2-way threat Ramirez keys
Lane victory over Loyola
Defender's assist leads no. 16 Lane to 1-0 win over no. 6 Loyola
By Patrick Z. McGavin
CHICAGO -- The weather here was truly Shakespearean, like something out of “Macbeth” or “King Lear.”
Call it the Ides of March, freakish sub-freezing temperatures and blustering wind.
During one break in the action, Loyola keeper Ellie Bradley came to the sidelines and said: “I can’t feel my legs.”
The showdown of two of the state’s top teams was both testimonial and a show of pure grit and determination.
“Nobody could feel their legs, but we didn’t let that push us down or anything,” Lane defender Jocelyn Ramirez said.
“We still kept going.”
Lane star and Chicagoland Soccer all-stater Scout Murray had a nasty red turf burn on her lower right leg. She played through it.
The collective framework made for a vivid and tense game. The individual battles took it to another level.
In the end, that wind underscored the subtle difference in the game. Lane utilized it, and Loyola could not.
Ramirez’s beautiful assist in the 46th minute gave no. 16 Lane the historic 1-0 victory over the sixth-ranked Ramblers on Saturday afternoon.
Ramirez played the weather perfectly, using elevation that handcuffed Bradley.
Lane forward Gabriela Pop got behind Bradley and finished for the game-winner.
Lane (2-0-0) defeated Loyola for the first time in program history.
The two programs played to a scoreless draw in 2019. That was the only other time the result ended in something other than a Loyola victory.
“It’s a very big win,” Lane coach Michelle Vale said.
“We know when we play Loyola, we are in for a fight. We were looking forward to this game as an opportunity to see how much further we need to go.”
Coming off a loss in the 80th-minute against no. 9 Evanston Wednesday, Loyola remained cursed by off-timing and bad luck.
The Ramblers (2-2-1) had an edge in possession, free kicks and corner kicks.
With Ramirez keying an excellent Lane backline aided by junior keeper Siena Belko’s seven saves, Loyola was frequently threatening though ultimately stymied.
“It sucked we could not put one in the back of the net,” said Loyola midfielder and all-stater Kaitlyn Kurtz.
“I should have been there, or curved my runs better. I was just not on the end of any of these.
“We were close.”
The early game within the game featured Murray -- one of the state’s elite scorers -- against Loyola’s ace stopper Molly Sipe.
Sipe was hurt in a collision with Murray in the 20th minute, and was not able to return.
“It was very physical, and I appreciate that kind of game,” Murray said. “There was no trash talk, or anything. Everybody was working hard, and I am sorry Molly got injured.”
Having the wind at the start, Loyola had the early edge, generating several enticing opportunities with corner specialist Emily Pikarski.
Lane dodged several bullets, with some sharp stops by Belko and Ramirez playing her typically tactical and heady game.
The Loyola defense was also stellar with Sipe and center back Eva Pattison.
Pattison stripped Murray of the ball in denying a dangerous chance.
Kurtz and Sipe make up a deep and highly skilled senior class whose time corresponds with when coach Shannon Hartinger took over the program their freshmen year.
Forwards Grace Ehlert, also an all-stater, and Kathryn Diblik, Ella Grace Conley, midfielder Isabella Guzman and defender Maya Basan have been a constant presence the last four years.
“We all just want to finish our careers really strong,” Kurtz said. “Molly, Kate, Grace and Maya and the other seniors, we want to do this together.
“We have each other’s backs, and we just need to prove it. We have been playing with each other since our freshmen year, and that has helped a lot. We know how each other plays, and what we want to do out there.”
Kurtz and Ehlert created a lot of pressure on the edge. Seemingly, every time Loyola got deep into the Lane end, Ramirez was there to flummox the Ramblers’ last touch.
Lane held together.
Like Murray, Ramirez is a centerpiece and savvy veteran with four years of varsity experience.
As a freshman, she scored a goal in Lane’s city title victory over Young.
Her shot creativity and ability to play balls deep into the box is a crucial part of the Lane attack.
Her two-way game swung the tide. She earned the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match for her superb play.
Ramirez said Lane had a surge in confidence after getting through the first half enduring Loyola’s assaultive style and set pieces without giving up a goal.
“The wind was against us in the first half, and that motivated us even more and got us to play harder,” Ramirez said.
“We didn’t let the wind play against us.”
Going against the wind in the first half, Lane was more situational with a couple of decent looks. The best scoring chance came on a ball from Maya Martinez-Bates that went over the top.
Having that wind at their back, Lane pushed greater numbers forward. Early in the second half, Ramirez got inside the midfield and blasted a ball that achieved the perfect blend of height and speed for the Lane runners to connect with.
“Honestly, I was a little surprised,” Ramirez said. “I was actually aiming more for the corner. Once the ball got up there, I was really excited and everybody pushed forward.”
Pop scored her first goal of the year.
