St. Francis finds 3A success against Bartlett
2018 Class AA champions overcome Hawks’ early goal, win 4-2
By Bill Stone
WHEATON -- Besides starting at outside defender, St. Francis sophomore Katherine Lemke has become an offensive threat in her second varsity season.
“Actually I didn’t score at all last year, and this year I think I’ve had nine goals. It’s been good,” Lemke said.
“Last year I was the scared little freshman. This year I wanted to have a little more confidence. In club, I was going in and attacking more so I figured why not do that this year. I was kind of expecting to be more offensive, and I think I’ve figured it out.”
When Lemke scored Tuesday with 14:39 remaining, she provided the insurance goal of the Spartans’ 4-2 victory over Bartlett in a topsy-turvy Class 3A St. Francis Regional semifinal at Wheaton College.
The Class AA state champions in 2018, St. Francis (7-7-3) will try to continue its postseason success in Class 3A.
The no. 9 seed in the Schaumburg Sectional will play for the regional title at 5 p.m. Friday at Wheaton College against top-seeded St. Charles North (16-1-2), which reached the 3A quarterfinals last season.
The North Stars, a 6-0 winner over no. 16 Glenbard North in Tuesday’s other semifinal, are ranked no. 2 in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25. They defeated the Spartans 1-0 back on March 19.
St. Francis' University of Iowa-bound senior forward Hannah Rittenhouse scored twice for the Spartans, including the tiebreaker after a long dribble for a 3-2 lead with 18:53 remaining. Junior midfielder Ava Hensley had a goal and two assists, and Lemke also provided an assist.
One of the few returning starters, Rittenhouse led the Spartans in goals last year and does this year as well with a goal estimate around 20.
“You can’t teach big, strong and fast (like Rittenhouse),” joked St. Francis coach Jim Winslow.
The Spartans recovered nicely when Bartlett senior defender Paige Bednarke scored for the no. 8-seed on an electrifying 45-yard free kick only 30 seconds into the match.
“I was proud of us, because we fought back and got back the first goal then the second goal (that tied the game 2-2). I think we worked really hard and deserved it,” Rittenhouse said.
“It’s very different (this season), but I think it’s been a motivation. I know we lost a lot of seniors, but that’s no excuse. These girls have come in and stepped up big time so I’m really appreciative of that. It’s really fun competing with them so we’re hoping to go as far as we can, like we did last year, and get to where we want to be.”
Lemke, the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match, and Rittenhouse provided the spark that helped the Spartans recover from Bednarke’s great restart. They had several passing combinations that resulted in attacking pressure or near goals before Lemke passed to Rittenhouse for a 1-1 tie 23:21 before halftime.
About five minutes earlier, Lemke just missed converting on a breakaway pass down left wing from Rittenhouse.
“I have been ... playing a lot more aggressively,” Lemke said. “I think my teammates recognize that and so they can cover for me. They allow me to make those runs.”
“Early on, some of the passes weren’t made, but you’ve just got to keep trying,” Rittenhouse said. “We can always rely on Kat. She’s a really mobile player. I think she’s a great player on the outside. She gets really good crosses in.”
Bartlett (7-13-2) lost to St. Charles North in last year’s regional finals. They certainly were optimistic Tuesday after Bednarke’s goal following an early-second foul that gave her the free kick just slightly to the right of the goal.
Bednarke’s shot came down just over St. Francis senior goalie Aubrey Quaranto, who nearly deflected the ball away with her outstretched arms.
It was the earliest goal Bednarke or first-year coach Vince Revak could remember personally or by the Hawks.
“I’ve always tried to lead during the season on and off the field. I just had the opportunity (to score),” Bednarke said. “It was a team effort. They all put pressure on (the goal). That was just a great start, and we kept fighting until the last minute after that.”
“That was a dream start for us. Unfortunately, we couldn’t capitalize,” Revak said. “It almost was a disservice, because we were up and we kind of took our foot off the pedal a little. We started to stop being so aggressive. Still I’ll never take a goal away from the beginning of the game.”
