Hinsdale C. shows fight vs. state team
Red Devils fall 2-1 to Class AA tournament finalist Burlington C.
By Steve Nemeth
GENEVA -- There might have been the temptation to cast Hinsdale Central in the role of big, bad South Bend Central versus Hoosiers-style Burlington Central.
Yes Hinsdale Central’s enrollment is 2.5 times that of Burlington Central, but that’s really the extent of that analogy. So don’t view Hinsdale Central’s 2-1 Tuesday loss in the consolation portion of the Naperville Invitational as a shocking upset. Keep it in the realm of a strong competition between quality clubs.
The Rockets from Burlington – ranked no. 17 in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25 -- had the edge in recent success and players with size and experience.
They used to it to their record to 12-2-0; Hinsdale Central slipped to 4-8-2.
It’s true that Burlington Central coach Jess Arneson has built her Class AA state contender on the fundamentals of conditioning plus strategic Xs and Os, but Hinsdale Central’s Bryan Ciesiulka is the first-time high school coach minus the ignominious past of Hickory’s Norman Dale.
Chicagoland Soccer 2017 All-State pick Erin Otto graduated and unlike Jimmy Chitwood, Hinsdale Central standout Jane Cole’s knee injury won’t allow for a storybook ending even if the Red Devils serendipitously make the Class 3A state finals.
Among the truths that were brought into focus by Tuesday’s match-up:
No. 1 – Conference affiliation always calls the Rockets resume into question, which is why Class AA Burlington never shies away from scheduling “up” to meet 3A opponents. This season has borne fruit: a season-opening road win over then-ranked Naperville Central; 1-0 losses to honorable mention squad Jacobs and no. 6 Loyola which kept the Rockets from the Naperville Invitational knockout bracket; plus the biggest pelt on its belt -- a shootout triumph over then no. 1-rated Barrington.
No. 2 – As far as talent goes, the Rockets did lose one (Ann McMahon) of three Chicago Soccer 2017 All-State picks to graduation, but Megan Majewski and Jordan King are back, as is Zoey Kollhoff whose freshman year landed her on the 2018 All-State Watch List.
No. 3 – Last year’s Class AA third place finish fuels this year’s Rockets desire for a state finals encore.
No. 4 – Ciesiulka’s storied past. He's: an NSCAA/adidas All-American and Gatorade Illinois Player of the Year who capped a stellar prep career as Neuqua Valley's all-time leader in assists and number two for points; a three-time Marquette captain named Big East 2013 Midfielder of the Year who led the Golden Eagles to two league titles; and a Chicago Fire pick in 2014 MLS Super Draft. Ciesiulka seems destined to lead the Red Devils’ return to glory ala a 2013 state runner-up finish and 3A state crown in 2009.
Anyone in attendance for both games at Geneva’s Burgess Field should have enjoyed the match of Centrals over the Vikings-Boylan opener. Granted the opening half of both matches was statistically one-sided, but the Rockets-Red Devils 0-0 halftime draw featured more energy than Geneva's 1-0 advantage.
Burlington’s Kollhoff was a one-woman highlight show blasting shots from varying distances and angles, though unfortunately for the Rockets, either high or wide, or else handled by Red Devils goalie Taylor Ward. With 16:56 left before intermission, Kollhoff used a Reagan Oller through-ball with a shot into the back netting. However, an offsides whistle negated the play.
But just 2:34 into the second half, the Rockets successfully claimed a 1-0 lead. Trading the team lead for goals or points throughout the year, King tallied her sixth assist to go with a team-high 13 goals for a thirty-second point as she found Kollhoff making a run. With Ward rushing out, Kollhoff buried a 21-yarder inside the right post for her 12th goal and 33rd point.
While Madelyn Menke followed shortly with a laser blast from the left wing, Ward made the stop and passed to Rachel Dannhausen-Brun, whose pass up field helped create a chance for Caroline Renehan.
“I had a feeling that the bounce might go over or past their defender,” Renehan noted. “Anticipating that chance I just had to beat the goalie rushing out. At first I was worried if I got enough on it. Getting the tie gave us a lot of adrenaline to play harder.”
