Freshman Schimanski fills void for Deerfield
Midfielder has assist, game-winning goal in 2-1 victory over Lakes
By Patrick Z. McGavin
LAKE VILLA -- Riley Schimanski started her career at Deerfield in the enviable position of waiting, biding her time and having a chance to ease into a hybrid role as a high-energy player off the bench who was avid to learn the ropes of the varsity game.
Then a curious thing happened. The Warriors were beset by a rash of injuries and unfortunate developments, the most significant is the three-week loss of star midfielder Malori Kilgore, who is out with mononucleosis.
A showdown with no. 5 Evanston instead turned into a cautionary tale about the need for depth and replacements as the Warriors played without seven of their top players in the 3-0 loss on Thursday.
No rest for the wicked and no chance to feel sorry for themselves. Deerfield had another game on the schedule, the middle of a three games in a three-day stretch going from night to afternoon to morning.
“It has been fun and challenging, and we just have to prove ourselves,” Schimanski said. “I think it’s good we are playing at a higher level, because we get to showcase our talents and skills.
“It was good we could come right back after last night’s game, play right away. It can motivate us for our next game.”
Schimanski showed a poise and style that belied her youth as the freshman midfielder energized the Warriors, ranked no. 17 in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, with an assist and the game-winning goal in the 73rd minute for the 2-1 victory over Lakes on Friday afternoon.
She punctuated a scintillating second half that featured all the scoring by drilling a ball from about 19 yards from the right center that handcuffed Lakes’ keeper Taylor Primack.
Moments earlier, Primack had made a spectacular diving stop on a short volley by sophomore midfielder Megan David. With Deerfield building pressure, forward Julia Neal made a darting foray to the goal and collided with Primack.
She was on the ground for a few moments. In the immediate aftermath, Schimanski controlled a deflection and unleashed her shot. The velocity and spin of the ball caught Primack off balance.
“Riley has a hard kick,” forward Marissa Hyland said.
The moment of hesitation carried the ball past Primack and settled inside the goal.
For her achievements, Schimanski was named the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match.
“The goal that went in was unfortunate,” Deerfield coach Rich Grady said. “I thought their keeper played a heck of a game. That was a tough way to decide the game. I also thought we deserved the result.
“I don’t think it was an unfair outcome.”
Lakes’ coach Kevin Kulby praised his young standout.
“Our goalie is really outstanding,” he said. “The second goal was unfortunate, but that’s why you keep shooting. I think Taylor thought she could catch it, and sometimes you just have to punch it away in the air and that way it stays in front of you.”
The result was a relief for Deerfield.
“We needed this win,” senior forward Marissa Hyland said. “We wanted it badly. I could tell from the whole team, especially in the second half after they scored. We came back with a lot of energy, and we really worked hard to try and finish them off.”
Deerfield (6-3-0) is a different team without Killoren, who is one of the best players in the state. As an Chicagoland Soccer all-state performer last year Killoren scored 24 goals and contributed 11 assists.
Her combination of speed, change of pace and creativity is peerless. Deerfield is trying to figure out the massive void at the center of the team and come together in her absence.
Killoren was off to a fantastic start before being knocked out a week ago by the illness. Now Deerfield is adjusting to her absence.
“There is a lot more than just Malori out,” Hyland said. “We have a couple of people out right now, so it has been a little bit difficult to adjust to that, especially with not having Malori to take the ball through the defense that way she is able.”
Hyland is a formidable talent in her own right. She has a bounce and swagger to her game. She expertly balances size and a physical presence with strong ball skills. An Illinois State recruit, Hyland is the face of the program until the return of Killoren.
“As a senior and leader, I think my role right now is to keep fighting and encouraging everybody work hard and get the wins that we need,” Hyland said.
Her speed and ability to break down the back put continual pressure on Lakes (1-3-2). After a first half in which the Warriors mounted considerable deep runs and created a string of chances, Hyland broke through early in the second half.
