Loyola's turnaround successes
now include Hinsdale Central
Ramsay records brace in 3-0 win
By Mike Garofola
WILMETTE -- It's been a nice bounce-back week of soccer for Loyola.
Last weekend, the Ramblers (6-4-0) lost their opener in the North Shore Invitational to undefeated Barrington, the no. 2 team in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25. Since then the club responded with a pair of quality wins. They included a well-deserved 3-0 victory over visiting Hinsdale Central on Thursday to finish 2-1-0 in group play to earn a date with rival New Trier in the third place game at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Trevians' Northfield Campus.
Stephanie Ramsay's double, and some air-tight defending by junior Emily Chrisman and the Loyola backline kept visiting Hinsdale Central off the scoreboard at Hoerster Field.
"Our goal after that 4-0 loss to Barrington was to finish 2-1-0 in group play, and the girls did so very nicely by beating previously undefeated (no. 9) Glenbrook South earlier in the week, before coming out and putting forth a nice 80-minute effort today to get the win," said Loyola manager Craig Snower.
"You know, we basically have 3 1/2 losses this year (the half was a 1-0 loss to Saint Viator that came to a premature end because of lighting). And all three of the losses came at the hands of top teams (no. 3) St. Charles North, Barrington and (no. 15) Evanston."
"My point is despite our early season struggles, and setbacks, the team is starting to find its way against some very talented opponents. And next week it starts all over again when we begin play at the Naperville Invitational with games against Palatine, then (no. 19) St. Charles East over at the Barrington site."
There was little doubt the Ramblers, now winners in 6 of their last seven games, came to play on this sunny afternoon. They went back to basics from the opening whistle, connecting simple passes through the middle of the park, building from the back and targeting their frontrunners, who tested the Hinsdale Central backline.
The Red Devils appeared to weather the early storm until Ramsay bagged her first of the day when Vanessa Murray and Cate Shellenback provided twin helpers to put the junior through and in on keeper Sarah Berg at nine minutes.
"We started so much better today then we did against Barrington, and that's something we've been looking to do more often," said the aforementioned Chrisman, who for her strong effort on both sides of the ball earned Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match honors.
"We've been working on just doing the little things really well while we go through the early part of our season. We're trying to find ourselves as a team, and learn to play with each other, and today I think that was the main reason for our win."
The Loyola attack looked a little quicker and sharper than the Red Devils during the opening quarter hour or more, and if not for a trio of offsides flags that took away quality chances - the home side may have doubled its advantage or better.
The Maggie Brett-Ramsay combination was at the heart of this early success. The pair showed terrific pace and the ability to connect with piercing balls from near the midline that tested the Red Devils young backline.
"We've moved some players around as we continue to look for the right combination in our formation," said Hinsdale Central manager Michael Smith. "And even though we had our struggles here and there, I thought the girls along the back played well and showed to be a very good unit as the game progressed.
"We just installed Olivia Rayis in the back for the first time this season last weekend against Barrington, and she's come along nicely with the others. And the play from our keeper, Sarah Berg, just promoted from her spot as a reserve, has shown she belongs as well. It's something which is building a nice foundation for us back there."
The call-ups of Berg and Rayis are part of the Red Devils massive rebuilding project on a varsity roster which features 18 freshmen and sophomores. The group of youngsters play at times with stunning maturity and purpose. However at other times they stuggle, a fact which has not gone unnoticed by the players.
"We play really well in spurts, then turnaround and play like we haven't played together in almost 10 games this season," said sophomore Elle Jenkins, who Smith will station in the middle and ask to direct the attack while defending her opposite number in the match.
"I really believe this team has the potential to be an amazing team for the next 2-3 years, but sometimes we take a little step back when we play a team that is bigger, stronger, and has more experience then we do. That's what we have to fight to get better at."
The Red Devils (0-7-1) took back some of the play from Loyola, thanks in part to Jenkins, Brittany Doneske, Erin Otto and Haley Arnold, but it was the more-consistent home side that allowed Loyola to enjoy the run of the play right up through the break.
With the Ramblers growing in confidence with each foray into Central's end, it appeared Snower's club would strike for another goal before intermission.
The Red Devils' Berg was called into action when Elly Zern had an attempt on frame at 24 minutes, and her work after coming on in the 15th minute, along with Shellenback, Vanessa Murray and Ramsay, kept the visitors under pressure and led to the Ramblers second goal of the day.
Just before that, Hinsdale Central's Otto had a chance to equalize but Murray and Shellenback combined to block the inc-close attempt from the Red Devils' captain. That led up to free kick by Chloe Heiser that Loyola keeper Maggie Avery controlled.
When Ramsay was hauled down inside the box - up stepped Chrisman who promptly buried her 34th minute spot-kick.
At the break, Smith challenged his club to play like it was capable of, and when the referee signaled the start of the second period, the Red Devils did just that.