The freshly lit one on the scoreboard was a psychological plus for Hinsdale Central, which back blanked in its previous two losses.
“We’ve been a strong defensive team, but I also thought we made some serious progress in keeping the ball,” Ciesiulka said. “Defensively I thought our two center backs, Madeline (Swade) and Samantha (Moriarty) played well. They worked their tails off and kept their forwards in check for much of the game.”
Midway through the second half, the Red Devils threatened to take the lead as a Swade free kick led to a scramble near the right post from which Burlington managed to make a defensive clear.
With 14:17 left in regulation, the Rockets reclaimed the lead. Freshman Isabella Hartmann registered her fifth assist (part of 15 points) by finding Majewski on the right wing with enough open space to crank an 18-yarder that curved inside of the far left post.
“I think the key for us was to simply keep playing our game,” Hartmann said. “Even though we gave up a lead, we’re confident we can get it back.”
“All of these wins (versus 3A schools) show we work hard and continue improving,” Majewski said. “Some of our conference games are not always challenging, so we really look forward to these chances to get a benchmark victory.”
It was Majewski’s fifth goal and second game-winner, both of which helped earn her Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match acclaim. Burlington has seven players boasting double-figure point totals, including senior Sydney Pryor, who was sidelined along with Kyra Petsche.
“Even with those two out, we possessed the ball really well and kept creating chances,” Arneson said. “We love this (Naperville Invitational), because it provides us some of the best competition, and we can count on hard battles. It’s a plus to beat some of them, but most importantly it prepares us for down the road.”
The Rockets complete Naperville Invitational play Saturday facing no. 15 Evanston at Naperville North. They’ll return to Burgess Field for a May 5 date with Chicagoland Soccer honorable mention Geneva sandwiched between four Kishwaukee River Conference matches. Burlington hopes to sweep those to go undefeated and capture the league title for one last time. The other KRC members viewed the Rockets as no longer a good fit, so Burlington will join the Fox Valley Conference for 2018-19.
Hinsdale Central will prepare for a must-win West Suburban Conference Silver Division game Monday at Lyons.
After wins against Glenbard West and York, the Red Devils sport a 2-1 league record after a tough 1-0 loss to Downers Grove North on April 24. Lyons is 3-0 after wins against Oak Park and River Forest, Proviso West and York.
Starting lineups
Hinsdale Central
GK: Taylor Ward
D: Madeline Swade
D: Samantha Moriarty
D: Sophie Simmons
D: Olivia Rayis
M: Sarah Cemugel
M: Jane Bibby
M: Brittany Doneske
F: Caroline Renehan
F: Samantha Guido
F: Rachel Dannhausen-Brun
Burlington Central
GK: Erin Rafferty
D: Jessica Clouser
D: Kirsten Wyse
D: Taylor Abbott
D: Alexis Rosa
M: Isabella Hartmann
M: Reagan Oller
M: Jordan King
M: Megan Majewski
F: Madelyn Menke
F: Zoey Kollhoff
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Megan Majewski, sr., F, Burlington Central
Referees: Doug Neufeldt, Dave Holbrook, Steve Jablow.
Game summary
Burlington Central 2, Hinsdale Central 1
Hinsdale Central 0 1 --- 1 (4-7-2)
Burlington Central 0 2 --- 2 (12-2-0)
Scoring
Second half
BC --- Kollhoff 21-yarder buried inside right post (King assist), 42:34 gone
HC --- Renehan breakaway off through ball inside left half of goal (Dannhausen-Brun assist), 46:33 gone
BC --- Majewski 17-yard cannon shot from right wing inside far left post (Hartmann assist), 65:43 gone
Shots
HC 1 – 6 --- 7
BC 11 – 10 --- 21
Shots on goal
HC 1 – 3 --- 4
BC 5 – 5 --- 10
Saves (goalie)
HC (Ward) 5 – 3 --- 8
BC (Rafferty) 1 – 2 --- 3
Corner kicks
HC 0 – 0 --- 0
BC 2 – 4 --- 6
Offsides
HC 1 – 0 --- 1
BC 1 – 0 --- 1
Red Devils fall 2-1 to Class AA tournament finalist Burlington C.
