Sena hat-trick powers Hersey past EG
Huskies remain undefeated in Mid-Suburban with 3-0 road win
By Dave Owen
ELK GROVE -- Chemistry, confidence and the offensive talents of junior Chloe Sena were a winning trifecta for Hersey on Friday.
Sena provided the most tangible element, netting a three-goal hat trick over a 27-minute span of play to power the visiting Huskies (8-2-1, 4-0-0) to a 3-0 win at Elk Grove (3-7-2) in a Mid-Suburban League matchup.
“Chloe’s an exceptional player,” Hersey coach Mike Rusniak said. “It helps that she’s had a lot of experience playing on varsity, but overall she’s a high work rate, incredibly efficient soccer player. She knows when to make runs -- she’s been outstanding.”
Sena also didn’t let a dose of early frustration slow her down.
Bursting in on net on a breakaway in the 13th minute, she lined her shot off the right post to keep the score 0-0. But Sena was hardly distraught over the near-miss.
“I kind of thought it was funny,” she said of her post shot. “It was unfortunate obviously. But we had a lot of opportunities after that, and we finished them. So I just think it was kind of like ‘Hey, we’re right there. We know we have the opportunities, and let’s just go and get them.’”
The next opportunity came one minute later, and Sena’s goal off an Allison Blake pass started Hersey off and running with a 1-0 lead.
“We started to calm down and know that we have our opportunities,” Sena said. “The midfield was confident. They were able to play nice through-balls on the ground and our forwards were running on to them. It’s always nice to get those all through.”
Blake was one of three different players with assists Friday for the Huskies. And that stat was just one indicator of the teamwork that has Hersey clicking.
“If you make a mistake there’s always encouragement there,” said Sena, the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match whose hat-trick gave her eight goals this season. “And when you do something good, there’s even more.
“There’s such a big family atmosphere on this team. I think that is a key to our success, just knowing you have everyone supporting you.”
Senior captain Laura Burckhardt’s leadership and rock-steady play at midfield were also in evidence Friday.
“Like Chloe mentioned, we all depend on each other and each know what we have to do,” Burckhardt said. “We expect everyone to get it done, and that helps a lot because it’s not one person doing everything. We’re all working.”
Hersey coach Mike Rusniak has really seen that team bond take hold.
“We’ve really tried to focus on coming out a lot stronger each game and really settling ourselves with some confidence,” he said. “Now they’ve become extremely cohesive.
“We had a tournament last weekend. I felt that really brought us together, spending a lot of time together between games and whatnot. They step up for each other and support one another.”
As for Sena, the Huskies’ offensive star is a perfect fit into the team-first mix.
“They’re an awesome team to be around,” Rusniak said. “Totally selfless. Chloe would love to have 20 assists before she’d have hat tricks. You can tell she’s a very modest individual, which is fantastic. She’s wise beyond her years.”
With Hersey up 1-0, Elk Grove senior goalkeeper Rachel Kandefer did her part to briefly slow the Huskies momentum.
In the 17th munute, an Olivia Mrowicki throw-in and Avery Larson pass set up Morgan Palmer free in front 8 yards out. But Kandefer made a great one-handed deflecttion wide left of the drive.
On the ensuing corner kick, Kandefer was on the spot again to punch away the send out of a crowd at the near post.
The starting goalkeeper for three-plus years for the Grenadiers, Kandefer was a key part of Elk Grove’s run last spring to the MSL Soccer Bowl championship game (where the Grenadiers fell 2-0 to eventual state champion Barrington).
“We had no seniors my sophomore year, so last year we came in with everybody back and a few new people who really added things to the team,” Kandefer said. “This year we have a lot of mixing and matching to do.”
While progress is coming, the new-look Grenadiers have had ups and downs.
“It’s definitely a little different,” Kandefer said, “especially since I was playing with that team for three years. It’s an almost new lineup (this year).
“It’s definitely been tough getting to know play styles, especially in the backline. We’ve made a few changes here and there going four-back, three-back, who’s at center back, and learning how to communicate with each other. It’s definitely a process, especially since it’s still pretty early in the season.”
Elk Grove sophomore Alexa Joshi had essentially the same view of her team’s status from a slightly younger perspective.
“We lost seven seniors so that was pretty hard for us,” Joshi said. “This year we’re really young. We’re still trying to gel and figure things out right now.
“We got a good result last week (three wins in four games), and we’re still trying to bring that heart and desire we had then into this week. We’re trying to build from there.”
