals, followed by our 2-1 win over Collinsville in overtime to reach this one tonight," said Burnside.
Neither manager took the "park the bus" approach as each club, from the opening whistle came out to play soccer, and did they ever.
The match itself was beautiful at times, with both clubs playing attractive attacking football. In their back third, each defended voraciously as each manager got all of their strategies correct.
Stengren put his all-everything defender Batliner opposite the Trevians marvelous freshman forward Emma Weaver, and the two went head-to-head all evening. It began on the right side, and sometimes on the left -- Batliner followed Weaver wherever she went. At times that pushed her teammate, Madi Rosen, a natural lefty, onto the right side of the park.
Rosen, who enjoyed a terrific rookie season under the tutelage of three seniors in the back four: Kayla Keck, Haley Tausend and Batliner, may have come of age on Saturday, showing the type of tackling, ball-winning and quality service which will be key next season when her fellow backliners move on.
New Trier appeared to open in a 4-3-3, but at times, had more of a 3-4-3 look when it pushed Lily Conley forward. Stengren countered at times by putting Batliner and Spinell on the same side, or a variation of Spinell up-top and moving his 17-goal scoring forward Anna Brodjian into the midfield.
"We tried a few things tonight: Anna's knee was sore, and she wasn't her usual explosive self because of it (but) on a couple of occasions, she flashed some of her magic to get 2-3 quality shots on frame," said Stengren.
Brodjian underwent surgery during the offseason to repair a torn ACL, and returned sooner than expected to provide a handful of big goals, and game-winners during the final stretch of the campaign.
Trevians keeper, Katy Symanietz, superb all throughout, turned around a potential attempt from Herr and Brodjian in the first 10 minutes. Her counterpart, Samantha Schmitz, responded with a brilliant save when she elevated high into the air to push an upper-90 blast from Weaver up and over the woodwork.
This sequence would signal a night of sensational work from the players between the sticks, and those who were unable to solve the respected keepers until a shoot-out decided the match.
Barrington had troubles at time solving the deep-lying defender Sydney Parker, who played a step or two back behind her backline mates Caroline Iserloth and Sam Urban. But when the Fillies figured things out threats came from the electric play of Ashley Prell, whose pace and crafty work on the ball was unstoppable at times.
Tackling was not for the meek on this warm night, and on the occasions each side conceded a corner (New Trier surrendered seven, Barrington three per IHSA stats) the big crowd got a good look at two of the best engineered set-piece sides in the state at work.
Spinell drove several dangerous balls into the box, as did Trevians senior Avery Schuldt. Each provided for nervous moments for their faithful fans who held their collective breath on each attempt.
Symanietz likely took several hits on corners and free kicks when she was exposed to collect or persuade a Spinell serve out of the area.
The Fillies enjoyed most of the play from the hour mark forward. For those first seven minutes they used width, and quick ball movement to keep the Trevians under pressure.
But things got nervy for the Fillies when Schmitz collided with two of her mates on a ball sent into the box from Nicole Kaspi -- resulting in a free shot at an open net by Weaver which she sprayed wide.
The Trevians created four-consecutive deep throws for its specialist Parker, but the Fillies defended them with confidence to send this match into overtime goalless.
Once there Barrington (28-1-0) would dominate the first 10-minute session, forcing Symanietz into action three times. The first came on a snap-shot by Prell, followed by Brodjian having a go on frame - then Tausend, who was unable put much on her left-footed attempt from near the six-yard box.
The second and final extra period was evenly played, until referee John Anderson detected Hannah Arment being hauled down during her drive down the endline wide right of goal. When he pointed to the spot in the 98th minute, New Trier fans smelled state title, while the black, red and white faithful held their breath.
"Gutsy call at that point, and one that you kind of hope the referee would swallow his whistle on (so) a great game like this wouldn't be decided on a PK," said Stengren.
While the Fillies bench howled in disbelief, its players appeared cool and calm, and ready for their next move.
"That was a tough situation right there, but we have a lot of confidence in Sam (Schmitz) and we knew if it came here way, she would stop it," said Spinell, who along with everyone else in the stadium, couldn't believe what transpired.
Parker grazed her spot-kick off the bar, and jumped on the rebound which came directly to her but missed wide.
"Same spot on the bar that I hit two years ago," said Spinell, who continued to relive that 2015 state semifinal.
