Glenbrook South, Lake Forest
bring effort, but can't find goals
Teams get in pretournament prep, practice PKs after draw
By Mike Garofola
LAKE FOREST -- Visiting Glenbrook South and Lake Forest played out an 80-minute goal-less draw Thursday night in this nonconference affair at the Scouts home park.
Lake Forest (6-6-1, 4-3-0), the seventh seed in the Warren Sectional, will now prepare for its regional opener with no. 10 seed Hersey (5-7-1) at 5 p.m June 2 in Lake Forest.
Glenbrook South played Maine West in a traditional Central Suburban League end-of-the-season crossover game Friday night. At that game, they will honor the memory of the beloved longtime teacher and soccer coach Jim Wolter.
More on that later.
After the first three days of the week produced summer-like weather, both clubs were welcomed by a blast of late March, which included a threat of rain and high winds that surely plunged wind chills into the low 40s.
Nonetheless, these two sides brushed aside the dreadful conditions and played with plenty of energy, enthusiasm, and purpose to give their chilled faithful something to cheer about.
"It was a great tune-up (game) for the start of regionals next week," said senior, Molly Fisher, who gave Scouts manager Ty Stuckslager the type of performance he's come to expect during her three-year career with the big club.
"Molly had her typically consistent game for us," began Stuckslager. “Her work rate is unparalleled, as you can see, relentless movement both defensively and offensively.
"She uses her body really well to shield the ball, reads the game so well, and has a great first touch.
"For three years Molly has been one of our central midfielders, but we needed somebody who could check (back), control and hold the ball until support arrives."
Fisher, who may give soccer a go on the collegiate level, has signed on to play basketball next fall at Division III Denison (Ohio) after enjoying a memorable career on the courts for the Scouts.
"I've been fortunate to be a part of one of the few teams in any sport (at Lake Forest) to play in a supersectional final in my sophomore year where we won 27 games," said Fisher, who was All-North Suburban Conference this past season handling chores both at point and shooting guard. “And I am really excited to go on and continuing playing my next four years at Denison.”
Fisher, and her mates found themselves chasing their guests in the first quarter hour of this contest. Glenbrook South (3-11-4) opened the game by winning most of the first- and second-ball challenges.
"Our record is not a reflection of how good of a team we really are," said a proud Dani Stadler, who shared Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match honors with Fisher.
"We have several first-time varsity players on our roster. It's taken some time to get things sorted out, but there's a lot of talent on this team. I really feel like if we're taken lightly in the playoffs, we are capable of surprising our opponents."
"Our record IS a little misleading, I fully agree with Dani," said manager Mark Daniels.
"There are not a lot games on our schedule. It's a challenging schedule. We've had a couple of rough results against teams we just do not match up well with, but there's a lot of 2-1, 1-0 losses in there. Our real problem on the season is finishing our chances."
On this night, while both clubs played hard on both sides of the ball, and showed plenty of intent going forward, but quality chances were in short supply. Neither keeper was busier than the other when it came to dangerous attempts on frame.
"There was a lot to like about our play tonight. GBS worked hard all night and really owned most of the play in the first 15-20 minutes. Each of us were not as sharp as we needed to be in the final third to truly test both keepers," said Stuckslager.
When Glenbrook South gave the ball away in its own end in the 10th minute, Hayden Keller collected the errant ball and teed up a shot up from 22 yards. The ball rose over the bar.
Megan Noe, Bella Gemignani, Lilly O'Rourke and Elaina Maris gave the visitors plenty of pace in that opening 20 minutes, but the engine in the Titans attack was Stadler, whose darting runs, speed, quickness, and crafty play kept Lake Forest on alert throughout the game.
"Dani has worked hard all season for us. Tonight you saw a typical 'Dani' effort," said Daniels.
"Going hard to the ball, outworking the opponent for the ball is what she does best, but she also makes things happen with her energy, desire, heart and effort."
Stadler sent Gemignani through on the left side, but the junior went wide in the 15th minute. Moments later, Scouts keeper Sarah Constantine was called into action when she came off her line to take the ball off the boot of Elaina Maris.
This Titans sequence finally brought the home side into the game. With the work of an active, all-action backline of Charlotte Andress, Lindsey Asmussen, Mary McKendry and Hanna Sands, Lake Forest began to get out of its own end and apply some overdue pressure on the visitors.
"We started a little slow tonight, but our backline has been playing with a lot of confidence all season long," said senior Mary McKendry, who will attend the University of Illinois next fall. “We all feel like we can get forward, join the attack and help make things happen offensively for us."
"Mary and Molly both had solid games tonight," said Stuckslager. “I've been coaching them both since under-14 at Lake Forest Soccer Associates (LFSA), and they are two seniors who will be sorely missed not only because of what they do on the field, but more importantly off the field.”
