Metros shot keeps DGN
on upswing, beats L-W West
Trojans win 6th game in last 7 tries
By Dave Owen
SCHAUMBURG - Downers Grove North continued its amazing improvement since mid-March with a 1-0 win over Lincoln-Way West in Saturday’s PepsiCo Showdown consolation pool.
Amazing would also sum up senior Ellie Metros’ pinpoint aim on the deciding goal.
Off a throw-in by Maggie Nevrly in the sixth minute, Metros gathered in a deflection from teammate Bianca Romay off a scramble in front. Metros tucked a 22-yarder just inside the top corner of the net that national team stars Alex Morgan or Abby Wambach couldn’t have placed any better.
“We came out kind of flat but we pulled ourselves together,” said Metros, the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match. “That was a really nice pass, and I just had to take advantage of the opportunity.”
After that impressive strike, Lincoln-Way West and goalkeeper Audrey Pearson went to great lengths to keep the Trojans off the board the rest of the way.
“That was a quality hit,” Warriors coach Jeff Theiss said. “There’s nothing Audrey could do about that one, so credit to the Downers North player that buried that. But our girls responded well and stayed hungry.”
Nine minutes into the second half, Pearson provided a goalkeeper’s best response. A hand ball in the box gave the Trojans a penalty kick, but Pearson dove to her left to stop Metros’ low try.
It was Pearson’s second save of a regulation PK in the tournament.
“I just watch (the shooter’s) eyes and their hips for where they’re going to go, and as soon as they touch the ball I make my decision,” Pearson said. “My instinct was correct. I was able to get it. As long as I can keep (the score) as low as possible, that’s my goal.”
Beyond those two highlight film plays, each side ended the Showdown with positive feelings.
“We keep improving,” DGN coach Bob Calder said. “I’m really happy with where we’re at. We started 2-2 and now we’re 7-3, and going through the Pepsi Showdown, this is a tough stretch of the schedule.
“We have a lot of tough games left in conference, but we’re playing really well and really hard and learning a lot about ourselves every game.”
Beefing up the schedule to prepare for the postseason was the Showdown goal for Lincoln-Way West (7-6), and the three-straight losses to close the tournament were of secondary concern.
“The tournament was a great challenge for us,” Warriors midfielder Meghann Lange said. “We played a lot of teams we haven’t seen before which was nice, because they’re all from up north which has the best teams in the state.
“It was nice to see we could compete with them, and even though we didn’t get the result we wanted, I think it gave us the confidence to go forward and do well.”
Theiss shared that assessment about his defending Class 2A sectional final team, which he hopes can go further after experiences like the PepsiCo provided.
“We think this is going to get us there, playing in big-time situations liks this,” he said. “We’ve upped the level of competition big time. Last year’s group finished 18-6, but we dropped our tournament to pick this up and play some top teams.
“There are no draws here, so that forces you to get after it. If we’re better at the end of the day, I’m happy with that. I’ll take losses in this tournament if it’s going to prepare us for a postseason run.”
Downers North’s only loss in April is a 2-1 overtime setback to Loyola Academy in the Showdown first round. And even that result was a confidence booster.
“We did not think we would be able to hang with them,” Metros said. “That proved to ourselves that we are a good team.”
Four-year varsity standout Metros has been very good all season, as a strong senior class leads the program’s rise.
“Since we’ve been on varsity and in the program for a while, it’s definitely the seniors’ job to be leaders of the team and help the younger players and give them confidence,” Metros said.
Calder has seen the seniors’ impact.
“This season Ellie and Jess (Ridderhoff) have been playing outstanding,” Calder said. “And in this game Lexi Cittadine played really well. She’s on a really quick climb right now. She’s improving so much.”
The tournament competition has helped her and the team’s progression.
“I think it’s really brought us together,” Cittadine said. “We’re really starting to step up in this tournament. The beginning of the season was a little rough. We played well, but all these good teams are helping bring us together to play as a team.”
Freshman goalkeeper Grace Stevenson and the young Downers North defense earned its sixth shutout and second of the tournament, despite some adversity.
“Our captain Arlinda Osmani hurt her ankle, and (sophomore) Kelly Doro has stepped in and played outstanding at right back,” Calder said. “She looks like she’s been there for three years and she just stepped in. Our defense overall has been playing really well.”
While Metros, Cittadine, and Francesca Marconi all generated good scoring opportunities for the Trojans, the Warriors were inches away from tying the game with 10 minutes left.
Brianna Heyer raced in on left wing and sent a 15-yard shot that barely went wide of the vacant right side of the net.
“That’s a very composed Downers North team that definitely won the possession battle,” Theiss said. “But we countered late and gave ourselves an opportunity to tie. That’s all you can ask, to keep fighting and not quit.”
Pearson’s words and actions helped power the Warriors.
“Audrey does a great job communicating in the back,” Lange said. “That’s one of her biggest strong suits. She’s always talking and letting our defenders know where they need to be.
