NT's Weaver slices Lyons out of Malnati's
Brilliant strike leads Trevians to 2-1 2 OT semifinal win
By Mike Garofola
NORTHFIELD -- At last, New Trier has its chance to touch the Lou Malnati's Deep Dish Classic championship trophy.
With an moment of brilliance, Emma Weaver scored a spectacular long-range masterpiece and sent the Trevians into the final for the first time.
With its 2-1 overtime victory, the Trevians earned the right to Stevenson at 7 p.m. Monday on their home pitch in Northfield.
"I guess I like to take a lot of those types of shots," was about all Weaver would say about her stunning 17th goal of the season.
"It was such an amazing goal," began Trevians goakleeper Meghan Dwyer, who had a birds-eye view of happenings on the other side of Robert Naughton Field
"At first I thought (Emma) was crossing the ball to the back post, but I knew better than that. Because everything she does always has a purpose, and that's what makes her such a great player."
As the ball hit the inside corner of the back netting, a quick glance at the New Trier bench to view the reaction of her teamates found no one there.
Instead everyone was on the touchline wildly cheering Weaver's 95th-minute strike to send a dagger into the heart of Lyons, which saw its hopes to play in the final dashed after playing 100 minutes of remarkable soccer.
There are no prizes for guessing what surprises Weaver has in store. But they are sure to come and she has been nothing short of brilliant during the week of play at the third annual pizza tournament.
The junior bagged the lone goal in the Trevians' victory over Lane to open pool play a week ago. Then Thursday Weaver scored all three in a 3-1 win over St. Francis to book its place in the semifinals against Lyons, which won Group C with a perfect 3-0-0 record.
"We played about as well as we could have, but were done in by just an unbelievable goal. That's soccer," said Bill Lanspeary, Lyons manager who is now in his 12th year in charge.
"It's kind of been what LT team will show up for us. Thus far when we show up to play, we are very good. When we don't, it's been a bit of a struggle.
"But today we came to play and did just about everything but get the result we had hoped for."
Lyons attacked with enthusiasm, up to, and after the opener from Lily Conley at 12 minutes. The Lions showed their intent against a stingy a defensive-minded Trevians club which entered this contest with just nine goals conceded in 14 matches played.
"I thought we came out and played some real good attacking soccer, Ava (Dallavo) was dangerous all day," Lanspeary said. "Meara (Hilling), Lily Mattern, (Eileen) Murphy, created a lot for us out of the midfield, and so many others helped us play the type of soccer I know we're capable of."
"It was our best overall effort of the season thus far," stated senior Bre Stirrat, who was terrific along the Lyons backline in front of keeper Sophie Grabis, who again turned in a strong performance between the sticks for her club.
As it always seems in this sport, quality of play and having the ball more than your opponent does not always translate to the end result, and Lyons' strong opening play saw the visitors suddenly chasing the home side.
Conley was the recipient of some terrific work ahead of her goal when a lovely ball over the top from Ava Shah was brought down by Weaver.
Weaver then charged forward to get to the endline and whippe an inch perfect cross to an unmarked Conley, who drove in her one-timer from eight yards past a helpless Grabis.
"Lily does so many of the little things each and every game from her spot in the midfield," said Trevians manager Jim Burnside. "We've really come to count on her for just about everything."
The Conley opener inspired the Trevians to turn up the pressure with the hope of finding another one and to keep Lyons from finding its way to the equalizer.
If the home side wasn't doubling the ball as a unit, they executed some well-played zone defending and always appeared to have a tight, diamond-shaped bunch surrounding the player with the ball to seal off passing lanes.
"Again, as she has in the past few games, Heidi Bianucci has led the way along our backline," began Burnside. "And today, there was plenty of help for her.
"Ava (Shah) was a real workhorse out there, as was Kate Sawdey, who turned in one of her most complete games ... being the type of disruptive nuasance you need to have against such an athletic and talented opponent."
Maggie Gifford latched onto a pass from Weaver after her run up the center channel and forced Grabis into action near the half hour. That was followed by a pair of deep throws by the Trevians and a corner, all of which were defended smartly by Stirrat and her mates.
Lyons found some life nearing the intermission when something from nothing earned Dallavo a chance on frame at 31 minutes.
The aforementioned Murphy shed a pair of Trevians, then waited with patience before sending Dallavo through on the right side.
If not for a sharp tackle from Julia Goldish, the effervescent young Lyons forward would have been 1-v.-1 with Dwyer.
"We were really strong during the last 10 minutes or so of the first and second halves," said Mattern. "Our possession was good, we moved the ball around quickly and kept the pressure on them each time."
The visitors continued to pry open the Trevians in their end with some quick passing and use of width, all with a build-up that saw five or six players have a touch during these exchanges.
Izzy Alvarado and Dallavo helped create a deep throw, then a corner, in which saw Dallavo's serve found Linnea Nelson-Sandall on the end for a shot at Dwyer.
The Lyons faithful and the bench hoped the referee would be a generous soul when Murphy went down in the box while defended by Goldish after Grace Truax and Dallavo sent her there. But the man in the center correctly ruled against their wishes.
