Hinsdale Central comeback
stops Glenbard West
Red Devils work double overtime for 3-2 league win
By Bobby Narang
HINSDALE -- Glenbard West and Hinsdale Central played like they were the main attraction on Tuesday night.
On a day in which the majority of the high school sports — outside of soccer — were canceled due to rain, the Hilltoppers and Red Devils hooked up for a memorable battle.
The West Suburban Conference Silver Division game featured high-level soccer with numerous amazing plays. The level of talent on the field was evident with highlight-reel goals by each team, stellar saves and great defensive play.
With numerous next-level, experienced players on the field, it was fitting that the game would need double overtime to find a winner.
And to add a bit of whimsy to the evening, a freshman was the hero -- on her 15th birthday, no less.
Hinsdale Central midfielder Avery Edgewater became the unlikely Chicagoland MVP of the Match when she knocked in the winning goal with 6:44 remaining in the second overtime. That lifted Hinsdale Central to a thrilling 3-2 win over Glenbard West at Dickinson Field.
Edgewater said her second-career varsity goal — and first game-winner — was the perfect way to celebrate her birthday. Seconds before Edgewater’s goal, Hanna Florence had a shot stopped by Glenbard West keeper Ava Callaway in the driving rain.
“Hanna Florence had a really great game and basically played the whole game and really played tough, and she got me the ball,” Edgewater said. “I had no one else to pass it to.
“I have not scored (on my birthday). I was just happy, and happy to celebrate with my team. They’ve been really nice with me, being a freshman, and accept me.”
By handing the Hilltoppers (10-5-0, 3-1-x) their first loss in conference play, the Red Devils (6-7-3, 2-2-x) gained some momentum heading into the final stretch of the regular-season.
Hinsdale Central has been a tough team to judge, but its competition hasn’t been. The Red Devils have played nine teams — Oswego East (13-2-0), Maine South (11-5-1), Lincoln-Way Central (16-1-0), Oak Park and River Forest (10-5-0), Lyons (13-1-0), St. Charles East (13-4-1), Geneva (10-6-2), St. Charles North (13-2-0) and Glenbard West — with double-digit wins.
Hinsdale Central coach Anthony Madonia said his players showed a lot of toughness and character to erase a 2-0 first half deficit against a talented Glenbard West team that has been ranked this season.
“We always talk about grit. We do our best to coach grit and effort, but what they do is a lot of intangibles that can’t be coached,” Madonia said. “We tried to switch systems a little bit in the second half, but it didn’t work out. Maybe that’s a good omen for this team. This is who they are. They have a lot of heart and we don’t need to change. We’ve gotten better and better throughout the season. We’re kind of getting hot at a good time.”
Madonia said Edgewater, who started along with classmate and midfielder Payton Rohn, is developing into a standout player for his program.
“It’s a special thing for me, especially against a special team and a well-coached team,” Madonia said of Edgewater’s goal. “The game could’ve gone either way. Glenbard West is a hard-working team and technically great. It was a hard-played evenly matched game. … Luckily it went our way today.”
Glenbard West coach Adam Szyszko credited Hinsdale Central for not giving up, but he felt his team let a conference victory slip away.
Gwen Johnson and Kendall Walch scored for the Hilltoppers on Emmie Roberts assists.
“It’s a tough loss,” Szyszko said. “They played a really tough schedule, so their record is deceiving. It’s unfortunate the way we lost. After the first 20 minutes, we settled into the game.
“We had a ton of opportunities, but we didn’t capitalize and put the game away. When you let a team this good hang around, they make you pay.
“You have to strike when the iron is hot. We had the momentum, and you have to put good teams away. Credit to them. We didn’t do that. They hung around and capitalized on opportunities.
“Maggie McDonnell played heroic moments. We’re banged up and have a lot of injuries, so a double overtime game is not ideal. Our girls played hard and gave it everything they have, but it didn’t work out tonight.”
Hinsdale Central goalie Sydney Pjesky was an unsung hero in the victory. She allowed two goals in the first 28 minutes, but bounced back with a strong performance that held the Hilltoppers scoreless the rest of the game.
Pjesky compiled nine saves, including two saves in the first overtime.
“It’s no secret that we only have two shutouts this season, but then, look at who we’ve played,” Madonia said. “The goal differential is over 200 for the teams we’ve played.
“I think she had an impressive performance. She didn’t bog down after she got scored on. She popped up, was talking and was a coach on the field. There’s not much more that you can ask from her.”
Glenbard West looked on the verge of adding to its recent run of success in the first half and delivering their conference rival another tough loss to a 10-plus win team. The Hilltoppers entered the game with three wins in their last four matches.
The visitors’ goals came within a three-minute segment that shocked the home crowd and provided a two-goal cushion with 12:41 remaining in the first half.
Glenbard West goalie Ava Callaway, who finished with 10 saves, made a leaping save with 13:20 left. In the 36th minute, Hinsdale Central ended its scoreless string when Sidney Turnbull blasted home a 30-yard stunner to bring the Red Devils within one at the break.
