Fast start propels Marist into regional final
Starters get shortened work day in 10-0 win over Brooks
By Patrick Z. McGavin
CHICAGO -- The state tournament is a state of mind. Everything is amplified, and everything connects. Play is faster, more contested and the realization that every moment potentially contributes to your last action turns it all up a notch.
Marist is playing its best soccer of the year. The senior class has thrown down the gauntlet. “I think a lot of the seniors are stepping up and starting to really play well because for us, this is end of our time here,” senior midfielder Cara Donegan said.
“The seniors are making sure that everybody is accountable for their play. I think we are all finally stepping up and playing the way we have wanted to the whole year. We are playing well and the right way, making the simple passes and moving well off the ball.”
The RedHawks also are playing off the charged excitement of their deep tournament run of a year ago when they captured the first sectional title in school history. Now the team is ready for its encore.
Marist exploded out of the game with six goals in the first 17 minutes and showcased its depth as nine different players recorded goals as the third-seeded RedHawks pummeled host Brooks 10-0 to make a strong impression their first tournament game in a Class 2A regional semifinal Wednesday at Gately Stadium.
The RedHawks (9-11-2) extended their unbeaten streak to seven games and advanced to the regional championship against Oak Forest -- a 12-0 winner over Hyde Park in the second semifinal -- on Saturday morning.
The berserk northern-directional winds gusted up to 30 miles per hour. Marist had that advantage and used it tactically and freely in creating constant pressure against the Eagles (10-7-2), a member of the Public League’s 2nd Division South.
“We definitely tried to make the goal of getting after them really early,” Marist coach Chris Roe said. “We always try to score in the first five [minutes]. You get a good start like that, and you always put the other team on their heels. In games like this, you really have to continue to work on the things that have gotten you to point where you are.
“We try not to fall into the other team’s habits.”
Marist is now 5-0-2 in its last seven games. Roe elevated some talented young players from his lower levels and also moved senior Emma Brennan -- the team’s creative facilitator and scorer -- into the middle in order to optimize possession time. Brennan was a difference-maker, a whirling dervish who set the dominant tone with her early play.
Brennan scored a goal and recorded three assists to achieve the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match distinction. Her inspired activity forced the Eagles on their heels and allowed Marist to push numbers forward. Excepting a couple of defensive clearances, the entire first half was played in the Eagles’ final third.
In the second minute, Brennan intercepted a ball just outside the top of the box and drilled home a 18-yard blast inside the far post for the early clearing-the-decks statement on behalf of the RedHawks. She followed that up with an intricate and dazzling passing game with senior forward Delaney Mulcahy that culminated in Mulcahy’s authoritative finish.
That was the start and the RedHawks rolled from there, putting the game out of reach early by scoring four goals in the next six minutes. Brooks had no answer. Brennan and Mulcahy each have seven goals on the year.
Brennan also has nine assists.
“We wanted to come out hard and play with a lot of energy and intensity and play the way we have been playing recently,” Donegan said. “We wanted to make the simple passes.” A captain with Brennan and Mulcahy, Donegan scored two goals.
Marist scored from every angle and made the quick passes in a flowing and open attack that played off the constant movement and developed out of multiple angles and possibilities. Midfielder Sara Eisha blasted in a ball from forward Serenity Rosa; Donegan wheeled and pivoted on a cross and blasted home a ball from about 14 yards; and Rosa finished off a Brennan pass.
The pace was fast and relentless and the RedHawks did not let up.
Brennan’s final assist punctuated the dominant opening run as Donegan pushed the lead out to 6-0 in the 17th minute. That also pretty much marked the conclusion of the playing time for the starters, who yielded to the underclassmen, several of whom were recently promoted to the varsity.
Midfielders Ally O’Brien and Ashleigh Hughes are two of the newcomers. O’Brien recorded the final goal of the first half by smashing home a ball from about 26 yards in the 37th minute. Marist got a glimpse of its future over the final 40 minutes.
Hughes, Victoria Collins and Mia Hayes closed out the rout by scoring goals in the truncated second half with the IHSA slaughter rule in effect.