In the 48th minute, Schimanski slotted a ball into the middle and Hyland broke free and forced Primack to burst off her line to take away the angle. Hyland made a pretty juke step and blasted a left-footed ball from about 20 yards inside the far post for the opening score.
Hyland the the rest of the Warriors had to grind through.
“Right now we are just fighting through it,” Hyland said. “Physically it was tough to come out so quickly after a game last night, especially because this is a grass field and it is hurting the calves, for everyone. I thought physically this game was a lot to deal with.”
The Warriors countered its depleted roster with a toughness and sureness of purpose. Senior midfielder Shayna Wood is playing with a soft cast on her left arm to protect a fracture. Wood personifies the versatility of the team. A year ago, Grady asked her to forsake her normal midfielder role and play in the back to account for the graduation losses.
She handled the transition with authority and grace, earning all-conference recognition and helping initiate the Warriors’ devastating attack from the back. Her familiarity and training as an offensive player diversified the Deerfield attack.
Senior Emma Pelz, the only returning starter in the back, also recovered from an early season injury. The infusion of talent from young players like Schimanski and freshman forward Holly Deutsch paid off. Wood helped stabilize the middle and Deutsch showed poise and skill as a release valve in the middle who spread the ball adroitly to the wings.
“I was very happy with the quality of play and the chances we generated,” Grady said. “I think we have to do a better job of putting them away. One of the things we said at halftime was the longer we let this be a close game, we have the risk of having one bad play and not having the result we want.”
Lakes answered in the 67th minute. Sophomore midfielder Samantha Drake caught the Warriors in transition and drove the ball down the left flank and delivered an initial ball that was tipped inside the box and finished by Lakes’ midfielder Noelia Padilla.
“They made a good transition play, but there were three or four things we could have done that would have cut that opportunity out, and we did not do any of them,” Grady said.
“We have to learn from that.”
Deerfield dug in rather than get unplugged. The Warriors simply went back to work. Hyland had a header off a corner hit off the post. Primack did her best to keep the game tight.
The Schimanski shot was a comparatively easy to handle. Soccer is not always a rational or easy to figure out game. Deerfield moves to another day and, thankfully, a rest. The Warriors played a night game at Evanston (3-0 loss Thursday), the afternoon game against Lakes and a 9 a.m. Saturda 1-0 loss to no. 10 Glenbard East in the first round of the PepsiCo Showdown.
Lakes ponders the future. The team is loaded with good young talent. Lakes just needs time to shape its identity.
“I think the transition with all the new and young players was tough at the beginning, but once we got out and started practicing more, our chemistry is really good,” senior midfielder Faith Conway said.
The game marked a step forward for the Eagles.
“I was very happy with our team today,” Kulby said. “Deerfield is just a little stronger every year. Last year they beat us pretty badly. Most years we play the score is pretty one-sided but today we fought and played hard until the very end.
“Deerfield was very aggressive throughout the match, and they really unsettled us. We have a good group of kids. They play to the last minute, and they never give up.”
Starting lineups
Deerfield
GK: Isa Davila
D: Ally Linn
D: Emma Pelz
D: Katie Morgan
D: Dylan Sachs
MF: Shayna Wood
MF: Riley Schimanski
MF: Mallory Sawyer
F: Marissa Hyland
F: Julia Neal
F: Demi Friedman
Lakes
GK: Taylor Primack
D: Madison Baker
D: Elise Moran
D: Brianna Lippmann
D: Anna Gardner
MF: Sophia Donis
MF: Faith Conway
MF: Riley Beggs
MF: Noelia Padilla
Simone Lippmann
F: Samantha Drake
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Riley Schimanski, fr., MF, Deerfield
Scoring summary
First half
No scoring
Second half
Deerfield—Marissa Hyland (Riley Schimanski), 48th minute
Lakes—Noelia Padilla (Samantha Drake), 67th minute
Deerfield—Schimanski (unassisted), 73rd minute
Midfielder has assist, game-winning goal in 2-1 victory over Lakes
By Patrick Z. McGavin
LAKE VILLA -- Riley Schimanski started her career at Deerfield in the enviable position of waiting, biding her time and having a chance to ease into a hybrid role as a high-energy player off the bench who was avid to learn the ropes of the varsity game.