Players like Ramirez and Murray also achieved a crucial psychological edge going up against the Ramblers.
Loyola won last year’s game by a convincing 3-0 score.
“Once we realized we could play with them, everybody picked up and started playing really hard,” Murray said.
Murray scored 29 goals last year. She is a lethal open-field player with great shot-making prowess.
She is a natural leader. Murray said others have followed in her path.
“I think we are working really hard at practices,” Murray said. “Everybody is a leader. Even if you’re not a captain, everybody is still leading, no matter what.
“Everybody is close. We are all friends, and we all get along.”
Loyola regrouped following the goal. Despite playing into the wind, the Ramblers had several solid chances in the second half.
Forward Ella Couri had a couple of solid headers off crosses by Diblik that nearly delivered for the Ramblers.
Kurtz also had a solid chance in the 63rd minute that just pushed wide left.
Loyola has played a monster schedule the first two weeks, going up against the city’s best in Lane, Young and Payton in addition to Evanston.
Kurtz said the early results are not going to negatively impact their performance or outlook.
“These games are going to pay off for us,” Kurtz said. “We have our heads up.
“Yes, we know we lost, but we also know we have a next game.”
Lane has posted two statement opening victories over Saint Viator -- third in Class AA last year -- and now the Ramblers.
“When it comes to suburban teams, we try our hardest,” Ramirez said.
“We try our best.”
No team ever won a state championship in March. Loyola remains an elite team.
Lane had to dig for everything, and they did just enough to keep the Ramblers at bay.
It remains early -- for all teams.
“We are going to go very far, however far we can,” Kurtz said.
“It is going to come for us eventually.”
Starting lineups
Loyola
GK: Ellie Bradley
D: Emily Pikarski
D: Eva Pattison
D: Ellianna Seeley
D: Molly Sipe
MF: Kaitlyn Kurtz
MF: Maria Nikas
MF: Lauren Couri
MF: Tess O’Bryan
F: Grace Ehlert
F: Kathryn Diblik
Lane
GK: Siena Belko
D: Jocelyn Ramirez
D: Maya Warkentin
D: Olivia Schmit
D: Sawyer Mills
MF: Dale Sink
MF: Krstiyanan Sevona
MF: Maya Martinez-Bates
MF: Scout Murray
F: Mary Rau
F: Gabriela Pop
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Jocelyn Ramirez, sr., D, Lane
Scoring summary
First half
No scoring
Second half
Lane—Gabriela Pop (Jocelyn Ramirez), 46th minute
Lane victory over Loyola
Defender's assist leads no. 16 Lane to 1-0 win over no. 6 Loyola
By Patrick Z. McGavin
CHICAGO -- The weather here was truly Shakespearean, like something out of “Macbeth” or “King Lear.”
Call it the Ides of March, freakish sub-freezing temperatures and blustering wind.
During one break in the action, Loyola keeper Ellie Bradley came to the sidelines and said: “I can’t feel my legs.”
The showdown of two of the state’s top teams was both testimonial and a show of pure grit and determination.
“Nobody could feel their legs, but we didn’t let that push us down or anything,” Lane defender Jocelyn Ramirez said.
“We still kept going.”
Lane star and Chicagoland Soccer all-stater Scout Murray had a nasty red turf burn on her lower right leg. She played through it.
The collective framework made for a vivid and tense game. The individual battles took it to another level.
In the end, that wind underscored the subtle difference in the game. Lane utilized it, and Loyola could not.
Ramirez’s beautiful assist in the 46th minute gave no. 16 Lane the historic 1-0 victory over the sixth-ranked Ramblers on Saturday afternoon.
Ramirez played the weather perfectly, using elevation that handcuffed Bradley.
Lane forward Gabriela Pop got behind Bradley and finished for the game-winner.
Lane (2-0-0) defeated Loyola for the first time in program history.
The two programs played to a scoreless draw in 2019. That was the only other time the result ended in something other than a Loyola victory.
“It’s a very big win,” Lane coach Michelle Vale said.
“We know when we play Loyola, we are in for a fight. We were looking forward to this game as an opportunity to see how much further we need to go.”
Coming off a loss in the 80th-minute against no. 9 Evanston Wednesday, Loyola remained cursed by off-timing and bad luck.
The Ramblers (2-2-1) had an edge in possession, free kicks and corner kicks.
With Ramirez keying an excellent Lane backline aided by junior keeper Siena Belko’s seven saves, Loyola was frequently threatening though ultimately stymied.
“It sucked we could not put one in the back of the net,” said Loyola midfielder and all-stater Kaitlyn Kurtz.
“I should have been there, or curved my runs better. I was just not on the end of any of these.
“We were close.”
The early game within the game featured Murray -- one of the state’s elite scorers -- against Loyola’s ace stopper Molly Sipe.
Sipe was hurt in a collision with Murray in the 20th minute, and was not able to return.