“And then she makes amazing saves like that (PK). It’s nice to trust your goalie. It gives everyone on the field a lot of confidence.”
The confidence is mutual.
“I’m proud of my defense,” Pearson said. “ Emily (Wyskiel), (Brittany) Stover, Teagan (Lyke) - they’re fantastic, and the same with (Breanna) Bembenek when she comes in. They help me out so much. Without them I’d probably be lost.”
Lyke made two nice defensive plays late, winning a 50/50 ball near the box and clearing and later nicely defending Cittadine on her drive in on net.
“The way our system works and being down a goal, we kind of left Teagan on an island with No. 17 of Downers Grove (Cittadine) and she did a great job with her,” Theiss said.
“She kept her on her outside shoulder and delayed her well, so that was big for us to allow us to get away with three in the back and get some numbers forward. That was the first thing I credited to this group. The back line played excellent. They read the game well. We just didn’t have that quality finishing touch that we needed to tie the game.”
Said Lange: “Our defense has been getting so much better every game. It’s unbelievable to see the progress we’ve made, and we have so many players we can push back and they step up and do what they need to do. It was an overall great match.”
For the Warriors, it’s all about maximizing the potential in the hope for a great postseason.
“Last year’s experience is just going to drive us,” Lange said. “I know us seniors, we don’t want to end it like we did against Lemont (a sectional final loss) last year. It’s just motivation for us to work hard no matter what happens and keep pushing forward.”
Downers Grove North has the bulk of its conference schedule left. The seniors hope the formula for April success continues to work.
“Just keep a positive mindset,” Cittadine said. “Even if there’s a bad play or whatever, you have to keep going strong and encouraging your younger teammates.
“I think we just have to keep playing like we are -- keep our confidence up and keep the intensity up.”
Starting lineups
Downers Grove North
GK: Grace Stevenson
D: Kacey Ford
D: Elizabeth Hodonicky
D: Kelly Doro
D: Alyse Dutcher
M: Maggie Nevrly
M: Ellena Metros
M: Bianca Romay
M: Francesca Marconi
F: Jessica Ridderhoff
F: Lexi Cittadine
Lincon-Way West
GK: Audrey Pearson
D: Teagan Lyke
D: Brittany Stover
D: Emily Wyskiel
M: Brianna Heyer
M: Meghann Lange
M: Olivia Judge
M: Madison Mikalauski
M: Meredith Buldak
F: Brianna Darlage
F: Kaitlyn Souder
MVP of the Match: Ellie Metros, MF, Downers Grove North
on upswing, beats L-W West
Trojans win 6th game in last 7 tries
By Dave Owen
SCHAUMBURG - Downers Grove North continued its amazing improvement since mid-March with a 1-0 win over Lincoln-Way West in Saturday’s PepsiCo Showdown consolation pool.
Amazing would also sum up senior Ellie Metros’ pinpoint aim on the deciding goal.
Off a throw-in by Maggie Nevrly in the sixth minute, Metros gathered in a deflection from teammate Bianca Romay off a scramble in front. Metros tucked a 22-yarder just inside the top corner of the net that national team stars Alex Morgan or Abby Wambach couldn’t have placed any better.
“We came out kind of flat but we pulled ourselves together,” said Metros, the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match. “That was a really nice pass, and I just had to take advantage of the opportunity.”
After that impressive strike, Lincoln-Way West and goalkeeper Audrey Pearson went to great lengths to keep the Trojans off the board the rest of the way.
“That was a quality hit,” Warriors coach Jeff Theiss said. “There’s nothing Audrey could do about that one, so credit to the Downers North player that buried that. But our girls responded well and stayed hungry.”
Nine minutes into the second half, Pearson provided a goalkeeper’s best response. A hand ball in the box gave the Trojans a penalty kick, but Pearson dove to her left to stop Metros’ low try.
It was Pearson’s second save of a regulation PK in the tournament.
“I just watch (the shooter’s) eyes and their hips for where they’re going to go, and as soon as they touch the ball I make my decision,” Pearson said. “My instinct was correct. I was able to get it. As long as I can keep (the score) as low as possible, that’s my goal.”
Beyond those two highlight film plays, each side ended the Showdown with positive feelings.
“We keep improving,” DGN coach Bob Calder said. “I’m really happy with where we’re at. We started 2-2 and now we’re 7-3, and going through the Pepsi Showdown, this is a tough stretch of the schedule.
“We have a lot of tough games left in conference, but we’re playing really well and really hard and learning a lot about ourselves every game.”
Beefing up the schedule to prepare for the postseason was the Showdown goal for Lincoln-Way West (7-6), and the three-straight losses to close the tournament were of secondary concern.
“The tournament was a great challenge for us,” Warriors midfielder Meghann Lange said. “We played a lot of teams we haven’t seen before which was nice, because they’re all from up north which has the best teams in the state.
“It was nice to see we could compete with them, and even though we didn’t get the result we wanted, I think it gave us the confidence to go forward and do well.”