“Since this was the first game [of the state tournament] we all wanted to come out strong and get a good win under our belts,” Hughes said. “We wanted to set the pace for the rest of the playoffs. The touches we are making. We have to space out and get good passes and connect with each other. That is the big point of emphasis, just connecting with each other.
“Those of us just up from the [junior varsity] have to get adjusted to the level of play. That is why a game like this is good -- when we are up a good amount -- we can work on our skills. This is definitely a confidence booster for everyone.”
Brooks managed only two second half shots on goal, both from distance, by forward Sidney Tookes. The bright spot was the play of sophomore standout Claudia Muniz. She moves between the middle and back. Her 10 goals are the most by a sophomore in the history of the program. She was named all-city.
“I think it was a very good game, especially since we had a lot of players who were missing,” Muniz said. “We were really able to pull through, and we really tried our best to give them a lot of competition. Most of our players are playing [organized soccer] for the first time. Once I went back to defense, we played the ball better and showed greater composure.
“Compared to last year, I think we made a lot of improvement.”
The Saturday championship is a rematch of last year’s regional title that Marist won at Oak Forest 1-0.
“It was a hard-fought game,” Roe said. “We scored with about 10 minutes left in the game. They have a different head coach [Pam Whitehead] now. I have looked at some of their results. We have to prepare like any other game. We are going to come out and try to get that early one and put them on the defensive.
“Today was a good first game. We were able to roll out the younger players in the second half. The leaders set the tone, and it is nice to see everybody get some minutes and have some playoff experience.”
Starting lineups
Brooks
GK: Stephanie Miranda
D: Maya Brown
D: Michaela Oliver
D: Mariana Pritchett
D: Claudia Muniz
MF: Alyss Humphery
MF: Evelyn Vasquez
MF: Jackie Romero
MF: Monreal Valeria
F: Sidney Tookes
F: Illiana Hernandez
Marist
GK: Cassandra Eraci
D: Michelle Lenz
D: Jill Zwierz
D: Annie Callaghan
D: Sheila O’Keefe
MF: Emma Brennan
MF: Victoria Lara
MF: Sara Eisha
MF: Cara Donegan
F: Serenity Rosa
F: Delaney Mulcahy
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the match: Emma Brennan, sr., MF, Marist
Starters get shortened work day in 10-0 win over Brooks
By Patrick Z. McGavin
CHICAGO -- The state tournament is a state of mind. Everything is amplified, and everything connects. Play is faster, more contested and the realization that every moment potentially contributes to your last action turns it all up a notch.
Marist is playing its best soccer of the year. The senior class has thrown down the gauntlet. “I think a lot of the seniors are stepping up and starting to really play well because for us, this is end of our time here,” senior midfielder Cara Donegan said.
“The seniors are making sure that everybody is accountable for their play. I think we are all finally stepping up and playing the way we have wanted to the whole year. We are playing well and the right way, making the simple passes and moving well off the ball.”
The RedHawks also are playing off the charged excitement of their deep tournament run of a year ago when they captured the first sectional title in school history. Now the team is ready for its encore.
Marist exploded out of the game with six goals in the first 17 minutes and showcased its depth as nine different players recorded goals as the third-seeded RedHawks pummeled host Brooks 10-0 to make a strong impression their first tournament game in a Class 2A regional semifinal Wednesday at Gately Stadium.
The RedHawks (9-11-2) extended their unbeaten streak to seven games and advanced to the regional championship against Oak Forest -- a 12-0 winner over Hyde Park in the second semifinal -- on Saturday morning.
The berserk northern-directional winds gusted up to 30 miles per hour. Marist had that advantage and used it tactically and freely in creating constant pressure against the Eagles (10-7-2), a member of the Public League’s 2nd Division South.
“We definitely tried to make the goal of getting after them really early,” Marist coach Chris Roe said. “We always try to score in the first five [minutes]. You get a good start like that, and you always put the other team on their heels. In games like this, you really have to continue to work on the things that have gotten you to point where you are.
“We try not to fall into the other team’s habits.”
Marist is now 5-0-2 in its last seven games. Roe elevated some talented young players from his lower levels and also moved senior Emma Brennan -- the team’s creative facilitator and scorer -- into the middle in order to optimize possession time. Brennan was a difference-maker, a whirling dervish who set the dominant tone with her early play.
