Weiss leads GBS over Evanston for title
Sophomore's strike serves up Malnati's glory
By Mike Garofola
NORTHFIELD -- They were the odd couple: Evanston and Glenbrook South.
Neither side was considered a frontrunner for a finals berth in a Lou Malnati's Deep Dish Classic field that included high-profile teams like New Trier, Loyola and Naperville North, ranked sides from Carmel and St. Francis, and traditional powers Hinsdale Central and Lyons.
But each club came through tough group play draws unbowed before dispatching St. Francis (Evanston 3-2) and Naperville North (Glenbrook South 1-0 in two overtimes) in dramatic fashion in Friday night semifinals.
The final was no difference. Katie Weiss' touch in the 42nd minute turned into silverware for Glenbrook South, which used her finish to lift the championship trophy at the Lou Malnati's Deep Dish Classic on a wintery Saturday afternoon.
The 1-0 victory was the second such result for the Titans (8-0-3) over Stacy Salgado's Evanston club this season, and second-consecutive clean-sheet for the tourney champs.
"This is such a great soccer tournament filled with great teams and coaches, including my counterpart Stacy Salgado, who is a class act who brings so much to the sport and her program," said Glenbrook South manager Seong Ha of his peer.
"The Central Suburban League did themselves proud today and over this past week against some real quality soccer clubs. For us, this week will go a long way to helping us prepare for the rest of the season that awaits us."
The unusually cold weather, which has gripped a significant part of Illinois' spring soccer universe for nearly four weeks took, yet another turn for the worst Saturday afternoon. During most of the second half, New Trier stadium, which stands just a few miles from Lake Michigan, felt as if it was right next to it.
But given the stakes, there was no place else the teams would have rather been.
"It was a terrible day for soccer, but it was the same for both teams," said Evanston captain Ruby Siegel. "Once we really got into the game, the conditions didn't bother us."
That the Wildkits (6-4-2) advanced into this final says volumes of how far Salgado and her staff have brought the club in just a short time. It followed a 3-3 stretch to open the season that included a 1-0 loss in the CSL South Division opener for both sides on March 23.
Siegel thought Saturday's effort surpassed that in the first.
"We gave it a full 80 minutes out there," she said. "After we settled in and figured out how to play in these conditions, we tried to play and build our attack (creating) chances and doing the things that we know how to do.
"We all know we can be better, but the effort was there, and we're playing better each time out."
Evanston went into the final on a five-game unbeaten streak, with included three clean-sheets that were accomplished without either of the two goalkeepers listed on the Evanston roster.
Defender Siegel worked between the sticks in two matches, and JV forward and substitute goalie Abra Levin earned the win against Naperville North on Friday and manned the net in the final.
"The way that Stacy has dealt with those injuries to her top two keepers is amazing," said Ha. "It shows just how good of a manager she is to keep things together along the back during this tournament."
Both clubs struggled during the first quarter hour of play. Evanston came to life first when the Wildkits found if they played a shorter game through the middle of the park to the feet of Vanessa Elljaiek, Kat Sehgal and Siegel that good things could happen. Callista O'Connor and Keara Kerr often found themselves on the end of passes to the outside.
Avery Ackman's free kick forced a save from Glenbrook South keeper Libby Vanderveen and was followed by a trio of deeps throws created by the now-thriving Evanston attack.
Eljaiek went over the bar with her free kick attempt at 26 minutes, before the junior and Ackman worked a nice one-two combination to earn yet another deep throw, which was defended smartly by Villanova-bound Makayla Stadler.
The Glenbrook South junior was the Titans version of the Wildkits trio of Eljaiek, Sehgal and Siegel, all of whom were box-to-box warriors in this championship contest.
Katie Weiss' winning strike came at 42 minutes. According to her coach, the game-winner was a combination of good fortune and craftiness after the Titans forward collected a loose ball, and quickly turned to the goal.
"Katie did the smart thing and drove a hard ball on frame and past their keeper (using) the wet turf to her benefit," said Ha of the 20-yard attempt which Levin was unable to stop.
"It was a great shot, but also a tough one for any keeper to stop because of the conditions."
Evanston shifted its focus to finding the equalizer and began with Salgado's tactical move to a 3-5-2 formation. Ackman moved to an outside-mid from her spot along the back, and Siegel became a holding-mid and playmaker from that position.
This switch nearly paid dividends moments later.
Ackman played a lovely ball over the top onto the foot of Kelly Kleschen. The junior midfielder would have had a go at Vanderveen if not for sharp tackle by Weiss, who had worked back on a retrieving mission into the box.
This 54th-minute exchange began a run of several more half- and full-chances by Evanston in the next 10 minutes.
Eljaiek went over with a one-timer, then watched a short clear of her free kick spill to Ackman, who went wide in the 57th minute.
Vanderveen would then make the first of two key saves that kept Evanston from drawing even.
