Evanston regroups, tops Hinsdale Central
Late goals give Wildkits opening Malnati's win
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By Patrick Z. McGavin
EVANSTON -- Few things are as unsettling as permitting a late goal that instantly changes the dynamics of a game. A team seemingly in control is suddenly thrust back to square one.
The big question is not so much what it does to you. It’s how do you react?
Evanston watched just such a scenario play out as a lead the Wildkits held for 36 minutes of game time vaporized as Hinsdale Central created the equalizer in the 71st minute on a terrific goal by senior midfielder Caroline Lyman.
Panic was the last option.
“A big thing for us has been trying to stay composed,” junior midfielder Callista O’Connor said. “We definitely play our best when we are not playing frantic. We knew we had time left.”
O’Connor continued to impress by smashing home a brilliant free kick from Hadley Bushala in the 74th minute that propelled the Wildkits, ranked no. 5 in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, to a 3-1 home victory in the opening of Group B pool play in the Lou Malnati’s Deep Dish Classic on Saturday.
Lining up 32 yards out on the right wing, Bushala drilled a perfect ball in the upper 90 that Red Devils’ standout keeper Fiona Fitzsimmons got the first touch on before O’Connor alertly pounced on and put the loose ball away.
“It was such a good ball by Hadley, and I thought it was going in,” O’Connor said. “It kind of went over my head and the goalie got a touch on it, and I was there and I just said this has to go in.
“We cannot let this out.”
Defender Carley Menocal put the game out of reach by powering home a short volley off an initial ball by midfielder Ryann Lucas in the 76th minute as Evanston (8-0-0) maintained its perfect start.
“Their goal brought back our sense of urgency,” Evanston coach Stacy Salgado said. “I think we started the first 20 very strong,and then we got very comfortable. That goal was a big wake- up call for us.”
The two late Evanston goals overshadowed a terrific and deeply impressive performance by a young Red Devils’ team that is finding their way. Lyman, a University of Missouri recruit, is playing her first year of high school after three years with the prominent Oak Brook-based club program Eclipse.
Her goal was just the second of the year for Red Devils (1-5-1). Hinsdale Central played with purpose and authority throughout. With each game Lyman is getting more accustomed to her new teammates. She nearly engineered the upset. She was especially dangerous in the second half, executing a deft flick shot off a free kick that Evanston keeper Caitlin Fitzpatrick turned back.
Lyman had another free kick from the right wing skip just wide of the frame. Fitzpatrick stopped a rocket ball by her in the 54th minute.
“The start of the year was really tough at first, since all the other girls have played together and they know each other’s styles,” Lyman said. “It was hard for me to come in and try to adapt to that. Our first two weeks of practice I was trying to immerse myself in that group.
“Now I feel like, it has been good, I feel like we are finally getting it down. The whole team’s chemistry and my style are blending together.”
First-year coach Tony Madonia also saw highly positive developments.
“We put together 75 minutes of really good soccer,” he said. “Every day has been getting better and today, I am a proud coach though disappointed at how we gave up that goal that put us behind. A couple of things did not go our way, and they took full advantage and buried their chances when they were given them.”
Coming off back-to-back shutouts of Niles West and no. 17 Deerfield, Evanston established an early fast tempo with strong passing and quick movements. The two forwards, Bushala and freshman Brealyn Viamille, put the Red Devils’ back under duress with their attacks and ability to spread the field.
O’Connor, rangy and highly skilled, created a strong target in the middle.
In the 35th minute, senior midfielder Keara Kerr struck first. Working the ball on the right wing, she drove down the flank and smashed home a ball from just outside the box to an unreachable space for the opening goal.
Fitzpatrick preserved the lead by stopping the Red Devils’ best scoring chance in the first half, a dangerous, short ball from Caroline Fryzel in the 37th minute off a free kick. Fitzpatrick closed down the angle for the impressive save.
Lyman elevated her game in the second half, and the Red Devils’ rode her exceptional skills.
Lyman played outside right back in club and is projected to be a defender in college. Now she is new territory playing an attacking midfielder or forward. She welcomes the positional change, a way to diversify her already strong talents.
“It has been different, but I think it has really been helping me grow as a player personally,” she said. “I have learned how to have that side of my game.”
Midfielder Sammy Guido is another physical and dynamic player. Offense is clearly a work in progress for the Red Devils. The result against an elite program like Evanston indicates better times ahead.
“The whole week we worked on attacking, finishing and scoring because we have had a very solid defense and attack up until now,” Lyman said. “We have kind of a bit of trouble putting the ball in the back of the net. That was our main focus today, and by getting the goal it was a good step in the right direction. It shows what we have been working on has been paying off.”
Midfielder Lindsey May drilled a left-footed ball that just skipped over the top of the bar. Moments later, Lyman followed up by directing home a short left-footed ball.
