Prospect’s super sophs pace regional win
Marzolf's quick hat-trick leads Knights to win over Niles West
By Dave Owen
Ashley Welk scored in the 11th minute to put Prospect ahead, then fellow sophomore Ella Marzolf struck for three goals in a span of just over eight minutes in the late first and early second half.
Those strikes made all the impact needed in a 5-0 regional semifinal win for the host Knights over Niles West (11-9-2). The win sends Prospect (8-9-2) on to face top seed and three-time defending state champion New Trier in the Prospect regional final at 6:30 p.m. Friday.
“When Ella has some space to strike the ball, she’s definitely one of the best ball-strikers on our team,” Knights coach Tom Froats said. “And normally when it’s on frame, it’s going to be difficult for the keeper to stop. She’s a finisher when she’s on, and she was on tonight.”
Marzolf really flipped the switch late in the first half, with the Knights playing into the wind and holding on to a 1-0 lead. Junior Faith Fitzimmons won a loose ball that eluded a clear attempt by a Niles West defender, and sent a ncie pass to Marzolf on the right side.
Marzolf’s ensuing drive found net inside the far post, and the Knights went into the half with a 2-0 lead and big momentum.
“I think the goal to close the half out was just the result of all our possession, and how we stayed composed in the middle,’ said Marzolf, who has 10 goals this season. “That just showed how much we worked for that one.”
Earlier, Welk’s goal off a Sarah Mulvihill assist with 29:03 left in the first half had set the tone.
“Ella took the ball down the outside, passed it to Sarah and she sent it in the middle to me at the top of the box,” Welk said of her eventual game-deciding score.
“We try to get a quick goal – we say ‘first five minutes, go really hard.’ If we get a goal early, we have the confidence and then we can play really well from there and score a bunch.”
That bunch would eventually come, but not easily.
A great Prospect chance came in the 20th minute, when Aly Kobler drove in on right wing and fired a 15-yarder that was deflected by goalkeeper Lidia Fakhoury and then cleared by a defender near the far post.
Then in the 25th minute, Jalyn Mosley’s 30-yard free kick was denied on a leaping catch by Fakhoury.
A long punt by Fakhoury produced an unlikely threat at the other end of the field 10:15 before halftime, as Prospect keeper Gianna Rossi just beat Niles West’s Bianca Tomuta to the bouncing ball 15 yards from goal.
Prospect defenders Marissa Valentini and Natalie Marfilius had consecutive nice clears of attacks inside the 20 in the 35th minute.
By night’s end, the all-underclassmen defensive unit (including two sophomores and a freshman) had added to a nice run of just two goals allowed in the last four games.
“We’ve definitely been working well together,” Valentini said of the defense, “and whenever we’re marking a player we’re always covering for each other and we’re there to support each other. Working as a unit has made us successful.
“Since we’ve spent so much time together, six days a week every week, it’s definitely built our relationships and brought us closer.”
That type of teamwork was especially important with the first half wind in Niles West’s favor.
“Going into the wind impacted the game in the first half – it was a pretty stiff breeze,” Froats said. “They were able to create a few opportunities on balls that were dangerous and made more dangerous by the wind, and we didn’t manage that very well. We weren’t as clean as we could have been in the first half. But I thought we were able to create quite a few opportunities offensively.”
After Niles West denied good chances in a 45-second span of the 37th minute by Shawna Stokes (shot on goal), Marfilius and Fitzsimmons (shot wide left), the Knights broke through.
“Getting one in in pretty quick fashion allowed us to settle into the game,” Froats said of Welk’s goal. “It took us awhile to get that second one, but I think that was an important goal. Going into the half with a 2-0 lead, it’s a much different ballgame. Then in the second half we came out pretty comfortably and did a nice job.”
Marzolf quickly wrapped up Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match honors once the second half began.
She scored in the first minute to put Prospect up 3-0, then capped off a great three-player combination effort with 33:16 to go.
Defender Valentini’s initial send found Welk on right wing. Marzolf then took a cross from Welk to the box and powered a 20-yarder inside the right post to complete her hat-trick.
“A lot of times Ella and Aly are on the wings and beat (defenders) down the sidelines,” Welk said, “and I just basically make the run into the middle and be there for the ball when it comes through. If not, Ella or Aly will take it and shoot it.
“We work together and know where each person’s going to run, so it helps a lot.”
Welk’s portion of the offensive firepower has certainly helped the Knights all year.
“Ashley Welk is very creative and dangerous for us,” Froats said. “She did a really nice job for us and overall our backline. Once we got settled in we were a lot more clean and didn’t have as many mistakes as we did in the first half.”
Kobler would be the finisher on the night’s final goal, this time featuring the work of four Knights.
Off a pass by Grace Johannesen, Grace Bauer hit Mulvihill for an end line attack. Drawing the defense, Mulvihill then sent a perfect pass to Kobler for an open putaway in front.
Niles West coach Milo Cejovic felt his team faced adversity of every kind.