For the St. Francis, the goal was typical of many games this season in which they surrendered the early lead. The way they responded Tuesday showed their growth.
The Spartans out shot Bartlett 10-7 for the first half (7-4 on goal) and 21-10 for the game (13-6 on goal).
“Our biggest issue this year is we’ve had too many games where we’ve given up first goals. Then you’re trying to dig yourselves out, and you make your life a whole lot more miserable,” Winslow said.
“We didn’t panic this time. They play very hard, very high pressure. We did a better job in the first half of being patient and knocking the ball around. The second half you knew they were going to (battle back). They got that equalizing second goal and then we started to settle in again. That’s why that fourth goal was so huge.”
Perhaps more impressive was the Spartans’ response after the Hawks came out intense to open the second half and sophomore forward Serena Salvato tied the game with 35 minutes remaining in regulation. Salvato scored after she reined in a deep cross and converted the rebound after her initial try was thwarted by Quaranto and defender Emma Armbrust.
St. Francis answered on a counterattack, Hensley quickly advanced the ball to Rittenhouse just beyond the midfield circle. Rittenhouse dribbled down left wing before getting off her game-winning shot near the top of the box.
“I always look for (Rittenhouse) first. I know she’ll be up there on those,” Hensley said. “My main thing is if I get the ball, flick it on and try to counterattack, because I know she’ll do her job up there.”
“I was on the other half of the field, and I had four defenders on me,” Rittenhouse added. “I just kind of dribbled to the outside. Once I saw (Bartlett goalie Jessica Hill) come out, I knew I just had to hit it over her head.”
Minutes later, Hensley worked to keep the ball in the attacking third along the right sideline. About to hustle back on defense, Lemke was open on the far post and Hensley crossed to create an important two-goal advantage.
A key reserve in 2018, Hensley played last season along graduated sister Claire.
“It was special moment last year, especially winning state with my sister and Hannah and all of the girls,” said Hensley, celebrating with Rittenhouse by her side.
“Starting with this new team, we kind of just wanted to keep that same mentality that we had going and the same focus and goals. I think tonight we showed that same spark that we had last year almost. If we keep going, I think we’ll do good.”
Hensley also scored to give the Spartans a 2-1 lead only 1:45 before halftime off a right-wing cross from junior Emily Thill.
“Generally I was pleased,” Winslow added. “It’s been a hard season. We haven’t had any home games. We’ve had about a dozen practices outside. To their credit, they’ve dug in and have done some good stuff.”
This was an emotional finish for the Hawks, who had 10 seniors on their playoff roster. Bednarke recalled the lessons and leadership she gained as a freshman on varsity from seniors such as Jamie Kenna and Miranda Hedeen.
“At halftime, I was starting to get emotional but I told myself I wasn’t going to cry. I failed at that today,” Bednarke said. “I was saying it might be the last time I talked during a half and say what I see. I knew we had the potential, and we had the fight within us. That fact that we came out and never gave up, the scoreboard reads 4-2 but I don’t read that in my heart or in my mind.”
Like St. Francis, the Hawks’ overall record is deceptive because of a difficult schedule. The fight that they showed trailing at halftime is hopefully a building block for the future.
“It’s kind of been the story of our season. We pick and choose when to look like a much more aggressive team and luckily they came out and made it a game at the beginning of the second half,” Revak said. “It was great to see that fire. It was nice to see them put in that final effort. A couple of mistakes just kept us off the winning side this night.”
The strong senior class also set a great tone for a roster that started three freshmen and a sophomore Tuesday.
“I feel the thing I’m most proud of is we kind of came together as a team,” said Bartlett senior Mikayla Brown, who will play at Wisconsin-Stevens Point. “My team is what makes me proud and work harder and do better. I’m definitely going to miss that
“Our freshmen have so much potential. They are really amazing. They’ve made a huge impact. I think the future soccer of Bartlett High School is going to be better.”
