New Trier holds off late Evanston bid
Trevians end perfect CSL South campaign with 3-1 win
By Mike Garofola
NORTHFIELD -- The tried and tested delivered for New Trier once again Friday night, this time against rival Evanston, before a large and lively audience at New Trier Stadium.
Emma Weaver's double and assist, and yet another goal from backline star Sydney Parker helped finish off the Wildkits 3-1 to give the Trevians an undefeated Central Suburban League South Division championship.
"We always expect a tough, physical battle when we play Evanston, and that's what we got out there tonight. It was a good win for us," said Weaver, Chicagoland Soccer's MVP of the Match.
Any matchup between these two longtime rivals is going to be noteworthy, and a rare summer-like weather night, plus a huge student crowd for both sides made this regular season finale all the more exciting.
"Evanston always seems to bring a lot of its fans and students to these games, so the big crowd really helped us focus from the very start. It's fun playing before a lot of fans," added Weaver.
Coming into the match, the home side, ranked second in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, was still riding high from its championship performance at the high-profile Naperville Invitational, where it defeated then fifth-ranked Naperville North 1-0 to capture its first title there since 2010 and fifth overall.
"We had so many players come through for us, not only in that game with Naperville North, but all throughout the tournament," said proud Trevians manager Jim Burnside.
"Whitney Hoban put on an amazing performance. Lily Conley played all 160 minutes during our semifinal and final, and Victoria Flannagan had a breakout tournament."
"(That) and our defense, which we take so much pride in, was once again terrific, with Parker, Caroline Iserloth, Meredith Nassar and Nell Martin helping us record our 12th shutout of the season.
Iserloth has been a part of an extraordinary record since joining the Trevians four years ago -- the senior has now been in Burnsides' backline for a dazzling 78 clean-sheets.
The visiting Wildkits (9-8-2, 2-2-1) were fresh off a 3-0 victory over Niles North on Tuesday, but more importantly, a strong effort at the Naperville Invitational
"We learned during that tournament, that we can compete with the best teams in the state," said Evanston manager Stacy Salgado. "Before (that) in the Malnati's Deep Dish Classic, we drew with Naperville North, and handed (then no. 8) St. Francis its second loss of the season. So we know we're highly capable of beating anyone that might potentially stand in our path in the postseason."
Against New Trier, the Wildkits struggled to break down the Trevians 4-1-4-1 formation and allowed far too much of the play in the their end of the park.
"It's been our MO this season to start slow and not really get into the game," said Salgado. "When we give up a goal, or fall behind (it's) obviously something we have to clean up before regionals begin.
"I don't know why we start that way. We always come ready to play; it must be a mental thing. And, yes, it happened to us again tonight," said junior Hadley Bushala, one of several second half standouts for Salgado's club.
Bushala and her mates committed the cardinal sin of conceding dead-ball opportunities to an opponent which has thrived on such chances, with Parker the chief culprit with her piercing service, and the Trevians crafty set plays in and around the box.
During the opening half hour, the home side was at its most dangerous in a 10-minute sequence where they registered five deep throws and a trio of freekicks leading up to Weaver's opener at 25 minutes.
"That's what we do really well," said Weaver. "(It's) something we spend a lot of time working on, and it usually provides at least one goal per game for us."
Parker's 35-yard guided free kick missile was thrown onto the bar by Evanston keeper, Slyvi Imrem, who was sharp in her recovery to save Hoban's point-blank redirect.
Parker sent another long-range attempt on frame moments later and was at the heart of Weaver's snap-shot strike when she stepped in to command a wayward ball just outside the box.
Weaver, one of the best natural scoring predators in the state, she gave the Trevians the 1-0 advantage with her sublime one-timer in front of Imrem.
"Mia (Sedgwick) went endline, before playing a great ball across," said Weaver, who did the rest.
Evanston came to life in the closing moments of the first half.