The hosts nearly tied the game in the 47th minute, but Callaway used her foot for a big stop. Hinsdale Central followed with a flurry of shots in the 69th minute but came up empty. They played aggressively in the final 10 minutes until Florence’s header accounted for the equalizer with 4:53 left in regulation.
In the first overtime, Glenbard West made a bid for the victory, but Pjesky made two saves, one on a hard-hit ball from Johnson.
“The weather wasn’t in anybody’s favor today, so we had to show some grit. Our team really rallied together, and we were able to get it done,” Pjesky said. “Once they got those two early goals, we kind of had a mental check and had to pull it together. We rallied behind each other, and we were able to get three goals in the back of the net.
“Our schedule is definitely tough, and it forces us to rely on our teammates. Overall, every game is a team effort. I have such a great defense. I just tried to stay tough and gritty and put the elements behind me.”
Hinsdale Central junior defender Ava Elliott said the backline buckled down in the second half and two overtimes.
“I’m really proud, because we really held it in. Once we got scored on, we realized what we had to do and did it,” she said. “At halftime we were ready to get back at it. We were ready to get a goal in overtime, and we did. They are one of our tougher opponents, so this was a good win.”
Glenbard West senior defender Emma Kluge admitted this one hurt.
“It was an unfortunate loss to a conference rival and unfortunate because of the weather,” Kluge said. “But I’m really proud of how the team played. We had good connections, just an unfortunate ending.
“One or two plays make a game, and they caught us in transition a couple of times. We’re looking forward to the rest of the conference schedule and the playoffs. We think we have a good shot at it this year.”
Starting lineups
Glenbard West
GK Ava Callaway
D Ellie Beaudoin
D J Fox
D Emma Kluge
D Elise Pollock
MF Gwen Johnson
MF Audrey Sawyer
MF Maggie McDonnell
MF Maeve Repking
F Emmie Roberts
F Sophia Brown
Hinsdale Central
GK Sydney Pjesky
D Claire Comb
D Ava Elliott
D Julia Marinaccio
D Nina Sarros
D Sidney Turnbull
MF Maddy Panveno
MF Peyton Rohn
MF Carter Knotts
MF Avery Edgewater
F Hanna Florence
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Avery Edgewater, fr., MF, Hinsdale Central
Scoring summary
First half
GW: Gwen Johnson (Emmie Roberts), 25th minute
GW: Kendall Walch (Roberts), 28th minute
HC: Sidney Turnbull (unassisted), 36th minute
Second half
HC: Hanna Florence (unassisted), 76th minute
First overtime
No scoring
Second overtime
HC: Avery Edgewater (Florence), 6:44 left
stops Glenbard West
Red Devils work double overtime for 3-2 league win
By Bobby Narang
HINSDALE -- Glenbard West and Hinsdale Central played like they were the main attraction on Tuesday night.
On a day in which the majority of the high school sports — outside of soccer — were canceled due to rain, the Hilltoppers and Red Devils hooked up for a memorable battle.
The West Suburban Conference Silver Division game featured high-level soccer with numerous amazing plays. The level of talent on the field was evident with highlight-reel goals by each team, stellar saves and great defensive play.
With numerous next-level, experienced players on the field, it was fitting that the game would need double overtime to find a winner.
And to add a bit of whimsy to the evening, a freshman was the hero -- on her 15th birthday, no less.
Hinsdale Central midfielder Avery Edgewater became the unlikely Chicagoland MVP of the Match when she knocked in the winning goal with 6:44 remaining in the second overtime. That lifted Hinsdale Central to a thrilling 3-2 win over Glenbard West at Dickinson Field.
Edgewater said her second-career varsity goal — and first game-winner — was the perfect way to celebrate her birthday. Seconds before Edgewater’s goal, Hanna Florence had a shot stopped by Glenbard West keeper Ava Callaway in the driving rain.
“Hanna Florence had a really great game and basically played the whole game and really played tough, and she got me the ball,” Edgewater said. “I had no one else to pass it to.
“I have not scored (on my birthday). I was just happy, and happy to celebrate with my team. They’ve been really nice with me, being a freshman, and accept me.”
By handing the Hilltoppers (10-5-0, 3-1-x) their first loss in conference play, the Red Devils (6-7-3, 2-2-x) gained some momentum heading into the final stretch of the regular-season.
Hinsdale Central has been a tough team to judge, but its competition hasn’t been. The Red Devils have played nine teams — Oswego East (13-2-0), Maine South (11-5-1), Lincoln-Way Central (16-1-0), Oak Park and River Forest (10-5-0), Lyons (13-1-0), St. Charles East (13-4-1), Geneva (10-6-2), St. Charles North (13-2-0) and Glenbard West — with double-digit wins.
Hinsdale Central coach Anthony Madonia said his players showed a lot of toughness and character to erase a 2-0 first half deficit against a talented Glenbard West team that has been ranked this season.
“We always talk about grit. We do our best to coach grit and effort, but what they do is a lot of intangibles that can’t be coached,” Madonia said. “We tried to switch systems a little bit in the second half, but it didn’t work out. Maybe that’s a good omen for this team. This is who they are. They have a lot of heart and we don’t need to change. We’ve gotten better and better throughout the season. We’re kind of getting hot at a good time.”