New faces are also making big contributions for St. Francis. They include junior midfielder Julia Zeman, a 2018 starter for the junior varsity.
On Hensley’s goal, Thill got the ball from Zeman after the play was initiated with a pass from senior interior defender Jill DiTusa.
“I saw Emily checking in and I passed it up toward her. She had a great pass to Ava and Ava was able to finish,” Zeman said.
“It’s been something different (this season), working with a completely new team, but I think we all work really well together. Starting from the beginning, we all supported each other and worked for each other, and I think that’s very special.”
Starting lineups
Bartlett
G – Jessica Hill
D – Madison Neer
D – Sabrina Fowler
D – Paige Bednarke
D – Kaley Kowal
M – Christina Mondelli
M – Morgan Myers
M – Maddie Donnelly
M – Mikayla Brown
F – Tessa Evans
F – Serena Salvato
St. Francis
G – Aubrey Quaranto
D – Lauren Douglass
D – Emma Armbrust
D – Jill DiTusa
D – Katherine Lemke
M – Ava Hensley
M – Emily Thill
M – Katelin Chaparro
M – Julia Mills
F – Mickey Corrigan
F – Hannah Rittenhouse
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match – Katherine Lemke, soph., D, St. Francis
Scoring summary
St. Francis 2 2 – 4
Bartlett 1 1 – 2
Goals: St. Francis: Hannah Rittenhouse (Katherine Lemke) 16:39; Ava Hensley (Emily Thill, Julia Zeman) 38:15; Rittenhouse (Hensley) 61:17; Lemke (Hensley) 65:21
Bartlett: Paige Bednarke 0:30; Serena Salvato 45:00
Goalies: St. Francis: Aubrey Quaranto (4 saves); Bartlett: Jessica Hill (8 saves)
Shots (on goal): St. Francis 21 (13), Bartlett 10 (6)
Corner kicks: Bartlett 3, St. Francis 1
2018 Class AA champions overcome Hawks’ early goal, win 4-2
By Bill Stone
WHEATON -- Besides starting at outside defender, St. Francis sophomore Katherine Lemke has become an offensive threat in her second varsity season.
“Actually I didn’t score at all last year, and this year I think I’ve had nine goals. It’s been good,” Lemke said.
“Last year I was the scared little freshman. This year I wanted to have a little more confidence. In club, I was going in and attacking more so I figured why not do that this year. I was kind of expecting to be more offensive, and I think I’ve figured it out.”
When Lemke scored Tuesday with 14:39 remaining, she provided the insurance goal of the Spartans’ 4-2 victory over Bartlett in a topsy-turvy Class 3A St. Francis Regional semifinal at Wheaton College.
The Class AA state champions in 2018, St. Francis (7-7-3) will try to continue its postseason success in Class 3A.
The no. 9 seed in the Schaumburg Sectional will play for the regional title at 5 p.m. Friday at Wheaton College against top-seeded St. Charles North (16-1-2), which reached the 3A quarterfinals last season.
The North Stars, a 6-0 winner over no. 16 Glenbard North in Tuesday’s other semifinal, are ranked no. 2 in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25. They defeated the Spartans 1-0 back on March 19.
St. Francis' University of Iowa-bound senior forward Hannah Rittenhouse scored twice for the Spartans, including the tiebreaker after a long dribble for a 3-2 lead with 18:53 remaining. Junior midfielder Ava Hensley had a goal and two assists, and Lemke also provided an assist.
One of the few returning starters, Rittenhouse led the Spartans in goals last year and does this year as well with a goal estimate around 20.
“You can’t teach big, strong and fast (like Rittenhouse),” joked St. Francis coach Jim Winslow.
The Spartans recovered nicely when Bartlett senior defender Paige Bednarke scored for the no. 8-seed on an electrifying 45-yard free kick only 30 seconds into the match.
