Libertyville falls to Stevenson in 'title' match
Wildcats drop 1-0 decision, finish 3rd in league standings
By Mike Garofola
LINCOLNSHIRE -- After thrilling draws played between Stevenson and Warren and one week later Warren and Libertyville, the final match-up between the North Suburban Conference’s Big 3 – Libertyville vs. Stevenson -- became the league’s most important match of the season.
Both sides did not disappoint before a raucous crowd. When the shrill of the referee's whistle signaled the end of the game, 12th-ranked Stevenson lifted the league trophy after a 1-0 victory over no. 9 Libertyville on a warm and blustery night.
Mimi VanZanten's curling effort from just outside the box, which went off a Wildcats player on the way into the back of the net, settled the 80-minute battle royale and gave the Patriots (14-1-1, 6-0-1) their second title in three seasons.
"The game kind of played out the way I thought it would. But the winds really changed how we had to play," said VanZanten, whose slick move gained enough time and space away from her mark to allow the junior to hit a quality shot in the 27th minute.
"Just a great goal from Mimi (especially) with it coming in the first half, and into that giant wind we were playing into," added junior Bre Welter, who earned Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match honors for her wonderful job of marking Libertyville senior Dakota Lyons, who is not only a magnet to the ball but also a dangerous midfielder on the left side. Her feverish energy, pace, and powerful left foot has helped create plenty of opportunities for her club this season.
"Dakota is so strong on the ball," said Welter. “She has such great speed. (It) was a tall order marking her all night. I knew it was important to do my best to limit her chances, and not allow her to serve balls in from the outside, create chances and put shots on goal at Mandy Meliker (the Stevenson keeper).
"You do not altogether stop Dakota, she is just too talented, but Bre did so well in keeping her from hurting us tonight. That was easily one of the keys to victory," said proud Patriots manager PepeJon Chavez.
"It was a very good game. We obviously did not get the result we came here for," said Libertyville manager Daniel DePaz. With the loss, Libertyville (13-3-2, 5-1-1) finished third in the table behind Warren, which ended the conference season at 5-0-2.
“We played well and managed the strong winds, but Mimi scoring that first half goal was big for them," said Wildcats star forward Avery Gleason, whose twin sister Paige was a late scratch in the midfield after suffering an injury during warmups. “I could have scored early which could have changed the momentum totally in our favor, but we had other chances that we just were not able to finish."
"We're a little banged up right now, but so are a lot of teams at this time of the season,” said DePaz. “It's not an excuse for this loss. (We) have a lot of depth on our roster, so we just had to count on others to step in and do their part.”
The opportunity Gleason spoke of came just minutes into the contest. A long, early ball from Abby Gordon, that was not too heavy to be blown off the pitch, was collected by Gleason. She moved freely forward before unloading over the bar.
Moments later, VanZanten went wide.
Freshman Sydney Dulak sent Lyons free up the left side. On the turn she headed toward Meliker, and if not for a strong tackle by Hayley Livesay, the Ohio State-bound midfielder could have been 1-v-1 vs. the keeper.
This sequence appeared to inspire the visitors' attack. For the next 10 minutes, the Wildcats owned the majority of the play and possession as their confidence began to grow.
Dulak forced a save from Meliker, followed by a pair of corners. A shot from sophomore Cara Stratton was blocked and spilled free to Dulak whose one-timer went wide in the 22nd minute.
"They controlled play for a good portion of the game before Mimi's goal," said Chavez.
“Our backline did a terrific job all night and held firm. Our diamond defensive look, and our ability to stay organized when we shifted and moved as a group, was a big reason we kept them from getting really good looks on Meliker before we scored.”
Meliker did well to stay with whatever Libertyville put on frame. That was no easy task given the ferocity of the wind, which at times roared through the stadium and affected the movement of the ball.
While Stevenson kept its composure defensively, their guests’ back was equal to the task of keeping play and the ball in front of them, winning balls and quickly turning around to counter or play wide to Lauren Rocco, Lyons, or Gleason.