The Wildkits spread and shredded the Trevians with some terrific build-up during its last three visits into the south end of New Trier Stadium. Vanessa Eljaiek, Kat Sehgal and Bushala were at the heart of this energic finish of the half.
Despite the effort, New Trier entered the intermission with a 1-0 lead.
After the break, Evanston found some extra pace and energy when Salgado put Alexa Michel on the field. The senior was inserted at the top of the attack as the Wildkits fired back at their hosts.
However New Trier added to their guests' frustration when Weaver strolled in and collected a sitter inside the box before smartly going past Imrem, who had no chance on the 10-yard finish.
Evanston was now left chasing a two-goal deficit 26 minutes from time with the home side continuing to press for more.
A pair of offsides flags stopped potential 1-v.-1's by Nicole Kaspi near the hour, but when a short ball was gobbled up by Weaver, it led to a corner and shot that the sophomore fired on net, but Imrem was there to stop the try.
On a subsequent corner, Weaver whipped her well-aimed serve into the mix. When the Wildkits failed to clear it out of danger, Parker found a way to slot past Imrem in a crowd.
It appeared the Trevians (15-0-2, 5-0-0) had delivered the dagger to their guests - until Evanston reminded the big crowd it was not ready to fold up for the night.
The aforementioned Michel led a brilliant charge from the visitors. The Wildkits played with so much speed on the ball, and quick, sharp passes that it put the Trevians on their back foot and led to Michel finding the back of the net.
The 67th-minute goal came one minute after Parker's 11th of the season and signaled the start of a wide-open and frenzied final 13 minutes.
"We showed so much more urgency and energy after Alexa's goal, I just wish we had done that earlier," said Bushala.
Avery Ackman went wide with her left-footed freekick, before fearless New Trier keeper Meghan Dwyer came off her line to make a valiant point-blank stop on Michel, who was put through by Bushala as the Wildkits continued to push forward.
Bushala's free kick over the Trevians wall forced Dwyer into action once more one minute before time.
"We just were not dangerous enough for the first 50-55 minutes or so," said a disappointed Salgado. "Played hard, but there wasn't the urgency needed against a team like New Trier where you have to be at a high level from the very beginning.
"It's too bad we didn't play all night like we did after going down three goals. That's something we'll address when we get back to training next week."
The Wildkits suffered a severe blow to the backline when standout center back, Annika DeStefano was injured during a 50-50 battle with New Trier's Kaspi in the 10th minute.
The junior was helped off by the medical staff and immediately took ice to an injured knee. She never returned to action.
Evanston will play in a crossover contest on Tuesday, followed by its season finale with Fenwick next Thursday at home.
Following its championship match with Glenbrook North, the Trevians will tune-up for their regional opener with a date at 7 p.m. Friday at Fremd in what has become a longstanding final game of the season with Steve Keller's club.
"Tonight's game was an easy one to get up for because it was Evanston," said Weaver. "But this team trains and plays so hard each time we go out. We never seem to have any trouble getting ready for a game. So we'll be ready for these next two games coming up."
Starting lineups
Evanston (4-4-2)
GK-Sylvi Imrem
D- Ruby Rogers
D- Annika DeStefano
D- Kathleen Donati
D- Ryann Lucas
M- Avery Ackman
M- Margaret Rogan
M- Vanessa Eljaiek
M- Kat Sehgal
F- Hadley Bushala
F- Keara Kerr
New Trier (4-1-4-1)
GK- Megan Dwyer
D- Caroliine Iserloth
D- Sydney Parker
D- Nell Martin
D- Meredith Nassar
M- Victoria Flannagan
M- Whitney Hoban
M- Emma Weaver
M- Lily Conley
M- Grace Walker
F- Nicole Kaspi
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Emma Weaver, so., MF, New Trier
Referee: Rick Geati
Scoring summary
First half
New Trier: Weaver (Sedgewick) 25'
Second half
New Trier: Weaver (U/A) 54'
New Trier: Parker (Weaver) 66'
Evanston: Michel (Bushala) 67'
Trevians end perfect CSL South campaign with 3-1 win
By Mike Garofola
NORTHFIELD -- The tried and tested delivered for New Trier once again Friday night, this time against rival Evanston, before a large and lively audience at New Trier Stadium.