But building while facing Hersey’s offensive waves wouldn’t be easy.
With 22:05 left in the half, Maddy Kim’s pass from midfield sprung Mrowicki in on right wing. Her cross found Sena in front for a putaway inside the left post, and Hersey led 2-0.
Kandefer described a scene that the Elk Grove defense often faced in Friday’s first half.
“A little difficult,” she said. “It was rough trying to pay attention -- see the girl there, then another girl coming through really fast.
“I definitely give their line a lot of credit. They were really pressing us. We were handling it a lot of times, but they broke through.”
Elk Grove’s defense stood tall in the 21st minute, when Alysa Cobb denied a Kim rush up the middle.
Joshi followed minutes later with her own nice play, stepping in to steal a Hersey 45-yard direct kick send and generate a counterattack.
Then in the 31st minute, a Kim midfield win set up another Hersey rush -- with Mrowicki’s liner off a Sena pass going over the net.
One minute later, Elk Grove's Lilianna Duckmann and Emily Head combined to deny a Kim-Sena combination rush.
Whether it was good chances or goals, Hersey kept up the heat throughout the first half.
“I think we did a nice job of directly connecting the ball,” Burckhardt said. “And Chloe obviously has the speed up-top, so I think she was able to use that in today’s game and get some good shots off.
“We knew that we had chances, so it kind of let the midfield know that we’ve got to win the ball so that we get it up-top to the girls. I think it just made everyone more confident on the team.”
The first half ended with dueling chances: Hersey goalkeeper Emma Hagen’s catch of a Gabriella Mauro 18-yard right side shot (1:30 left); then in the final seconds a Burkhardt header block and send sprung Sena on a long run which ended with a tackle at the 20-yard line.
While time and two defenders denied Sena’s final bid for a first-half hat trick, she didn’t have to wait long.
Just 30 seconds into the second half, she scored off a Gabby Kozurek pass to cap the Hersey lead.
“Players who weren’t slated as starters or big-time contributors keep coming up because of injuries,” Rusniak said, “like Gabby Kozurek who had an assist today. They all are really rising to the occasion, which is phenomenal.”
Plenty of Hersey’s established standouts have also opened eyes.
“I feel like Jane Stefaniak our center back is phenomenal,” Rusniak said. “As only a sophomore her maturity is incredible.
“And Laura Burckhardt and Maddy Kim in the center. Maddy’s been asked to step out of her comfort zone, she’s more of an outside mid type player. And she’s really done well and learned how to play the position. Having Laura as a mentor has helped her too.”
With the second half wind now at its backs and a quick goal on the board, Hersey appeared ready to build its 3-0 lead.
But the Elk Grove defense and second half goalkeeper Anibeth Bravo had other ideas.
Bravo’s one-handed save at the post on a Sena shot with 36:50 left began a scoreless run to the final horn.
“I was worried that the floodgates would open, that we would let our shoulders down,” Elk Grove coach Dean Burrier Sanchis said. “But we even had some opportunities against the wind, and they (Hersey) kept their starters in.”
The second half response was a good sign in what has been a see-saw spring.
“We’re searching for an identity as a team that has some new parts,” Burrier Sanchis said. “We’ve had so many ups and downs. There’s some days we’re ready to play, excited, working together and positive in the way we talk to one another. Then there’s other days it’s just not there.
“As a coach I’m just trying to be patient with that learning process and allowing it to develop.
“We’re certainly not ready to throw in the towel,” Burrier Sanchis added. “There’s a lot of talent here, and the bright spots we’ve had are enough to keep it going.”
Head provided offensive bright spots early in the second half, including a left side shot on goal off a throw-in with 31:30 left.
“You just have to keep going, don’t let the score dictate our play,” Joshi said of the second half performance.
But when challenged, Hersey’s defense was up to the test in a shutout effort.
“I think their communication and rotation is very good,” Burckhardt said of the Hersey defense. “So when McKenna (Kopeny) or Jane (Stefaniak) our center defenders go up (on attacks) we have good communication for our midfield to drop back. And just winning those 50-50 balls is really important for us.”
Burckhardt helped produce the next big scoring chance. With 27:15 left, her high, powerful send from the left side 35 yards out set up a Kim right side shot that Bravo reached to block and control at the right post.
After Beck’s defense helped deny a shot on an offensive bid by Joshi and Andy Mendivil, Sena just missed her fourth goal by inches. With 16:40 left, her right-side, low drive off a Mrowicki pass angled just wide of the back post.