"We knew the wind could be a big advantage," said Gleason. “We also knew we couldn't play too direct, because the wind would just blow the ball to their keeper or over the touchline. We tried to play wide and hopefully send a few balls into their box.”
The tactic appeared to draw the Stevenson central defenders a little wider than they would have liked, but they diffused the situations as needed.
On the third of the home side’s three-consecutive deep throws, paydirt was struck.
Welter played quick across the top of the box to VanZanten, who went right, then left-right and finally back to her dominate left foot before firing toward a narrow opening at the back post where the ball deflected into the back of the net. Libertyville sophomore keeper Kate Hopma had no chance.
"Mimi is a great player. When she had just a little time, and space, she took full advantage of her opportunity," said Gleason.
Libertyville had a chance to draw even just after the break. Audrey Brua set-up an unmarked Dulak, whose effort at Meliker was not strong enough to challenge the Patriots keeper.
The big crowd roared its approval at any foray from either side.
Later, an outstanding opportunity presented itself to Stevenson, particularly VanZanten, when she stood over a 20-yard free kick.
The junior lashed her effort through the wall, but the quick reaction of Hopma allowed her to save with confidence in the 47th minute.
Minutes later, DePaz moved outside back Riley Brennan alongside Sally Grace Rogers to form the Wildcats central defense. They combined with Stella Bechtold and Audrey Brua, who held things down on the outside.
Chavez brought on Gabi Poretto to add some energy and fresh legs to the Stevenson attack. The freshman did that with some darting runs through the middle of the park and provided quality defending to help slow Libertyville, which was slowly throwing numbers forward as it went in search of the equalizer.
Dulak started a Wildcats counter that Gleason managed to continue with speed. She
raced up the right side before playing a wonderful ball back across to Dulak. The midfielder made a center channel run to the penalty spot and could have scored if not for an alert Ella Hong, who tracked back and over to defend bravely.
"I was so proud of the way we defended tonight as a team," began Chavez.
"Our movement from side-to-side, our ability to stay in our defensive diamond (all) of the time, (never) changing our formation."
Still, every defense needs some good fortune. Lyons delivered a lovely ball to the back post in the 67th minute, however there wasn't a single Libertyville white shirt in the picture.
Stevenson’s Ellie Egeland, who put two on frame earlier in the second half, directed one wide in the 70th minute.
DePaz kept just three in the back: Bechtold; Brennan and Brua. Rogers was the six to help inspire the Wildcats for the final 10 minutes. However, stingy Stevenson did not allow their league rival to seriously test Meliker, who earned the clean-sheet.
"This is a lot like last year when we lost (1-0) to Stevenson in the regular season, then came back to beat them in our sectional final. There's a very good chance that we'll see them in sectionals once again," said Gleason.
"We're going to do our best to get healthy before our regional opener next week, " added DePaz. “I know this game will help motivate all of the girls to work harder when we get back to training.”
Starting lineups
Libertyville (4-3-3)
G- Kate Hopma
D- Riley Brennan
D- Pru Babat
D- Sally Grace Rogers
D- Audrey Brua
M- Dakota Lyons
M- Jenna Krakowski
M- Sydney Dulak
F- Lauren Rocco
F- Avery Gleason
F- Abby Gordon
Stevenson (4-4-2)
G- Mandy Meliker
D- Bre Welter
D- Haylie Livesay
D- Hayley Popkey
D- Kaitlyn Hong
M- Ella Hong
M- Mimi VanZanten
M- Brynn Stein
M- Bella Chavez
F- Ellie Egeland
F- Arria Chavez
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match:
Bre Welter, jr., D, Stevenson
Referee
Marek Zavios
Scoring summary
First half
Stevenson: VanZanten (Welter) 27'
Second half
No scoring
Game statistics
Shot on
Libertyville: 10
Stevenson: 5
Shotts off
Libertyville: 5
Stevenson: 7
Corner kicks
Libertyville: 2
Stevenson: 3
Fouls
Libertyville: 7
Stevenson: 8
Offsides
Libertyville: 0
Stevenson: 0
Yellow cards
Libertyville: 2
Stevenson: 0
Wildcats drop 1-0 decision, finish 3rd in league standings
By Mike Garofola
LINCOLNSHIRE -- After thrilling draws played between Stevenson and Warren and one week later Warren and Libertyville, the final match-up between the North Suburban Conference’s Big 3 – Libertyville vs. Stevenson -- became the league’s most important match of the season.