McKendry initiated trouble in the Titans end with several long throws. Tricia Gray kept alive along the endline only to have her ball parried away by Anna Durow. Moments later, Durow tracked back inside the box to tackle Fisher, who was set free by Emersen Waddle and Keller, who traded passes on a nifty one-two combination.
"Anna has played almost every minute of every game," said Daniels. “After starting out the season as a midfielder, we pushed her into the back when we saw our needs as a team. She has been rock solid in her first season with the varsity.”
"Our effort in the back was very good all night long,” offered Durow, who was proactive in her defending, a voracious tackler and always aware in and around the area. “As a team, I felt like we did everything really well against a good team -- except to finish our chances,"
There was a flurry of activity in the closing moments before the break. T Scouts Gray latched onto a nicely played ball from Rupprecht that ended with a pair of blocked shots inside the box.
From that sprang a counter that saw Stadler drive her effort wide.
Despite having the wind in its face for the second period, it was Lake Forest that enjoyed the run of play when action resumed.
Asmussen delivered a pair of wonderful balls out of the back. Fisher tried to run on to the first, but an Anya Gupta interception dashed the Scouts chances. The was negated by Durow, who stepped into it nicely and deescalated the situation.
When Waddle unleashed a blast that appeared on frame when it came off of her right foot, but the 30-yard effort took a turn upwards and skimmed the football crossbar.
"We worked some really good combinations in the second half,” said Stuckslager. “But again, we just were not sharp enough in the final third to get anything of quality at their keeper."
A few more long throws from McKendry were defended easily by Durow and her Glenbrook South backline mates, who applauded keeper Bella Crist. In a subsequent sequence a Crist save on Fisher produced a loose ball inside the six-yard box.
Despite an onrushing Rupprecht anxious to drive home the possible game-winner, Crist remained cool and calm to beat Rupprecht to the ball to keep things level three minutes from time.
When the shrill of the referee's whistle ended the game, both sides agreed to play a practice round of kicks in preparation for the postseason. Glenbrook South converted four of their spot-kicks, while the Scouts finished three.
O'Rourke, Noe, Stadler and Talia Massarelli were perfect with their efforts. Peterson-Ross, Fisher, and Keller netted from the spot for Lake Forest whose coach applauded his team’s performance.
"We've been getting better each time out, and the girls are doing well when we make adjustments either at the break, or during the game," said Stuckslager, whose club extended its unbeaten streak to three.
"We may have had a little bit of a letdown after beating Zion-Benton 5-0, then Waukegan 10-0. But everyone got some playing time to get ourselves ready for regionals next week."
Daniels felt the result was a fair one, adding his girls always compete hard for 80 minutes. The ability to finish chances plagued them once again.
Daniels and Glenbrook South mourns the passing of Wolter, who died last Sunday after a courageous three-year battle with brain cancer.
Wolter began his coaching career as an assistant at Highland Park High School in 1974, moving to Deerfield, before coming to Glenbrook South to become the manager of the Titans boys program for 28 glorious seasons.
"We had been playing together in various mens leagues for a couple of years when he asked me one day to join him as his assistant in the program," recounted Daniels.
"Jim was a mentor and great friend, and a person who had passion for soccer and coaching focused on each students growth as young student-athletes.
"The positive foundation put in place by Jim will serve out students for years into the future."
Wolter served in the Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association (IHSSCA) and organized regional coaching clinics. He was named 2008 IHSSCA Soccer Person of the Year, and was inducted into the IHSSCA Hall of Fame in 2011.
The entire soccer community at Glenbrook South honored Wolter on Friday night with a moment of silence followed by a few words from Daniels.
Starting lineups
Glenbrook South (4-1-2-3)
G- Bella Crist
D- Heather Sundstrom
D- Anya Gupta
D- Anna Durow
D- Ashley Criss
M- Lilly O'Rourke
M- Elaina Maris
M- Meghan Noe
F- Dani Stadler
F- Bella Gemignami
F- Audrey Langenbach
Lake Forest (4-3-3)
G- Sarah Constantine
D- Lindsey Asmussen
D- Charlotte Andress
D- Mary McKendry
D- Hanna Sands
M- Kathy Peterson-Ross
M- Emerson Waddle
M- Hayden Keller
F- Ashleigh Rupprecht
F- Molly Fisher
F- Callie Birtman
Chicagoland Soccer MVPs of the Match:
Dani Stadler, sr., F, Glenbrook South; Molly Fisher, sr., MF/F, Lake Forest
Referee: Vitaly Hansavage
Scoring summary
First half
No scoring
Second half
No scoring
bring effort, but can't find goals
Teams get in pretournament prep, practice PKs after draw
By Mike Garofola
LAKE FOREST -- Visiting Glenbrook South and Lake Forest played out an 80-minute goal-less draw Thursday night in this nonconference affair at the Scouts home park.
