Evanston ends New Trier sectional run
2nd half PK the difference in 2-1 semifinal victory
By Patrick Z. McGavin
NORTHFIELD -- The Packers and Bears, except the game is girls soccer.
Such is the shorthand that encapsulates the rivalry, history and passion of Evanston and New Trier.
New Trier has won six state titles under coach Jim Burnside. Evanston won its only state title in 2002.
Evanston kept alive its bid for a second.
“We were ready,” forward Brealyn Viamille said. “We beat them once, and we know it’s hard to beat a team twice.
“Everybody did their job.”
Viamille had an outsized role in both goals as the Wildkits ousted the Trevians 2-1 in a Class 3A sectional semifinal on their rival’s turf Tuesday night.
Chicago State recruit Nahla Dominguez converted a penalty kick in the 51st minute for the game-winning goal.
Before a large crowd of about 600 fans, Evanston (19–2-1) won its sixth-straight game.
The top-seeded and fifth-ranked Wildkits advance to the championship game Friday against Loyola. The third-seeded and 11th-ranked Ramblers beat second-seed and no. 17 Maine South 2-1 in the second semifinal.
Evanston defeated Loyola 3-2 on March 22.
The remarkable reign of New Trier, seeded fifth and ranked 23rd, came to a close. The game only underscored their remarkable legacy.
Dating to the 2014 season, which began the Trevians run of three-consecutive state titles, New Trier ripped off seven-consecutive sectional titles.
The Trevians had a run of eight sectional titles in the last nine years.
Only Barrington has a greater current streak of consecutive sectional titles.
“I just know we came out here, and we really wanted to give it our all, even if that meant not coming out with the win,” midfielder Annie Paden said.
“We just wanted to put our hearts into it.”
The Trevians (12-8-5) did that—and a great deal more. Even in defeat, the game illustrated how far this young and gifted team has come.
In the Wildkits’ 3-1 victory on May 5, forward Jocelyn Leigh scored two goals a couple of minutes apart in the first half.
New Trier appeared to wilt under that pressure.
The sectional rematch was a variation of the same theme after Leigh broke free down the right edge and controlled a beautiful ball from Viamille for a textbook goal in the 15th minute.
“It was a beautiful ball from Bre, and I was just waiting for the ball to get through,” Leigh said of her team-best 25th goal.
“I just had to make sure that I was patient, and I was there, and be there in the end.”
Viamille is her harshest critic.
“It was a beautiful ball because Jocelyn finished it, but it was not a good pass,” she said.
“She did her job, just like we asked.”
As evidence by New Trier's sharpened toughness and steely effort in the face of adversity, the Trevians had a near immediate response.
Less than two minutes later, Paden caught a counter and pushed the ball wide right to streaking forward Josie Noble.
Her blast of about 19 yards from the right wing eluded the grasp of Evanston keeper Ariel Kite for the stunning equalizer in the 17th minute.
The sophomore underscored the raw talent and power of this particular group.
Noble was named all-tournament at the Naperville Invitational. Her blend of size, speed, power and touch on the ball is intoxicating.
“I just think it’s experience and getting more and more games in,” Noble said.
“I enjoy playing with this team, learning from the seniors, and also working with the coaches.”
New Trier made its stand, showing this sectional game was going to play differently than the regular-season match.
“New Trier always plays aggressive, and they are always good with the ball in the air,” Viamille said.
“They are always looking for those counters.”
The goal breathed new life into the Trevians. The moment also reflected the change in play, temperament and confidence.
“At the beginning of the season, when we got scored on, we struggled with giving up early goals,” Noble said.
“We were working on grit, and wanting it more, and trying to get that goal back. We did that, which was good.”
New Trier struggled with the athleticism and speed of the Wildkits during the previous game.
Even if the ball tended to exist more in the Trevians’ half, New Trier showed greater facility, awareness and composure in blunting the Evanston attack.
“It’s a much more mature team, and they have really grown to understand how they need to play, and the effort they need to put out,” Burnside said.
“We had a better idea as a team on how to handle their strengths, which there are many of. I think the girls did a good job of understanding what we needed to do.”
New Trier picked its spots, and the Trevians appeared to get the upper hand in the 38th minute on a beautiful looping ball by midfielder Lida Dodge from about 17 yards on the right edge.
The ball hit the underside of the bar, and bounced down, but not over the line.
“It would have been a whole different game if that shot had gone in,” Dodge said.
“I think everybody played their hearts out. We were just unlucky. We hit the crossbar multiple times.”
Twice in the second half Paden hit beautiful free kicks that Kite deflected off the crossbar.
“Three crossbars,” Burnside lamented.
“I’m proud of what we have done. I’m proud of the role each player had on the team, and how they filled it. This is a very impressive group of young women.”
Viamille created the game-winner early in the second half. With numbers pushed forward, she moved to the left edge and tried to get some separation from a New Trier defender.