Another near miss by Larson (a chance in front deflected wide with 13 minutes left) marked the last quality bid to score by either team.
For Elk Grove, the highs and lows of the Hersey match had one common theme.
“Learning is the most important thing with a young team,” Burrier Sanchis said. “The lessons don’t always get learned with a young team as quickly as we might like. It’s hard with the amount of games and the quick turnaround the girls need to bounce back from these tough setbacks.
“But that’s the challenge. It’s a tough league, you’re going to get knocked down. You need a chip on your shoulder to keep going.”
Said Kandefer: “Fundamentals are the biggest thing, and we’re looking more to the entire team getting better confidence in themselves as well. That’s the biggest thing, and it comes with time and experience.”
Hersey’s edge in experience was just one factor Friday.
“It was their willingness to work hard and their togetherness,” Burrier Sanchis said of the Huskies. “I felt like we came apart pretty easily in the way we were talking to each other, whereas as a team unit the spirit that Hersey had and their togetherness was palpable.
“On the sideline you could feel the way they back each other up and work as a unit. Hats off to them. They’re a very good team.”
The goal for Hersey is to make very good even better.
“We have a big rest of the month,” Rusniak said. “As long as we stay healthym and they (the players) continue to have a great attitude, I think we can pretty successful.”
Starting lineups
Hersey
GK: Emma Hagen
D: McKenna Kopeny
D: Jane Stefaniak
D: Allison Beck
D: Avery Larson
M: Laura Burckhardt
M: Gabby Kozurek
M: Maddy Kim
M: Morgan Palmer
F: Chloe Sena
F: Olivia Mrowicki
Elk Grove
GK: Rachel Kandefer
D: Alysa Cobb
D: Alexa Joshi
D: Lilianna Duckmann
D: Doris Nape-Jimenez
M: Emily Head
M: Marisa Mauro
M: Kate Talens
M: Ava Hennig
M: Aliah Mendez
F: Gabriella Mauro
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Chloe Sena, jr. F, Hersey
Scoring summary
First half
H- Chloe Sena (Allison Beck), 14th minute
H- Sena (Olivia Mrowicki), 18th minute
Second half
H- Sena (Gabby Kozurek), 41st minute
Huskies remain undefeated in Mid-Suburban with 3-0 road win
By Dave Owen
ELK GROVE -- Chemistry, confidence and the offensive talents of junior Chloe Sena were a winning trifecta for Hersey on Friday.
Sena provided the most tangible element, netting a three-goal hat trick over a 27-minute span of play to power the visiting Huskies (8-2-1, 4-0-0) to a 3-0 win at Elk Grove (3-7-2) in a Mid-Suburban League matchup.
“Chloe’s an exceptional player,” Hersey coach Mike Rusniak said. “It helps that she’s had a lot of experience playing on varsity, but overall she’s a high work rate, incredibly efficient soccer player. She knows when to make runs -- she’s been outstanding.”
Sena also didn’t let a dose of early frustration slow her down.
Bursting in on net on a breakaway in the 13th minute, she lined her shot off the right post to keep the score 0-0. But Sena was hardly distraught over the near-miss.
“I kind of thought it was funny,” she said of her post shot. “It was unfortunate obviously. But we had a lot of opportunities after that, and we finished them. So I just think it was kind of like ‘Hey, we’re right there. We know we have the opportunities, and let’s just go and get them.’”
The next opportunity came one minute later, and Sena’s goal off an Allison Blake pass started Hersey off and running with a 1-0 lead.
“We started to calm down and know that we have our opportunities,” Sena said. “The midfield was confident. They were able to play nice through-balls on the ground and our forwards were running on to them. It’s always nice to get those all through.”
Blake was one of three different players with assists Friday for the Huskies. And that stat was just one indicator of the teamwork that has Hersey clicking.
“If you make a mistake there’s always encouragement there,” said Sena, the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match whose hat-trick gave her eight goals this season. “And when you do something good, there’s even more.
“There’s such a big family atmosphere on this team. I think that is a key to our success, just knowing you have everyone supporting you.”
Senior captain Laura Burckhardt’s leadership and rock-steady play at midfield were also in evidence Friday.
“Like Chloe mentioned, we all depend on each other and each know what we have to do,” Burckhardt said. “We expect everyone to get it done, and that helps a lot because it’s not one person doing everything. We’re all working.”
Hersey coach Mike Rusniak has really seen that team bond take hold.
