Corona shares spotlight in 7-0 Reavis win
2 Rams net 1st varsity goals in victory
By Dave Owen
BURBANK – A usual star and several upstarts figured prominently in an impressive Tuesday for Reavis.
Standout senior striker Litzy Corona set the tone immediately in the Rams’ 7-0 win over visiting Evergreen Park (2-6-0, 1-4-0 in the Southwest Suburban Confernce), netting a three-goal hat-trick in the first 36 minutes of play to power Reavis (8-4-2, 2-0-2) to a 3-0 halftime lead.
Then it was time for the next wave of Rams stars to emerge. Sophomore Giselle Ruiz scored her first varsity goal 1:08 into the second half en route to her own eventual two-goal, one-assist day.
Later Alejandra Serna punctuated her Reavis varsity debut by scoring a first of her own with 7:53 left.
Finally, senior Jelena Stojadinovic’s first goal of the season capped the offensive onslaught, as the Rams turned an all-business approach early on into a fun-filled afternoon.
“I think we had a little bit more energy,” said Corona, who upped her season goal total to 18 with the hat-trick. “We came out strong in the first 30 minutes of the game. And it started from the locker room -- no goofing around, serious time. I feel like that helped us win.”
Corona had three shots and Sandy Garcia and Lily Saenz one apiece in the first nine minutes, the closest of which was a Corona 12-yarder saved by Evergreen Park goalkeeper Macy Benson.
Then 30:32 before halftime, Corona’s persistent pressure paid off.
Off a pass from Cammi Valdez, Corona drove in left and drove a low 15-yarder inside the right post for a 1-0 Rams lead.
Seven minutes later, Garcia’s excellent send from just inside midfield hit Corona for a breakaway up the middle and a 2-0 advantage.
Reavis continued its blitz. In the 34th minute, passes from Melenie Martinez and Corona set up a Garcia 22-yard shot just over the crossbar.
Then 4:46 before halftime, another great connection completed Corona’s trick. Defender Natalia Supan’s send sprung Ruiz, who headed the ball up to Corona 10 yards out. Sidestepping a defender, Corona left-footed a rocket inside the left post to put the Rams in command up 3-0.
“Technically-wise Reavis has always been a good program,” Evergreen Park coach Erik Moreno said. “Our girls aren’t year round players, so I tell them ‘Coming into matches like this, you have to be on top of your game.’ Reavis is a good team, well-coached.
“The main difference was their number 12 (Corona) -- an exceptional player. It took us a little longer than usual for us to recognize a player like that, and once we made a switch we at least slowed her down a little bit."
But while Corona was kept off the scoreboard the rest of the way, a young protege proved dangerous in her own right.
Just 68 seconds into the second half, Cammi Valdez burst in on left wing and sent a nice cross in front to Ruiz – whose 8-yard shot was a personal breakthrough.
“It was exciting,” Ruiz said. “I didn’t think I was going to score.”
Said Rams first-year coach Jeff Grider: “I told them after the first half, ‘Just because we’re up 3-0, I think there’s more.' And that’s exactly what they showed. They came out and scored a goal in the first two minutes.”
Then with 33:16 to go, Ruiz struck again on a play that began with defense.
Simone Confederat’s header upfield off an Evergreen Park corner kick began a Rams counterattack.
Ruiz was the finisher, taking a long send, making a long run in on the right wing and burying a shot inside the right post to make the score 5-0.
“It was the team playing together, helping each other out,” Ruiz said.
Ruiz singled out a high-scoring teammate for aid in her offensive rise.
“Honestly I look up to Litzy and am always asking her for help,” Ruiz said. “She has really helped me.”
A recent strategic switch has also helped unleash Ruiz’s talents.
“Giselle’s been yo-yoing up and down (in time on the field), because we had been playing with a one-attacker system,” Grider said. “Behind Litzy there’s not much playing time.
“But we just switched (to two forwards), and I told her Litzy’s going to get the ball, and all she has to do is make a run in behind, and she’ll be fed. And that’s exactly what she did.
“She scored two beautiful goals, and you can see how happy she is,” Grider added. “That’s what is awesome about coaching, seeing the joy on her face after scoring her first two varsity goals.”
Similar joy came to another Ram with 7:53 left.
On a play begun by a Magda Niemiec pass, Stojadinovic met resistance from two Mustangs defenders 10 yards out. But off a shot block, Serna pounced on the left side rebound and celebrated with her first varsity goal.
Two minutes later, Stojadinovic followed her nice attack on Serna’s rebound finish with her own goal -- her first since sophomore year.
“Jelena getting in there too (to score) was nice,” Grider said. “It was a good day.
“The one thing I’m trying to relate to these girls is that you have to expect and want. Just compete and compete – that’s what I want to see for 80 minutes. And I think they did that today for sure.”