“We let in the first goal, then our two captains (Jackie Bajric and Taylor Isirov) got hurt -- she (Isirov) got hurt right at the start,” Cejovic said. “Then those 5-10 minutes (beginning late in the first half), we just weren’t ready for it. We lost a lot of speed, and our commandant in the back (Isorov). It’s unlucky, but it happens.
“They were the better team, but we’ve played a lot better than we played today. The whole season overall was wonderful. The girls have improved, and they’ve given their all. Today just wasn’t our day.”
Prospect kept making things happen until the end. Meredith Nyborg’s shot off a Madalyn Ladd corner kick was blocked 10 yards out by Niles West’s Diana Panoutsos with 15:05 left, and a Kristin Schneider 20-yard drive was stopped.
Then in the final seven minutes, Ashley Adams had two quality chances (an eight-yard save by Fakhoury off a Mulvihill pass with 7:30 left, then a diving Fakhoury save on an 18-yard Adams try with 5:30 to go).
The end result of it all was Prospect’s second-largest winning margin of the year.
“Tonight before the game we all talked to each other, getting each other pumped up,” Welk said. “We all had a lot of energy and that obviously showed.”
That energy and more will be needed Friday against powerful New Trier.
“They’re a really good side,” Welk said of the Trevians. “If we can win the ball in the middle, play those crosses and keep running in, I think that’ll really help us. But it’s got to be a team effort.”
Froats reflected on Tuesday’s win, and eyed Friday’s major test.
“Overall I thought this was a really nice game,” he said, “and now we get an opportunity to play again. Not every team can say that this time of year.
“New Trier is the real deal, the kind of teams we hope to be able to compete against. We’ll have that opportunity. That’s why we worked hard today.”
Prospect has first-hand knowledge of New Trier. The Knights dropped a 2-0 decision to the Trevians in a game that was limited to a half due to the weather March 23.
Starting lineups
Niles West
GK- Lidia Fakhoury
D- Sammie Simkins
D- Ashweita Ajith
D- Andrijiana Sajic
D- Ashley Dyer
M- Dyana Dawood
M- Aila Durakovic
M- Edita Mackic
M- Taylor Isorov
F- Jacqueline Barijic
F- Bianca Tomuta
Prospect
GK- Gianna Rossi
D- Madalyn Ladd
D- Natalie Marfilius
D- Jalyn Mosley
D- Marissa Valentini
M- Sarah Mulvihill
M- Grace Johannesen
M- Shawna Stokes
F- Aly Kobler
F- Ella Marzolf
F- Ashley Welk
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Ella Marzolf, so., F, Prospect
Marzolf's quick hat-trick leads Knights to win over Niles West
By Dave Owen
Ashley Welk scored in the 11th minute to put Prospect ahead, then fellow sophomore Ella Marzolf struck for three goals in a span of just over eight minutes in the late first and early second half.
Those strikes made all the impact needed in a 5-0 regional semifinal win for the host Knights over Niles West (11-9-2). The win sends Prospect (8-9-2) on to face top seed and three-time defending state champion New Trier in the Prospect regional final at 6:30 p.m. Friday.
“When Ella has some space to strike the ball, she’s definitely one of the best ball-strikers on our team,” Knights coach Tom Froats said. “And normally when it’s on frame, it’s going to be difficult for the keeper to stop. She’s a finisher when she’s on, and she was on tonight.”
Marzolf really flipped the switch late in the first half, with the Knights playing into the wind and holding on to a 1-0 lead. Junior Faith Fitzimmons won a loose ball that eluded a clear attempt by a Niles West defender, and sent a ncie pass to Marzolf on the right side.
Marzolf’s ensuing drive found net inside the far post, and the Knights went into the half with a 2-0 lead and big momentum.
“I think the goal to close the half out was just the result of all our possession, and how we stayed composed in the middle,’ said Marzolf, who has 10 goals this season. “That just showed how much we worked for that one.”
Earlier, Welk’s goal off a Sarah Mulvihill assist with 29:03 left in the first half had set the tone.
“Ella took the ball down the outside, passed it to Sarah and she sent it in the middle to me at the top of the box,” Welk said of her eventual game-deciding score.
“We try to get a quick goal – we say ‘first five minutes, go really hard.’ If we get a goal early, we have the confidence and then we can play really well from there and score a bunch.”
That bunch would eventually come, but not easily.
A great Prospect chance came in the 20th minute, when Aly Kobler drove in on right wing and fired a 15-yarder that was deflected by goalkeeper Lidia Fakhoury and then cleared by a defender near the far post.
Then in the 25th minute, Jalyn Mosley’s 30-yard free kick was denied on a leaping catch by Fakhoury.
A long punt by Fakhoury produced an unlikely threat at the other end of the field 10:15 before halftime, as Prospect keeper Gianna Rossi just beat Niles West’s Bianca Tomuta to the bouncing ball 15 yards from goal.
Prospect defenders Marissa Valentini and Natalie Marfilius had consecutive nice clears of attacks inside the 20 in the 35th minute.
