Loyola and Lane get physical in draw
Ramblers keeper Jaros comes up big in 0-0 tie
By Patrick Z. McGavin
WILMETTE -- The roles switched but the play remained the same: tough, physical and compelling from multiple angles.
Last year Lane went through a circular structure, beginning and ending its season with games at Loyola. The first, played in the wintry cold, was one-sided as Loyola jumped out to a 2-0 lead and eventually secured the 3-0 victory.
Lane got progressively better throughout the year en route to an unprecedented fourth-consecutive city tournament championship. In the rematch in a Class 3A regional championship, the stakes were elevated as was the Indians’ game. Lane battled the Ramblers step for step in displaying passion, style and grace before Loyola pulled out the 1-0 thriller in double overtime.
With the continuation of the rivalry, the narrative changed. Lane came in riding a perfect mark and riding a wave of experience, savvy and talent. Loyola is a team still finding itself, playing well but without a victory.
The game confounded easy analysis or breakdown: Loyola held the advantage in possession and opportunities developed from set pieces; Lane generated the more dangerous chances.
In the end, senior Loyola keeper Katherine Jaros played the crucial role as she made a couple of superb stops that kept Lane, ranked 14th in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, at bay and underscored the intensity and physical style of the game that ended 0-0 Saturday morning.
Lane midfielder Melissa Garcia, a breakout talent who already has two braces this season, blasted a howitzer from about 19 yards in the 23rd minute that Jaros alertly denied.
Jaros saved the game in the 67th minute when she made a spectacular diving stop off a short volley by freshman midfielder Scout Murray that originated from a Lane counter.
She finished with six saves. For her accomplishments Katherine Jaros earned the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match honor.
“They were definitely getting some opportunities in the back,” Jaros said. “It was a little bit of being in the right spot. I came off my line and dropped off a little, and I was there there on the late shot.
“I went down and the ball went off the side.”
Jaros is a first-year starter who learned the position as an apprentice to four-year starter Maggie Avery, a three-time Chicgaoland Soccer all-state player. The experience of learning from a top talent has clearly paid off.
“It was really awesome to be on the bench the last two years and see her play,” Jaros said. “She was an incredible goalie. She was so much fun to learn from, work with, and she was a great role model. I think for a lot of new players who have assumed a different varsity role, we have done a pretty good job of coming into that.
“I owe a lot of that to Maggie.”
Lane (5-0-1) has posted five shutouts and allowed just two goals. Already three times this year, the Indians have started the second half scoreless and exploited match ups or breakdowns in order to score, like a 1-0 victory over Chicago Public League Premier Division rival Payton on Wednesday.
The Indians have overwhelmed teams with their speed, precision attack and possessive style. Loyola nullified that style and forced uncharacteristic turnovers and took the Indians out of step.
“We felt like we played their game more than ours,” junior defender Zehra Halilic said. “It was really bad for us. I think our game is on the ground, and we work on possession every day.”
Playing its third game of the week appeared to take its toll on the Indians, said coach Michelle Vale. Senior Grace Dunaway did not play the first 25 minutes of the second half. Vale went deep into her roster, playing her entire team to counter a team emotionally and physically spent.
“I think today we looked as beat up as we probably are,” Vale said. “We played a lot of tough games this week. We have a lot of bruising, some scrapes. I wanted to make sure we kept people as healthy as possible.
“On our worst day, we walk away 0-0, and that is okay.”
Loyola (0-2-2) seeks its first win under new coach Shannon Hartinger. The Ramblers have shown steady growth though it is not reflective in the win column. Loyola maintained a steady advantage in the second half and generated six corner kick opportunities.
Gifted freshmen like forward Molly Sipe and midfielder Grace Ehlert are exciting new players who have shown superb instincts, skill on the ball and creativity with their shotmaking.
The Ramblers had several tantalizing chances of their own off the set pieces. It shows a team bursting with possibility and promise.
“It was frustrating we were not able to get anything in the back of the net with the energy off the corners,” Ehlert said. “We are starting to attack more and get forward, and I think the opportunities will start to come.”
The leap from middle school to varsity soccer is a significant one, and players like Ehlert and Sipe are making the adjustment.
“We are playing against some girls who are three years older, so they are a lot more physical,” Ehlert said. “The speed of play is much faster especially in the midfield. You have to be aware of your surrounding and know where you are going before get the ball.”
Loyola also got a jolt with the return of Maggie Brett, a two-time Chicagoland Soccer all-stater who has led the Ramblers in scoring the last two years. A whip-fast forward, Brett has superb scoring instincts.
