Class of '21 leads WWS past Lake Park
Hadzic's double and assist pace Tigers to 3-0 DKC win
By Mike Garofola
WHEATON -- The lethal senior trio of Melisa Hadzic, Becca Hauenstein and Emma Showman proved far too much for a young side from Lake Park on Tuesday night at Red Grange Field. Host Wheaton Warrenville South recorded a well-deserved 3-0 victory.
Hadzic claimed her second-straight double with two first period strikes; Hauenstein sealed the victory five minutes from time; and Showman was a key figure in all three goals to help the Tigers go above .500 in the DuKane Conference for the first time this season.
"At the start of the year we had Melisa on the right side, but her move onto the left side has been good for both her and the team," said manager Guy Callipari of Hadzic, who netted two in the Tigers 4-1 road victory against Batavia last Saturday. “She's cutting inside more often using her speed and quickness to pry open the defense to create chances for herself and her teammates."
The visiting Lancers (1-5-1, 1-5-0) fresh off their first league victory against Glenbard North deployed a rather aggressive offsides trap right from the opening whistle.
It caused the Tigers fits and kept the assistant referee plenty busy during the first half hour.
"We didn't react or adjust well to their (trap). Plus their keeper (Emma Thorne) made a couple of great stops to keep us from scoring," said Hadzic, who along with Thorne shared Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match honors.
"We've been working on keeping a tight, compact (offsides) line since the beginning of the season," said Lancers manager Sean Crosby. “The defensive shape our back-four has been of high priority in what we do in training and in warm-ups.
"I felt like we started the match well organized, and forced a lot of offside calls. But after 30 minutes or so (they) recognized what we were doing and adjusted very well to it with better movement off the ball, and much more dangerous passes."
Hadzic spoiled the Lancers tactical plan at the quarter hour after Showman sent her through and in on Thorne in a 1-v-1 opportunity. She finished with a sublime touch inside the near post.
Thorne came to Lake Park’s rescue shortly after the Hadzic opener. She stopped a breakaway from Lauren Barnett and an angled close-range blast from Hauenstein off an attempt by Elise Farrell.
Barnett, a talented sophomore forward, suffered an injury to her right knee on the play that forced her out of action for the rest of the evening.
"(Their) keeper had a busy night, but she held up very well to help keep them in the game," said Callipari.
"Emma was huge in making some point-blank saves,” Crosby said. “(She) has been remarkable all season long 1-v-1 by making herself big and tall in those types of situations.
“She has been a terrific team player -- coming forward to play in goal for us when we needed someone. It really says a lot about her character, and desire to help her team."
Lake Park was pleased with how it came out.
"I thought we played a pretty good first half of soccer,” said Patty Lachowicz, one of four who wear the captains' armband for the Lancers. “We possessed and played the ball out on the wings. Defensively we dropped and covered in our own end and played the trap really well also."
The Lancers dealt with added adversity in the game.
"AnnMarie (Ahrens), who has done so well as our center midfielder and a player we ask each game to go box-to-box for us, was out on the lineup with an injury," said Crosby. “We moved some players around to fill the void, and I thought the girls did well detspite her absence.”
Hadzic would double the Tigers advantage when taken down in the box at 25 minutes. She steered in her spot-kick effortlessly.
With the hope of adding a third to put this contest of our reach, it was no surprise the home side started the second period out on its front foot.
Hadzic could have had her third of the night, if not for a brave point-blank save in the 45th minute. She came close two minutes with a strike that hit football crossbar.
Thorne came up with another save on a wicked smash from Caroline Kratz after Showman set her up.
"We didn't come out and play the second half as well as we did at the start of the game. We were defending a lot more until we finally settled down," said Lake Park sophomore Madi Mintrup, who impressed at the left outside spot along the backline with her tackling prowess and ability to distribute out of the back. She formed a nice partnership with Lachowiez on that side of the park.
