New Trier continues on roll
with win over Deerfield
Trevians post complete effort in rekindled rivalry
By Matt Misiek
DEERFIELD -- In their last meeting two years ago New Trier and Deerfield played to a terrific 1-1 draw before the Trevians prevailed on penalty kicks.
Both teams had that memory fresh in their minds, going into Thursday afternoon’s tilt.
Knowing the firepower of undefeated New Trier, ranked third in the latest Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, Deerfield went with a five-back setup in front of goalkeeper Karly Morris.
However, the Trevians solved the equation and forged a 3-0 victory.
The first 20 minutes of play mirrored the matchup from two years ago. The Deerfield defense was up to the challenge despite constant New Trier pressure.
The first opportunity for the Trevians came in the second minute as sophomore midfielder Lily Conley hit a drive that forced a fantastic punch save from Morris to her right. On the ensuing corner, Warriors defender Molli Goodman saved a goal by blocking an effort in front of the net. A minute later, Morris saved an Avery Schuldt effort.
“The whole day, I was in game-day mode,” said Morris who had 4 first half saves. “I was just focused and was getting other people focused and working with them.”
New Trier had other opportunities early that narrowly went wide, including another effort from Schuldt in the 18th minute. Freshman Emma Weaver came very close in the 20th minute, just missing the far post, after a great ball from Conley.
The breakthrough for the Trevians (6-0-0) came in the 23rd minute. Senior forward Hannah Arment sprinted down the right wing and earned a corner. Schuldt delivered the ball right onto the head of defender Sydney Parker, who headed it off the turf where it glanced off of Morris’s outstretched hand into the net.
“I always look for Sydney in the box off of my corner kicks,” Schuldt said. “She is such a big target and is ready. Even if I am not able to find her, I have other great targets such as Hannah that I can pick out. I just try to play it away from the keeper so we can get it to goal.”
Parker's efforts -- her goal, work rate on the backline and leadership -- were acknowledged with Chicagoland Soccer's MVP of the Match honor.
“Avery put the ball right on my head,” Parker said. “I just tried to hit the ball as hard as I could and to pick a corner where it would be tough for the keeper.”
Parker also was quick to praise her defensive mates for a supreme effort.
“I’m really proud and happy of my backline today,” Parker said. “We did a great job pressing high on them, so we did not allow for them to have any space in the back. We also communicated really well.”
Five minutes later, New Trier doubled the advantage courtesy of great service from Caroline Iserloth. The defender served toward streaking midfielder Nicole Kaspi. Kaspi was able to get a foot on the ball and flick it behind Morris.
The second half saw the Trevians third goal start off of a Parker header that was saved by Morris. Unfortunately for Deerfield, the ball went back to New Trier forward Whitney Hoban, who rifled a shot from the top of the 18 to the left of the Morris and in.
“There was a lot of fighting for the ball in the box,” said Hoban. “We were all rotating and trying to pop out at the right times. I popped out and the ball happened to come back to me, and I took the shot.”
Arment was also a standout for New Trier. She had several dazzling runs from her right wing position, maximizing her opportunities in the tight real estate market and progressing deep into Deerfield territory, leading to numerous opportunities.
“We worked a lot on that in practice,” Arment said. “We work on taking the corners, pushing it hard and crossing it in and that really helps.”
New Trier coach Jim Burnside was pleased with the result, which continues the team’s trend of posting clean sheets in every match.
“We had to get the feel of what was going on today, with the wind and the cold.” Burnside said. “I thought we did a great job of connecting passes, feeling each other out. I thought Hannah and Avery had really great days today. Across the board, I was really happy with the way we came out and played.”
Deerfield (1-1-3) used its defensive strategy to keep many Trevian chances off the scoreboard.
“We were very well prepared for today with five backs,” said Deerfield junior defender Ashley Morgan. “I think we played really well defensively. Most of their goals, they (New Trier) were not cutting right through our defense. It was more of off of a corner or a fluke; I think we played very well.”
Deerfield coach Rich Grady thought his team battled.
“I’m not happy that we held them to three goals,” Grady said. “I don’t go into any game with a number in mind to hold an opponent. We did what we thought was the best opportunity to give us a chance, to have five backs and the two outside backs attacking.
“I thought we started really well, but that first goal was by the biggest, strongest player on the field and not much you could do about it.”
The Warriors will take lessons from this game into Friday's clash at Lakes, which was rescheduled from Wednesday.
“The coaches are telling me a lot about confidence and having confidence,” said Morgan. “I have played center mid most of my soccer life, so I am just coming back to defense. I am learning to step up on forwards, win the ball quicker, and not letting the forwards turn.”
New Trier will try to move to 2-0-0 in Central Suburban League South Division play when it hosts Niles West at 7 p.m. Friday
Starting lineups
New Trier
GK: Katy Symanietz
D: Megan Murdoch
D: Caroline Iserloth
D: Sam Urban
D: Sydney Parker
MF: Lily Conley
MF: Avery Schuldt
MF: Emma Weaver
MF: Hope Baisley
MF: Hannah Arment
F: Whitney Hoban
Deerfield
GK: Karly Morris
D: Julia Harlan
D: Devyn Compisi
D: Ashley Morgan
D: Molli Goodman
D: Mirelle Haas
MF: Kat Stanaszek
MF: Malori Killoren
MF: Samantha Linn
F: Erin Rosenzweig
F: Chloe Cappas
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Sydney Parker, jr., D, New Trier
Officials: Rafal Zielinski (center); Tim Csuri; Igor Letuchy