Then a curious thing happened. The Warriors were beset by a rash of injuries and unfortunate developments, the most significant is the three-week loss of star midfielder Malori Kilgore, who is out with mononucleosis.
A showdown with no. 5 Evanston instead turned into a cautionary tale about the need for depth and replacements as the Warriors played without seven of their top players in the 3-0 loss on Thursday.
No rest for the wicked and no chance to feel sorry for themselves. Deerfield had another game on the schedule, the middle of a three games in a three-day stretch going from night to afternoon to morning.
“It has been fun and challenging, and we just have to prove ourselves,” Schimanski said. “I think it’s good we are playing at a higher level, because we get to showcase our talents and skills.
“It was good we could come right back after last night’s game, play right away. It can motivate us for our next game.”
Schimanski showed a poise and style that belied her youth as the freshman midfielder energized the Warriors, ranked no. 17 in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, with an assist and the game-winning goal in the 73rd minute for the 2-1 victory over Lakes on Friday afternoon.
She punctuated a scintillating second half that featured all the scoring by drilling a ball from about 19 yards from the right center that handcuffed Lakes’ keeper Taylor Primack.
Moments earlier, Primack had made a spectacular diving stop on a short volley by sophomore midfielder Megan David. With Deerfield building pressure, forward Julia Neal made a darting foray to the goal and collided with Primack.
She was on the ground for a few moments. In the immediate aftermath, Schimanski controlled a deflection and unleashed her shot. The velocity and spin of the ball caught Primack off balance.
“Riley has a hard kick,” forward Marissa Hyland said.
The moment of hesitation carried the ball past Primack and settled inside the goal.
For her achievements, Schimanski was named the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match.
“The goal that went in was unfortunate,” Deerfield coach Rich Grady said. “I thought their keeper played a heck of a game. That was a tough way to decide the game. I also thought we deserved the result.
“I don’t think it was an unfair outcome.”
Lakes’ coach Kevin Kulby praised his young standout.
“Our goalie is really outstanding,” he said. “The second goal was unfortunate, but that’s why you keep shooting. I think Taylor thought she could catch it, and sometimes you just have to punch it away in the air and that way it stays in front of you.”
The result was a relief for Deerfield.
“We needed this win,” senior forward Marissa Hyland said. “We wanted it badly. I could tell from the whole team, especially in the second half after they scored. We came back with a lot of energy, and we really worked hard to try and finish them off.”
Deerfield (6-3-0) is a different team without Killoren, who is one of the best players in the state. As an Chicagoland Soccer all-state performer last year Killoren scored 24 goals and contributed 11 assists.
Her combination of speed, change of pace and creativity is peerless. Deerfield is trying to figure out the massive void at the center of the team and come together in her absence.
Killoren was off to a fantastic start before being knocked out a week ago by the illness. Now Deerfield is adjusting to her absence.
“There is a lot more than just Malori out,” Hyland said. “We have a couple of people out right now, so it has been a little bit difficult to adjust to that, especially with not having Malori to take the ball through the defense that way she is able.”
Hyland is a formidable talent in her own right. She has a bounce and swagger to her game. She expertly balances size and a physical presence with strong ball skills. An Illinois State recruit, Hyland is the face of the program until the return of Killoren.
“As a senior and leader, I think my role right now is to keep fighting and encouraging everybody work hard and get the wins that we need,” Hyland said.
Her speed and ability to break down the back put continual pressure on Lakes (1-3-2). After a first half in which the Warriors mounted considerable deep runs and created a string of chances, Hyland broke through early in the second half.
