Downers North gives way to Loyola in OT
Trojans lose battle, succeed in building confidence
By Chris Walker
SCHAUMBURG – Downers Grove North was the underdog. The Trojans certainly didn’t play like one, though.
Loyola, the team with the best history in the PepsiCo Showdown, rallied with a late goal in regulation and then won it in overtime 2-1 Saturday at Olympic Park.
“It was a really good game,” Trojans coach Bob Calder said. “We felt we had good chances in the first half too. Defensively I thought we played really strong and didn’t give them many chances.”
Downers Grove North (4-3-0) did its part to make things difficult on Loyola, and the teams went into the break scoreless.
Not much changed in the second half, as scoring opportunities were limited for both sides.
The Trojans finally delivered with nine minutes left in regulation when senior Ellie Metros connected after a Arlinda Osmani corner.
“We just kept fighting,” Metros said. “I know Loyola is big, so we just tried to come together as a team and show how good we could be.”
Loyola (6-1-1) didn’t get flustered despite falling behind, and with time running out, it was awarded a penalty kick, which it converted. That knotted things up at 1-1 and really gave Loyola momentum heading into overtime.
“It was her first goal in high school,” Loyola coach Craig Snower said. “We made some timely plays when we had our backs against the wall. It was definitely legit. I think they got her (down) twice on the play so that was big for her to step up.”
Even without the victory, the Trojans had to feel that tbey earned something by battling a top-notch teem.
“I’m sure I’m biased because I felt we played very well in the field,” Calder said. “I have no major complaints. We’re still only three games into our new system, so there’s going to be some adjusting. I’m not happy with the loss, but I’m happy with our performance.”
The teams batted the ball around for most of the first half, perhaps the adrenaline of a big tournament getting the better of them. Each seemed to settle down in the second half.
“It was tough, but I think we showed we can compete with the best,” Downers Grove North senior defender Arlinda Osmani said.” We came together as a team and we played hard for each other.”
With momentum swinging heavily in its favor, Loyola won the game early in the overtime on a goal from a sophomore. Allison West, a player who was on the junior varsity squad a year ago, did in Downers Grove North.
“I just made a break on the ball, and the defense hit to back to the top of the 18,” West said. “I had no idea how much time was left so I just gave it everything I had. It’s the Pepsi, so wanted to do what I could to make sure we moved on.”
West was named Chicagoland Soccer’s MVP of the Match for her efforts.
Coming so close to a monumental win could be a positive or negative as the Trojans try to rebound from a hard-fought loss.
“You can handle a 1-0 loss against a big playoff team, but you have to figure out how you’re going to respond,” Calder said. “It is tough against teams of this caliber, but you have to learn from the loss and the experience.”
This one particularly is troublesome because the Trojans enjoyed a late lead.
“Hopefully they can rebound emotionally from this, because they gave so much,” Calder said. “I feel good on how they played, so we should be all right.”
MVP of the Match: Allison West
Officials: Miguel Chavez, Zach Richter, Ruiz Walker
Trojans lose battle, succeed in building confidence
By Chris Walker
SCHAUMBURG – Downers Grove North was the underdog. The Trojans certainly didn’t play like one, though.
Loyola, the team with the best history in the PepsiCo Showdown, rallied with a late goal in regulation and then won it in overtime 2-1 Saturday at Olympic Park.
“It was a really good game,” Trojans coach Bob Calder said. “We felt we had good chances in the first half too. Defensively I thought we played really strong and didn’t give them many chances.”
Downers Grove North (4-3-0) did its part to make things difficult on Loyola, and the teams went into the break scoreless.
Not much changed in the second half, as scoring opportunities were limited for both sides.
The Trojans finally delivered with nine minutes left in regulation when senior Ellie Metros connected after a Arlinda Osmani corner.
“We just kept fighting,” Metros said. “I know Loyola is big, so we just tried to come together as a team and show how good we could be.”
Loyola (6-1-1) didn’t get flustered despite falling behind, and with time running out, it was awarded a penalty kick, which it converted. That knotted things up at 1-1 and really gave Loyola momentum heading into overtime.
“It was her first goal in high school,” Loyola coach Craig Snower said. “We made some timely plays when we had our backs against the wall. It was definitely legit. I think they got her (down) twice on the play so that was big for her to step up.”
Even without the victory, the Trojans had to feel that tbey earned something by battling a top-notch teem.
“I’m sure I’m biased because I felt we played very well in the field,” Calder said. “I have no major complaints. We’re still only three games into our new system, so there’s going to be some adjusting. I’m not happy with the loss, but I’m happy with our performance.”
The teams batted the ball around for most of the first half, perhaps the adrenaline of a big tournament getting the better of them. Each seemed to settle down in the second half.
“It was tough, but I think we showed we can compete with the best,” Downers Grove North senior defender Arlinda Osmani said.” We came together as a team and we played hard for each other.”
With momentum swinging heavily in its favor, Loyola won the game early in the overtime on a goal from a sophomore. Allison West, a player who was on the junior varsity squad a year ago, did in Downers Grove North.
“I just made a break on the ball, and the defense hit to back to the top of the 18,” West said. “I had no idea how much time was left so I just gave it everything I had. It’s the Pepsi, so wanted to do what I could to make sure we moved on.”
West was named Chicagoland Soccer’s MVP of the Match for her efforts.
Coming so close to a monumental win could be a positive or negative as the Trojans try to rebound from a hard-fought loss.
“You can handle a 1-0 loss against a big playoff team, but you have to figure out how you’re going to respond,” Calder said. “It is tough against teams of this caliber, but you have to learn from the loss and the experience.”
This one particularly is troublesome because the Trojans enjoyed a late lead.
“Hopefully they can rebound emotionally from this, because they gave so much,” Calder said. “I feel good on how they played, so we should be all right.”
MVP of the Match: Allison West
Officials: Miguel Chavez, Zach Richter, Ruiz Walker