By Steve Nemeth
GENEVA -- There might have been the temptation to cast Hinsdale Central in the role of big, bad South Bend Central versus Hoosiers-style Burlington Central.
Yes Hinsdale Central’s enrollment is 2.5 times that of Burlington Central, but that’s really the extent of that analogy. So don’t view Hinsdale Central’s 2-1 Tuesday loss in the consolation portion of the Naperville Invitational as a shocking upset. Keep it in the realm of a strong competition between quality clubs.
The Rockets from Burlington – ranked no. 17 in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25 -- had the edge in recent success and players with size and experience.
They used to it to their record to 12-2-0; Hinsdale Central slipped to 4-8-2.
It’s true that Burlington Central coach Jess Arneson has built her Class AA state contender on the fundamentals of conditioning plus strategic Xs and Os, but Hinsdale Central’s Bryan Ciesiulka is the first-time high school coach minus the ignominious past of Hickory’s Norman Dale.
Chicagoland Soccer 2017 All-State pick Erin Otto graduated and unlike Jimmy Chitwood, Hinsdale Central standout Jane Cole’s knee injury won’t allow for a storybook ending even if the Red Devils serendipitously make the Class 3A state finals.
Among the truths that were brought into focus by Tuesday’s match-up:
No. 1 – Conference affiliation always calls the Rockets resume into question, which is why Class AA Burlington never shies away from scheduling “up” to meet 3A opponents. This season has borne fruit: a season-opening road win over then-ranked Naperville Central; 1-0 losses to honorable mention squad Jacobs and no. 6 Loyola which kept the Rockets from the Naperville Invitational knockout bracket; plus the biggest pelt on its belt -- a shootout triumph over then no. 1-rated Barrington.
No. 2 – As far as talent goes, the Rockets did lose one (Ann McMahon) of three Chicago Soccer 2017 All-State picks to graduation, but Megan Majewski and Jordan King are back, as is Zoey Kollhoff whose freshman year landed her on the 2018 All-State Watch List.
No. 3 – Last year’s Class AA third place finish fuels this year’s Rockets desire for a state finals encore.
No. 4 – Ciesiulka’s storied past. He's: an NSCAA/adidas All-American and Gatorade Illinois Player of the Year who capped a stellar prep career as Neuqua Valley's all-time leader in assists and number two for points; a three-time Marquette captain named Big East 2013 Midfielder of the Year who led the Golden Eagles to two league titles; and a Chicago Fire pick in 2014 MLS Super Draft. Ciesiulka seems destined to lead the Red Devils’ return to glory ala a 2013 state runner-up finish and 3A state crown in 2009.
Anyone in attendance for both games at Geneva’s Burgess Field should have enjoyed the match of Centrals over the Vikings-Boylan opener. Granted the opening half of both matches was statistically one-sided, but the Rockets-Red Devils 0-0 halftime draw featured more energy than Geneva's 1-0 advantage.
Burlington’s Kollhoff was a one-woman highlight show blasting shots from varying distances and angles, though unfortunately for the Rockets, either high or wide, or else handled by Red Devils goalie Taylor Ward. With 16:56 left before intermission, Kollhoff used a Reagan Oller through-ball with a shot into the back netting. However, an offsides whistle negated the play.
But just 2:34 into the second half, the Rockets successfully claimed a 1-0 lead. Trading the team lead for goals or points throughout the year, King tallied her sixth assist to go with a team-high 13 goals for a thirty-second point as she found Kollhoff making a run. With Ward rushing out, Kollhoff buried a 21-yarder inside the right post for her 12th goal and 33rd point.
While Madelyn Menke followed shortly with a laser blast from the left wing, Ward made the stop and passed to Rachel Dannhausen-Brun, whose pass up field helped create a chance for Caroline Renehan.
“I had a feeling that the bounce might go over or past their defender,” Renehan noted. “Anticipating that chance I just had to beat the goalie rushing out. At first I was worried if I got enough on it. Getting the tie gave us a lot of adrenaline to play harder.”