Evanston’s O’Connor earned the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match distinction for her game-winner. With each passing game she is showing off her versatility and ability to take over. She also embodies a matter-of-fact quality about the Wildkits, the desire to struggle, persist and eventually break through.
“A goal is a goal,” O’Connor said. “It doesn’t have to be pretty, it doesn’t have to come off a corner or a set piece. Any goal is a goal. The grit is really important.”
Lucas, a sophomore, also demonstrated the Wildkits’ combination of promise and young talent coming to fruition.
“I feel like the best way for us to win is by playing fast,” she said. “On the final goal, I flicked it over my head, and it was about to go in and then Carley just made sure and was there to put it away. We just need to stay composed and work really hard.”
Evanston hosts no. 9 Naperville North on Monday in the game likely to decide the group winner.
“They’re a great team, and we are going to have to come out and play our game,” O’Connor said. “When we focus on the other team, that is when we start to break down a bit and play the other team’s game and not ours. When we stay within ourselves and play our game that is what we need to do.”
Hinsdale Central hosts Carmel on Monday, filled with new hope.
“I have been in the program, but this is my first year as head coach,” Madonia said. “It is hard when you don’t have the girls who play together. For some this is their first year playing varsity, but every other team is dealing with the same things.
“We have a lot of games in a short time period. We are just working on scoring goals. We got one today, but two goals in six games is not enough to win.”
Starting lineups
Hinsdale Central
GK: Fiona Fitzsimmons
D: Sophie Simmons
D: Alyssa Moncrief
D: Sam Moriarty
D: Olivia Rayis
MF: Lindsey May
MF: Caroline Lyman
MF: Haley Paulson
MF: Sammy Guido
F: Jackie Blake
F: Grace Kalis
Evanston
GK: Caitlin Fitzpatrick
D: Riley Cleave
D: Eloise Gilbert Bartell
D: Carly Menocal
D: Sarah Sollinger
MF: Keara Kerr
MF: Katarina Sehgal
MF: Ryann Lucas
MF: Callista O’Connor
F: Hadley Bushala
F: Brealyn Viamille
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the match: Callista O’Connor, jr., MF, Evanston
Scoring summary
First half
Evanston—Keara Kerr (unassisted), 35th minute
Second half
Hinsdale Central—Caroline Lyman (unassisted), 71st minute
Evanston—Callista O’Connor (Hadley Bushala), 74th minute
Evanston—Carley Menocal (Ryann Lucas), 77th minute
Late goals give Wildkits opening Malnati's win
\
By Patrick Z. McGavin
EVANSTON -- Few things are as unsettling as permitting a late goal that instantly changes the dynamics of a game. A team seemingly in control is suddenly thrust back to square one.
The big question is not so much what it does to you. It’s how do you react?
Evanston watched just such a scenario play out as a lead the Wildkits held for 36 minutes of game time vaporized as Hinsdale Central created the equalizer in the 71st minute on a terrific goal by senior midfielder Caroline Lyman.
Panic was the last option.
“A big thing for us has been trying to stay composed,” junior midfielder Callista O’Connor said. “We definitely play our best when we are not playing frantic. We knew we had time left.”
O’Connor continued to impress by smashing home a brilliant free kick from Hadley Bushala in the 74th minute that propelled the Wildkits, ranked no. 5 in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, to a 3-1 home victory in the opening of Group B pool play in the Lou Malnati’s Deep Dish Classic on Saturday.
Lining up 32 yards out on the right wing, Bushala drilled a perfect ball in the upper 90 that Red Devils’ standout keeper Fiona Fitzsimmons got the first touch on before O’Connor alertly pounced on and put the loose ball away.
“It was such a good ball by Hadley, and I thought it was going in,” O’Connor said. “It kind of went over my head and the goalie got a touch on it, and I was there and I just said this has to go in.
“We cannot let this out.”
Defender Carley Menocal put the game out of reach by powering home a short volley off an initial ball by midfielder Ryann Lucas in the 76th minute as Evanston (8-0-0) maintained its perfect start.
“Their goal brought back our sense of urgency,” Evanston coach Stacy Salgado said. “I think we started the first 20 very strong,and then we got very comfortable. That goal was a big wake- up call for us.”
The two late Evanston goals overshadowed a terrific and deeply impressive performance by a young Red Devils’ team that is finding their way. Lyman, a University of Missouri recruit, is playing her first year of high school after three years with the prominent Oak Brook-based club program Eclipse.
Her goal was just the second of the year for Red Devils (1-5-1). Hinsdale Central played with purpose and authority throughout. With each game Lyman is getting more accustomed to her new teammates. She nearly engineered the upset. She was especially dangerous in the second half, executing a deft flick shot off a free kick that Evanston keeper Caitlin Fitzpatrick turned back.
Lyman had another free kick from the right wing skip just wide of the frame. Fitzpatrick stopped a rocket ball by her in the 54th minute.