Eljaiek unloaded a 30-yard missile that began to dip as it reached the Titans keeper. Vanderveen handled the left-footed strike with the precision of a heart surgeon.
The junior keeper enjoyed an easier chance two minutes later when she stopped Sehgal's 64th-minute attempt after a Hadley Bushala cross.
"We put some chances on frame, two of which were dangerous," Salgado said. "There were few, if any, corners and dead ball opportunities created today, and that's something we have to work on."
Vanderveen was at her best in the closing 30 seconds with a fearless stop of Ackman at the back post that cemented the Titans tournament title.
Vanderveen and Eljaiek shared the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match honor for their championship game performances.
"We came back from less than 24 hours to play a tough game against a quality opponent in horrible conditions to win the tournament championship," said Ha, who entered his 12th season with 216 career victories. "I am obviously very proud of these girls right now.
"To have players like Stadler, who played 175-plus minutes over the two days, and Vanderveen come through like she did, and for everyone to come together with three of our players unable to play because of injuries and sickness, says a lot."
Evanston's Siegel, who along with Ackman, Annika DeStefano, Eljaiek and Kerr played on the final team of former Evanston manager Maurizio Grillo, was proud of her teammates in defeat.
"We can always play better, but on a day like this, all of us gave what we had, and that's all you can do," she said.
Siegel and her mates now will brace themselves for yet another busy week of soccer. It begins at home Tuesday against league rival Niles West. The Naperville Invitational follows with group games against Boylan (5 p.m. Thursday) and St. Charles East (5 p.m. Friday).
Glenbrook South welcomes New Trier on Tuesday.
Starting lineups
Evanston (4-5-1)
GK- Abra Levin
D- Ruby Rogers
D- Annika DeStefano
D- Kathleen Donati
D- Ryann Lucas
M- Callista O'Connor
M- Vanessa Eljaiek
M- Kat Sehgal
M- Ruby Siegel
M- Keara Kerr
F- Hadley Bushala
Glenbrook South (4-4-2)
GK- Libbie Vanderveen
D- Katie Glass
D- Katie Sullivan
D- Challen Flaws
D- Grace O'Brien
M- Jessica Peters
M- Makayla Stadler
M- Julia DiSano
M- Lauren Meier
F- Katie Weiss
F- Ellie Flowers
Chicagoland Soccer MVPs of the Match: Libbie Vanderveen, sr., GK, Glenbrook South
Vanessa Eljaiek, sr., M, Evanston
Referee: John Anderson
Scoring summary
Glenbrook South
Katie Weiss (Ellie Flowers) 42'
Sophomore's strike serves up Malnati's glory
By Mike Garofola
NORTHFIELD -- They were the odd couple: Evanston and Glenbrook South.
Neither side was considered a frontrunner for a finals berth in a Lou Malnati's Deep Dish Classic field that included high-profile teams like New Trier, Loyola and Naperville North, ranked sides from Carmel and St. Francis, and traditional powers Hinsdale Central and Lyons.
But each club came through tough group play draws unbowed before dispatching St. Francis (Evanston 3-2) and Naperville North (Glenbrook South 1-0 in two overtimes) in dramatic fashion in Friday night semifinals.
The final was no difference. Katie Weiss' touch in the 42nd minute turned into silverware for Glenbrook South, which used her finish to lift the championship trophy at the Lou Malnati's Deep Dish Classic on a wintery Saturday afternoon.
The 1-0 victory was the second such result for the Titans (8-0-3) over Stacy Salgado's Evanston club this season, and second-consecutive clean-sheet for the tourney champs.
"This is such a great soccer tournament filled with great teams and coaches, including my counterpart Stacy Salgado, who is a class act who brings so much to the sport and her program," said Glenbrook South manager Seong Ha of his peer.
"The Central Suburban League did themselves proud today and over this past week against some real quality soccer clubs. For us, this week will go a long way to helping us prepare for the rest of the season that awaits us."
The unusually cold weather, which has gripped a significant part of Illinois' spring soccer universe for nearly four weeks took, yet another turn for the worst Saturday afternoon. During most of the second half, New Trier stadium, which stands just a few miles from Lake Michigan, felt as if it was right next to it.
But given the stakes, there was no place else the teams would have rather been.
"It was a terrible day for soccer, but it was the same for both teams," said Evanston captain Ruby Siegel. "Once we really got into the game, the conditions didn't bother us."
That the Wildkits (6-4-2) advanced into this final says volumes of how far Salgado and her staff have brought the club in just a short time. It followed a 3-3 stretch to open the season that included a 1-0 loss in the CSL South Division opener for both sides on March 23.
Siegel thought Saturday's effort surpassed that in the first.
"We gave it a full 80 minutes out there," she said. "After we settled in and figured out how to play in these conditions, we tried to play and build our attack (creating) chances and doing the things that we know how to do.
"We all know we can be better, but the effort was there, and we're playing better each time out."
Evanston went into the final on a five-game unbeaten streak, with included three clean-sheets that were accomplished without either of the two goalkeepers listed on the Evanston roster.
