Hersey 'kids' find the net vs. Elk Grove
Senior Larson, trio of freshmen score in 4-0 MSL win
By Gary Larsen
ELK GROVE — The percentage of Hersey’s varsity players still too young to drive a car is large. If you kicked a soccer ball into a crowd of coach Michael Rusniak’s players, you’d have roughly a 50 percent chance of hitting an underclassmen.
There are four freshmen and four sophomores listed on Hersey’s 18-player roster.
“They’re young,” Rusniak said, “but don’t tell them that.”
In Saturday’s 4-0 win at Elk Grove, Hersey senior captain Avery Larson struck once on a Maddie Kim assist, and the Huskies got a goal apiece from the freshmen trio of Abi Beck, Faith Sena and Annika Caliendo. Senior Hannah Alcaro assisted on Sena’s goal.
“We are a really young team, but that makes it fun,” Larson said. “Just being able to show these younger girls the ropes and teach them how to play Hersey soccer is very exciting.
“Every game I think we’re progressing, growing. People are getting more confident, and playing better and playing harder.”
In the season’s first Mid-Suburban League game for both teams, Hersey (1-1-1, 1-0-0) got two goals in each half against Elk Grove (0-2-0, 0-1-0).
Despite the one-sided score, that shutout didn’t come easy against an Elk Grove team that took its turns applying attacking pressure Saturday.
“I thought we played equal for most of the game with them, and it was a good game,” Elk Grove’s Illinois-bound senior Alexa Joshi said. “The result was just not in our favor, but I thought we played pretty consistent until the end. We've gotten better with our movement, the connections are starting to get there, and we're starting the progress.”
The Grenadiers spent time on Hersey’s half of the field, to be sure, and that’s where another Hersey freshman entered the picture, along with another senior there to show her the ropes.
The Huskies’ two starting central defenders are freshman Natalie Suto and senior captain Jane Stefaniak, and they keyed the backline whenever Elk Grove pressured or tried to get behind in the counterattack.
Suto is new to the varsity and new to a central defensive role. Stefaniak can relate.
“I was in the same position as (Suto) as a freshman where I was starting my first varsity game and wasn't expecting it,” Stefaniak said. “Playing center back in your first varsity game is tough. You just have to have confidence. But from our first game against Stevenson to now, she has transformed into a different player. And these freshmen are going to be our key this year.”
Hersey lost 3-0 to Stevenson in its season-opener, then tied 2-2 with Lake Zurich before topping Elk Grove.
“They continue to impress me with their ability to play together,” Rusniak said. “In our first game you could tell they were a little nervous but not since then. A lot of that has to do with our captains and upperclassmen taking them under their wing. They've been incredibly supportive in building their confidence.”
The leadership skills of tri-captains and seniors Stefaniak, Larson and Kim will be instrumental in the maturation process of Hersey’s young players. And the play on the field of Hersey’s captains will be just as important.
On Saturday, the versatile Kim showed her value in the final third, Stefaniak’s defensive prowess stood out and Larson’s play at midfield earned her Chicagoland Soccer MVP
of the Match honors.
“She's such a strong, powerful player that when she gets a ball at her feet it's really hard for defenders to match that physicality,” Rusniak said of Larson. “She's a three-sport athlete. It's her athleticism, but she’s also so smart. Watching her grow as a player since she was a sophomore has been phenomenal.”
Larson and then Beck tallied in the first half for Hersey, while Caliendo and then Sena struck in the second.
Beck scored her goal at 24 minutes, and one minute later Hersey keeper Alli Paulson had to elevate in the goalmouth to snare an Elk Grove header. Larson sprung Sena behind the defense at 30 minutes with a sweet through-ball, but Elk Grove keeper Veronica Kozbiel saved Sena’s low-hit shot from 18 yards.
Elk Grove’s Jennifer Benitez volleyed a good chance just wide at the post on a free kick sent in by Joshi at 47 minutes, before Hersey made it 3-0 on Caliendo’s unassisted goal at 49 minutes.
Down three goals, the Grenadiers never hung their heads. Joshi, Alysa Cobb, Kayce Wadas and Ella Duckman defended well and kept the ball moving forward, while attacking players like Aliah Mendez and Andy Medivil searched the attacking final third for good scoring chances.
“We’ve tried to move (Joshi) around a little bit to get her more involved,” Elk Grove coach Gabrielle Whittinghill said. “She's been such a big help defensively. She's quick and able to cover wherever we need it.