Both sides did not disappoint before a raucous crowd. When the shrill of the referee's whistle signaled the end of the game, 12th-ranked Stevenson lifted the league trophy after a 1-0 victory over no. 9 Libertyville on a warm and blustery night.
Mimi VanZanten's curling effort from just outside the box, which went off a Wildcats player on the way into the back of the net, settled the 80-minute battle royale and gave the Patriots (14-1-1, 6-0-1) their second title in three seasons.
"The game kind of played out the way I thought it would. But the winds really changed how we had to play," said VanZanten, whose slick move gained enough time and space away from her mark to allow the junior to hit a quality shot in the 27th minute.
"Just a great goal from Mimi (especially) with it coming in the first half, and into that giant wind we were playing into," added junior Bre Welter, who earned Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match honors for her wonderful job of marking Libertyville senior Dakota Lyons, who is not only a magnet to the ball but also a dangerous midfielder on the left side. Her feverish energy, pace, and powerful left foot has helped create plenty of opportunities for her club this season.
"Dakota is so strong on the ball," said Welter. “She has such great speed. (It) was a tall order marking her all night. I knew it was important to do my best to limit her chances, and not allow her to serve balls in from the outside, create chances and put shots on goal at Mandy Meliker (the Stevenson keeper).
"You do not altogether stop Dakota, she is just too talented, but Bre did so well in keeping her from hurting us tonight. That was easily one of the keys to victory," said proud Patriots manager PepeJon Chavez.
"It was a very good game. We obviously did not get the result we came here for," said Libertyville manager Daniel DePaz. With the loss, Libertyville (13-3-2, 5-1-1) finished third in the table behind Warren, which ended the conference season at 5-0-2.
“We played well and managed the strong winds, but Mimi scoring that first half goal was big for them," said Wildcats star forward Avery Gleason, whose twin sister Paige was a late scratch in the midfield after suffering an injury during warmups. “I could have scored early which could have changed the momentum totally in our favor, but we had other chances that we just were not able to finish."
"We're a little banged up right now, but so are a lot of teams at this time of the season,” said DePaz. “It's not an excuse for this loss. (We) have a lot of depth on our roster, so we just had to count on others to step in and do their part.”
The opportunity Gleason spoke of came just minutes into the contest. A long, early ball from Abby Gordon, that was not too heavy to be blown off the pitch, was collected by Gleason. She moved freely forward before unloading over the bar.
Moments later, VanZanten went wide.
Freshman Sydney Dulak sent Lyons free up the left side. On the turn she headed toward Meliker, and if not for a strong tackle by Hayley Livesay, the Ohio State-bound midfielder could have been 1-v-1 vs. the keeper.
This sequence appeared to inspire the visitors' attack. For the next 10 minutes, the Wildcats owned the majority of the play and possession as their confidence began to grow.
Dulak forced a save from Meliker, followed by a pair of corners. A shot from sophomore Cara Stratton was blocked and spilled free to Dulak whose one-timer went wide in the 22nd minute.
"They controlled play for a good portion of the game before Mimi's goal," said Chavez.
“Our backline did a terrific job all night and held firm. Our diamond defensive look, and our ability to stay organized when we shifted and moved as a group, was a big reason we kept them from getting really good looks on Meliker before we scored.”
Meliker did well to stay with whatever Libertyville put on frame. That was no easy task given the ferocity of the wind, which at times roared through the stadium and affected the movement of the ball.
While Stevenson kept its composure defensively, their guests’ back was equal to the task of keeping play and the ball in front of them, winning balls and quickly turning around to counter or play wide to Lauren Rocco, Lyons, or Gleason.