"(We) kept New Trier on its heels in the later part of the first half," said Stirrat. "We came out of the break and played with the same intensity and continued to for most of the second half."
The Lions' Sawdey went close at 44 minutes, then Tess Grzegorek on the turn sent her attempt straight at Dwyer following a corner.
Then it was Weaver's turn to go close after the junior collected a long punt from Dwyer, burst forward and then earned the Trevians a corner.
The ensuing serve from Weaver required Murphy to elevate and clear a dangerous ball from out of the six-yard box.
Moments later Dwyer made perhaps her best save on the day, but it may have been overlooked by some because of how clean the senior was in her effort.
This opportunity by the visitors came after a sublime early ball from Elaina Simms set Colleen Kulinski free to the endline.
Once there, the junior delivered what looked like a deadly low cross through the box. Thanks to the long reach of Dwyer, who appeared to have elastic arms in order to collect and hold onto the ball with the stickiest of goalie gloves, the score did not change.
"Such a big stop from Meghan," began Burnside. "(She) lets that one slip through her, then the one or two players at the back post have a chance to put that one in on us."
It was near the hour that more urgency set in for both clubs, though each had a different goal.
Lyons wanted to get back level, while the Trevians (9-0-5) looked to double their advantage to likely insure victory in regulation.
New Trier's Mia Sedgewick had the first chance to do so by sending a wicked 30-yard effort on frame that Grabis smartly saved.
Weaver would gather up an interception and carried across the top of the box before hitting a well-paced, heavy strike that resulted in a corner.
Once again, as they had all throughout, the Lyons backline of Stirrat, Mattern, Truax and Lizzy Vear defended another Trevians corner to keep their club in the match.
Disaster nearly struck for the visitors during a dangerous sequence of events which started when Weaver turned the corner when tricked her way past a defender.
Now in close, the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match for New Trier drove her close-range shot directly at Grabis, who saved valiantly.
Fallon Warshauer kept the rebound in the box alive, which allowed Sedgwick to smash a powerful 20-yard cracker that smacked the woodwork.
"Mia was terrific for us today, on both sides of the ball. Twice she was a little unlucky on those shots she put on frame," said Burnside.
Undaunted, the visitors came back to find the equalizer.
It would be the dynamic duo of Dallavo and Mattern, who so richly deserved to be a part of the Lyons' lone goal after their nonstop work, to combine six minutes from time to send the game to overtime.
"It took me awhile to adjust to playing in the midfield from my spot as an outside back," said Mattern with a big smile. "I had to adjust the mindset from defending to attacking. Ava gave me such a great ball; there was no way I could miss that shot."
"(So) much fight and heart to battle back to get even,," said a proud Lanspeary. "I really felt we deserved to get to overtime after such a terrific effort from all of the girls."
Once there, Dallavo went wide, as did Weaver, while the New Trier benched argued, to no avail, that Weaver was fouled inside the box in the 88th minute.
Lyons displayed some first-rate passing and possession early into the second extra session with Murphy, Dallavo and Hilling at the heart of a chance from Alvarado which Dwyer smothered.
Sixty seconds later, Weaver unloaded her unstoppable, curling shot into the upper right corner.
"When it left Emma's foot, I actually knew it was going to go in because we've seen what she can do," beamed Burnside. "(But) it was still a shock when it did."
Lyons needed not hang its head.
"We battled, fought, and played our best against one of the best," said Stirrat. "In the end, it really was an incredible shot shot that beat us," admitted Stirrat.
"Up until today, we had led in each game we played, and never had to chase the lead. I really felt like we showed a lot by doing so, which is something that's going to help us later on."
Added Lanspeary: "We had a great run at a fantastic tournament."
"There's nothing for us to feel bad about, because we played very well against some really quality opponents this week and proved to ourselves we're right there with everyone else."
The Lions will host West Suburban League Silver Division rival Oak Park and River Forest on Tuesday before beginning pool play at yet another high-profile tournament when they meet Oswego East in their first contest of the Naperville Invitational.
Following the Thursday night match, Lanspeary's club takes on Naperville North, who lost in kicks to Stevenson in its Malnati's semifinal Saturday.
New Trier moves on for a chance at a tournament trophy it has coveted.
"It was a great game, really an entertaining, well played, back-and-forth game, which obviously I am thrilled to have won," said Burnside.
"As you could see, we're still sorting it out, moving players here and there in order to put them in the best place possible for them to succeed. But all this week, we've taken a nice step forward."
After its championship match with Stevenson, the Trevians embark on another busy week of soccer. It includes their pool play opener against Downers Grove South on Wednesday to start their defense of their championship in the 2018 Naperville Invitational.
Prior to that, New Trier will host Niles West in a Central Suburban League South Division game Tuesday.