In her first game since returning from offseason surgery to repair a torn ACL, she played 40 minutes and showed her typical strong-on-the-ball capabilities.
“I was a little nervous coming into the game,” Brett said. “My teammates were super encouraging and supportive and made me feel much more confident coming in to play. It felt great being back on the field after so long. I still have a lot more growth and progression, but finally being able to play really gave me a confidence boost.”
For a team still without a win, optimism still reigns supreme.
“Even though we have not gotten the result as far as a win, we have definitely started to perform better on both sides of the ball,” Hartinger said. “Today you were able to see how much better we are able to become in the attack.
“We were able to create more opportunities, not only in the flow of the game but in the set pieces.”
Lane keeper Brianna Love posted four saves of her own. Halilic, a dynamic and athletic defender, proved especially disruptive in denying the final touch from the Ramblers’ set pieces.
“We were prepared for that,” Halilic said. “I remember last year when we played them in the [regional] final they had like five corners in a row. I thought we defended it much better.”
Lane’s depth and the flexibility and interchangeability of its roster has fueled its fast start. The Indians also have a couple of singular talents like Dunaway, Halilic and junior midfielder Camaron Niforos who have the ability to take over a game.
Niforos again showed why she is an emerging star, illustrating a presence and sense of the game. She blasted a shot at Jaros in the 80th minute that constituted the strongest late-scoring chance. She also played a ball up top to midfielder Sydney Varga that extended the pressure.
By the end, the game proved the legitimacy of Lane and the continued improvement of Loyola.
“Ultimately we are going to have to make sure if we see this team again we are a lot smarter about how we play,” Vale said.
Starting lineups
Lane
GK: Brianna Love
D: Lisa Rios
D: Alana Coffman
D: Carlye Makuch
D: Zehra Halilic
MF: Johanna Bozic
MF: Camaron Niforos
MF: Melissa Garcia
MF: Sydney Varga
F: Grace Dunaway
F: Kayla Dutton
Loyola
GK: Katherine Jaros
D: Claire Kenny
D: Lauren Daffada
D: Megan Kurtz
D: Maya Basan
MF: Kate Murtagh
MF: Meredith Phillips
MF: Isabella Guzman
MF: Grace Ehlert
F: Molly Sipe
F: Kathryn Diblik
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Katherine Jaros, sr., GK, Loyola
Scoring summary
First half
No scoring
Secon half
No scoring
Ramblers keeper Jaros comes up big in 0-0 tie
By Patrick Z. McGavin
WILMETTE -- The roles switched but the play remained the same: tough, physical and compelling from multiple angles.
Last year Lane went through a circular structure, beginning and ending its season with games at Loyola. The first, played in the wintry cold, was one-sided as Loyola jumped out to a 2-0 lead and eventually secured the 3-0 victory.
Lane got progressively better throughout the year en route to an unprecedented fourth-consecutive city tournament championship. In the rematch in a Class 3A regional championship, the stakes were elevated as was the Indians’ game. Lane battled the Ramblers step for step in displaying passion, style and grace before Loyola pulled out the 1-0 thriller in double overtime.
With the continuation of the rivalry, the narrative changed. Lane came in riding a perfect mark and riding a wave of experience, savvy and talent. Loyola is a team still finding itself, playing well but without a victory.
The game confounded easy analysis or breakdown: Loyola held the advantage in possession and opportunities developed from set pieces; Lane generated the more dangerous chances.
In the end, senior Loyola keeper Katherine Jaros played the crucial role as she made a couple of superb stops that kept Lane, ranked 14th in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, at bay and underscored the intensity and physical style of the game that ended 0-0 Saturday morning.
Lane midfielder Melissa Garcia, a breakout talent who already has two braces this season, blasted a howitzer from about 19 yards in the 23rd minute that Jaros alertly denied.
Jaros saved the game in the 67th minute when she made a spectacular diving stop off a short volley by freshman midfielder Scout Murray that originated from a Lane counter.
She finished with six saves. For her accomplishments Katherine Jaros earned the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match honor.
“They were definitely getting some opportunities in the back,” Jaros said. “It was a little bit of being in the right spot. I came off my line and dropped off a little, and I was there there on the late shot.
“I went down and the ball went off the side.”
Jaros is a first-year starter who learned the position as an apprentice to four-year starter Maggie Avery, a three-time Chicgaoland Soccer all-state player. The experience of learning from a top talent has clearly paid off.
“It was really awesome to be on the bench the last two years and see her play,” Jaros said. “She was an incredible goalie. She was so much fun to learn from, work with, and she was a great role model. I think for a lot of new players who have assumed a different varsity role, we have done a pretty good job of coming into that.