Brennan scored a goal and recorded three assists to achieve the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match distinction. Her inspired activity forced the Eagles on their heels and allowed Marist to push numbers forward. Excepting a couple of defensive clearances, the entire first half was played in the Eagles’ final third.
In the second minute, Brennan intercepted a ball just outside the top of the box and drilled home a 18-yard blast inside the far post for the early clearing-the-decks statement on behalf of the RedHawks. She followed that up with an intricate and dazzling passing game with senior forward Delaney Mulcahy that culminated in Mulcahy’s authoritative finish.
That was the start and the RedHawks rolled from there, putting the game out of reach early by scoring four goals in the next six minutes. Brooks had no answer. Brennan and Mulcahy each have seven goals on the year.
Brennan also has nine assists.
“We wanted to come out hard and play with a lot of energy and intensity and play the way we have been playing recently,” Donegan said. “We wanted to make the simple passes.” A captain with Brennan and Mulcahy, Donegan scored two goals.
Marist scored from every angle and made the quick passes in a flowing and open attack that played off the constant movement and developed out of multiple angles and possibilities. Midfielder Sara Eisha blasted in a ball from forward Serenity Rosa; Donegan wheeled and pivoted on a cross and blasted home a ball from about 14 yards; and Rosa finished off a Brennan pass.
The pace was fast and relentless and the RedHawks did not let up.
Brennan’s final assist punctuated the dominant opening run as Donegan pushed the lead out to 6-0 in the 17th minute. That also pretty much marked the conclusion of the playing time for the starters, who yielded to the underclassmen, several of whom were recently promoted to the varsity.
Midfielders Ally O’Brien and Ashleigh Hughes are two of the newcomers. O’Brien recorded the final goal of the first half by smashing home a ball from about 26 yards in the 37th minute. Marist got a glimpse of its future over the final 40 minutes.
Hughes, Victoria Collins and Mia Hayes closed out the rout by scoring goals in the truncated second half with the IHSA slaughter rule in effect.
“Since this was the first game [of the state tournament] we all wanted to come out strong and get a good win under our belts,” Hughes said. “We wanted to set the pace for the rest of the playoffs. The touches we are making. We have to space out and get good passes and connect with each other. That is the big point of emphasis, just connecting with each other.
“Those of us just up from the [junior varsity] have to get adjusted to the level of play. That is why a game like this is good -- when we are up a good amount -- we can work on our skills. This is definitely a confidence booster for everyone.”
Brooks managed only two second half shots on goal, both from distance, by forward Sidney Tookes. The bright spot was the play of sophomore standout Claudia Muniz. She moves between the middle and back. Her 10 goals are the most by a sophomore in the history of the program. She was named all-city.
“I think it was a very good game, especially since we had a lot of players who were missing,” Muniz said. “We were really able to pull through, and we really tried our best to give them a lot of competition. Most of our players are playing [organized soccer] for the first time. Once I went back to defense, we played the ball better and showed greater composure.
“Compared to last year, I think we made a lot of improvement.”
The Saturday championship is a rematch of last year’s regional title that Marist won at Oak Forest 1-0.
“It was a hard-fought game,” Roe said. “We scored with about 10 minutes left in the game. They have a different head coach [Pam Whitehead] now. I have looked at some of their results. We have to prepare like any other game. We are going to come out and try to get that early one and put them on the defensive.
“Today was a good first game. We were able to roll out the younger players in the second half. The leaders set the tone, and it is nice to see everybody get some minutes and have some playoff experience.”
Starting lineups
Brooks
GK: Stephanie Miranda
D: Maya Brown
D: Michaela Oliver
D: Mariana Pritchett
D: Claudia Muniz
MF: Alyss Humphery
MF: Evelyn Vasquez
MF: Jackie Romero
MF: Monreal Valeria
F: Sidney Tookes
F: Illiana Hernandez
Marist
GK: Cassandra Eraci
D: Michelle Lenz
D: Jill Zwierz
D: Annie Callaghan
D: Sheila O’Keefe
MF: Emma Brennan
MF: Victoria Lara
MF: Sara Eisha
MF: Cara Donegan
F: Serenity Rosa
F: Delaney Mulcahy
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the match: Emma Brennan, sr., MF, Marist