“We’ve really tried to focus on coming out a lot stronger each game and really settling ourselves with some confidence,” he said. “Now they’ve become extremely cohesive.
“We had a tournament last weekend. I felt that really brought us together, spending a lot of time together between games and whatnot. They step up for each other and support one another.”
As for Sena, the Huskies’ offensive star is a perfect fit into the team-first mix.
“They’re an awesome team to be around,” Rusniak said. “Totally selfless. Chloe would love to have 20 assists before she’d have hat tricks. You can tell she’s a very modest individual, which is fantastic. She’s wise beyond her years.”
With Hersey up 1-0, Elk Grove senior goalkeeper Rachel Kandefer did her part to briefly slow the Huskies momentum.
In the 17th munute, an Olivia Mrowicki throw-in and Avery Larson pass set up Morgan Palmer free in front 8 yards out. But Kandefer made a great one-handed deflecttion wide left of the drive.
On the ensuing corner kick, Kandefer was on the spot again to punch away the send out of a crowd at the near post.
The starting goalkeeper for three-plus years for the Grenadiers, Kandefer was a key part of Elk Grove’s run last spring to the MSL Soccer Bowl championship game (where the Grenadiers fell 2-0 to eventual state champion Barrington).
“We had no seniors my sophomore year, so last year we came in with everybody back and a few new people who really added things to the team,” Kandefer said. “This year we have a lot of mixing and matching to do.”
While progress is coming, the new-look Grenadiers have had ups and downs.
“It’s definitely a little different,” Kandefer said, “especially since I was playing with that team for three years. It’s an almost new lineup (this year).
“It’s definitely been tough getting to know play styles, especially in the backline. We’ve made a few changes here and there going four-back, three-back, who’s at center back, and learning how to communicate with each other. It’s definitely a process, especially since it’s still pretty early in the season.”
Elk Grove sophomore Alexa Joshi had essentially the same view of her team’s status from a slightly younger perspective.
“We lost seven seniors so that was pretty hard for us,” Joshi said. “This year we’re really young. We’re still trying to gel and figure things out right now.
“We got a good result last week (three wins in four games), and we’re still trying to bring that heart and desire we had then into this week. We’re trying to build from there.”
But building while facing Hersey’s offensive waves wouldn’t be easy.
With 22:05 left in the half, Maddy Kim’s pass from midfield sprung Mrowicki in on right wing. Her cross found Sena in front for a putaway inside the left post, and Hersey led 2-0.
Kandefer described a scene that the Elk Grove defense often faced in Friday’s first half.
“A little difficult,” she said. “It was rough trying to pay attention -- see the girl there, then another girl coming through really fast.
“I definitely give their line a lot of credit. They were really pressing us. We were handling it a lot of times, but they broke through.”
Elk Grove’s defense stood tall in the 21st minute, when Alysa Cobb denied a Kim rush up the middle.
Joshi followed minutes later with her own nice play, stepping in to steal a Hersey 45-yard direct kick send and generate a counterattack.
Then in the 31st minute, a Kim midfield win set up another Hersey rush -- with Mrowicki’s liner off a Sena pass going over the net.
One minute later, Elk Grove's Lilianna Duckmann and Emily Head combined to deny a Kim-Sena combination rush.
Whether it was good chances or goals, Hersey kept up the heat throughout the first half.
“I think we did a nice job of directly connecting the ball,” Burckhardt said. “And Chloe obviously has the speed up-top, so I think she was able to use that in today’s game and get some good shots off.
“We knew that we had chances, so it kind of let the midfield know that we’ve got to win the ball so that we get it up-top to the girls. I think it just made everyone more confident on the team.”
The first half ended with dueling chances: Hersey goalkeeper Emma Hagen’s catch of a Gabriella Mauro 18-yard right side shot (1:30 left); then in the final seconds a Burkhardt header block and send sprung Sena on a long run which ended with a tackle at the 20-yard line.
While time and two defenders denied Sena’s final bid for a first-half hat trick, she didn’t have to wait long.
Just 30 seconds into the second half, she scored off a Gabby Kozurek pass to cap the Hersey lead.
“Players who weren’t slated as starters or big-time contributors keep coming up because of injuries,” Rusniak said, “like Gabby Kozurek who had an assist today. They all are really rising to the occasion, which is phenomenal.”
Plenty of Hersey’s established standouts have also opened eyes.