“I owe a lot of that to Maggie.”
Lane (5-0-1) has posted five shutouts and allowed just two goals. Already three times this year, the Indians have started the second half scoreless and exploited match ups or breakdowns in order to score, like a 1-0 victory over Chicago Public League Premier Division rival Payton on Wednesday.
The Indians have overwhelmed teams with their speed, precision attack and possessive style. Loyola nullified that style and forced uncharacteristic turnovers and took the Indians out of step.
“We felt like we played their game more than ours,” junior defender Zehra Halilic said. “It was really bad for us. I think our game is on the ground, and we work on possession every day.”
Playing its third game of the week appeared to take its toll on the Indians, said coach Michelle Vale. Senior Grace Dunaway did not play the first 25 minutes of the second half. Vale went deep into her roster, playing her entire team to counter a team emotionally and physically spent.
“I think today we looked as beat up as we probably are,” Vale said. “We played a lot of tough games this week. We have a lot of bruising, some scrapes. I wanted to make sure we kept people as healthy as possible.
“On our worst day, we walk away 0-0, and that is okay.”
Loyola (0-2-2) seeks its first win under new coach Shannon Hartinger. The Ramblers have shown steady growth though it is not reflective in the win column. Loyola maintained a steady advantage in the second half and generated six corner kick opportunities.
Gifted freshmen like forward Molly Sipe and midfielder Grace Ehlert are exciting new players who have shown superb instincts, skill on the ball and creativity with their shotmaking.
The Ramblers had several tantalizing chances of their own off the set pieces. It shows a team bursting with possibility and promise.
“It was frustrating we were not able to get anything in the back of the net with the energy off the corners,” Ehlert said. “We are starting to attack more and get forward, and I think the opportunities will start to come.”
The leap from middle school to varsity soccer is a significant one, and players like Ehlert and Sipe are making the adjustment.
“We are playing against some girls who are three years older, so they are a lot more physical,” Ehlert said. “The speed of play is much faster especially in the midfield. You have to be aware of your surrounding and know where you are going before get the ball.”
Loyola also got a jolt with the return of Maggie Brett, a two-time Chicagoland Soccer all-stater who has led the Ramblers in scoring the last two years. A whip-fast forward, Brett has superb scoring instincts.
In her first game since returning from offseason surgery to repair a torn ACL, she played 40 minutes and showed her typical strong-on-the-ball capabilities.
“I was a little nervous coming into the game,” Brett said. “My teammates were super encouraging and supportive and made me feel much more confident coming in to play. It felt great being back on the field after so long. I still have a lot more growth and progression, but finally being able to play really gave me a confidence boost.”
For a team still without a win, optimism still reigns supreme.
“Even though we have not gotten the result as far as a win, we have definitely started to perform better on both sides of the ball,” Hartinger said. “Today you were able to see how much better we are able to become in the attack.
“We were able to create more opportunities, not only in the flow of the game but in the set pieces.”
Lane keeper Brianna Love posted four saves of her own. Halilic, a dynamic and athletic defender, proved especially disruptive in denying the final touch from the Ramblers’ set pieces.
“We were prepared for that,” Halilic said. “I remember last year when we played them in the [regional] final they had like five corners in a row. I thought we defended it much better.”
Lane’s depth and the flexibility and interchangeability of its roster has fueled its fast start. The Indians also have a couple of singular talents like Dunaway, Halilic and junior midfielder Camaron Niforos who have the ability to take over a game.
Niforos again showed why she is an emerging star, illustrating a presence and sense of the game. She blasted a shot at Jaros in the 80th minute that constituted the strongest late-scoring chance. She also played a ball up top to midfielder Sydney Varga that extended the pressure.
By the end, the game proved the legitimacy of Lane and the continued improvement of Loyola.
“Ultimately we are going to have to make sure if we see this team again we are a lot smarter about how we play,” Vale said.
Starting lineups
Lane
GK: Brianna Love
D: Lisa Rios
D: Alana Coffman
D: Carlye Makuch
D: Zehra Halilic
MF: Johanna Bozic
MF: Camaron Niforos
MF: Melissa Garcia
MF: Sydney Varga
F: Grace Dunaway
F: Kayla Dutton
Loyola
GK: Katherine Jaros
D: Claire Kenny
D: Lauren Daffada
D: Megan Kurtz
D: Maya Basan
MF: Kate Murtagh
MF: Meredith Phillips
MF: Isabella Guzman
MF: Grace Ehlert
F: Molly Sipe
F: Kathryn Diblik
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Katherine Jaros, sr., GK, Loyola
Scoring summary
First half
No scoring
Secon half
No scoring