Once into shootout, Stengren went with his tried and tested five. Barrington shot first and Herr and Keck drove their spot-kicks in with pace and accuracy. Meanwhile, New Trier's Schuldt found the post, and Weaver was stymied by a brilliant save by Schmitz, who guessed correctly to her right, before her full extension turned the attempt around the post.
"We all knew when it went to PKs we were in fantastic shape," began Stengren.
"Sam is so good back there for us, but fans and coaches don't see what she can do because it's so rare that our backline allows the opponent to get good looks at her.
"We're so fortunate to have a keeper coach like Brian Allen (former keeper at Rolling Meadows and DePaul) whose work with her has turned her into an unbelievable keeper. During the last couple of games, as well as tonight, you saw just how good she is."
Barrington led 2-0 in kicks when Spinell got and converted her moment for redemption. She jumped in the air for joy after the ball hit the netting. When New Trier's Urban missed off the post, Spinell, she now of the championship-winning penalty kick, was surrounded by her mates as the Fillies faithful began a celebration that went long into the night.
"We've practiced PKs for the last several weeks each and every day that we train, so we were ready on our end, and we all knew that Sam would be ready if we needed her," said Keck, whose eyes had welled up after a lengthy cry on the touchline as her mates waited patiently to receive their state medals and the 2017 state championship trophy.
"Two great teams, full of great players, who, if I can speak for both teams, essentially left everything they had out there tonight to make for a memorable state final if there ever was one," said a gracious Burnside.
Stengren and Batliner agreed as they walked out of the stadium.
"Wherever the path each player takes, they will always have this season, and this game tonight," began Stengren.
"They made the ultimate sacrifice and commitment to each other, the program and themselves to get to this point - including playing in the semifinals on the night of graduation. Many of them missed their senior day and trip off-campus in order to stay behind and have a team dinner, and so much more along the way."
"They came to me way back in late October of last year and told me (whatever) it would take, they would do so they could be better and get into the state final, and all of them were rewarded for their hard work."
"This is a dream come true for all of us," began Batliner, who played with a severe ankle sprain for the last week, yet showed no signs of a letdown in the Saturday night epic.
"Each player on this team decided to do their absolute best during training, fitness work, games, and every other time we got together. And tonight, we all saw what hard work and dedication to each other can produce."
Starting lineups
Barrington
GK- Samantha Schmitz
D- Madi Rosen
D- Kayla Keck
D- Haley Tausend
D- Jackie Batliner
M- Lauren Caffe
M- Michayla Herr
M- Sydney Bowling
M- Sophia Spinell
F- Anna Brodjian
F- Ashley Prell
New Trier
GK- Katy Symanietz
D- Caroline Iserloth
D- Sydney Parker
D- Sam Urban
D- Megan Murdoch
M- Avery Schuldt
M- Hope Baisley
M- Lily Conley
F- Nicole Kaspi
F- Hanna Arment
F- Emma Weaver
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Samantha Schmitz, jr., GK, Barrington
Officials; John Anderson; Jay Cummins; Alejandro Alvarado; 4th official Scott Lichtfuss
Fillies take 1st title with 3-0 shootout edge, Spinell hits title-winner
By Mike Garofola
NAPERVILLE -- Barrington flags will fly triumphantly all around the town.
At last, a girls soccer championship trophy has come home to Barrington.
The Fillies are the new Class 3A state champions after toppling three-time defending champion New Trier in the final. Barrington's sheer determination showed after all seemed lost as they stared defeat in the eyes after a PK call against them in the 98th minute.
In this 100-minute thriller there was: brilliant goalkeeping, glorious chances that were missed, exquisite technical play, air-tight defense, industry and purpose in the attack. The evening inlcuded tactical varitation plus plenty of intrigue, late drama and a bit of deja vu revolving around the game-winning spot kick by Sophia Spinell.
The Fillies' victory came after a scoreless duel and was fueled by a 3-0 advantage in penalty kicks. The win gave the program its first state title and fifth top-three finish in history.
"Wow - that was quite an incredible soccer game to be a part of, and watch if you were a fan here tonight," said New Trier manager Jim Burnside, who has guided the Trevians to 10 state trophies during his remarkable 21-year tenure at the school. Six of the trophies are of championship variety.
On the other side of the scorer's table at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium, manager Ryan Stengren enjoyed his first championship win. During the postseason he has taken each victory to proclaim his appreciation for his roster, which includes 10 seniors. Seven of them were directly involved two years ago in the Fillies epic semifinal loss to New Trier at the state finals.