“It was very physical, and I appreciate that kind of game,” Murray said. “There was no trash talk, or anything. Everybody was working hard, and I am sorry Molly got injured.”
Having the wind at the start, Loyola had the early edge, generating several enticing opportunities with corner specialist Emily Pikarski.
Lane dodged several bullets, with some sharp stops by Belko and Ramirez playing her typically tactical and heady game.
The Loyola defense was also stellar with Sipe and center back Eva Pattison.
Pattison stripped Murray of the ball in denying a dangerous chance.
Kurtz and Sipe make up a deep and highly skilled senior class whose time corresponds with when coach Shannon Hartinger took over the program their freshmen year.
Forwards Grace Ehlert, also an all-stater, and Kathryn Diblik, Ella Grace Conley, midfielder Isabella Guzman and defender Maya Basan have been a constant presence the last four years.
“We all just want to finish our careers really strong,” Kurtz said. “Molly, Kate, Grace and Maya and the other seniors, we want to do this together.
“We have each other’s backs, and we just need to prove it. We have been playing with each other since our freshmen year, and that has helped a lot. We know how each other plays, and what we want to do out there.”
Kurtz and Ehlert created a lot of pressure on the edge. Seemingly, every time Loyola got deep into the Lane end, Ramirez was there to flummox the Ramblers’ last touch.
Lane held together.
Like Murray, Ramirez is a centerpiece and savvy veteran with four years of varsity experience.
As a freshman, she scored a goal in Lane’s city title victory over Young.
Her shot creativity and ability to play balls deep into the box is a crucial part of the Lane attack.
Her two-way game swung the tide. She earned the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match for her superb play.
Ramirez said Lane had a surge in confidence after getting through the first half enduring Loyola’s assaultive style and set pieces without giving up a goal.
“The wind was against us in the first half, and that motivated us even more and got us to play harder,” Ramirez said.
“We didn’t let the wind play against us.”
Going against the wind in the first half, Lane was more situational with a couple of decent looks. The best scoring chance came on a ball from Maya Martinez-Bates that went over the top.
Having that wind at their back, Lane pushed greater numbers forward. Early in the second half, Ramirez got inside the midfield and blasted a ball that achieved the perfect blend of height and speed for the Lane runners to connect with.
“Honestly, I was a little surprised,” Ramirez said. “I was actually aiming more for the corner. Once the ball got up there, I was really excited and everybody pushed forward.”
Pop scored her first goal of the year.
Players like Ramirez and Murray also achieved a crucial psychological edge going up against the Ramblers.
Loyola won last year’s game by a convincing 3-0 score.
“Once we realized we could play with them, everybody picked up and started playing really hard,” Murray said.
Murray scored 29 goals last year. She is a lethal open-field player with great shot-making prowess.
She is a natural leader. Murray said others have followed in her path.
“I think we are working really hard at practices,” Murray said. “Everybody is a leader. Even if you’re not a captain, everybody is still leading, no matter what.
“Everybody is close. We are all friends, and we all get along.”
Loyola regrouped following the goal. Despite playing into the wind, the Ramblers had several solid chances in the second half.
Forward Ella Couri had a couple of solid headers off crosses by Diblik that nearly delivered for the Ramblers.
Kurtz also had a solid chance in the 63rd minute that just pushed wide left.
Loyola has played a monster schedule the first two weeks, going up against the city’s best in Lane, Young and Payton in addition to Evanston.
Kurtz said the early results are not going to negatively impact their performance or outlook.
“These games are going to pay off for us,” Kurtz said. “We have our heads up.
“Yes, we know we lost, but we also know we have a next game.”
Lane has posted two statement opening victories over Saint Viator -- third in Class AA last year -- and now the Ramblers.
“When it comes to suburban teams, we try our hardest,” Ramirez said.
“We try our best.”
No team ever won a state championship in March. Loyola remains an elite team.
Lane had to dig for everything, and they did just enough to keep the Ramblers at bay.
It remains early -- for all teams.
“We are going to go very far, however far we can,” Kurtz said.
“It is going to come for us eventually.”
Starting lineups
Loyola
GK: Ellie Bradley
D: Emily Pikarski
D: Eva Pattison
D: Ellianna Seeley
D: Molly Sipe
MF: Kaitlyn Kurtz
MF: Maria Nikas
MF: Lauren Couri
MF: Tess O’Bryan
F: Grace Ehlert
F: Kathryn Diblik
Lane
GK: Siena Belko
D: Jocelyn Ramirez
D: Maya Warkentin
D: Olivia Schmit
D: Sawyer Mills
MF: Dale Sink
MF: Krstiyanan Sevona
MF: Maya Martinez-Bates
MF: Scout Murray
F: Mary Rau
F: Gabriela Pop
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Jocelyn Ramirez, sr., D, Lane
Scoring summary
First half
No scoring
Second half
Lane—Gabriela Pop (Jocelyn Ramirez), 46th minute