Defender Siegel worked between the sticks in two matches, and JV forward and substitute goalie Abra Levin earned the win against Naperville North on Friday and manned the net in the final.
"The way that Stacy has dealt with those injuries to her top two keepers is amazing," said Ha. "It shows just how good of a manager she is to keep things together along the back during this tournament."
Both clubs struggled during the first quarter hour of play. Evanston came to life first when the Wildkits found if they played a shorter game through the middle of the park to the feet of Vanessa Elljaiek, Kat Sehgal and Siegel that good things could happen. Callista O'Connor and Keara Kerr often found themselves on the end of passes to the outside.
Avery Ackman's free kick forced a save from Glenbrook South keeper Libby Vanderveen and was followed by a trio of deeps throws created by the now-thriving Evanston attack.
Eljaiek went over the bar with her free kick attempt at 26 minutes, before the junior and Ackman worked a nice one-two combination to earn yet another deep throw, which was defended smartly by Villanova-bound Makayla Stadler.
The Glenbrook South junior was the Titans version of the Wildkits trio of Eljaiek, Sehgal and Siegel, all of whom were box-to-box warriors in this championship contest.
Katie Weiss' winning strike came at 42 minutes. According to her coach, the game-winner was a combination of good fortune and craftiness after the Titans forward collected a loose ball, and quickly turned to the goal.
"Katie did the smart thing and drove a hard ball on frame and past their keeper (using) the wet turf to her benefit," said Ha of the 20-yard attempt which Levin was unable to stop.
"It was a great shot, but also a tough one for any keeper to stop because of the conditions."
Evanston shifted its focus to finding the equalizer and began with Salgado's tactical move to a 3-5-2 formation. Ackman moved to an outside-mid from her spot along the back, and Siegel became a holding-mid and playmaker from that position.
This switch nearly paid dividends moments later.
Ackman played a lovely ball over the top onto the foot of Kelly Kleschen. The junior midfielder would have had a go at Vanderveen if not for sharp tackle by Weiss, who had worked back on a retrieving mission into the box.
This 54th-minute exchange began a run of several more half- and full-chances by Evanston in the next 10 minutes.
Eljaiek went over with a one-timer, then watched a short clear of her free kick spill to Ackman, who went wide in the 57th minute.
Vanderveen would then make the first of two key saves that kept Evanston from drawing even.
Eljaiek unloaded a 30-yard missile that began to dip as it reached the Titans keeper. Vanderveen handled the left-footed strike with the precision of a heart surgeon.
The junior keeper enjoyed an easier chance two minutes later when she stopped Sehgal's 64th-minute attempt after a Hadley Bushala cross.
"We put some chances on frame, two of which were dangerous," Salgado said. "There were few, if any, corners and dead ball opportunities created today, and that's something we have to work on."
Vanderveen was at her best in the closing 30 seconds with a fearless stop of Ackman at the back post that cemented the Titans tournament title.
Vanderveen and Eljaiek shared the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match honor for their championship game performances.
"We came back from less than 24 hours to play a tough game against a quality opponent in horrible conditions to win the tournament championship," said Ha, who entered his 12th season with 216 career victories. "I am obviously very proud of these girls right now.
"To have players like Stadler, who played 175-plus minutes over the two days, and Vanderveen come through like she did, and for everyone to come together with three of our players unable to play because of injuries and sickness, says a lot."
Evanston's Siegel, who along with Ackman, Annika DeStefano, Eljaiek and Kerr played on the final team of former Evanston manager Maurizio Grillo, was proud of her teammates in defeat.
"We can always play better, but on a day like this, all of us gave what we had, and that's all you can do," she said.
Siegel and her mates now will brace themselves for yet another busy week of soccer. It begins at home Tuesday against league rival Niles West. The Naperville Invitational follows with group games against Boylan (5 p.m. Thursday) and St. Charles East (5 p.m. Friday).
Glenbrook South welcomes New Trier on Tuesday.
Starting lineups
Evanston (4-5-1)
GK- Abra Levin
D- Ruby Rogers
D- Annika DeStefano
D- Kathleen Donati
D- Ryann Lucas
M- Callista O'Connor
M- Vanessa Eljaiek
M- Kat Sehgal
M- Ruby Siegel
M- Keara Kerr
F- Hadley Bushala
Glenbrook South (4-4-2)
GK- Libbie Vanderveen
D- Katie Glass
D- Katie Sullivan
D- Challen Flaws
D- Grace O'Brien
M- Jessica Peters
M- Makayla Stadler
M- Julia DiSano
M- Lauren Meier
F- Katie Weiss
F- Ellie Flowers
Chicagoland Soccer MVPs of the Match: Libbie Vanderveen, sr., GK, Glenbrook South
Vanessa Eljaiek, sr., M, Evanston
Referee: John Anderson
Scoring summary
Glenbrook South
Katie Weiss (Ellie Flowers) 42'