The ball came into the box, and she hit the ground after making contact.
The official ruled a foul.
“You get touched, and you just try to make it look real,” she said. “I knew I was going to get the ball, so I might as well risk it.”
For her creativity and contribution to both goals, Brealyn Viamille earned the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match.
Dominguez smashed the penalty kick into the lower right corner.
Freshman keeper Caroline Hague was another young Trevian who showed impressive development over the season.
She made five saves, including an excellent stab of a Viamille try later in the second half.
“We were high in energy today, which was good,” Noble said. “It was something we wanted to do.
“Give Evanston their props. They did a really good job tonight.”
New Trier had some decent looks over the final 30 minutes, including Paden's unlucky shots.
Dodge hit another laser shot from distance that achieved incredible lift, and forced Kite to make a leaping stop in the 73rd minute.
“I’m proud of everyone,” Dodge said. “I love our team so much, and we’re all grown so much together.
“From the first game to now, we’re a completely different team. I wish we had more chances to show who we are. We came so close.”
This was a year of movements and counter actions, ups and down, and sideways actions.
New Trier played 11 teams ranked in the current Top 25.
“At the beginning of the season, we couldn't afford a mistake because that mistake cost us,” Burnside said.
“At this point of the season, we could make more mistakes against good teams, because we understood how to play better as a team.”
Only one senior, defender Ava Shah, started the final game.
“It’s hard to lose our sectional streak, but we are going to be back next year,” Noble said.
Starting lineups
Evanston
GK: Ariel Kite
D: Lucinda Lindland
D: Carley Menocal
D: Ellie Oif
D: Sarah Sollinger
MF: Adriana Merriam
MF: Nahla Dominguez
MF: Sydney Ross
F: Nadia Van den Berg
F: Brealyn Viamille
F: Jocelyn Leigh
New Trier
GK: Caroline Hague
D: Charlotte Dellin
D: Ava Shah
D: Honor Dold
MF: Clara Deliduka
MF: Annie Paden
MF: Josie Noble
MF: Sybil Evans
F: Lauren Caldwell
F: Lida Dodge
F: Kendall Sierens
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Brealyn Viamille, sr., F, Evanston
Scoring summary
First half
E: Jocelyn Leigh (Brealyn Viamille), 15’
NT: Josie Noble (Annie Paden), 17’
Second half
E: Nahla Dominguez (penalty kick), 51’
2nd half PK the difference in 2-1 semifinal victory
By Patrick Z. McGavin
NORTHFIELD -- The Packers and Bears, except the game is girls soccer.
Such is the shorthand that encapsulates the rivalry, history and passion of Evanston and New Trier.
New Trier has won six state titles under coach Jim Burnside. Evanston won its only state title in 2002.
Evanston kept alive its bid for a second.
“We were ready,” forward Brealyn Viamille said. “We beat them once, and we know it’s hard to beat a team twice.
“Everybody did their job.”
Viamille had an outsized role in both goals as the Wildkits ousted the Trevians 2-1 in a Class 3A sectional semifinal on their rival’s turf Tuesday night.
Chicago State recruit Nahla Dominguez converted a penalty kick in the 51st minute for the game-winning goal.
Before a large crowd of about 600 fans, Evanston (19–2-1) won its sixth-straight game.
The top-seeded and fifth-ranked Wildkits advance to the championship game Friday against Loyola. The third-seeded and 11th-ranked Ramblers beat second-seed and no. 17 Maine South 2-1 in the second semifinal.
Evanston defeated Loyola 3-2 on March 22.
The remarkable reign of New Trier, seeded fifth and ranked 23rd, came to a close. The game only underscored their remarkable legacy.
Dating to the 2014 season, which began the Trevians run of three-consecutive state titles, New Trier ripped off seven-consecutive sectional titles.
The Trevians had a run of eight sectional titles in the last nine years.
Only Barrington has a greater current streak of consecutive sectional titles.
“I just know we came out here, and we really wanted to give it our all, even if that meant not coming out with the win,” midfielder Annie Paden said.
“We just wanted to put our hearts into it.”
The Trevians (12-8-5) did that—and a great deal more. Even in defeat, the game illustrated how far this young and gifted team has come.
In the Wildkits’ 3-1 victory on May 5, forward Jocelyn Leigh scored two goals a couple of minutes apart in the first half.
New Trier appeared to wilt under that pressure.
The sectional rematch was a variation of the same theme after Leigh broke free down the right edge and controlled a beautiful ball from Viamille for a textbook goal in the 15th minute.
“It was a beautiful ball from Bre, and I was just waiting for the ball to get through,” Leigh said of her team-best 25th goal.
“I just had to make sure that I was patient, and I was there, and be there in the end.”
Viamille is her harshest critic.