“Aliah (Mendez) is technically great, she makes good decisions, holds the ball when she should. She's always moving and looking to take people on.”
Whittinghill said the next step for her squad is to capitalize on its possession by turning its collective leg loose when the chances arrive.
“We need to get more shots off and get better opportunities moving forward,” Whittinghill said. “A lot of our opportunities out wide are there, but our passes are just a little off, so it’s just working on the timing a little bit in the attack. But I thought we did a good job of moving the ball and with possession, and with moving off the ball today.”
Joshi also spoke to the importance of being able to roam the pitch wearing Grenadiers’ green and gold again.
“I've been playing club, but it feels so good to be back playing at the high school level,” Joshi said. “It’s a whole different mentality because you're playing for your school, and for your community, so it's a whole different mindset. And it's a lot of fun. We all get along; we all really like each other. It's always fun to be around these girls.”
Hersey defenders Stefaniak, Suto, Allie Beck and Avery Williams kept Paulsen well-protected to the final buzzer. Sena netted the game’s final goal at 80 minutes.
“It's beginning to look like they've been playing for a while together,” Rusniak said. “We are starting to play some pretty good team soccer, and they've surprised me with how much confidence they've gained despite the lack of experience they have at the varsity level.
“I told them at the beginning of the year that we are going to have some growing pains and things we're going to have to chalk up to inexperience. But we are also not going to make excuses for anything; it’s a great group of girls who are constantly trying to improve.”
Starting lineups
Hersey
GK Alli Paulsen
D Avery Williams
D Allie Beck
D Jane Stefaniak
D Natalie Suto
M Avery Larson
M Becca Caliendo
M Faith Sena
M Norah Viers
M Annika Caliendo
F Maddie Kim
Elk Grove
GK Veronica Kozbiel
D Alexa Joshi
D Alysa Cobb
D Ella Duckman
D Ava Hennig
M Jennifer Benitez
M Emily Head
M Sydney Joseph
M Aliah Mendez
M Kayce Wadas
F Andy Medivil
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match — Avery Larson, sr., MF, Hersey
Scoring summary
First half
Hersey — Larson (Kim)
Hersey — Beck (UA)
Second half
Hersey — Caliendo (UA)
Hersey — Sena (Alcaro)
Senior Larson, trio of freshmen score in 4-0 MSL win
By Gary Larsen
ELK GROVE — The percentage of Hersey’s varsity players still too young to drive a car is large. If you kicked a soccer ball into a crowd of coach Michael Rusniak’s players, you’d have roughly a 50 percent chance of hitting an underclassmen.
There are four freshmen and four sophomores listed on Hersey’s 18-player roster.
“They’re young,” Rusniak said, “but don’t tell them that.”
In Saturday’s 4-0 win at Elk Grove, Hersey senior captain Avery Larson struck once on a Maddie Kim assist, and the Huskies got a goal apiece from the freshmen trio of Abi Beck, Faith Sena and Annika Caliendo. Senior Hannah Alcaro assisted on Sena’s goal.
“We are a really young team, but that makes it fun,” Larson said. “Just being able to show these younger girls the ropes and teach them how to play Hersey soccer is very exciting.
“Every game I think we’re progressing, growing. People are getting more confident, and playing better and playing harder.”
In the season’s first Mid-Suburban League game for both teams, Hersey (1-1-1, 1-0-0) got two goals in each half against Elk Grove (0-2-0, 0-1-0).
Despite the one-sided score, that shutout didn’t come easy against an Elk Grove team that took its turns applying attacking pressure Saturday.
“I thought we played equal for most of the game with them, and it was a good game,” Elk Grove’s Illinois-bound senior Alexa Joshi said. “The result was just not in our favor, but I thought we played pretty consistent until the end. We've gotten better with our movement, the connections are starting to get there, and we're starting the progress.”
The Grenadiers spent time on Hersey’s half of the field, to be sure, and that’s where another Hersey freshman entered the picture, along with another senior there to show her the ropes.
The Huskies’ two starting central defenders are freshman Natalie Suto and senior captain Jane Stefaniak, and they keyed the backline whenever Elk Grove pressured or tried to get behind in the counterattack.
Suto is new to the varsity and new to a central defensive role. Stefaniak can relate.
“I was in the same position as (Suto) as a freshman where I was starting my first varsity game and wasn't expecting it,” Stefaniak said. “Playing center back in your first varsity game is tough. You just have to have confidence. But from our first game against Stevenson to now, she has transformed into a different player. And these freshmen are going to be our key this year.”