"Most of the time I am out on the right side, but with AnnMarie out, coach moved me to the left side, and I thought Madi and I has some real nice chemistry together," said Lachowiez.
Wheaton Warrenville South owned 80 percent of the possession during the first 20 minutes of the half. The one-way traffic kept the Lancers its their end with some marvelous passing combinations from Hadzic, Hauenstein and Showman who tested the mettle of a young mix-and-match unit in the back.
"With AnnMarie out, we moved Gianna Kubica into the holding mid position, pushed Peyton (Sarubbi) from outside back to play alongside Lauren Malone, and also moved Francesca Cali down from outside mid to outside back,” Crosby said. “I really felt all of them played tremendously in adjusting to their new spots on the pitch."
Lake Park slowed, but could not stop, their hosts.
"Melisa, Becca and Emma were really putting some great through-balls for each other, and some of our other teammates (our) attack is getting better each time out," said junior Madigan Cadagin, who had a birds-eye view of the Tigers attack from her spot at central defender alongside Elise Farrell.
When the clock struck the hour, the home side was at it again. The Tigers produced a handful of clear-cut chances that could have led to the third goal if not for some strong tackling and more solid work by Thorne between the sticks.
Mia Taullahu came off the bench and had two quality chances on frame. Her best came when she ran onto a lovely early ball from Showman in the 67th minute.
The Lake Park offense came to life late in the contest as they looked to spoil the shutout bid of Eva Aimonette. Cecilia Defino, Lachowiez, Mintrup, and especially Anna Odisho looked to open up the Tigers in their own end.
Odisho took on three defenders before getting free long enough to have her attempt from just inside the box blocked in the 72nd minute. Next she tricked her way in-close and forced Cadigan and Farrell to parry the ball out of the area.
"Our backline has become more familiar with their individual roles, responsibility and one cohesive idea," said Callipari.
"Time together has taught them much regarding space, marking, cover and balance. It's not always perfect, but it's more consistent and continues to improve."
Exerting pressure and pace from the left side, Hadzic played an inch-perfect pass across to Hauenstein, whose one-timer exploded into the roof of the net to close out the scoring at 75 minutes.
"We've come a long way as a team since day one . Our backline has been improving with each game, and we have all settled into our roles and spots on the team," said Hadzic. “It's been really fun watching us grow as a team.”
Lake Park is enjoying its journey.
"This is a terrific bunch of girls to be around,” Crosby said. “They work hard and are like sponges in the way they soak up whatever we go over in training.
“Although our overall record is not what we'd like, the work rate, desire, and the way each girl supports the other is something we're all proud of."
Wheaton Warrenville South continues its busy schedule at Glenbard North on Thursday followed by a Saturday noon affair at home with St. Charles North. Lake Park hosts Geneva on Thursday and St. Charles East on Saturday afternoon.
Starting lineups
Lake Park (4-5-1)
G- Emma Thorne
D- Madi Mintrup
D- Peyton Sarubbi
D- Lauren Malone
D- Francesca Cali
M- Patty Lachowiez
M- Anna Odisho
M- Gianna Kubica
M- Melyssa Hernandez
M-Cecilia Defino
F- Alex Morgan
Wheaton Warrenville South (4-2-3-1)
G- Eva Aimonette
D- Laurin Cassin
D- Mallory Cadagin
D- Elise Farrell
D- Olivia Vassios
DM- Caroline Kratz
DM- Maddie Doherty
M- Melisa Hadzic
M- Emma Showman
M- Becca Hauenstein
F- Lauren Barnett
Chicagoland Soccer MVPs of the Match:
Melisa Hadzic, sr., F, Wheaton Warrenville South;
Emma Thorne, sr., GK, Lake Park
Scoring summary
First half
Wheaton Warrenville South: Hadzic (Showman) 15'
Wheaton Warrenville South: Hadzic (PK) 24'
Second half
Wheaton-Warrenville South: Hauenstein (Hadzic) 75'
Hadzic's double and assist pace Tigers to 3-0 DKC win
By Mike Garofola
WHEATON -- The lethal senior trio of Melisa Hadzic, Becca Hauenstein and Emma Showman proved far too much for a young side from Lake Park on Tuesday night at Red Grange Field. Host Wheaton Warrenville South recorded a well-deserved 3-0 victory.