“It was a beautiful ball because Jocelyn finished it, but it was not a good pass,” she said.
“She did her job, just like we asked.”
As evidence by New Trier's sharpened toughness and steely effort in the face of adversity, the Trevians had a near immediate response.
Less than two minutes later, Paden caught a counter and pushed the ball wide right to streaking forward Josie Noble.
Her blast of about 19 yards from the right wing eluded the grasp of Evanston keeper Ariel Kite for the stunning equalizer in the 17th minute.
The sophomore underscored the raw talent and power of this particular group.
Noble was named all-tournament at the Naperville Invitational. Her blend of size, speed, power and touch on the ball is intoxicating.
“I just think it’s experience and getting more and more games in,” Noble said.
“I enjoy playing with this team, learning from the seniors, and also working with the coaches.”
New Trier made its stand, showing this sectional game was going to play differently than the regular-season match.
“New Trier always plays aggressive, and they are always good with the ball in the air,” Viamille said.
“They are always looking for those counters.”
The goal breathed new life into the Trevians. The moment also reflected the change in play, temperament and confidence.
“At the beginning of the season, when we got scored on, we struggled with giving up early goals,” Noble said.
“We were working on grit, and wanting it more, and trying to get that goal back. We did that, which was good.”
New Trier struggled with the athleticism and speed of the Wildkits during the previous game.
Even if the ball tended to exist more in the Trevians’ half, New Trier showed greater facility, awareness and composure in blunting the Evanston attack.
“It’s a much more mature team, and they have really grown to understand how they need to play, and the effort they need to put out,” Burnside said.
“We had a better idea as a team on how to handle their strengths, which there are many of. I think the girls did a good job of understanding what we needed to do.”
New Trier picked its spots, and the Trevians appeared to get the upper hand in the 38th minute on a beautiful looping ball by midfielder Lida Dodge from about 17 yards on the right edge.
The ball hit the underside of the bar, and bounced down, but not over the line.
“It would have been a whole different game if that shot had gone in,” Dodge said.
“I think everybody played their hearts out. We were just unlucky. We hit the crossbar multiple times.”
Twice in the second half Paden hit beautiful free kicks that Kite deflected off the crossbar.
“Three crossbars,” Burnside lamented.
“I’m proud of what we have done. I’m proud of the role each player had on the team, and how they filled it. This is a very impressive group of young women.”
Viamille created the game-winner early in the second half. With numbers pushed forward, she moved to the left edge and tried to get some separation from a New Trier defender.
The ball came into the box, and she hit the ground after making contact.
The official ruled a foul.
“You get touched, and you just try to make it look real,” she said. “I knew I was going to get the ball, so I might as well risk it.”
For her creativity and contribution to both goals, Brealyn Viamille earned the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match.
Dominguez smashed the penalty kick into the lower right corner.
Freshman keeper Caroline Hague was another young Trevian who showed impressive development over the season.
She made five saves, including an excellent stab of a Viamille try later in the second half.
“We were high in energy today, which was good,” Noble said. “It was something we wanted to do.
“Give Evanston their props. They did a really good job tonight.”
New Trier had some decent looks over the final 30 minutes, including Paden's unlucky shots.
Dodge hit another laser shot from distance that achieved incredible lift, and forced Kite to make a leaping stop in the 73rd minute.
“I’m proud of everyone,” Dodge said. “I love our team so much, and we’re all grown so much together.
“From the first game to now, we’re a completely different team. I wish we had more chances to show who we are. We came so close.”
This was a year of movements and counter actions, ups and down, and sideways actions.
New Trier played 11 teams ranked in the current Top 25.
“At the beginning of the season, we couldn't afford a mistake because that mistake cost us,” Burnside said.
“At this point of the season, we could make more mistakes against good teams, because we understood how to play better as a team.”
Only one senior, defender Ava Shah, started the final game.
“It’s hard to lose our sectional streak, but we are going to be back next year,” Noble said.
Starting lineups
Evanston
GK: Ariel Kite
D: Lucinda Lindland
D: Carley Menocal
D: Ellie Oif
D: Sarah Sollinger
MF: Adriana Merriam
MF: Nahla Dominguez
MF: Sydney Ross
F: Nadia Van den Berg
F: Brealyn Viamille
F: Jocelyn Leigh
New Trier
GK: Caroline Hague
D: Charlotte Dellin
D: Ava Shah
D: Honor Dold
MF: Clara Deliduka
MF: Annie Paden
MF: Josie Noble
MF: Sybil Evans
F: Lauren Caldwell
F: Lida Dodge
F: Kendall Sierens
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Brealyn Viamille, sr., F, Evanston
Scoring summary
First half
E: Jocelyn Leigh (Brealyn Viamille), 15’
NT: Josie Noble (Annie Paden), 17’
Second half
E: Nahla Dominguez (penalty kick), 51’