"We knew the wind could be a big advantage," said Gleason. “We also knew we couldn't play too direct, because the wind would just blow the ball to their keeper or over the touchline. We tried to play wide and hopefully send a few balls into their box.”
The tactic appeared to draw the Stevenson central defenders a little wider than they would have liked, but they diffused the situations as needed.
On the third of the home side’s three-consecutive deep throws, paydirt was struck.
Welter played quick across the top of the box to VanZanten, who went right, then left-right and finally back to her dominate left foot before firing toward a narrow opening at the back post where the ball deflected into the back of the net. Libertyville sophomore keeper Kate Hopma had no chance.
"Mimi is a great player. When she had just a little time, and space, she took full advantage of her opportunity," said Gleason.
Libertyville had a chance to draw even just after the break. Audrey Brua set-up an unmarked Dulak, whose effort at Meliker was not strong enough to challenge the Patriots keeper.
The big crowd roared its approval at any foray from either side.
Later, an outstanding opportunity presented itself to Stevenson, particularly VanZanten, when she stood over a 20-yard free kick.
The junior lashed her effort through the wall, but the quick reaction of Hopma allowed her to save with confidence in the 47th minute.
Minutes later, DePaz moved outside back Riley Brennan alongside Sally Grace Rogers to form the Wildcats central defense. They combined with Stella Bechtold and Audrey Brua, who held things down on the outside.
Chavez brought on Gabi Poretto to add some energy and fresh legs to the Stevenson attack. The freshman did that with some darting runs through the middle of the park and provided quality defending to help slow Libertyville, which was slowly throwing numbers forward as it went in search of the equalizer.
Dulak started a Wildcats counter that Gleason managed to continue with speed. She
raced up the right side before playing a wonderful ball back across to Dulak. The midfielder made a center channel run to the penalty spot and could have scored if not for an alert Ella Hong, who tracked back and over to defend bravely.
"I was so proud of the way we defended tonight as a team," began Chavez.
"Our movement from side-to-side, our ability to stay in our defensive diamond (all) of the time, (never) changing our formation."
Still, every defense needs some good fortune. Lyons delivered a lovely ball to the back post in the 67th minute, however there wasn't a single Libertyville white shirt in the picture.
Stevenson’s Ellie Egeland, who put two on frame earlier in the second half, directed one wide in the 70th minute.
DePaz kept just three in the back: Bechtold; Brennan and Brua. Rogers was the six to help inspire the Wildcats for the final 10 minutes. However, stingy Stevenson did not allow their league rival to seriously test Meliker, who earned the clean-sheet.
"This is a lot like last year when we lost (1-0) to Stevenson in the regular season, then came back to beat them in our sectional final. There's a very good chance that we'll see them in sectionals once again," said Gleason.
"We're going to do our best to get healthy before our regional opener next week, " added DePaz. “I know this game will help motivate all of the girls to work harder when we get back to training.”
Starting lineups
Libertyville (4-3-3)
G- Kate Hopma
D- Riley Brennan
D- Pru Babat
D- Sally Grace Rogers
D- Audrey Brua
M- Dakota Lyons
M- Jenna Krakowski
M- Sydney Dulak
F- Lauren Rocco
F- Avery Gleason
F- Abby Gordon
Stevenson (4-4-2)
G- Mandy Meliker
D- Bre Welter
D- Haylie Livesay
D- Hayley Popkey
D- Kaitlyn Hong
M- Ella Hong
M- Mimi VanZanten
M- Brynn Stein
M- Bella Chavez
F- Ellie Egeland
F- Arria Chavez
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match:
Bre Welter, jr., D, Stevenson
Referee
Marek Zavios
Scoring summary
First half
Stevenson: VanZanten (Welter) 27'
Second half
No scoring
Game statistics
Shot on
Libertyville: 10
Stevenson: 5
Shotts off
Libertyville: 5
Stevenson: 7
Corner kicks
Libertyville: 2
Stevenson: 3
Fouls
Libertyville: 7
Stevenson: 8
Offsides
Libertyville: 0
Stevenson: 0
Yellow cards
Libertyville: 2
Stevenson: 0