While overshadowed by the seven-goal offensive outburst, the Reavis defense also earned high marks with a shutout performance.
Sophomore sweeper Andy Flores was a usual standout, highlighted by two plays with the lead still just 2-0: a block and clear of a cross to the box in the 19th minute; then a clear of a Mustangs right side attack in the 26th minute.
“I’m really thankful that my coach believes in me enough and trusts me with it (playing sweeper),” Flores said. “But it’s a lot of responsibility back there, to be the last defender.”
Defensive help has come from a former forward.
“Haidi Sanchez was a striker,” Grider said, “and I thought ‘Let’s try her in the back.’ She has really stepped up and done a wonderful job.
“And it’s not easy being a scorer and being asked to go back there. She does it with no problem. She’s a very coachable player.”
Sanchez’s deflection over the net of a cross to the crease by Kathleen Malone denied one of Evergreen Park’s better chances of the second half.
“Haidi has been helping us a lot,” Flores said. “When I move upfield she moves behind me, and I know she has my back.”
Said Grider: “The first few weeks we were giving up goals. So it’s nice to get some clean-sheets.”
The 7-0 win didn’t come without a painful moment for the Reavis defense. With 15:12 left, Rams goalkeeper Diana Gonzalez fielded a seemingly harmless and unchallenged send to the box but fell to the turf with a leg injury that required her to be carted off the field.
“Unfortunately Diana got hurt, and we’ll see where that goes,” Grider said. “She’s been playing great, and the backline’s been playing great.”
But the freak injury created another unexpected hero in a new spot.
Starting midfielder Valdez returned to the game at goalkeeper, and completed the shutout with a save in the final seconds of a 28-yard shot by Evergreen Park’s Brooke Scanlon.
“Cammi’s a basketball player, an all-around athlete,” Grider said. “She was the first girl (after the injury) to say ‘Hey coach, I’ll do it.’ She went in there, and I think made a few saves. Now hopefully we don’t have to use her (again).
“Our backup goalie (Abby Unzeuta) is also hurt (knee injury) so she might still be out for a little bit. So we might have to go down to the sophomore level (for a keeper).”
The Mustangs could certainly relate to Reavis’ dilemma in net.
“We have a lot of young girls,” Moreno said, “and we have a few starters out with concussions. Our keeper has been out. We’re like on our third keeper right now.”
Even with a 5-0 lead at the time of Gonzalez’s exit, the Rams kept their focus.
“We just said (after the injury) ‘Keep the intensity, keep going,’” Flores said. “‘Just act like Diana is still there. We just have to work a little harder and pick up our game.’”
The end result was Reavis’ third shutout of 2019, and an addition to a stretch of seven games in which the Rams have outscored their opponents 26-5.
“Our clearances have been so much better than in our first games,” Flores said of the team’s improvement. “Getting the ball wide and working on the left foot, that has helped a lot.”
One of just four seniors on the Rams, Corona has seen the young team emerge.
“Like Andi said about using their left foot, we’re not just kicking it anywhere,” Corona said. “We’re actually looking to find people. We’re talking, and the intensity goes up.
“I feel if we keep working hard and keep trusting in our teammates, we can go far.”
A big test of that looms Thursday, when Reavis travels a short distance north on Harlem Avenue to face archrival Argo (3-1-0 in conference).
“Both teams are competing for conference, it’s a goal for both teams,” Grider said. “And it being a rivalry just makes it a little more sweet. It’s going to be a fun game to watch.”
On a good mid-April run, Reavis hopes its fun can continue.
“We have a really big opponent on Thursday, and I think this is going to help us maximize our confidence level,” Flores said. “I think we can win conference. If we work as a team, we can achieve many things.”
Starting lineups
Evergreen Park
GK: Macy Benson
D: Ciara Black
D: Liv McQuillan
D: Sioban Moran
D: Emma O’Grady
M: Sarah Hughes
M: Kathleen Malone
M: Vanessa Arredondo
M: Ailyn Esquivel
M: Meghan Valentino
F: Paulina Sosa
Reavis
GK: Diana Gonzalez
D: Haidi Sanchez
D: Andy Flores
D: Simone Confederat
M: Alyssa Froylan
M: Sandy Garcia
M: Cammi Valdez
M: Lily Saenz
M: Melenie Martinez
F: Litzy Corona
F: Giselle Ruiz
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Litzy Corona, sr. F, Reavis
Scoring summary
First half
R – Litzy Corona (Cammi Valdez), 10th
R - Corona (Sandy Garcia), 17th minute
R – Corona (Giselle Ruiz), 36th minute
Second half
R – Ruiz (Valdez), 42nd minute
R – Ruiz, 47th minute
R – Alejandra Serna, 73rd minute
R – Jelena Stojadinovic, 74th minute
2 Rams net 1st varsity goals in victory
By Dave Owen
BURBANK – A usual star and several upstarts figured prominently in an impressive Tuesday for Reavis.