Theiss shared that assessment about his defending Class 2A sectional final team, which he hopes can go further after experiences like the PepsiCo provided.
“We think this is going to get us there, playing in big-time situations liks this,” he said. “We’ve upped the level of competition big time. Last year’s group finished 18-6, but we dropped our tournament to pick this up and play some top teams.
“There are no draws here, so that forces you to get after it. If we’re better at the end of the day, I’m happy with that. I’ll take losses in this tournament if it’s going to prepare us for a postseason run.”
Downers North’s only loss in April is a 2-1 overtime setback to Loyola Academy in the Showdown first round. And even that result was a confidence booster.
“We did not think we would be able to hang with them,” Metros said. “That proved to ourselves that we are a good team.”
Four-year varsity standout Metros has been very good all season, as a strong senior class leads the program’s rise.
“Since we’ve been on varsity and in the program for a while, it’s definitely the seniors’ job to be leaders of the team and help the younger players and give them confidence,” Metros said.
Calder has seen the seniors’ impact.
“This season Ellie and Jess (Ridderhoff) have been playing outstanding,” Calder said. “And in this game Lexi Cittadine played really well. She’s on a really quick climb right now. She’s improving so much.”
The tournament competition has helped her and the team’s progression.
“I think it’s really brought us together,” Cittadine said. “We’re really starting to step up in this tournament. The beginning of the season was a little rough. We played well, but all these good teams are helping bring us together to play as a team.”
Freshman goalkeeper Grace Stevenson and the young Downers North defense earned its sixth shutout and second of the tournament, despite some adversity.
“Our captain Arlinda Osmani hurt her ankle, and (sophomore) Kelly Doro has stepped in and played outstanding at right back,” Calder said. “She looks like she’s been there for three years and she just stepped in. Our defense overall has been playing really well.”
While Metros, Cittadine, and Francesca Marconi all generated good scoring opportunities for the Trojans, the Warriors were inches away from tying the game with 10 minutes left.
Brianna Heyer raced in on left wing and sent a 15-yard shot that barely went wide of the vacant right side of the net.
“That’s a very composed Downers North team that definitely won the possession battle,” Theiss said. “But we countered late and gave ourselves an opportunity to tie. That’s all you can ask, to keep fighting and not quit.”
Pearson’s words and actions helped power the Warriors.
“Audrey does a great job communicating in the back,” Lange said. “That’s one of her biggest strong suits. She’s always talking and letting our defenders know where they need to be.
“And then she makes amazing saves like that (PK). It’s nice to trust your goalie. It gives everyone on the field a lot of confidence.”
The confidence is mutual.
“I’m proud of my defense,” Pearson said. “ Emily (Wyskiel), (Brittany) Stover, Teagan (Lyke) - they’re fantastic, and the same with (Breanna) Bembenek when she comes in. They help me out so much. Without them I’d probably be lost.”
Lyke made two nice defensive plays late, winning a 50/50 ball near the box and clearing and later nicely defending Cittadine on her drive in on net.
“The way our system works and being down a goal, we kind of left Teagan on an island with No. 17 of Downers Grove (Cittadine) and she did a great job with her,” Theiss said.
“She kept her on her outside shoulder and delayed her well, so that was big for us to allow us to get away with three in the back and get some numbers forward. That was the first thing I credited to this group. The back line played excellent. They read the game well. We just didn’t have that quality finishing touch that we needed to tie the game.”
Said Lange: “Our defense has been getting so much better every game. It’s unbelievable to see the progress we’ve made, and we have so many players we can push back and they step up and do what they need to do. It was an overall great match.”
For the Warriors, it’s all about maximizing the potential in the hope for a great postseason.
“Last year’s experience is just going to drive us,” Lange said. “I know us seniors, we don’t want to end it like we did against Lemont (a sectional final loss) last year. It’s just motivation for us to work hard no matter what happens and keep pushing forward.”
Downers Grove North has the bulk of its conference schedule left. The seniors hope the formula for April success continues to work.
“Just keep a positive mindset,” Cittadine said. “Even if there’s a bad play or whatever, you have to keep going strong and encouraging your younger teammates.
“I think we just have to keep playing like we are -- keep our confidence up and keep the intensity up.”
Starting lineups
Downers Grove North
GK: Grace Stevenson
D: Kacey Ford
D: Elizabeth Hodonicky
D: Kelly Doro
D: Alyse Dutcher
M: Maggie Nevrly
M: Ellena Metros
M: Bianca Romay
M: Francesca Marconi
F: Jessica Ridderhoff
F: Lexi Cittadine
Lincon-Way West
GK: Audrey Pearson
D: Teagan Lyke
D: Brittany Stover
D: Emily Wyskiel
M: Brianna Heyer
M: Meghann Lange
M: Olivia Judge
M: Madison Mikalauski
M: Meredith Buldak
F: Brianna Darlage
F: Kaitlyn Souder
MVP of the Match: Ellie Metros, MF, Downers Grove North