By night’s end, the all-underclassmen defensive unit (including two sophomores and a freshman) had added to a nice run of just two goals allowed in the last four games.
“We’ve definitely been working well together,” Valentini said of the defense, “and whenever we’re marking a player we’re always covering for each other and we’re there to support each other. Working as a unit has made us successful.
“Since we’ve spent so much time together, six days a week every week, it’s definitely built our relationships and brought us closer.”
That type of teamwork was especially important with the first half wind in Niles West’s favor.
“Going into the wind impacted the game in the first half – it was a pretty stiff breeze,” Froats said. “They were able to create a few opportunities on balls that were dangerous and made more dangerous by the wind, and we didn’t manage that very well. We weren’t as clean as we could have been in the first half. But I thought we were able to create quite a few opportunities offensively.”
After Niles West denied good chances in a 45-second span of the 37th minute by Shawna Stokes (shot on goal), Marfilius and Fitzsimmons (shot wide left), the Knights broke through.
“Getting one in in pretty quick fashion allowed us to settle into the game,” Froats said of Welk’s goal. “It took us awhile to get that second one, but I think that was an important goal. Going into the half with a 2-0 lead, it’s a much different ballgame. Then in the second half we came out pretty comfortably and did a nice job.”
Marzolf quickly wrapped up Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match honors once the second half began.
She scored in the first minute to put Prospect up 3-0, then capped off a great three-player combination effort with 33:16 to go.
Defender Valentini’s initial send found Welk on right wing. Marzolf then took a cross from Welk to the box and powered a 20-yarder inside the right post to complete her hat-trick.
“A lot of times Ella and Aly are on the wings and beat (defenders) down the sidelines,” Welk said, “and I just basically make the run into the middle and be there for the ball when it comes through. If not, Ella or Aly will take it and shoot it.
“We work together and know where each person’s going to run, so it helps a lot.”
Welk’s portion of the offensive firepower has certainly helped the Knights all year.
“Ashley Welk is very creative and dangerous for us,” Froats said. “She did a really nice job for us and overall our backline. Once we got settled in we were a lot more clean and didn’t have as many mistakes as we did in the first half.”
Kobler would be the finisher on the night’s final goal, this time featuring the work of four Knights.
Off a pass by Grace Johannesen, Grace Bauer hit Mulvihill for an end line attack. Drawing the defense, Mulvihill then sent a perfect pass to Kobler for an open putaway in front.
Niles West coach Milo Cejovic felt his team faced adversity of every kind.
“We let in the first goal, then our two captains (Jackie Bajric and Taylor Isirov) got hurt -- she (Isirov) got hurt right at the start,” Cejovic said. “Then those 5-10 minutes (beginning late in the first half), we just weren’t ready for it. We lost a lot of speed, and our commandant in the back (Isorov). It’s unlucky, but it happens.
“They were the better team, but we’ve played a lot better than we played today. The whole season overall was wonderful. The girls have improved, and they’ve given their all. Today just wasn’t our day.”
Prospect kept making things happen until the end. Meredith Nyborg’s shot off a Madalyn Ladd corner kick was blocked 10 yards out by Niles West’s Diana Panoutsos with 15:05 left, and a Kristin Schneider 20-yard drive was stopped.
Then in the final seven minutes, Ashley Adams had two quality chances (an eight-yard save by Fakhoury off a Mulvihill pass with 7:30 left, then a diving Fakhoury save on an 18-yard Adams try with 5:30 to go).
The end result of it all was Prospect’s second-largest winning margin of the year.
“Tonight before the game we all talked to each other, getting each other pumped up,” Welk said. “We all had a lot of energy and that obviously showed.”
That energy and more will be needed Friday against powerful New Trier.
“They’re a really good side,” Welk said of the Trevians. “If we can win the ball in the middle, play those crosses and keep running in, I think that’ll really help us. But it’s got to be a team effort.”
Froats reflected on Tuesday’s win, and eyed Friday’s major test.
“Overall I thought this was a really nice game,” he said, “and now we get an opportunity to play again. Not every team can say that this time of year.
“New Trier is the real deal, the kind of teams we hope to be able to compete against. We’ll have that opportunity. That’s why we worked hard today.”
Prospect has first-hand knowledge of New Trier. The Knights dropped a 2-0 decision to the Trevians in a game that was limited to a half due to the weather March 23.
Starting lineups
Niles West
GK- Lidia Fakhoury
D- Sammie Simkins
D- Ashweita Ajith
D- Andrijiana Sajic
D- Ashley Dyer
M- Dyana Dawood
M- Aila Durakovic
M- Edita Mackic
M- Taylor Isorov
F- Jacqueline Barijic
F- Bianca Tomuta
Prospect
GK- Gianna Rossi
D- Madalyn Ladd
D- Natalie Marfilius
D- Jalyn Mosley
D- Marissa Valentini
M- Sarah Mulvihill
M- Grace Johannesen
M- Shawna Stokes
F- Aly Kobler
F- Ella Marzolf
F- Ashley Welk
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Ella Marzolf, so., F, Prospect