Lake Forest (6-6-1, 4-3-0), the seventh seed in the Warren Sectional, will now prepare for its regional opener with no. 10 seed Hersey (5-7-1) at 5 p.m June 2 in Lake Forest.
Glenbrook South played Maine West in a traditional Central Suburban League end-of-the-season crossover game Friday night. At that game, they will honor the memory of the beloved longtime teacher and soccer coach Jim Wolter.
More on that later.
After the first three days of the week produced summer-like weather, both clubs were welcomed by a blast of late March, which included a threat of rain and high winds that surely plunged wind chills into the low 40s.
Nonetheless, these two sides brushed aside the dreadful conditions and played with plenty of energy, enthusiasm, and purpose to give their chilled faithful something to cheer about.
"It was a great tune-up (game) for the start of regionals next week," said senior, Molly Fisher, who gave Scouts manager Ty Stuckslager the type of performance he's come to expect during her three-year career with the big club.
"Molly had her typically consistent game for us," began Stuckslager. “Her work rate is unparalleled, as you can see, relentless movement both defensively and offensively.
"She uses her body really well to shield the ball, reads the game so well, and has a great first touch.
"For three years Molly has been one of our central midfielders, but we needed somebody who could check (back), control and hold the ball until support arrives."
Fisher, who may give soccer a go on the collegiate level, has signed on to play basketball next fall at Division III Denison (Ohio) after enjoying a memorable career on the courts for the Scouts.
"I've been fortunate to be a part of one of the few teams in any sport (at Lake Forest) to play in a supersectional final in my sophomore year where we won 27 games," said Fisher, who was All-North Suburban Conference this past season handling chores both at point and shooting guard. “And I am really excited to go on and continuing playing my next four years at Denison.”
Fisher, and her mates found themselves chasing their guests in the first quarter hour of this contest. Glenbrook South (3-11-4) opened the game by winning most of the first- and second-ball challenges.
"Our record is not a reflection of how good of a team we really are," said a proud Dani Stadler, who shared Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match honors with Fisher.
"We have several first-time varsity players on our roster. It's taken some time to get things sorted out, but there's a lot of talent on this team. I really feel like if we're taken lightly in the playoffs, we are capable of surprising our opponents."
"Our record IS a little misleading, I fully agree with Dani," said manager Mark Daniels.
"There are not a lot games on our schedule. It's a challenging schedule. We've had a couple of rough results against teams we just do not match up well with, but there's a lot of 2-1, 1-0 losses in there. Our real problem on the season is finishing our chances."
On this night, while both clubs played hard on both sides of the ball, and showed plenty of intent going forward, but quality chances were in short supply. Neither keeper was busier than the other when it came to dangerous attempts on frame.
"There was a lot to like about our play tonight. GBS worked hard all night and really owned most of the play in the first 15-20 minutes. Each of us were not as sharp as we needed to be in the final third to truly test both keepers," said Stuckslager.
When Glenbrook South gave the ball away in its own end in the 10th minute, Hayden Keller collected the errant ball and teed up a shot up from 22 yards. The ball rose over the bar.
Megan Noe, Bella Gemignani, Lilly O'Rourke and Elaina Maris gave the visitors plenty of pace in that opening 20 minutes, but the engine in the Titans attack was Stadler, whose darting runs, speed, quickness, and crafty play kept Lake Forest on alert throughout the game.
"Dani has worked hard all season for us. Tonight you saw a typical 'Dani' effort," said Daniels.
"Going hard to the ball, outworking the opponent for the ball is what she does best, but she also makes things happen with her energy, desire, heart and effort."
Stadler sent Gemignani through on the left side, but the junior went wide in the 15th minute. Moments later, Scouts keeper Sarah Constantine was called into action when she came off her line to take the ball off the boot of Elaina Maris.
This Titans sequence finally brought the home side into the game. With the work of an active, all-action backline of Charlotte Andress, Lindsey Asmussen, Mary McKendry and Hanna Sands, Lake Forest began to get out of its own end and apply some overdue pressure on the visitors.
"We started a little slow tonight, but our backline has been playing with a lot of confidence all season long," said senior Mary McKendry, who will attend the University of Illinois next fall. “We all feel like we can get forward, join the attack and help make things happen offensively for us."
"Mary and Molly both had solid games tonight," said Stuckslager. “I've been coaching them both since under-14 at Lake Forest Soccer Associates (LFSA), and they are two seniors who will be sorely missed not only because of what they do on the field, but more importantly off the field.”