Hadzic claimed her second-straight double with two first period strikes; Hauenstein sealed the victory five minutes from time; and Showman was a key figure in all three goals to help the Tigers go above .500 in the DuKane Conference for the first time this season.
"At the start of the year we had Melisa on the right side, but her move onto the left side has been good for both her and the team," said manager Guy Callipari of Hadzic, who netted two in the Tigers 4-1 road victory against Batavia last Saturday. “She's cutting inside more often using her speed and quickness to pry open the defense to create chances for herself and her teammates."
The visiting Lancers (1-5-1, 1-5-0) fresh off their first league victory against Glenbard North deployed a rather aggressive offsides trap right from the opening whistle.
It caused the Tigers fits and kept the assistant referee plenty busy during the first half hour.
"We didn't react or adjust well to their (trap). Plus their keeper (Emma Thorne) made a couple of great stops to keep us from scoring," said Hadzic, who along with Thorne shared Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match honors.
"We've been working on keeping a tight, compact (offsides) line since the beginning of the season," said Lancers manager Sean Crosby. “The defensive shape our back-four has been of high priority in what we do in training and in warm-ups.
"I felt like we started the match well organized, and forced a lot of offside calls. But after 30 minutes or so (they) recognized what we were doing and adjusted very well to it with better movement off the ball, and much more dangerous passes."
Hadzic spoiled the Lancers tactical plan at the quarter hour after Showman sent her through and in on Thorne in a 1-v-1 opportunity. She finished with a sublime touch inside the near post.
Thorne came to Lake Park’s rescue shortly after the Hadzic opener. She stopped a breakaway from Lauren Barnett and an angled close-range blast from Hauenstein off an attempt by Elise Farrell.
Barnett, a talented sophomore forward, suffered an injury to her right knee on the play that forced her out of action for the rest of the evening.
"(Their) keeper had a busy night, but she held up very well to help keep them in the game," said Callipari.
"Emma was huge in making some point-blank saves,” Crosby said. “(She) has been remarkable all season long 1-v-1 by making herself big and tall in those types of situations.
“She has been a terrific team player -- coming forward to play in goal for us when we needed someone. It really says a lot about her character, and desire to help her team."
Lake Park was pleased with how it came out.
"I thought we played a pretty good first half of soccer,” said Patty Lachowicz, one of four who wear the captains' armband for the Lancers. “We possessed and played the ball out on the wings. Defensively we dropped and covered in our own end and played the trap really well also."
The Lancers dealt with added adversity in the game.
"AnnMarie (Ahrens), who has done so well as our center midfielder and a player we ask each game to go box-to-box for us, was out on the lineup with an injury," said Crosby. “We moved some players around to fill the void, and I thought the girls did well detspite her absence.”
Hadzic would double the Tigers advantage when taken down in the box at 25 minutes. She steered in her spot-kick effortlessly.
With the hope of adding a third to put this contest of our reach, it was no surprise the home side started the second period out on its front foot.
Hadzic could have had her third of the night, if not for a brave point-blank save in the 45th minute. She came close two minutes with a strike that hit football crossbar.
Thorne came up with another save on a wicked smash from Caroline Kratz after Showman set her up.
"We didn't come out and play the second half as well as we did at the start of the game. We were defending a lot more until we finally settled down," said Lake Park sophomore Madi Mintrup, who impressed at the left outside spot along the backline with her tackling prowess and ability to distribute out of the back. She formed a nice partnership with Lachowiez on that side of the park.