Standout senior striker Litzy Corona set the tone immediately in the Rams’ 7-0 win over visiting Evergreen Park (2-6-0, 1-4-0 in the Southwest Suburban Confernce), netting a three-goal hat-trick in the first 36 minutes of play to power Reavis (8-4-2, 2-0-2) to a 3-0 halftime lead.
Then it was time for the next wave of Rams stars to emerge. Sophomore Giselle Ruiz scored her first varsity goal 1:08 into the second half en route to her own eventual two-goal, one-assist day.
Later Alejandra Serna punctuated her Reavis varsity debut by scoring a first of her own with 7:53 left.
Finally, senior Jelena Stojadinovic’s first goal of the season capped the offensive onslaught, as the Rams turned an all-business approach early on into a fun-filled afternoon.
“I think we had a little bit more energy,” said Corona, who upped her season goal total to 18 with the hat-trick. “We came out strong in the first 30 minutes of the game. And it started from the locker room -- no goofing around, serious time. I feel like that helped us win.”
Corona had three shots and Sandy Garcia and Lily Saenz one apiece in the first nine minutes, the closest of which was a Corona 12-yarder saved by Evergreen Park goalkeeper Macy Benson.
Then 30:32 before halftime, Corona’s persistent pressure paid off.
Off a pass from Cammi Valdez, Corona drove in left and drove a low 15-yarder inside the right post for a 1-0 Rams lead.
Seven minutes later, Garcia’s excellent send from just inside midfield hit Corona for a breakaway up the middle and a 2-0 advantage.
Reavis continued its blitz. In the 34th minute, passes from Melenie Martinez and Corona set up a Garcia 22-yard shot just over the crossbar.
Then 4:46 before halftime, another great connection completed Corona’s trick. Defender Natalia Supan’s send sprung Ruiz, who headed the ball up to Corona 10 yards out. Sidestepping a defender, Corona left-footed a rocket inside the left post to put the Rams in command up 3-0.
“Technically-wise Reavis has always been a good program,” Evergreen Park coach Erik Moreno said. “Our girls aren’t year round players, so I tell them ‘Coming into matches like this, you have to be on top of your game.’ Reavis is a good team, well-coached.
“The main difference was their number 12 (Corona) -- an exceptional player. It took us a little longer than usual for us to recognize a player like that, and once we made a switch we at least slowed her down a little bit."
But while Corona was kept off the scoreboard the rest of the way, a young protege proved dangerous in her own right.
Just 68 seconds into the second half, Cammi Valdez burst in on left wing and sent a nice cross in front to Ruiz – whose 8-yard shot was a personal breakthrough.
“It was exciting,” Ruiz said. “I didn’t think I was going to score.”
Said Rams first-year coach Jeff Grider: “I told them after the first half, ‘Just because we’re up 3-0, I think there’s more.' And that’s exactly what they showed. They came out and scored a goal in the first two minutes.”
Then with 33:16 to go, Ruiz struck again on a play that began with defense.
Simone Confederat’s header upfield off an Evergreen Park corner kick began a Rams counterattack.
Ruiz was the finisher, taking a long send, making a long run in on the right wing and burying a shot inside the right post to make the score 5-0.
“It was the team playing together, helping each other out,” Ruiz said.
Ruiz singled out a high-scoring teammate for aid in her offensive rise.
“Honestly I look up to Litzy and am always asking her for help,” Ruiz said. “She has really helped me.”
A recent strategic switch has also helped unleash Ruiz’s talents.
“Giselle’s been yo-yoing up and down (in time on the field), because we had been playing with a one-attacker system,” Grider said. “Behind Litzy there’s not much playing time.
“But we just switched (to two forwards), and I told her Litzy’s going to get the ball, and all she has to do is make a run in behind, and she’ll be fed. And that’s exactly what she did.
“She scored two beautiful goals, and you can see how happy she is,” Grider added. “That’s what is awesome about coaching, seeing the joy on her face after scoring her first two varsity goals.”
Similar joy came to another Ram with 7:53 left.
On a play begun by a Magda Niemiec pass, Stojadinovic met resistance from two Mustangs defenders 10 yards out. But off a shot block, Serna pounced on the left side rebound and celebrated with her first varsity goal.
Two minutes later, Stojadinovic followed her nice attack on Serna’s rebound finish with her own goal -- her first since sophomore year.
“Jelena getting in there too (to score) was nice,” Grider said. “It was a good day.
“The one thing I’m trying to relate to these girls is that you have to expect and want. Just compete and compete – that’s what I want to see for 80 minutes. And I think they did that today for sure.”