"I told them it time to go out and get it done," said Smith.
"We've played almost 10 games, and we had to stop playing well for 5-10 minutes in spots and put together a solid 40 minutes of soccer with speed and purpose.
"I thought for the most part, we did just that."
Central enjoyed a couple of early chances, the best falling to Sarah Cernugel from Jane Bibby, which required an Avery save. The second came when Otto found Jacque Blake, whose trickery on the ball gave her time and space to test Avery in the 50th minute.
The third and final goal of the game was superb. It was set up when Ramsay was fouled and created a free kick opportunity from 25 yards.
Chrisman stood over the ball and initiated the well-executed play with a heavily paced ball on the ground to Shellenback.
A nicely one-time from Shellenback helped put Ramsay through which ended with a cool and composed 54th-minute finish.
"Again, it's the little things that make a difference, and we've practiced that play. When we did all the little things in that dead-ball play, we were able to score a goal," said Chrisman, who has played in every minute of every contest thus far.
The Red Devils, to their credit, didn't fold the tent and go away quietly. Instead the visitors finished strong and tried to dent their deficit in the final 20 minutes.
A series of half-chances came their way, one from Sam Moriarty, another by Jenkins, with the best of the half coming at the end of a lovely counter initiated by Maddie Lynch and Brittany Doneske which ended with Arnold striking a dangerous attempt into the gloves of Avery.
"Hinsdale Central may not be on par with the likes of St. Charles North, Barrington, and New Trier, but they are a young and up-and-coming team, so to see us play with some purpose, speed and creativity bodes well as we move forward," said Snower.
Hindale Central will close out North Shore Invitational in the seventh place game against St. Francis at 10 a.m. in Northfield.
Starting lineups
Hinsdale Central
GK- Sarah Berg
D- Sophia Simmons
D- Caroline Fryzel
D- Rachel Dannhausen-Brun
D- Olivia Rayis
M- Maddie Lynch
M- Jane Bibby
M- Erin Otto
M- Elle Jenkins
F- Brittany Doneske
F- Haley Arnold
Loyola
GK- Maggie Avery
D- Lauren Daffada
D- Emily Chrisman
D- Bella Broccolo
D- Faith Craddock
M- Vanessa Murray
M- Ally West
M- Cate Shellenback
M- Stephanie Ramsay
F- Anna Perona
F- Maggie Brett
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Emily Chrisman, so., D, Loyola
Referee: Brett Straley
now include Hinsdale Central
Ramsay records brace in 3-0 win
By Mike Garofola
WILMETTE -- It's been a nice bounce-back week of soccer for Loyola.
Last weekend, the Ramblers (6-4-0) lost their opener in the North Shore Invitational to undefeated Barrington, the no. 2 team in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25. Since then the club responded with a pair of quality wins. They included a well-deserved 3-0 victory over visiting Hinsdale Central on Thursday to finish 2-1-0 in group play to earn a date with rival New Trier in the third place game at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Trevians' Northfield Campus.
Stephanie Ramsay's double, and some air-tight defending by junior Emily Chrisman and the Loyola backline kept visiting Hinsdale Central off the scoreboard at Hoerster Field.
"Our goal after that 4-0 loss to Barrington was to finish 2-1-0 in group play, and the girls did so very nicely by beating previously undefeated (no. 9) Glenbrook South earlier in the week, before coming out and putting forth a nice 80-minute effort today to get the win," said Loyola manager Craig Snower.
"You know, we basically have 3 1/2 losses this year (the half was a 1-0 loss to Saint Viator that came to a premature end because of lighting). And all three of the losses came at the hands of top teams (no. 3) St. Charles North, Barrington and (no. 15) Evanston."
"My point is despite our early season struggles, and setbacks, the team is starting to find its way against some very talented opponents. And next week it starts all over again when we begin play at the Naperville Invitational with games against Palatine, then (no. 19) St. Charles East over at the Barrington site."
There was little doubt the Ramblers, now winners in 6 of their last seven games, came to play on this sunny afternoon. They went back to basics from the opening whistle, connecting simple passes through the middle of the park, building from the back and targeting their frontrunners, who tested the Hinsdale Central backline.
The Red Devils appeared to weather the early storm until Ramsay bagged her first of the day when Vanessa Murray and Cate Shellenback provided twin helpers to put the junior through and in on keeper Sarah Berg at nine minutes.
"We started so much better today then we did against Barrington, and that's something we've been looking to do more often," said the aforementioned Chrisman, who for her strong effort on both sides of the ball earned Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match honors.
"We've been working on just doing the little things really well while we go through the early part of our season. We're trying to find ourselves as a team, and learn to play with each other, and today I think that was the main reason for our win."
The Loyola attack looked a little quicker and sharper than the Red Devils during the opening quarter hour or more, and if not for a trio of offsides flags that took away quality chances - the home side may have doubled its advantage or better.
