Lincoln Park restores the roar
Lions beat Mather 6-0, but must top Taft to escape group stage
By Patrick Z. McGavin
CHICAGO -- Lincoln Park was playing on the edge -- except not the one a soccer team wants to engage in. Lincoln Park had everything a team seeks out: activity; build-up; pace; and a clean rhythm. But the Lions had few positive results to show for it in their Chicago Public League tournament game.
“We had problems finishing,” said senior midfielder Anisa Ciaciura, the Lions’ loquacious and elegant team leader. “Personally I could not finish. Our last conference game was Friday, so we have some time off, and we had some injuries we are coping with. The coach let us have some resting days. We are all conditioned, but I think as far as getting out and being fluid as a team, we were all a bit rusty.”
The margin of error at this point of the season can be microscopic. And the Lions had an extra opponents Wednesday against Mather -- goal differential. Taft posted a 7-0 win versus the Rangers 7-0 Tuesday in Group F play.
“We want to beat Taft, and in order to do that we needed to score a lot of goals,” star senior forward Jordan Roderick-Fried said. “In the back of our minds we had this sense of both wanting to score and wanting to win by a big margin.”
Roderick-Fried rose to the challenge by scoring four goals and assisting another score as the Lions erupted for four goals in a 13-minute second half flurry to wipe out the Rangers 6-0 in pool play Wednesday at Westinghouse.
The Lions (6-7-1) now turn their attention to the Eagles (10-4-1) Thursday afternoon at Winnemac Stadium for the right to play in a Saturday quarterfinal at Back of the Yards.
Click here to see the Chicago Public League playoff schedule and results
Taft’s greater margin of victory over Mather means the Lions must win out. Taft advances if the teams play to a draw.
Roderick-Fried raised her season total to 20 goals. She earned the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match distinction for her effort.
The senior broke free down the left edge and blasted in a ball from about 17 yards in the 20th minute for the only first half score. Otherwise, Mather keeper Carmen Zaya was busy, and stellar. She had six first half saves for the Rangers (2-8-1).
“One goal for us does not always get us going,” Roderick-Fried said.
Mather generated some decent first half offense of its own. Midfielder Mary Kheyo was able to direct two shots on frame that Lions’ keeper Mia Seeley covered.
On the other hand, Lincoln Park had some unfortunate luck -- Ciaciura hit the near post, and the Lions were unable to get a rebound or follow-up shot at the open net.
At the break, with the Lions holding the narrow advantage, coach Geoffrey Ruttenberg implored his team to play with greater aggressiveness and precision. His message took hold.
“I think something just clicked,” Roderick-Fried said.
In the 45th minute, senior midfielder Kyra Biedermann worked the ball toward the top of the box and unleashed a high shot that curved perfectly beyond the grasp of Zaya. The score, beautiful and succinct, was just what the Lions needed. One play washed away the driven-though-ineffectual style that shaped much of the first half.
“After Kyra scored that second goal, we just kept going and going,” Roderick-Fried said.
In the 48th minute, Roderick-Fried broke free down the left edge, from a sharp through-ball from freshman midfielder Nikki Erenberg, and pushed hard at the Rangers’ defensive third before drilling her second goal inside the far post.
Newly emboldened and avid to extend their advantage, Lincoln Park maintained the pressure and rarely allowed the Rangers any counter or quality possession to build its own attack.
Roderick-Fried, who is both explosive and shifty in her moves and glancing actions, turned the game into a rout in the 51st minute. Again controlling a through-ball from Erenberg, she broke down the left edge in getting to the end line as she slotted an ideal cross that Ciaciura timed perfectly for her own strong finish.
Ciaciura returned the favor, using her size and service abilities to break down the Rangers’ and deliver Roderick-Fried another gorgeous pass that transformed into another breakaway score. Suddenly, a game that was tight and potentially dangerous was 5-0 in favor of the Lions.
Lincoln Park has been playing on the edge with each game more pressing in importance. In the Premier Division regular season, the Lions fought off the specter of relegattion by beating Washington 2-1.
“As a senior, it really scared me because we worked so hard for four years to get to the Premier, and then suddenly we were so close and on the edge of going down, and I think the pressure really got to us,” Ciaciura said.
“Last Friday was probably one of the most stressful games I have ever played in. It is very important to me personally. I really want to leave a legacy for Nikki and the other underclassmen who are able to continue to play at this (Premier) level. They deserve that.”