Emma Weaver's double and assist, and yet another goal from backline star Sydney Parker helped finish off the Wildkits 3-1 to give the Trevians an undefeated Central Suburban League South Division championship.
"We always expect a tough, physical battle when we play Evanston, and that's what we got out there tonight. It was a good win for us," said Weaver, Chicagoland Soccer's MVP of the Match.
Any matchup between these two longtime rivals is going to be noteworthy, and a rare summer-like weather night, plus a huge student crowd for both sides made this regular season finale all the more exciting.
"Evanston always seems to bring a lot of its fans and students to these games, so the big crowd really helped us focus from the very start. It's fun playing before a lot of fans," added Weaver.
Coming into the match, the home side, ranked second in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, was still riding high from its championship performance at the high-profile Naperville Invitational, where it defeated then fifth-ranked Naperville North 1-0 to capture its first title there since 2010 and fifth overall.
"We had so many players come through for us, not only in that game with Naperville North, but all throughout the tournament," said proud Trevians manager Jim Burnside.
"Whitney Hoban put on an amazing performance. Lily Conley played all 160 minutes during our semifinal and final, and Victoria Flannagan had a breakout tournament."
"(That) and our defense, which we take so much pride in, was once again terrific, with Parker, Caroline Iserloth, Meredith Nassar and Nell Martin helping us record our 12th shutout of the season.
Iserloth has been a part of an extraordinary record since joining the Trevians four years ago -- the senior has now been in Burnsides' backline for a dazzling 78 clean-sheets.
The visiting Wildkits (9-8-2, 2-2-1) were fresh off a 3-0 victory over Niles North on Tuesday, but more importantly, a strong effort at the Naperville Invitational
"We learned during that tournament, that we can compete with the best teams in the state," said Evanston manager Stacy Salgado. "Before (that) in the Malnati's Deep Dish Classic, we drew with Naperville North, and handed (then no. 8) St. Francis its second loss of the season. So we know we're highly capable of beating anyone that might potentially stand in our path in the postseason."
Against New Trier, the Wildkits struggled to break down the Trevians 4-1-4-1 formation and allowed far too much of the play in the their end of the park.
"It's been our MO this season to start slow and not really get into the game," said Salgado. "When we give up a goal, or fall behind (it's) obviously something we have to clean up before regionals begin.
"I don't know why we start that way. We always come ready to play; it must be a mental thing. And, yes, it happened to us again tonight," said junior Hadley Bushala, one of several second half standouts for Salgado's club.
Bushala and her mates committed the cardinal sin of conceding dead-ball opportunities to an opponent which has thrived on such chances, with Parker the chief culprit with her piercing service, and the Trevians crafty set plays in and around the box.
During the opening half hour, the home side was at its most dangerous in a 10-minute sequence where they registered five deep throws and a trio of freekicks leading up to Weaver's opener at 25 minutes.
"That's what we do really well," said Weaver. "(It's) something we spend a lot of time working on, and it usually provides at least one goal per game for us."
Parker's 35-yard guided free kick missile was thrown onto the bar by Evanston keeper, Slyvi Imrem, who was sharp in her recovery to save Hoban's point-blank redirect.
Parker sent another long-range attempt on frame moments later and was at the heart of Weaver's snap-shot strike when she stepped in to command a wayward ball just outside the box.
Weaver, one of the best natural scoring predators in the state, she gave the Trevians the 1-0 advantage with her sublime one-timer in front of Imrem.
"Mia (Sedgwick) went endline, before playing a great ball across," said Weaver, who did the rest.
Evanston came to life in the closing moments of the first half.
