Ramsey, Grayslake Central hit stride
at right time at Round Lake
Midfielder’s 1st goal of season helps net conference victory
By Matt Misiek
ROUND LAKE -- A certain time-travelling 1980s movie trilogy had certain scenes that mentioned the concept of progress.
In those films, they were specific references to city mayoral re-election campaigns.
Fast forward to 2022 and progress is a concept that coaches love to see, especially toward the end of the season. For Grayslake Central coach Keith Andersson, Thursday evening’s 2-0 victory at Round Lake revealed the fruits of the journey.
“The way they played tonight is what we have been waiting for all season,” Anderson happily explained.
“They relaxed with the ball. They moved the ball with five-yard passes. It was just amazing to see that what we had been preaching in practice actually played out.”
Grayslake Central (6-6-3, 3-1-3) controlled the pace of the game, routinely spending extended periods of time in their attacking third. The Rams earned four corner kicks in the first 15 minutes. There were plenty of shots early, but Round Lake’s defense held strong with numerous blocks and some great saves from senior goalkeeper Lisbeth Martinez (five first half saves).
The first offensive breakthrough came in the 34th minute. A cross in from the right flank was deflected back to the top of the 18 to sophomore midfielder Ava Ramseym whose powerful right-footed drive found the top left part of the net.
“I haven’t scored a goal all season so it was a really good feeling,” said Ramsey, the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match. “There was a lot of pressure under me, so it was great to get that first one today.”
“Ava has been one of those players that we have been pushing all season,” Andersson added. “Tonight, she played lights out. She controlled the game by moving the ball, and that is exactly what we need. That is what the upcoming state series is about.”
The Rams wasted very little time getting their final goal following the halftime break. The game restarted and the halftime music was still playing on the public address system. In rhythm with the tunes, freshman Madison Hoffman ran free down the left wing and into the left 18. There she latched onto a great pass from Ramsey, took a quick touch and calmly slotted a left-footed effort to the bottom right corner 46 seconds into the second half.
“At halftime, the coaches and us said that we needed to keep up the intensity,” Hoffman said. “Piper (Gallaher) asked me to get a goal for her. I came out and got that goal, and it set the tone for the rest of the game.”
“It was really motivating to see Madison score that second goal,” Ramsey added. “It pumped us up even more.”
Andersson praised his freshman forward for her outstanding effort.
“Madison, when she steps up, she is a totally different animal,” he said.
The Grayslake Central defense delivered the other standout achievement on the night -- Round Lake was held without a shot on goal. The Panthers offense rarely got level with the 18. Their one serious chance, a half-volley from senior forward Evelyn Hierzer, narrowly went wide of the left post after she got behind the Rams defense in the 13th minute.
“To have Piper (Gallaher) not make a save today is spectacular,” Andersson added. “That is what you want. You would love to never have your goalie touch the ball. It means defensively, we are doing it right.”
“We wanted to give Piper a break today,” senior defender and captain Natalie Thorson said with a grin. “We also wanted to work on our communication through our backline, and I think it showed, cycling the ball through many times this game.
“I really felt like the team came together this game, especially offensively. It was great to see those little five-yard passes. What a sight to see it come together.”
Round Lake (8-9-1, 3-4-0) came close to making it a different game with Hierzer’s early effort.
“On free kicks, Bella (Anabella Perry) takes the free kicks, and I usually make the runs toward goal,” Hierzer said. “I’ve made a few goals on them this year, but I sort of panicked. I knew the goalie (Gallaher) was off her line but I just panicked a little bit.”
Martinez finished with 10 saves for Round Lake and came through in many important moments that kept the game close. She made a huge save on Grayslake Central junior defender Lani Nicholas’ drive from the top of the 18 in the 16th minute, stretching her leg out to deflect the drive well wide of the right post.
Martinez once again made herself large on Hoffman’s bid for a second goal in the 46th minute from the left 18. The powerful drive was punched away by Martinez, who sprawled to her right.
“I really do depend on my teammates and my defense,” Martinez said. “This is my first year playing goalie ever, so it is kind of scary. That is why I trust my teammates a lot.”
Martinez gave credit to her goalie coaches for making this a season special to date.
“They do inspire me a lot and motivate me so much,” she continued. “I tend to doubt myself a lot but meeting them has been one of the most inspirational things to me while playing soccer.”
Round Lake coach Victor Rico saw three starting players head to the sidelines early due to minor injuries but was still pleased despite the final score.
“The effort was great,” Rico said. “When our starters went out, our younger players stepped up and played extremely hard. It’s been a learning season as we are trying to build up the program.”
In a pre-match moment of recognition, Thorson and Round Lake’s Itzel Balvaneda were presented with medals from the Northern Lake County Conference recognizing good sportsmanship throughout the conference season.