“I was proud of us, because we fought back and got back the first goal then the second goal (that tied the game 2-2). I think we worked really hard and deserved it,” Rittenhouse said.
“It’s very different (this season), but I think it’s been a motivation. I know we lost a lot of seniors, but that’s no excuse. These girls have come in and stepped up big time so I’m really appreciative of that. It’s really fun competing with them so we’re hoping to go as far as we can, like we did last year, and get to where we want to be.”
Lemke, the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match, and Rittenhouse provided the spark that helped the Spartans recover from Bednarke’s great restart. They had several passing combinations that resulted in attacking pressure or near goals before Lemke passed to Rittenhouse for a 1-1 tie 23:21 before halftime.
About five minutes earlier, Lemke just missed converting on a breakaway pass down left wing from Rittenhouse.
“I have been ... playing a lot more aggressively,” Lemke said. “I think my teammates recognize that and so they can cover for me. They allow me to make those runs.”
“Early on, some of the passes weren’t made, but you’ve just got to keep trying,” Rittenhouse said. “We can always rely on Kat. She’s a really mobile player. I think she’s a great player on the outside. She gets really good crosses in.”
Bartlett (7-13-2) lost to St. Charles North in last year’s regional finals. They certainly were optimistic Tuesday after Bednarke’s goal following an early-second foul that gave her the free kick just slightly to the right of the goal.
Bednarke’s shot came down just over St. Francis senior goalie Aubrey Quaranto, who nearly deflected the ball away with her outstretched arms.
It was the earliest goal Bednarke or first-year coach Vince Revak could remember personally or by the Hawks.
“I’ve always tried to lead during the season on and off the field. I just had the opportunity (to score),” Bednarke said. “It was a team effort. They all put pressure on (the goal). That was just a great start, and we kept fighting until the last minute after that.”
“That was a dream start for us. Unfortunately, we couldn’t capitalize,” Revak said. “It almost was a disservice, because we were up and we kind of took our foot off the pedal a little. We started to stop being so aggressive. Still I’ll never take a goal away from the beginning of the game.”
For the St. Francis, the goal was typical of many games this season in which they surrendered the early lead. The way they responded Tuesday showed their growth.
The Spartans out shot Bartlett 10-7 for the first half (7-4 on goal) and 21-10 for the game (13-6 on goal).
“Our biggest issue this year is we’ve had too many games where we’ve given up first goals. Then you’re trying to dig yourselves out, and you make your life a whole lot more miserable,” Winslow said.
“We didn’t panic this time. They play very hard, very high pressure. We did a better job in the first half of being patient and knocking the ball around. The second half you knew they were going to (battle back). They got that equalizing second goal and then we started to settle in again. That’s why that fourth goal was so huge.”
Perhaps more impressive was the Spartans’ response after the Hawks came out intense to open the second half and sophomore forward Serena Salvato tied the game with 35 minutes remaining in regulation. Salvato scored after she reined in a deep cross and converted the rebound after her initial try was thwarted by Quaranto and defender Emma Armbrust.
St. Francis answered on a counterattack, Hensley quickly advanced the ball to Rittenhouse just beyond the midfield circle. Rittenhouse dribbled down left wing before getting off her game-winning shot near the top of the box.
“I always look for (Rittenhouse) first. I know she’ll be up there on those,” Hensley said. “My main thing is if I get the ball, flick it on and try to counterattack, because I know she’ll do her job up there.”
“I was on the other half of the field, and I had four defenders on me,” Rittenhouse added. “I just kind of dribbled to the outside. Once I saw (Bartlett goalie Jessica Hill) come out, I knew I just had to hit it over her head.”
Minutes later, Hensley worked to keep the ball in the attacking third along the right sideline. About to hustle back on defense, Lemke was open on the far post and Hensley crossed to create an important two-goal advantage.
A key reserve in 2018, Hensley played last season along graduated sister Claire.