"The focus, business-like approach and commitment by everyone on this team has been something that I'll never forget as long as I coach," said Stengren. "I've been so fortunate to be around a group of girls who never stop working to get better at everything, including all of the little things that revolve around this sport.
"It was that (focus) on the little things, such as practicing PKs every time we train, that ultimately was the difference here tonight."
Spinell, who along with teammate Jackie Batliner, were both named to the IHSSCA All-State team recently, could not believe the irony at the end of this exhilarating, unpredictable and thrilling state final.
"It's incredible how close this night was to what happened here in 2015," said the senior, who began to recount the events she lived through -- twice.
"From the penalty spot I hit the bar two years ago, and tonight, I was at the spot again, only this time I was able to put this one in."
As a sophomore Spinell was summoned to the spot after a yellow card was issued to New Trier keeper Dani Kaufmann in the 56th minute. With backup Michelle Sokal on the line, Spinell hit the right post. The Trevians scored in the second overtime for a 1-0 win and went on to win their second-straight title.
"The whole thing is so amazing -- just crazy really," Spinell said.
"If you believe that things happen for a reason, two years ago, then tonight all happened for a reason, and now we're finally state champs."
You would be hard pressed to pick a better-played final than this one -- at least in recent memory. It was a final with the two best sides at the end of the season, with all due respect to St. Charles North and Naperville North.
"We had all of it the last 3-4 games, including an incredible game with St. Charles North in the supersectionals, followed by our 2-1 win over Collinsville in overtime to reach this one tonight," said Burnside.
Neither manager took the "park the bus" approach as each club, from the opening whistle came out to play soccer, and did they ever.
The match itself was beautiful at times, with both clubs playing attractive attacking football. In their back third, each defended voraciously as each manager got all of their strategies correct.
Stengren put his all-everything defender Batliner opposite the Trevians marvelous freshman forward Emma Weaver, and the two went head-to-head all evening. It began on the right side, and sometimes on the left -- Batliner followed Weaver wherever she went. At times that pushed her teammate, Madi Rosen, a natural lefty, onto the right side of the park.
Rosen, who enjoyed a terrific rookie season under the tutelage of three seniors in the back four: Kayla Keck, Haley Tausend and Batliner, may have come of age on Saturday, showing the type of tackling, ball-winning and quality service which will be key next season when her fellow backliners move on.
New Trier appeared to open in a 4-3-3, but at times, had more of a 3-4-3 look when it pushed Lily Conley forward. Stengren countered at times by putting Batliner and Spinell on the same side, or a variation of Spinell up-top and moving his 17-goal scoring forward Anna Brodjian into the midfield.
"We tried a few things tonight: Anna's knee was sore, and she wasn't her usual explosive self because of it (but) on a couple of occasions, she flashed some of her magic to get 2-3 quality shots on frame," said Stengren.
Brodjian underwent surgery during the offseason to repair a torn ACL, and returned sooner than expected to provide a handful of big goals, and game-winners during the final stretch of the campaign.
Trevians keeper, Katy Symanietz, superb all throughout, turned around a potential attempt from Herr and Brodjian in the first 10 minutes. Her counterpart, Samantha Schmitz, responded with a brilliant save when she elevated high into the air to push an upper-90 blast from Weaver up and over the woodwork.
This sequence would signal a night of sensational work from the players between the sticks, and those who were unable to solve the respected keepers until a shoot-out decided the match.
Barrington had troubles at time solving the deep-lying defender Sydney Parker, who played a step or two back behind her backline mates Caroline Iserloth and Sam Urban. But when the Fillies figured things out threats came from the electric play of Ashley Prell, whose pace and crafty work on the ball was unstoppable at times.
Tackling was not for the meek on this warm night, and on the occasions each side conceded a corner (New Trier surrendered seven, Barrington three per IHSA stats) the big crowd got a good look at two of the best engineered set-piece sides in the state at work.
Spinell drove several dangerous balls into the box, as did Trevians senior Avery Schuldt. Each provided for nervous moments for their faithful fans who held their collective breath on each attempt.
Symanietz likely took several hits on corners and free kicks when she was exposed to collect or persuade a Spinell serve out of the area.
The Fillies enjoyed most of the play from the hour mark forward. For those first seven minutes they used width, and quick ball movement to keep the Trevians under pressure.
But things got nervy for the Fillies when Schmitz collided with two of her mates on a ball sent into the box from Nicole Kaspi -- resulting in a free shot at an open net by Weaver which she sprayed wide.