In the 48th minute, Schimanski slotted a ball into the middle and Hyland broke free and forced Primack to burst off her line to take away the angle. Hyland made a pretty juke step and blasted a left-footed ball from about 20 yards inside the far post for the opening score.
Hyland the the rest of the Warriors had to grind through.
“Right now we are just fighting through it,” Hyland said. “Physically it was tough to come out so quickly after a game last night, especially because this is a grass field and it is hurting the calves, for everyone. I thought physically this game was a lot to deal with.”
The Warriors countered its depleted roster with a toughness and sureness of purpose. Senior midfielder Shayna Wood is playing with a soft cast on her left arm to protect a fracture. Wood personifies the versatility of the team. A year ago, Grady asked her to forsake her normal midfielder role and play in the back to account for the graduation losses.
She handled the transition with authority and grace, earning all-conference recognition and helping initiate the Warriors’ devastating attack from the back. Her familiarity and training as an offensive player diversified the Deerfield attack.
Senior Emma Pelz, the only returning starter in the back, also recovered from an early season injury. The infusion of talent from young players like Schimanski and freshman forward Holly Deutsch paid off. Wood helped stabilize the middle and Deutsch showed poise and skill as a release valve in the middle who spread the ball adroitly to the wings.
“I was very happy with the quality of play and the chances we generated,” Grady said. “I think we have to do a better job of putting them away. One of the things we said at halftime was the longer we let this be a close game, we have the risk of having one bad play and not having the result we want.”
Lakes answered in the 67th minute. Sophomore midfielder Samantha Drake caught the Warriors in transition and drove the ball down the left flank and delivered an initial ball that was tipped inside the box and finished by Lakes’ midfielder Noelia Padilla.
“They made a good transition play, but there were three or four things we could have done that would have cut that opportunity out, and we did not do any of them,” Grady said.
“We have to learn from that.”
Deerfield dug in rather than get unplugged. The Warriors simply went back to work. Hyland had a header off a corner hit off the post. Primack did her best to keep the game tight.
The Schimanski shot was a comparatively easy to handle. Soccer is not always a rational or easy to figure out game. Deerfield moves to another day and, thankfully, a rest. The Warriors played a night game at Evanston (3-0 loss Thursday), the afternoon game against Lakes and a 9 a.m. Saturda 1-0 loss to no. 10 Glenbard East in the first round of the PepsiCo Showdown.
Lakes ponders the future. The team is loaded with good young talent. Lakes just needs time to shape its identity.
“I think the transition with all the new and young players was tough at the beginning, but once we got out and started practicing more, our chemistry is really good,” senior midfielder Faith Conway said.
The game marked a step forward for the Eagles.
“I was very happy with our team today,” Kulby said. “Deerfield is just a little stronger every year. Last year they beat us pretty badly. Most years we play the score is pretty one-sided but today we fought and played hard until the very end.
“Deerfield was very aggressive throughout the match, and they really unsettled us. We have a good group of kids. They play to the last minute, and they never give up.”
Starting lineups
Deerfield
GK: Isa Davila
D: Ally Linn
D: Emma Pelz
D: Katie Morgan
D: Dylan Sachs
MF: Shayna Wood
MF: Riley Schimanski
MF: Mallory Sawyer
F: Marissa Hyland
F: Julia Neal
F: Demi Friedman
Lakes
GK: Taylor Primack
D: Madison Baker
D: Elise Moran
D: Brianna Lippmann
D: Anna Gardner
MF: Sophia Donis
MF: Faith Conway
MF: Riley Beggs
MF: Noelia Padilla
Simone Lippmann
F: Samantha Drake
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Riley Schimanski, fr., MF, Deerfield
Scoring summary
First half
No scoring
Second half
Deerfield—Marissa Hyland (Riley Schimanski), 48th minute
Lakes—Noelia Padilla (Samantha Drake), 67th minute
Deerfield—Schimanski (unassisted), 73rd minute