“The start of the year was really tough at first, since all the other girls have played together and they know each other’s styles,” Lyman said. “It was hard for me to come in and try to adapt to that. Our first two weeks of practice I was trying to immerse myself in that group.
“Now I feel like, it has been good, I feel like we are finally getting it down. The whole team’s chemistry and my style are blending together.”
First-year coach Tony Madonia also saw highly positive developments.
“We put together 75 minutes of really good soccer,” he said. “Every day has been getting better and today, I am a proud coach though disappointed at how we gave up that goal that put us behind. A couple of things did not go our way, and they took full advantage and buried their chances when they were given them.”
Coming off back-to-back shutouts of Niles West and no. 17 Deerfield, Evanston established an early fast tempo with strong passing and quick movements. The two forwards, Bushala and freshman Brealyn Viamille, put the Red Devils’ back under duress with their attacks and ability to spread the field.
O’Connor, rangy and highly skilled, created a strong target in the middle.
In the 35th minute, senior midfielder Keara Kerr struck first. Working the ball on the right wing, she drove down the flank and smashed home a ball from just outside the box to an unreachable space for the opening goal.
Fitzpatrick preserved the lead by stopping the Red Devils’ best scoring chance in the first half, a dangerous, short ball from Caroline Fryzel in the 37th minute off a free kick. Fitzpatrick closed down the angle for the impressive save.
Lyman elevated her game in the second half, and the Red Devils’ rode her exceptional skills.
Lyman played outside right back in club and is projected to be a defender in college. Now she is new territory playing an attacking midfielder or forward. She welcomes the positional change, a way to diversify her already strong talents.
“It has been different, but I think it has really been helping me grow as a player personally,” she said. “I have learned how to have that side of my game.”
Midfielder Sammy Guido is another physical and dynamic player. Offense is clearly a work in progress for the Red Devils. The result against an elite program like Evanston indicates better times ahead.
“The whole week we worked on attacking, finishing and scoring because we have had a very solid defense and attack up until now,” Lyman said. “We have kind of a bit of trouble putting the ball in the back of the net. That was our main focus today, and by getting the goal it was a good step in the right direction. It shows what we have been working on has been paying off.”
Midfielder Lindsey May drilled a left-footed ball that just skipped over the top of the bar. Moments later, Lyman followed up by directing home a short left-footed ball.
Evanston’s O’Connor earned the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match distinction for her game-winner. With each passing game she is showing off her versatility and ability to take over. She also embodies a matter-of-fact quality about the Wildkits, the desire to struggle, persist and eventually break through.
“A goal is a goal,” O’Connor said. “It doesn’t have to be pretty, it doesn’t have to come off a corner or a set piece. Any goal is a goal. The grit is really important.”
Lucas, a sophomore, also demonstrated the Wildkits’ combination of promise and young talent coming to fruition.
“I feel like the best way for us to win is by playing fast,” she said. “On the final goal, I flicked it over my head, and it was about to go in and then Carley just made sure and was there to put it away. We just need to stay composed and work really hard.”
Evanston hosts no. 9 Naperville North on Monday in the game likely to decide the group winner.
“They’re a great team, and we are going to have to come out and play our game,” O’Connor said. “When we focus on the other team, that is when we start to break down a bit and play the other team’s game and not ours. When we stay within ourselves and play our game that is what we need to do.”
Hinsdale Central hosts Carmel on Monday, filled with new hope.
“I have been in the program, but this is my first year as head coach,” Madonia said. “It is hard when you don’t have the girls who play together. For some this is their first year playing varsity, but every other team is dealing with the same things.
“We have a lot of games in a short time period. We are just working on scoring goals. We got one today, but two goals in six games is not enough to win.”
Starting lineups
Hinsdale Central
GK: Fiona Fitzsimmons
D: Sophie Simmons
D: Alyssa Moncrief
D: Sam Moriarty
D: Olivia Rayis
MF: Lindsey May
MF: Caroline Lyman
MF: Haley Paulson
MF: Sammy Guido
F: Jackie Blake
F: Grace Kalis
Evanston
GK: Caitlin Fitzpatrick
D: Riley Cleave
D: Eloise Gilbert Bartell
D: Carly Menocal
D: Sarah Sollinger
MF: Keara Kerr
MF: Katarina Sehgal
MF: Ryann Lucas
MF: Callista O’Connor
F: Hadley Bushala
F: Brealyn Viamille
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the match: Callista O’Connor, jr., MF, Evanston
Scoring summary
First half
Evanston—Keara Kerr (unassisted), 35th minute
Second half
Hinsdale Central—Caroline Lyman (unassisted), 71st minute
Evanston—Callista O’Connor (Hadley Bushala), 74th minute
Evanston—Carley Menocal (Ryann Lucas), 77th minute