Madonia said Edgewater, who started along with classmate and midfielder Payton Rohn, is developing into a standout player for his program.
“It’s a special thing for me, especially against a special team and a well-coached team,” Madonia said of Edgewater’s goal. “The game could’ve gone either way. Glenbard West is a hard-working team and technically great. It was a hard-played evenly matched game. … Luckily it went our way today.”
Glenbard West coach Adam Szyszko credited Hinsdale Central for not giving up, but he felt his team let a conference victory slip away.
Gwen Johnson and Kendall Walch scored for the Hilltoppers on Emmie Roberts assists.
“It’s a tough loss,” Szyszko said. “They played a really tough schedule, so their record is deceiving. It’s unfortunate the way we lost. After the first 20 minutes, we settled into the game.
“We had a ton of opportunities, but we didn’t capitalize and put the game away. When you let a team this good hang around, they make you pay.
“You have to strike when the iron is hot. We had the momentum, and you have to put good teams away. Credit to them. We didn’t do that. They hung around and capitalized on opportunities.
“Maggie McDonnell played heroic moments. We’re banged up and have a lot of injuries, so a double overtime game is not ideal. Our girls played hard and gave it everything they have, but it didn’t work out tonight.”
Hinsdale Central goalie Sydney Pjesky was an unsung hero in the victory. She allowed two goals in the first 28 minutes, but bounced back with a strong performance that held the Hilltoppers scoreless the rest of the game.
Pjesky compiled nine saves, including two saves in the first overtime.
“It’s no secret that we only have two shutouts this season, but then, look at who we’ve played,” Madonia said. “The goal differential is over 200 for the teams we’ve played.
“I think she had an impressive performance. She didn’t bog down after she got scored on. She popped up, was talking and was a coach on the field. There’s not much more that you can ask from her.”
Glenbard West looked on the verge of adding to its recent run of success in the first half and delivering their conference rival another tough loss to a 10-plus win team. The Hilltoppers entered the game with three wins in their last four matches.
The visitors’ goals came within a three-minute segment that shocked the home crowd and provided a two-goal cushion with 12:41 remaining in the first half.
Glenbard West goalie Ava Callaway, who finished with 10 saves, made a leaping save with 13:20 left. In the 36th minute, Hinsdale Central ended its scoreless string when Sidney Turnbull blasted home a 30-yard stunner to bring the Red Devils within one at the break.
The hosts nearly tied the game in the 47th minute, but Callaway used her foot for a big stop. Hinsdale Central followed with a flurry of shots in the 69th minute but came up empty. They played aggressively in the final 10 minutes until Florence’s header accounted for the equalizer with 4:53 left in regulation.
In the first overtime, Glenbard West made a bid for the victory, but Pjesky made two saves, one on a hard-hit ball from Johnson.
“The weather wasn’t in anybody’s favor today, so we had to show some grit. Our team really rallied together, and we were able to get it done,” Pjesky said. “Once they got those two early goals, we kind of had a mental check and had to pull it together. We rallied behind each other, and we were able to get three goals in the back of the net.
“Our schedule is definitely tough, and it forces us to rely on our teammates. Overall, every game is a team effort. I have such a great defense. I just tried to stay tough and gritty and put the elements behind me.”
Hinsdale Central junior defender Ava Elliott said the backline buckled down in the second half and two overtimes.
“I’m really proud, because we really held it in. Once we got scored on, we realized what we had to do and did it,” she said. “At halftime we were ready to get back at it. We were ready to get a goal in overtime, and we did. They are one of our tougher opponents, so this was a good win.”
Glenbard West senior defender Emma Kluge admitted this one hurt.
“It was an unfortunate loss to a conference rival and unfortunate because of the weather,” Kluge said. “But I’m really proud of how the team played. We had good connections, just an unfortunate ending.
“One or two plays make a game, and they caught us in transition a couple of times. We’re looking forward to the rest of the conference schedule and the playoffs. We think we have a good shot at it this year.”
Starting lineups
Glenbard West
GK Ava Callaway
D Ellie Beaudoin
D J Fox
D Emma Kluge
D Elise Pollock
MF Gwen Johnson
MF Audrey Sawyer
MF Maggie McDonnell
MF Maeve Repking
F Emmie Roberts
F Sophia Brown
Hinsdale Central
GK Sydney Pjesky
D Claire Comb
D Ava Elliott
D Julia Marinaccio
D Nina Sarros
D Sidney Turnbull
MF Maddy Panveno
MF Peyton Rohn
MF Carter Knotts
MF Avery Edgewater
F Hanna Florence
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Avery Edgewater, fr., MF, Hinsdale Central
Scoring summary
First half
GW: Gwen Johnson (Emmie Roberts), 25th minute
GW: Kendall Walch (Roberts), 28th minute
HC: Sidney Turnbull (unassisted), 36th minute
Second half
HC: Hanna Florence (unassisted), 76th minute
First overtime
No scoring
Second overtime
HC: Avery Edgewater (Florence), 6:44 left