The Trevians created four-consecutive deep throws for its specialist Parker, but the Fillies defended them with confidence to send this match into overtime goalless.
Once there Barrington (28-1-0) would dominate the first 10-minute session, forcing Symanietz into action three times. The first came on a snap-shot by Prell, followed by Brodjian having a go on frame - then Tausend, who was unable put much on her left-footed attempt from near the six-yard box.
The second and final extra period was evenly played, until referee John Anderson detected Hannah Arment being hauled down during her drive down the endline wide right of goal. When he pointed to the spot in the 98th minute, New Trier fans smelled state title, while the black, red and white faithful held their breath.
"Gutsy call at that point, and one that you kind of hope the referee would swallow his whistle on (so) a great game like this wouldn't be decided on a PK," said Stengren.
While the Fillies bench howled in disbelief, its players appeared cool and calm, and ready for their next move.
"That was a tough situation right there, but we have a lot of confidence in Sam (Schmitz) and we knew if it came here way, she would stop it," said Spinell, who along with everyone else in the stadium, couldn't believe what transpired.
Parker grazed her spot-kick off the bar, and jumped on the rebound which came directly to her but missed wide.
"Same spot on the bar that I hit two years ago," said Spinell, who continued to relive that 2015 state semifinal.
Once into shootout, Stengren went with his tried and tested five. Barrington shot first and Herr and Keck drove their spot-kicks in with pace and accuracy. Meanwhile, New Trier's Schuldt found the post, and Weaver was stymied by a brilliant save by Schmitz, who guessed correctly to her right, before her full extension turned the attempt around the post.
"We all knew when it went to PKs we were in fantastic shape," began Stengren.
"Sam is so good back there for us, but fans and coaches don't see what she can do because it's so rare that our backline allows the opponent to get good looks at her.
"We're so fortunate to have a keeper coach like Brian Allen (former keeper at Rolling Meadows and DePaul) whose work with her has turned her into an unbelievable keeper. During the last couple of games, as well as tonight, you saw just how good she is."
Barrington led 2-0 in kicks when Spinell got and converted her moment for redemption. She jumped in the air for joy after the ball hit the netting. When New Trier's Urban missed off the post, Spinell, she now of the championship-winning penalty kick, was surrounded by her mates as the Fillies faithful began a celebration that went long into the night.
"We've practiced PKs for the last several weeks each and every day that we train, so we were ready on our end, and we all knew that Sam would be ready if we needed her," said Keck, whose eyes had welled up after a lengthy cry on the touchline as her mates waited patiently to receive their state medals and the 2017 state championship trophy.
"Two great teams, full of great players, who, if I can speak for both teams, essentially left everything they had out there tonight to make for a memorable state final if there ever was one," said a gracious Burnside.
Stengren and Batliner agreed as they walked out of the stadium.
"Wherever the path each player takes, they will always have this season, and this game tonight," began Stengren.
"They made the ultimate sacrifice and commitment to each other, the program and themselves to get to this point - including playing in the semifinals on the night of graduation. Many of them missed their senior day and trip off-campus in order to stay behind and have a team dinner, and so much more along the way."
"They came to me way back in late October of last year and told me (whatever) it would take, they would do so they could be better and get into the state final, and all of them were rewarded for their hard work."
"This is a dream come true for all of us," began Batliner, who played with a severe ankle sprain for the last week, yet showed no signs of a letdown in the Saturday night epic.
"Each player on this team decided to do their absolute best during training, fitness work, games, and every other time we got together. And tonight, we all saw what hard work and dedication to each other can produce."
Starting lineups
Barrington
GK- Samantha Schmitz
D- Madi Rosen
D- Kayla Keck
D- Haley Tausend
D- Jackie Batliner
M- Lauren Caffe
M- Michayla Herr
M- Sydney Bowling
M- Sophia Spinell
F- Anna Brodjian
F- Ashley Prell
New Trier
GK- Katy Symanietz
D- Caroline Iserloth
D- Sydney Parker
D- Sam Urban
D- Megan Murdoch
M- Avery Schuldt
M- Hope Baisley
M- Lily Conley
F- Nicole Kaspi
F- Hanna Arment
F- Emma Weaver
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Samantha Schmitz, jr., GK, Barrington
Officials; John Anderson; Jay Cummins; Alejandro Alvarado; 4th official Scott Lichtfuss