Roderick-Fried said it was important the team establish a winning rhythm.
“I think the [Washington] game from last week, after we won that, coming out here today really motivated us,” she said. “We do not want to just come out and have one game and win and then go into the playoffs and lose.”
Mather simply wore down in the second half. The Rangers generated some significant scoring chances, a free kick by Nina Mooshe hit off the near post. Gabriella Aguinaga seemingly had a goal after Seeley was pulled out of the net, but Lions’ defender Leslie Ortega stepped in to make a great saving clearance.
“This has been a very difficult year for us,” Mather coach Allison Jones said. “We have not jelled as a team. All the rain outs and the cancellations has made it very hard to get in any practices outside.
“We have had a ridiculously rigorous schedule the last two weeks because of rescheduled games. We had four games within five days last week and then two back-to-back this week. We also have very minimal substitutes due to injuries.
“The team also battles with the mentality that once they are down, they lose the hope they can come back and win.”
A motivated Lincoln Park side was intent on continuing the Rangers' struggles.
Roderick-Fried punctuated her strong performance in the 75th minute, punching home a rebound ball initially played by Rita Sanabria.
“This was an issue for us last year as well, where we come out and dominate or be competitive and then in the second half we’d be way too tired,” Roderick-Fried said. “I think this time it was the reverse. In the first half we were lacking.
“In the second half, we said, 'Okay, we have to do something with this.'”
Starting lineups
Mather
GK: Carmen Zaya
D: Gabriella Aguinaga
D: Yadhira Mendoza
D: Nina Mooshe
D: Samara Quintero
MF: Maria Bravo
MF:Melissa Navarette
MF: Mary Kheyo
F: Vicky Liang
F: Evelyn Aucapina
F: Nina Kheyo
Lincoln Park
GK: Mia Seeley
D: Leslie Ortega
D: Manel Maatoug
D: Winnie Guerra
D: Salome Khelashvili
MF: Anisa Ciaciura
MF: Kyra Biedermann
MF: Gia Mayoral
MF:Nikki Erenberg
F: Jordan Roderick-Fried
F: Rita Sanabria
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the match: Jordan Roderick-Fried, sr., F, Lincoln Park
Lions beat Mather 6-0, but must top Taft to escape group stage
By Patrick Z. McGavin
CHICAGO -- Lincoln Park was playing on the edge -- except not the one a soccer team wants to engage in. Lincoln Park had everything a team seeks out: activity; build-up; pace; and a clean rhythm. But the Lions had few positive results to show for it in their Chicago Public League tournament game.
“We had problems finishing,” said senior midfielder Anisa Ciaciura, the Lions’ loquacious and elegant team leader. “Personally I could not finish. Our last conference game was Friday, so we have some time off, and we had some injuries we are coping with. The coach let us have some resting days. We are all conditioned, but I think as far as getting out and being fluid as a team, we were all a bit rusty.”
The margin of error at this point of the season can be microscopic. And the Lions had an extra opponents Wednesday against Mather -- goal differential. Taft posted a 7-0 win versus the Rangers 7-0 Tuesday in Group F play.
“We want to beat Taft, and in order to do that we needed to score a lot of goals,” star senior forward Jordan Roderick-Fried said. “In the back of our minds we had this sense of both wanting to score and wanting to win by a big margin.”
Roderick-Fried rose to the challenge by scoring four goals and assisting another score as the Lions erupted for four goals in a 13-minute second half flurry to wipe out the Rangers 6-0 in pool play Wednesday at Westinghouse.
The Lions (6-7-1) now turn their attention to the Eagles (10-4-1) Thursday afternoon at Winnemac Stadium for the right to play in a Saturday quarterfinal at Back of the Yards.
Click here to see the Chicago Public League playoff schedule and results
Taft’s greater margin of victory over Mather means the Lions must win out. Taft advances if the teams play to a draw.
Roderick-Fried raised her season total to 20 goals. She earned the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match distinction for her effort.
The senior broke free down the left edge and blasted in a ball from about 17 yards in the 20th minute for the only first half score. Otherwise, Mather keeper Carmen Zaya was busy, and stellar. She had six first half saves for the Rangers (2-8-1).
“One goal for us does not always get us going,” Roderick-Fried said.
Mather generated some decent first half offense of its own. Midfielder Mary Kheyo was able to direct two shots on frame that Lions’ keeper Mia Seeley covered.