Sportsmanship was on full display after the match. Despite being on the short-end of the score on their Senior Night, Hierzer immediately went over to a handful of Rams players and gave them hugs, showing once again that soccer is a close-knit community beyond merely school affiliation.
“I have played with a few of the Grayslake Central players through the years for FC Lake County,” Hierzer explained. “It is always fun to play against other club players in high school games.”
Hierzer also ensured that several selfies with teammates were taken on the field to commemorate their last home game together.
“Evelyn (Hierzer) is a prime example of a player that you want on your program,” Rico said. “She is our leader, our captain. She has been here all four years and with this young team, she took over the leadership, saying the right things and leading by example.”
“We are so pleased that she has signed on with Grand View University,” Rico further added. “Her signing was last Friday so it is great.”
Round Lake will travel to Zion-Benton next Tuesday night to close out their regular-season. Their Class 3A regional opener will be against regional host Huntley at 6:30 p.m. May 17.
Grayslake Central has one more game remaining on the regular-season schedule -- May 9 at McHenry. Their Class AA tournament opener May 17 pits them against conference foe and regional host Lakes.
“We clicked tonight,” Andersson said. “If it clicks now, it is going to click into the state series and that is all we care about. If we keep composure and possession, we will be able to do lights-out stuff.”
“The game with Lakes will be back and forth. They tied with Wauconda; we lost to Wauconda by a penalty kick. It is going to be a tough game; they have some good players. If our girls play the way they did tonight, I don’t think we will have a problem with too many teams.”
Starting lineups
Grayslake Central
GK Piper Gallaher
D Natalie Thorson
D Avalyn Woods
D Katie Armstrong
MF Katie Dinsmore
MF Ava Ramsey
MF Kaitlyn Morrissey
MF Sara Armstrong
F Courtney Fletcher
F Madison Hoffman
F Sara Ottolino
Round Lake
GK Lisbeth Martinez
D Alexa Hidrogo
D Judith Cerroblanco
D Lizbeth Ramos
MF Marina Justo
MF Marina Lomeli
MF Anabella Perry
MF Ariadne Gonzalez
F Alejandra Colo
F Evelyn Hierzer
F Jasmin Ortiz
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Ava Ramsey, MF, so., Grayslake Central
Referees: Zach Gaidar, center; Matt Wagomann, AR1; Vijay Kumai, AR2
Scoring summary
First half
Grayslake Central - Ramsey (unassisted), 33:30
Second half
Grayslake Central – Hoffman (Ramsey), 40:46
at right time at Round Lake
Midfielder’s 1st goal of season helps net conference victory
By Matt Misiek
ROUND LAKE -- A certain time-travelling 1980s movie trilogy had certain scenes that mentioned the concept of progress.
In those films, they were specific references to city mayoral re-election campaigns.
Fast forward to 2022 and progress is a concept that coaches love to see, especially toward the end of the season. For Grayslake Central coach Keith Andersson, Thursday evening’s 2-0 victory at Round Lake revealed the fruits of the journey.
“The way they played tonight is what we have been waiting for all season,” Anderson happily explained.
“They relaxed with the ball. They moved the ball with five-yard passes. It was just amazing to see that what we had been preaching in practice actually played out.”
Grayslake Central (6-6-3, 3-1-3) controlled the pace of the game, routinely spending extended periods of time in their attacking third. The Rams earned four corner kicks in the first 15 minutes. There were plenty of shots early, but Round Lake’s defense held strong with numerous blocks and some great saves from senior goalkeeper Lisbeth Martinez (five first half saves).
The first offensive breakthrough came in the 34th minute. A cross in from the right flank was deflected back to the top of the 18 to sophomore midfielder Ava Ramseym whose powerful right-footed drive found the top left part of the net.
“I haven’t scored a goal all season so it was a really good feeling,” said Ramsey, the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match. “There was a lot of pressure under me, so it was great to get that first one today.”
“Ava has been one of those players that we have been pushing all season,” Andersson added. “Tonight, she played lights out. She controlled the game by moving the ball, and that is exactly what we need. That is what the upcoming state series is about.”
The Rams wasted very little time getting their final goal following the halftime break. The game restarted and the halftime music was still playing on the public address system. In rhythm with the tunes, freshman Madison Hoffman ran free down the left wing and into the left 18. There she latched onto a great pass from Ramsey, took a quick touch and calmly slotted a left-footed effort to the bottom right corner 46 seconds into the second half.
“At halftime, the coaches and us said that we needed to keep up the intensity,” Hoffman said. “Piper (Gallaher) asked me to get a goal for her. I came out and got that goal, and it set the tone for the rest of the game.”
“It was really motivating to see Madison score that second goal,” Ramsey added. “It pumped us up even more.”
Andersson praised his freshman forward for her outstanding effort.
“Madison, when she steps up, she is a totally different animal,” he said.