The Wildkits spread and shredded the Trevians with some terrific build-up during its last three visits into the south end of New Trier Stadium. Vanessa Eljaiek, Kat Sehgal and Bushala were at the heart of this energic finish of the half.
Despite the effort, New Trier entered the intermission with a 1-0 lead.
After the break, Evanston found some extra pace and energy when Salgado put Alexa Michel on the field. The senior was inserted at the top of the attack as the Wildkits fired back at their hosts.
However New Trier added to their guests' frustration when Weaver strolled in and collected a sitter inside the box before smartly going past Imrem, who had no chance on the 10-yard finish.
Evanston was now left chasing a two-goal deficit 26 minutes from time with the home side continuing to press for more.
A pair of offsides flags stopped potential 1-v.-1's by Nicole Kaspi near the hour, but when a short ball was gobbled up by Weaver, it led to a corner and shot that the sophomore fired on net, but Imrem was there to stop the try.
On a subsequent corner, Weaver whipped her well-aimed serve into the mix. When the Wildkits failed to clear it out of danger, Parker found a way to slot past Imrem in a crowd.
It appeared the Trevians (15-0-2, 5-0-0) had delivered the dagger to their guests - until Evanston reminded the big crowd it was not ready to fold up for the night.
The aforementioned Michel led a brilliant charge from the visitors. The Wildkits played with so much speed on the ball, and quick, sharp passes that it put the Trevians on their back foot and led to Michel finding the back of the net.
The 67th-minute goal came one minute after Parker's 11th of the season and signaled the start of a wide-open and frenzied final 13 minutes.
"We showed so much more urgency and energy after Alexa's goal, I just wish we had done that earlier," said Bushala.
Avery Ackman went wide with her left-footed freekick, before fearless New Trier keeper Meghan Dwyer came off her line to make a valiant point-blank stop on Michel, who was put through by Bushala as the Wildkits continued to push forward.
Bushala's free kick over the Trevians wall forced Dwyer into action once more one minute before time.
"We just were not dangerous enough for the first 50-55 minutes or so," said a disappointed Salgado. "Played hard, but there wasn't the urgency needed against a team like New Trier where you have to be at a high level from the very beginning.
"It's too bad we didn't play all night like we did after going down three goals. That's something we'll address when we get back to training next week."
The Wildkits suffered a severe blow to the backline when standout center back, Annika DeStefano was injured during a 50-50 battle with New Trier's Kaspi in the 10th minute.
The junior was helped off by the medical staff and immediately took ice to an injured knee. She never returned to action.
Evanston will play in a crossover contest on Tuesday, followed by its season finale with Fenwick next Thursday at home.
Following its championship match with Glenbrook North, the Trevians will tune-up for their regional opener with a date at 7 p.m. Friday at Fremd in what has become a longstanding final game of the season with Steve Keller's club.
"Tonight's game was an easy one to get up for because it was Evanston," said Weaver. "But this team trains and plays so hard each time we go out. We never seem to have any trouble getting ready for a game. So we'll be ready for these next two games coming up."
Starting lineups
Evanston (4-4-2)
GK-Sylvi Imrem
D- Ruby Rogers
D- Annika DeStefano
D- Kathleen Donati
D- Ryann Lucas
M- Avery Ackman
M- Margaret Rogan
M- Vanessa Eljaiek
M- Kat Sehgal
F- Hadley Bushala
F- Keara Kerr
New Trier (4-1-4-1)
GK- Megan Dwyer
D- Caroliine Iserloth
D- Sydney Parker
D- Nell Martin
D- Meredith Nassar
M- Victoria Flannagan
M- Whitney Hoban
M- Emma Weaver
M- Lily Conley
M- Grace Walker
F- Nicole Kaspi
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Emma Weaver, so., MF, New Trier
Referee: Rick Geati
Scoring summary
First half
New Trier: Weaver (Sedgewick) 25'
Second half
New Trier: Weaver (U/A) 54'
New Trier: Parker (Weaver) 66'
Evanston: Michel (Bushala) 67'