On the other hand, Lincoln Park had some unfortunate luck -- Ciaciura hit the near post, and the Lions were unable to get a rebound or follow-up shot at the open net.
At the break, with the Lions holding the narrow advantage, coach Geoffrey Ruttenberg implored his team to play with greater aggressiveness and precision. His message took hold.
“I think something just clicked,” Roderick-Fried said.
In the 45th minute, senior midfielder Kyra Biedermann worked the ball toward the top of the box and unleashed a high shot that curved perfectly beyond the grasp of Zaya. The score, beautiful and succinct, was just what the Lions needed. One play washed away the driven-though-ineffectual style that shaped much of the first half.
“After Kyra scored that second goal, we just kept going and going,” Roderick-Fried said.
In the 48th minute, Roderick-Fried broke free down the left edge, from a sharp through-ball from freshman midfielder Nikki Erenberg, and pushed hard at the Rangers’ defensive third before drilling her second goal inside the far post.
Newly emboldened and avid to extend their advantage, Lincoln Park maintained the pressure and rarely allowed the Rangers any counter or quality possession to build its own attack.
Roderick-Fried, who is both explosive and shifty in her moves and glancing actions, turned the game into a rout in the 51st minute. Again controlling a through-ball from Erenberg, she broke down the left edge in getting to the end line as she slotted an ideal cross that Ciaciura timed perfectly for her own strong finish.
Ciaciura returned the favor, using her size and service abilities to break down the Rangers’ and deliver Roderick-Fried another gorgeous pass that transformed into another breakaway score. Suddenly, a game that was tight and potentially dangerous was 5-0 in favor of the Lions.
Lincoln Park has been playing on the edge with each game more pressing in importance. In the Premier Division regular season, the Lions fought off the specter of relegattion by beating Washington 2-1.
“As a senior, it really scared me because we worked so hard for four years to get to the Premier, and then suddenly we were so close and on the edge of going down, and I think the pressure really got to us,” Ciaciura said.
“Last Friday was probably one of the most stressful games I have ever played in. It is very important to me personally. I really want to leave a legacy for Nikki and the other underclassmen who are able to continue to play at this (Premier) level. They deserve that.”
Roderick-Fried said it was important the team establish a winning rhythm.
“I think the [Washington] game from last week, after we won that, coming out here today really motivated us,” she said. “We do not want to just come out and have one game and win and then go into the playoffs and lose.”
Mather simply wore down in the second half. The Rangers generated some significant scoring chances, a free kick by Nina Mooshe hit off the near post. Gabriella Aguinaga seemingly had a goal after Seeley was pulled out of the net, but Lions’ defender Leslie Ortega stepped in to make a great saving clearance.
“This has been a very difficult year for us,” Mather coach Allison Jones said. “We have not jelled as a team. All the rain outs and the cancellations has made it very hard to get in any practices outside.
“We have had a ridiculously rigorous schedule the last two weeks because of rescheduled games. We had four games within five days last week and then two back-to-back this week. We also have very minimal substitutes due to injuries.
“The team also battles with the mentality that once they are down, they lose the hope they can come back and win.”
A motivated Lincoln Park side was intent on continuing the Rangers' struggles.
Roderick-Fried punctuated her strong performance in the 75th minute, punching home a rebound ball initially played by Rita Sanabria.
“This was an issue for us last year as well, where we come out and dominate or be competitive and then in the second half we’d be way too tired,” Roderick-Fried said. “I think this time it was the reverse. In the first half we were lacking.
“In the second half, we said, 'Okay, we have to do something with this.'”
Starting lineups
Mather
GK: Carmen Zaya
D: Gabriella Aguinaga
D: Yadhira Mendoza
D: Nina Mooshe
D: Samara Quintero
MF: Maria Bravo
MF:Melissa Navarette
MF: Mary Kheyo
F: Vicky Liang
F: Evelyn Aucapina
F: Nina Kheyo
Lincoln Park
GK: Mia Seeley
D: Leslie Ortega
D: Manel Maatoug
D: Winnie Guerra
D: Salome Khelashvili
MF: Anisa Ciaciura
MF: Kyra Biedermann
MF: Gia Mayoral
MF:Nikki Erenberg
F: Jordan Roderick-Fried
F: Rita Sanabria
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the match: Jordan Roderick-Fried, sr., F, Lincoln Park