While overshadowed by the seven-goal offensive outburst, the Reavis defense also earned high marks with a shutout performance.
Sophomore sweeper Andy Flores was a usual standout, highlighted by two plays with the lead still just 2-0: a block and clear of a cross to the box in the 19th minute; then a clear of a Mustangs right side attack in the 26th minute.
“I’m really thankful that my coach believes in me enough and trusts me with it (playing sweeper),” Flores said. “But it’s a lot of responsibility back there, to be the last defender.”
Defensive help has come from a former forward.
“Haidi Sanchez was a striker,” Grider said, “and I thought ‘Let’s try her in the back.’ She has really stepped up and done a wonderful job.
“And it’s not easy being a scorer and being asked to go back there. She does it with no problem. She’s a very coachable player.”
Sanchez’s deflection over the net of a cross to the crease by Kathleen Malone denied one of Evergreen Park’s better chances of the second half.
“Haidi has been helping us a lot,” Flores said. “When I move upfield she moves behind me, and I know she has my back.”
Said Grider: “The first few weeks we were giving up goals. So it’s nice to get some clean-sheets.”
The 7-0 win didn’t come without a painful moment for the Reavis defense. With 15:12 left, Rams goalkeeper Diana Gonzalez fielded a seemingly harmless and unchallenged send to the box but fell to the turf with a leg injury that required her to be carted off the field.
“Unfortunately Diana got hurt, and we’ll see where that goes,” Grider said. “She’s been playing great, and the backline’s been playing great.”
But the freak injury created another unexpected hero in a new spot.
Starting midfielder Valdez returned to the game at goalkeeper, and completed the shutout with a save in the final seconds of a 28-yard shot by Evergreen Park’s Brooke Scanlon.
“Cammi’s a basketball player, an all-around athlete,” Grider said. “She was the first girl (after the injury) to say ‘Hey coach, I’ll do it.’ She went in there, and I think made a few saves. Now hopefully we don’t have to use her (again).
“Our backup goalie (Abby Unzeuta) is also hurt (knee injury) so she might still be out for a little bit. So we might have to go down to the sophomore level (for a keeper).”
The Mustangs could certainly relate to Reavis’ dilemma in net.
“We have a lot of young girls,” Moreno said, “and we have a few starters out with concussions. Our keeper has been out. We’re like on our third keeper right now.”
Even with a 5-0 lead at the time of Gonzalez’s exit, the Rams kept their focus.
“We just said (after the injury) ‘Keep the intensity, keep going,’” Flores said. “‘Just act like Diana is still there. We just have to work a little harder and pick up our game.’”
The end result was Reavis’ third shutout of 2019, and an addition to a stretch of seven games in which the Rams have outscored their opponents 26-5.
“Our clearances have been so much better than in our first games,” Flores said of the team’s improvement. “Getting the ball wide and working on the left foot, that has helped a lot.”
One of just four seniors on the Rams, Corona has seen the young team emerge.
“Like Andi said about using their left foot, we’re not just kicking it anywhere,” Corona said. “We’re actually looking to find people. We’re talking, and the intensity goes up.
“I feel if we keep working hard and keep trusting in our teammates, we can go far.”
A big test of that looms Thursday, when Reavis travels a short distance north on Harlem Avenue to face archrival Argo (3-1-0 in conference).
“Both teams are competing for conference, it’s a goal for both teams,” Grider said. “And it being a rivalry just makes it a little more sweet. It’s going to be a fun game to watch.”
On a good mid-April run, Reavis hopes its fun can continue.
“We have a really big opponent on Thursday, and I think this is going to help us maximize our confidence level,” Flores said. “I think we can win conference. If we work as a team, we can achieve many things.”
Starting lineups
Evergreen Park
GK: Macy Benson
D: Ciara Black
D: Liv McQuillan
D: Sioban Moran
D: Emma O’Grady
M: Sarah Hughes
M: Kathleen Malone
M: Vanessa Arredondo
M: Ailyn Esquivel
M: Meghan Valentino
F: Paulina Sosa
Reavis
GK: Diana Gonzalez
D: Haidi Sanchez
D: Andy Flores
D: Simone Confederat
M: Alyssa Froylan
M: Sandy Garcia
M: Cammi Valdez
M: Lily Saenz
M: Melenie Martinez
F: Litzy Corona
F: Giselle Ruiz
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Litzy Corona, sr. F, Reavis
Scoring summary
First half
R – Litzy Corona (Cammi Valdez), 10th
R - Corona (Sandy Garcia), 17th minute
R – Corona (Giselle Ruiz), 36th minute
Second half
R – Ruiz (Valdez), 42nd minute
R – Ruiz, 47th minute
R – Alejandra Serna, 73rd minute
R – Jelena Stojadinovic, 74th minute