The freshly lit one on the scoreboard was a psychological plus for Hinsdale Central, which back blanked in its previous two losses.
“We’ve been a strong defensive team, but I also thought we made some serious progress in keeping the ball,” Ciesiulka said. “Defensively I thought our two center backs, Madeline (Swade) and Samantha (Moriarty) played well. They worked their tails off and kept their forwards in check for much of the game.”
Midway through the second half, the Red Devils threatened to take the lead as a Swade free kick led to a scramble near the right post from which Burlington managed to make a defensive clear.
With 14:17 left in regulation, the Rockets reclaimed the lead. Freshman Isabella Hartmann registered her fifth assist (part of 15 points) by finding Majewski on the right wing with enough open space to crank an 18-yarder that curved inside of the far left post.
“I think the key for us was to simply keep playing our game,” Hartmann said. “Even though we gave up a lead, we’re confident we can get it back.”
“All of these wins (versus 3A schools) show we work hard and continue improving,” Majewski said. “Some of our conference games are not always challenging, so we really look forward to these chances to get a benchmark victory.”
It was Majewski’s fifth goal and second game-winner, both of which helped earn her Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match acclaim. Burlington has seven players boasting double-figure point totals, including senior Sydney Pryor, who was sidelined along with Kyra Petsche.
“Even with those two out, we possessed the ball really well and kept creating chances,” Arneson said. “We love this (Naperville Invitational), because it provides us some of the best competition, and we can count on hard battles. It’s a plus to beat some of them, but most importantly it prepares us for down the road.”
The Rockets complete Naperville Invitational play Saturday facing no. 15 Evanston at Naperville North. They’ll return to Burgess Field for a May 5 date with Chicagoland Soccer honorable mention Geneva sandwiched between four Kishwaukee River Conference matches. Burlington hopes to sweep those to go undefeated and capture the league title for one last time. The other KRC members viewed the Rockets as no longer a good fit, so Burlington will join the Fox Valley Conference for 2018-19.
Hinsdale Central will prepare for a must-win West Suburban Conference Silver Division game Monday at Lyons.
After wins against Glenbard West and York, the Red Devils sport a 2-1 league record after a tough 1-0 loss to Downers Grove North on April 24. Lyons is 3-0 after wins against Oak Park and River Forest, Proviso West and York.
Starting lineups
Hinsdale Central
GK: Taylor Ward
D: Madeline Swade
D: Samantha Moriarty
D: Sophie Simmons
D: Olivia Rayis
M: Sarah Cemugel
M: Jane Bibby
M: Brittany Doneske
F: Caroline Renehan
F: Samantha Guido
F: Rachel Dannhausen-Brun
Burlington Central
GK: Erin Rafferty
D: Jessica Clouser
D: Kirsten Wyse
D: Taylor Abbott
D: Alexis Rosa
M: Isabella Hartmann
M: Reagan Oller
M: Jordan King
M: Megan Majewski
F: Madelyn Menke
F: Zoey Kollhoff
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Megan Majewski, sr., F, Burlington Central
Referees: Doug Neufeldt, Dave Holbrook, Steve Jablow.
Game summary
Burlington Central 2, Hinsdale Central 1
Hinsdale Central 0 1 --- 1 (4-7-2)
Burlington Central 0 2 --- 2 (12-2-0)
Scoring
Second half
BC --- Kollhoff 21-yarder buried inside right post (King assist), 42:34 gone
HC --- Renehan breakaway off through ball inside left half of goal (Dannhausen-Brun assist), 46:33 gone
BC --- Majewski 17-yard cannon shot from right wing inside far left post (Hartmann assist), 65:43 gone
Shots
HC 1 – 6 --- 7
BC 11 – 10 --- 21
Shots on goal
HC 1 – 3 --- 4
BC 5 – 5 --- 10
Saves (goalie)
HC (Ward) 5 – 3 --- 8
BC (Rafferty) 1 – 2 --- 3
Corner kicks
HC 0 – 0 --- 0
BC 2 – 4 --- 6
Offsides
HC 1 – 0 --- 1
BC 1 – 0 --- 1