The Maggie Brett-Ramsay combination was at the heart of this early success. The pair showed terrific pace and the ability to connect with piercing balls from near the midline that tested the Red Devils young backline.
"We've moved some players around as we continue to look for the right combination in our formation," said Hinsdale Central manager Michael Smith. "And even though we had our struggles here and there, I thought the girls along the back played well and showed to be a very good unit as the game progressed.
"We just installed Olivia Rayis in the back for the first time this season last weekend against Barrington, and she's come along nicely with the others. And the play from our keeper, Sarah Berg, just promoted from her spot as a reserve, has shown she belongs as well. It's something which is building a nice foundation for us back there."
The call-ups of Berg and Rayis are part of the Red Devils massive rebuilding project on a varsity roster which features 18 freshmen and sophomores. The group of youngsters play at times with stunning maturity and purpose. However at other times they stuggle, a fact which has not gone unnoticed by the players.
"We play really well in spurts, then turnaround and play like we haven't played together in almost 10 games this season," said sophomore Elle Jenkins, who Smith will station in the middle and ask to direct the attack while defending her opposite number in the match.
"I really believe this team has the potential to be an amazing team for the next 2-3 years, but sometimes we take a little step back when we play a team that is bigger, stronger, and has more experience then we do. That's what we have to fight to get better at."
The Red Devils (0-7-1) took back some of the play from Loyola, thanks in part to Jenkins, Brittany Doneske, Erin Otto and Haley Arnold, but it was the more-consistent home side that allowed Loyola to enjoy the run of the play right up through the break.
With the Ramblers growing in confidence with each foray into Central's end, it appeared Snower's club would strike for another goal before intermission.
The Red Devils' Berg was called into action when Elly Zern had an attempt on frame at 24 minutes, and her work after coming on in the 15th minute, along with Shellenback, Vanessa Murray and Ramsay, kept the visitors under pressure and led to the Ramblers second goal of the day.
Just before that, Hinsdale Central's Otto had a chance to equalize but Murray and Shellenback combined to block the inc-close attempt from the Red Devils' captain. That led up to free kick by Chloe Heiser that Loyola keeper Maggie Avery controlled.
When Ramsay was hauled down inside the box - up stepped Chrisman who promptly buried her 34th minute spot-kick.
At the break, Smith challenged his club to play like it was capable of, and when the referee signaled the start of the second period, the Red Devils did just that.
"I told them it time to go out and get it done," said Smith.
"We've played almost 10 games, and we had to stop playing well for 5-10 minutes in spots and put together a solid 40 minutes of soccer with speed and purpose.
"I thought for the most part, we did just that."
Central enjoyed a couple of early chances, the best falling to Sarah Cernugel from Jane Bibby, which required an Avery save. The second came when Otto found Jacque Blake, whose trickery on the ball gave her time and space to test Avery in the 50th minute.
The third and final goal of the game was superb. It was set up when Ramsay was fouled and created a free kick opportunity from 25 yards.
Chrisman stood over the ball and initiated the well-executed play with a heavily paced ball on the ground to Shellenback.
A nicely one-time from Shellenback helped put Ramsay through which ended with a cool and composed 54th-minute finish.
"Again, it's the little things that make a difference, and we've practiced that play. When we did all the little things in that dead-ball play, we were able to score a goal," said Chrisman, who has played in every minute of every contest thus far.
The Red Devils, to their credit, didn't fold the tent and go away quietly. Instead the visitors finished strong and tried to dent their deficit in the final 20 minutes.
A series of half-chances came their way, one from Sam Moriarty, another by Jenkins, with the best of the half coming at the end of a lovely counter initiated by Maddie Lynch and Brittany Doneske which ended with Arnold striking a dangerous attempt into the gloves of Avery.
"Hinsdale Central may not be on par with the likes of St. Charles North, Barrington, and New Trier, but they are a young and up-and-coming team, so to see us play with some purpose, speed and creativity bodes well as we move forward," said Snower.
Hindale Central will close out North Shore Invitational in the seventh place game against St. Francis at 10 a.m. in Northfield.
Starting lineups
Hinsdale Central
GK- Sarah Berg
D- Sophia Simmons
D- Caroline Fryzel
D- Rachel Dannhausen-Brun
D- Olivia Rayis
M- Maddie Lynch
M- Jane Bibby
M- Erin Otto
M- Elle Jenkins
F- Brittany Doneske
F- Haley Arnold
Loyola
GK- Maggie Avery
D- Lauren Daffada
D- Emily Chrisman
D- Bella Broccolo
D- Faith Craddock
M- Vanessa Murray
M- Ally West
M- Cate Shellenback
M- Stephanie Ramsay
F- Anna Perona
F- Maggie Brett
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Emily Chrisman, so., D, Loyola
Referee: Brett Straley