Hersey lost 3-0 to Stevenson in its season-opener, then tied 2-2 with Lake Zurich before topping Elk Grove.
“They continue to impress me with their ability to play together,” Rusniak said. “In our first game you could tell they were a little nervous but not since then. A lot of that has to do with our captains and upperclassmen taking them under their wing. They've been incredibly supportive in building their confidence.”
The leadership skills of tri-captains and seniors Stefaniak, Larson and Kim will be instrumental in the maturation process of Hersey’s young players. And the play on the field of Hersey’s captains will be just as important.
On Saturday, the versatile Kim showed her value in the final third, Stefaniak’s defensive prowess stood out and Larson’s play at midfield earned her Chicagoland Soccer MVP
of the Match honors.
“She's such a strong, powerful player that when she gets a ball at her feet it's really hard for defenders to match that physicality,” Rusniak said of Larson. “She's a three-sport athlete. It's her athleticism, but she’s also so smart. Watching her grow as a player since she was a sophomore has been phenomenal.”
Larson and then Beck tallied in the first half for Hersey, while Caliendo and then Sena struck in the second.
Beck scored her goal at 24 minutes, and one minute later Hersey keeper Alli Paulson had to elevate in the goalmouth to snare an Elk Grove header. Larson sprung Sena behind the defense at 30 minutes with a sweet through-ball, but Elk Grove keeper Veronica Kozbiel saved Sena’s low-hit shot from 18 yards.
Elk Grove’s Jennifer Benitez volleyed a good chance just wide at the post on a free kick sent in by Joshi at 47 minutes, before Hersey made it 3-0 on Caliendo’s unassisted goal at 49 minutes.
Down three goals, the Grenadiers never hung their heads. Joshi, Alysa Cobb, Kayce Wadas and Ella Duckman defended well and kept the ball moving forward, while attacking players like Aliah Mendez and Andy Medivil searched the attacking final third for good scoring chances.
“We’ve tried to move (Joshi) around a little bit to get her more involved,” Elk Grove coach Gabrielle Whittinghill said. “She's been such a big help defensively. She's quick and able to cover wherever we need it.
“Aliah (Mendez) is technically great, she makes good decisions, holds the ball when she should. She's always moving and looking to take people on.”
Whittinghill said the next step for her squad is to capitalize on its possession by turning its collective leg loose when the chances arrive.
“We need to get more shots off and get better opportunities moving forward,” Whittinghill said. “A lot of our opportunities out wide are there, but our passes are just a little off, so it’s just working on the timing a little bit in the attack. But I thought we did a good job of moving the ball and with possession, and with moving off the ball today.”
Joshi also spoke to the importance of being able to roam the pitch wearing Grenadiers’ green and gold again.
“I've been playing club, but it feels so good to be back playing at the high school level,” Joshi said. “It’s a whole different mentality because you're playing for your school, and for your community, so it's a whole different mindset. And it's a lot of fun. We all get along; we all really like each other. It's always fun to be around these girls.”
Hersey defenders Stefaniak, Suto, Allie Beck and Avery Williams kept Paulsen well-protected to the final buzzer. Sena netted the game’s final goal at 80 minutes.
“It's beginning to look like they've been playing for a while together,” Rusniak said. “We are starting to play some pretty good team soccer, and they've surprised me with how much confidence they've gained despite the lack of experience they have at the varsity level.
“I told them at the beginning of the year that we are going to have some growing pains and things we're going to have to chalk up to inexperience. But we are also not going to make excuses for anything; it’s a great group of girls who are constantly trying to improve.”
Starting lineups
Hersey
GK Alli Paulsen
D Avery Williams
D Allie Beck
D Jane Stefaniak
D Natalie Suto
M Avery Larson
M Becca Caliendo
M Faith Sena
M Norah Viers
M Annika Caliendo
F Maddie Kim
Elk Grove
GK Veronica Kozbiel
D Alexa Joshi
D Alysa Cobb
D Ella Duckman
D Ava Hennig
M Jennifer Benitez
M Emily Head
M Sydney Joseph
M Aliah Mendez
M Kayce Wadas
F Andy Medivil
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match — Avery Larson, sr., MF, Hersey
Scoring summary
First half
Hersey — Larson (Kim)
Hersey — Beck (UA)
Second half
Hersey — Caliendo (UA)
Hersey — Sena (Alcaro)