"Most of the time I am out on the right side, but with AnnMarie out, coach moved me to the left side, and I thought Madi and I has some real nice chemistry together," said Lachowiez.
Wheaton Warrenville South owned 80 percent of the possession during the first 20 minutes of the half. The one-way traffic kept the Lancers its their end with some marvelous passing combinations from Hadzic, Hauenstein and Showman who tested the mettle of a young mix-and-match unit in the back.
"With AnnMarie out, we moved Gianna Kubica into the holding mid position, pushed Peyton (Sarubbi) from outside back to play alongside Lauren Malone, and also moved Francesca Cali down from outside mid to outside back,” Crosby said. “I really felt all of them played tremendously in adjusting to their new spots on the pitch."
Lake Park slowed, but could not stop, their hosts.
"Melisa, Becca and Emma were really putting some great through-balls for each other, and some of our other teammates (our) attack is getting better each time out," said junior Madigan Cadagin, who had a birds-eye view of the Tigers attack from her spot at central defender alongside Elise Farrell.
When the clock struck the hour, the home side was at it again. The Tigers produced a handful of clear-cut chances that could have led to the third goal if not for some strong tackling and more solid work by Thorne between the sticks.
Mia Taullahu came off the bench and had two quality chances on frame. Her best came when she ran onto a lovely early ball from Showman in the 67th minute.
The Lake Park offense came to life late in the contest as they looked to spoil the shutout bid of Eva Aimonette. Cecilia Defino, Lachowiez, Mintrup, and especially Anna Odisho looked to open up the Tigers in their own end.
Odisho took on three defenders before getting free long enough to have her attempt from just inside the box blocked in the 72nd minute. Next she tricked her way in-close and forced Cadigan and Farrell to parry the ball out of the area.
"Our backline has become more familiar with their individual roles, responsibility and one cohesive idea," said Callipari.
"Time together has taught them much regarding space, marking, cover and balance. It's not always perfect, but it's more consistent and continues to improve."
Exerting pressure and pace from the left side, Hadzic played an inch-perfect pass across to Hauenstein, whose one-timer exploded into the roof of the net to close out the scoring at 75 minutes.
"We've come a long way as a team since day one . Our backline has been improving with each game, and we have all settled into our roles and spots on the team," said Hadzic. “It's been really fun watching us grow as a team.”
Lake Park is enjoying its journey.
"This is a terrific bunch of girls to be around,” Crosby said. “They work hard and are like sponges in the way they soak up whatever we go over in training.
“Although our overall record is not what we'd like, the work rate, desire, and the way each girl supports the other is something we're all proud of."
Wheaton Warrenville South continues its busy schedule at Glenbard North on Thursday followed by a Saturday noon affair at home with St. Charles North. Lake Park hosts Geneva on Thursday and St. Charles East on Saturday afternoon.
Starting lineups
Lake Park (4-5-1)
G- Emma Thorne
D- Madi Mintrup
D- Peyton Sarubbi
D- Lauren Malone
D- Francesca Cali
M- Patty Lachowiez
M- Anna Odisho
M- Gianna Kubica
M- Melyssa Hernandez
M-Cecilia Defino
F- Alex Morgan
Wheaton Warrenville South (4-2-3-1)
G- Eva Aimonette
D- Laurin Cassin
D- Mallory Cadagin
D- Elise Farrell
D- Olivia Vassios
DM- Caroline Kratz
DM- Maddie Doherty
M- Melisa Hadzic
M- Emma Showman
M- Becca Hauenstein
F- Lauren Barnett
Chicagoland Soccer MVPs of the Match:
Melisa Hadzic, sr., F, Wheaton Warrenville South;
Emma Thorne, sr., GK, Lake Park
Scoring summary
First half
Wheaton Warrenville South: Hadzic (Showman) 15'
Wheaton Warrenville South: Hadzic (PK) 24'
Second half
Wheaton-Warrenville South: Hauenstein (Hadzic) 75'