The Grayslake Central defense delivered the other standout achievement on the night -- Round Lake was held without a shot on goal. The Panthers offense rarely got level with the 18. Their one serious chance, a half-volley from senior forward Evelyn Hierzer, narrowly went wide of the left post after she got behind the Rams defense in the 13th minute.
“To have Piper (Gallaher) not make a save today is spectacular,” Andersson added. “That is what you want. You would love to never have your goalie touch the ball. It means defensively, we are doing it right.”
“We wanted to give Piper a break today,” senior defender and captain Natalie Thorson said with a grin. “We also wanted to work on our communication through our backline, and I think it showed, cycling the ball through many times this game.
“I really felt like the team came together this game, especially offensively. It was great to see those little five-yard passes. What a sight to see it come together.”
Round Lake (8-9-1, 3-4-0) came close to making it a different game with Hierzer’s early effort.
“On free kicks, Bella (Anabella Perry) takes the free kicks, and I usually make the runs toward goal,” Hierzer said. “I’ve made a few goals on them this year, but I sort of panicked. I knew the goalie (Gallaher) was off her line but I just panicked a little bit.”
Martinez finished with 10 saves for Round Lake and came through in many important moments that kept the game close. She made a huge save on Grayslake Central junior defender Lani Nicholas’ drive from the top of the 18 in the 16th minute, stretching her leg out to deflect the drive well wide of the right post.
Martinez once again made herself large on Hoffman’s bid for a second goal in the 46th minute from the left 18. The powerful drive was punched away by Martinez, who sprawled to her right.
“I really do depend on my teammates and my defense,” Martinez said. “This is my first year playing goalie ever, so it is kind of scary. That is why I trust my teammates a lot.”
Martinez gave credit to her goalie coaches for making this a season special to date.
“They do inspire me a lot and motivate me so much,” she continued. “I tend to doubt myself a lot but meeting them has been one of the most inspirational things to me while playing soccer.”
Round Lake coach Victor Rico saw three starting players head to the sidelines early due to minor injuries but was still pleased despite the final score.
“The effort was great,” Rico said. “When our starters went out, our younger players stepped up and played extremely hard. It’s been a learning season as we are trying to build up the program.”
In a pre-match moment of recognition, Thorson and Round Lake’s Itzel Balvaneda were presented with medals from the Northern Lake County Conference recognizing good sportsmanship throughout the conference season.
Sportsmanship was on full display after the match. Despite being on the short-end of the score on their Senior Night, Hierzer immediately went over to a handful of Rams players and gave them hugs, showing once again that soccer is a close-knit community beyond merely school affiliation.
“I have played with a few of the Grayslake Central players through the years for FC Lake County,” Hierzer explained. “It is always fun to play against other club players in high school games.”
Hierzer also ensured that several selfies with teammates were taken on the field to commemorate their last home game together.
“Evelyn (Hierzer) is a prime example of a player that you want on your program,” Rico said. “She is our leader, our captain. She has been here all four years and with this young team, she took over the leadership, saying the right things and leading by example.”
“We are so pleased that she has signed on with Grand View University,” Rico further added. “Her signing was last Friday so it is great.”
Round Lake will travel to Zion-Benton next Tuesday night to close out their regular-season. Their Class 3A regional opener will be against regional host Huntley at 6:30 p.m. May 17.
Grayslake Central has one more game remaining on the regular-season schedule -- May 9 at McHenry. Their Class AA tournament opener May 17 pits them against conference foe and regional host Lakes.
“We clicked tonight,” Andersson said. “If it clicks now, it is going to click into the state series and that is all we care about. If we keep composure and possession, we will be able to do lights-out stuff.”
“The game with Lakes will be back and forth. They tied with Wauconda; we lost to Wauconda by a penalty kick. It is going to be a tough game; they have some good players. If our girls play the way they did tonight, I don’t think we will have a problem with too many teams.”
Starting lineups
Grayslake Central
GK Piper Gallaher
D Natalie Thorson
D Avalyn Woods
D Katie Armstrong
MF Katie Dinsmore
MF Ava Ramsey
MF Kaitlyn Morrissey
MF Sara Armstrong
F Courtney Fletcher
F Madison Hoffman
F Sara Ottolino
Round Lake
GK Lisbeth Martinez
D Alexa Hidrogo
D Judith Cerroblanco
D Lizbeth Ramos
MF Marina Justo
MF Marina Lomeli
MF Anabella Perry
MF Ariadne Gonzalez
F Alejandra Colo
F Evelyn Hierzer
F Jasmin Ortiz
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Ava Ramsey, MF, so., Grayslake Central
Referees: Zach Gaidar, center; Matt Wagomann, AR1; Vijay Kumai, AR2
Scoring summary
First half
Grayslake Central - Ramsey (unassisted), 33:30
Second half
Grayslake Central – Hoffman (Ramsey), 40:46