“I feel like Jane Stefaniak our center back is phenomenal,” Rusniak said. “As only a sophomore her maturity is incredible.
“And Laura Burckhardt and Maddy Kim in the center. Maddy’s been asked to step out of her comfort zone, she’s more of an outside mid type player. And she’s really done well and learned how to play the position. Having Laura as a mentor has helped her too.”
With the second half wind now at its backs and a quick goal on the board, Hersey appeared ready to build its 3-0 lead.
But the Elk Grove defense and second half goalkeeper Anibeth Bravo had other ideas.
Bravo’s one-handed save at the post on a Sena shot with 36:50 left began a scoreless run to the final horn.
“I was worried that the floodgates would open, that we would let our shoulders down,” Elk Grove coach Dean Burrier Sanchis said. “But we even had some opportunities against the wind, and they (Hersey) kept their starters in.”
The second half response was a good sign in what has been a see-saw spring.
“We’re searching for an identity as a team that has some new parts,” Burrier Sanchis said. “We’ve had so many ups and downs. There’s some days we’re ready to play, excited, working together and positive in the way we talk to one another. Then there’s other days it’s just not there.
“As a coach I’m just trying to be patient with that learning process and allowing it to develop.
“We’re certainly not ready to throw in the towel,” Burrier Sanchis added. “There’s a lot of talent here, and the bright spots we’ve had are enough to keep it going.”
Head provided offensive bright spots early in the second half, including a left side shot on goal off a throw-in with 31:30 left.
“You just have to keep going, don’t let the score dictate our play,” Joshi said of the second half performance.
But when challenged, Hersey’s defense was up to the test in a shutout effort.
“I think their communication and rotation is very good,” Burckhardt said of the Hersey defense. “So when McKenna (Kopeny) or Jane (Stefaniak) our center defenders go up (on attacks) we have good communication for our midfield to drop back. And just winning those 50-50 balls is really important for us.”
Burckhardt helped produce the next big scoring chance. With 27:15 left, her high, powerful send from the left side 35 yards out set up a Kim right side shot that Bravo reached to block and control at the right post.
After Beck’s defense helped deny a shot on an offensive bid by Joshi and Andy Mendivil, Sena just missed her fourth goal by inches. With 16:40 left, her right-side, low drive off a Mrowicki pass angled just wide of the back post.
Another near miss by Larson (a chance in front deflected wide with 13 minutes left) marked the last quality bid to score by either team.
For Elk Grove, the highs and lows of the Hersey match had one common theme.
“Learning is the most important thing with a young team,” Burrier Sanchis said. “The lessons don’t always get learned with a young team as quickly as we might like. It’s hard with the amount of games and the quick turnaround the girls need to bounce back from these tough setbacks.
“But that’s the challenge. It’s a tough league, you’re going to get knocked down. You need a chip on your shoulder to keep going.”
Said Kandefer: “Fundamentals are the biggest thing, and we’re looking more to the entire team getting better confidence in themselves as well. That’s the biggest thing, and it comes with time and experience.”
Hersey’s edge in experience was just one factor Friday.
“It was their willingness to work hard and their togetherness,” Burrier Sanchis said of the Huskies. “I felt like we came apart pretty easily in the way we were talking to each other, whereas as a team unit the spirit that Hersey had and their togetherness was palpable.
“On the sideline you could feel the way they back each other up and work as a unit. Hats off to them. They’re a very good team.”
The goal for Hersey is to make very good even better.
“We have a big rest of the month,” Rusniak said. “As long as we stay healthym and they (the players) continue to have a great attitude, I think we can pretty successful.”
Starting lineups
Hersey
GK: Emma Hagen
D: McKenna Kopeny
D: Jane Stefaniak
D: Allison Beck
D: Avery Larson
M: Laura Burckhardt
M: Gabby Kozurek
M: Maddy Kim
M: Morgan Palmer
F: Chloe Sena
F: Olivia Mrowicki
Elk Grove
GK: Rachel Kandefer
D: Alysa Cobb
D: Alexa Joshi
D: Lilianna Duckmann
D: Doris Nape-Jimenez
M: Emily Head
M: Marisa Mauro
M: Kate Talens
M: Ava Hennig
M: Aliah Mendez
F: Gabriella Mauro
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Chloe Sena, jr. F, Hersey
Scoring summary
First half
H- Chloe Sena (Allison Beck), 14th minute
H- Sena (Olivia Mrowicki), 18th minute
Second half
H- Sena (Gabby Kozurek), 41st minute