McKendry initiated trouble in the Titans end with several long throws. Tricia Gray kept alive along the endline only to have her ball parried away by Anna Durow. Moments later, Durow tracked back inside the box to tackle Fisher, who was set free by Emersen Waddle and Keller, who traded passes on a nifty one-two combination.
"Anna has played almost every minute of every game," said Daniels. “After starting out the season as a midfielder, we pushed her into the back when we saw our needs as a team. She has been rock solid in her first season with the varsity.”
"Our effort in the back was very good all night long,” offered Durow, who was proactive in her defending, a voracious tackler and always aware in and around the area. “As a team, I felt like we did everything really well against a good team -- except to finish our chances,"
There was a flurry of activity in the closing moments before the break. T Scouts Gray latched onto a nicely played ball from Rupprecht that ended with a pair of blocked shots inside the box.
From that sprang a counter that saw Stadler drive her effort wide.
Despite having the wind in its face for the second period, it was Lake Forest that enjoyed the run of play when action resumed.
Asmussen delivered a pair of wonderful balls out of the back. Fisher tried to run on to the first, but an Anya Gupta interception dashed the Scouts chances. The was negated by Durow, who stepped into it nicely and deescalated the situation.
When Waddle unleashed a blast that appeared on frame when it came off of her right foot, but the 30-yard effort took a turn upwards and skimmed the football crossbar.
"We worked some really good combinations in the second half,” said Stuckslager. “But again, we just were not sharp enough in the final third to get anything of quality at their keeper."
A few more long throws from McKendry were defended easily by Durow and her Glenbrook South backline mates, who applauded keeper Bella Crist. In a subsequent sequence a Crist save on Fisher produced a loose ball inside the six-yard box.
Despite an onrushing Rupprecht anxious to drive home the possible game-winner, Crist remained cool and calm to beat Rupprecht to the ball to keep things level three minutes from time.
When the shrill of the referee's whistle ended the game, both sides agreed to play a practice round of kicks in preparation for the postseason. Glenbrook South converted four of their spot-kicks, while the Scouts finished three.
O'Rourke, Noe, Stadler and Talia Massarelli were perfect with their efforts. Peterson-Ross, Fisher, and Keller netted from the spot for Lake Forest whose coach applauded his team’s performance.
"We've been getting better each time out, and the girls are doing well when we make adjustments either at the break, or during the game," said Stuckslager, whose club extended its unbeaten streak to three.
"We may have had a little bit of a letdown after beating Zion-Benton 5-0, then Waukegan 10-0. But everyone got some playing time to get ourselves ready for regionals next week."
Daniels felt the result was a fair one, adding his girls always compete hard for 80 minutes. The ability to finish chances plagued them once again.
Daniels and Glenbrook South mourns the passing of Wolter, who died last Sunday after a courageous three-year battle with brain cancer.
Wolter began his coaching career as an assistant at Highland Park High School in 1974, moving to Deerfield, before coming to Glenbrook South to become the manager of the Titans boys program for 28 glorious seasons.
"We had been playing together in various mens leagues for a couple of years when he asked me one day to join him as his assistant in the program," recounted Daniels.
"Jim was a mentor and great friend, and a person who had passion for soccer and coaching focused on each students growth as young student-athletes.
"The positive foundation put in place by Jim will serve out students for years into the future."
Wolter served in the Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association (IHSSCA) and organized regional coaching clinics. He was named 2008 IHSSCA Soccer Person of the Year, and was inducted into the IHSSCA Hall of Fame in 2011.
The entire soccer community at Glenbrook South honored Wolter on Friday night with a moment of silence followed by a few words from Daniels.
Starting lineups
Glenbrook South (4-1-2-3)
G- Bella Crist
D- Heather Sundstrom
D- Anya Gupta
D- Anna Durow
D- Ashley Criss
M- Lilly O'Rourke
M- Elaina Maris
M- Meghan Noe
F- Dani Stadler
F- Bella Gemignami
F- Audrey Langenbach
Lake Forest (4-3-3)
G- Sarah Constantine
D- Lindsey Asmussen
D- Charlotte Andress
D- Mary McKendry
D- Hanna Sands
M- Kathy Peterson-Ross
M- Emerson Waddle
M- Hayden Keller
F- Ashleigh Rupprecht
F- Molly Fisher
F- Callie Birtman
Chicagoland Soccer MVPs of the Match:
Dani Stadler, sr., F, Glenbrook South; Molly Fisher, sr., MF/F, Lake Forest
Referee: Vitaly Hansavage
Scoring summary
First half
No scoring
Second half
No scoring