“It was special moment last year, especially winning state with my sister and Hannah and all of the girls,” said Hensley, celebrating with Rittenhouse by her side.
“Starting with this new team, we kind of just wanted to keep that same mentality that we had going and the same focus and goals. I think tonight we showed that same spark that we had last year almost. If we keep going, I think we’ll do good.”
Hensley also scored to give the Spartans a 2-1 lead only 1:45 before halftime off a right-wing cross from junior Emily Thill.
“Generally I was pleased,” Winslow added. “It’s been a hard season. We haven’t had any home games. We’ve had about a dozen practices outside. To their credit, they’ve dug in and have done some good stuff.”
This was an emotional finish for the Hawks, who had 10 seniors on their playoff roster. Bednarke recalled the lessons and leadership she gained as a freshman on varsity from seniors such as Jamie Kenna and Miranda Hedeen.
“At halftime, I was starting to get emotional but I told myself I wasn’t going to cry. I failed at that today,” Bednarke said. “I was saying it might be the last time I talked during a half and say what I see. I knew we had the potential, and we had the fight within us. That fact that we came out and never gave up, the scoreboard reads 4-2 but I don’t read that in my heart or in my mind.”
Like St. Francis, the Hawks’ overall record is deceptive because of a difficult schedule. The fight that they showed trailing at halftime is hopefully a building block for the future.
“It’s kind of been the story of our season. We pick and choose when to look like a much more aggressive team and luckily they came out and made it a game at the beginning of the second half,” Revak said. “It was great to see that fire. It was nice to see them put in that final effort. A couple of mistakes just kept us off the winning side this night.”
The strong senior class also set a great tone for a roster that started three freshmen and a sophomore Tuesday.
“I feel the thing I’m most proud of is we kind of came together as a team,” said Bartlett senior Mikayla Brown, who will play at Wisconsin-Stevens Point. “My team is what makes me proud and work harder and do better. I’m definitely going to miss that
“Our freshmen have so much potential. They are really amazing. They’ve made a huge impact. I think the future soccer of Bartlett High School is going to be better.”
New faces are also making big contributions for St. Francis. They include junior midfielder Julia Zeman, a 2018 starter for the junior varsity.
On Hensley’s goal, Thill got the ball from Zeman after the play was initiated with a pass from senior interior defender Jill DiTusa.
“I saw Emily checking in and I passed it up toward her. She had a great pass to Ava and Ava was able to finish,” Zeman said.
“It’s been something different (this season), working with a completely new team, but I think we all work really well together. Starting from the beginning, we all supported each other and worked for each other, and I think that’s very special.”
Starting lineups
Bartlett
G – Jessica Hill
D – Madison Neer
D – Sabrina Fowler
D – Paige Bednarke
D – Kaley Kowal
M – Christina Mondelli
M – Morgan Myers
M – Maddie Donnelly
M – Mikayla Brown
F – Tessa Evans
F – Serena Salvato
St. Francis
G – Aubrey Quaranto
D – Lauren Douglass
D – Emma Armbrust
D – Jill DiTusa
D – Katherine Lemke
M – Ava Hensley
M – Emily Thill
M – Katelin Chaparro
M – Julia Mills
F – Mickey Corrigan
F – Hannah Rittenhouse
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match – Katherine Lemke, soph., D, St. Francis
Scoring summary
St. Francis 2 2 – 4
Bartlett 1 1 – 2
Goals: St. Francis: Hannah Rittenhouse (Katherine Lemke) 16:39; Ava Hensley (Emily Thill, Julia Zeman) 38:15; Rittenhouse (Hensley) 61:17; Lemke (Hensley) 65:21
Bartlett: Paige Bednarke 0:30; Serena Salvato 45:00
Goalies: St. Francis: Aubrey Quaranto (4 saves); Bartlett: Jessica Hill (8 saves)
Shots (on goal): St. Francis 21 (13), Bartlett 10 (6)
Corner kicks: Bartlett 3, St. Francis 1