Starting lineups
Lyons (4-3-3)
G- Sophie Grabis
D- Lizzy Vear
D- Lily Mattern
D- Bri Stirrat
D- Grace Truax
M- Linnea Nelson-Sandall
M- Eileen Murphy
M- Meara Hilling
F- Ava Dallavo
F- Tess Grzegorek
F- Izzy Alvardo
New Trier (4-4-2)
G- Meghan Dwyer
D- Jenna Birdsell
D- Heidi Bianucci
D- Josie Crumley
D- Ava Shah
M- Josie Goldish
M- Lily Conley
M- Fallon Warshauer
M- Kate Sawdey
F- Alex Wirth
F- Emma Weaver
Chicagoland Soccer MVPs of the Match: Emma Weaver, jr., MF/F, New Trier
Ava Dallavo, so., F, Lyons
Referee: Rick Geati
Scoring summary
First half
New Trier: Conley (Weaver, Shah) 12'
Second half
Lyons: Mattern (Dallavo) 74'
First overtime
No scoring
Second overtime
New Trier: Weaver (U/A) 95'
Brilliant strike leads Trevians to 2-1 2 OT semifinal win
By Mike Garofola
NORTHFIELD -- At last, New Trier has its chance to touch the Lou Malnati's Deep Dish Classic championship trophy.
With an moment of brilliance, Emma Weaver scored a spectacular long-range masterpiece and sent the Trevians into the final for the first time.
With its 2-1 overtime victory, the Trevians earned the right to Stevenson at 7 p.m. Monday on their home pitch in Northfield.
"I guess I like to take a lot of those types of shots," was about all Weaver would say about her stunning 17th goal of the season.
"It was such an amazing goal," began Trevians goakleeper Meghan Dwyer, who had a birds-eye view of happenings on the other side of Robert Naughton Field
"At first I thought (Emma) was crossing the ball to the back post, but I knew better than that. Because everything she does always has a purpose, and that's what makes her such a great player."
As the ball hit the inside corner of the back netting, a quick glance at the New Trier bench to view the reaction of her teamates found no one there.
Instead everyone was on the touchline wildly cheering Weaver's 95th-minute strike to send a dagger into the heart of Lyons, which saw its hopes to play in the final dashed after playing 100 minutes of remarkable soccer.
There are no prizes for guessing what surprises Weaver has in store. But they are sure to come and she has been nothing short of brilliant during the week of play at the third annual pizza tournament.
The junior bagged the lone goal in the Trevians' victory over Lane to open pool play a week ago. Then Thursday Weaver scored all three in a 3-1 win over St. Francis to book its place in the semifinals against Lyons, which won Group C with a perfect 3-0-0 record.
"We played about as well as we could have, but were done in by just an unbelievable goal. That's soccer," said Bill Lanspeary, Lyons manager who is now in his 12th year in charge.
"It's kind of been what LT team will show up for us. Thus far when we show up to play, we are very good. When we don't, it's been a bit of a struggle.
"But today we came to play and did just about everything but get the result we had hoped for."
Lyons attacked with enthusiasm, up to, and after the opener from Lily Conley at 12 minutes. The Lions showed their intent against a stingy a defensive-minded Trevians club which entered this contest with just nine goals conceded in 14 matches played.
"I thought we came out and played some real good attacking soccer, Ava (Dallavo) was dangerous all day," Lanspeary said. "Meara (Hilling), Lily Mattern, (Eileen) Murphy, created a lot for us out of the midfield, and so many others helped us play the type of soccer I know we're capable of."
"It was our best overall effort of the season thus far," stated senior Bre Stirrat, who was terrific along the Lyons backline in front of keeper Sophie Grabis, who again turned in a strong performance between the sticks for her club.
As it always seems in this sport, quality of play and having the ball more than your opponent does not always translate to the end result, and Lyons' strong opening play saw the visitors suddenly chasing the home side.
Conley was the recipient of some terrific work ahead of her goal when a lovely ball over the top from Ava Shah was brought down by Weaver.
Weaver then charged forward to get to the endline and whippe an inch perfect cross to an unmarked Conley, who drove in her one-timer from eight yards past a helpless Grabis.
"Lily does so many of the little things each and every game from her spot in the midfield," said Trevians manager Jim Burnside. "We've really come to count on her for just about everything."
The Conley opener inspired the Trevians to turn up the pressure with the hope of finding another one and to keep Lyons from finding its way to the equalizer.
If the home side wasn't doubling the ball as a unit, they executed some well-played zone defending and always appeared to have a tight, diamond-shaped bunch surrounding the player with the ball to seal off passing lanes.
"Again, as she has in the past few games, Heidi Bianucci has led the way along our backline," began Burnside. "And today, there was plenty of help for her.
"Ava (Shah) was a real workhorse out there, as was Kate Sawdey, who turned in one of her most complete games ... being the type of disruptive nuasance you need to have against such an athletic and talented opponent."
Maggie Gifford latched onto a pass from Weaver after her run up the center channel and forced Grabis into action near the half hour. That was followed by a pair of deep throws by the Trevians and a corner, all of which were defended smartly by Stirrat and her mates.
Lyons found some life nearing the intermission when something from nothing earned Dallavo a chance on frame at 31 minutes.
The aforementioned Murphy shed a pair of Trevians, then waited with patience before sending Dallavo through on the right side.
If not for a sharp tackle from Julia Goldish, the effervescent young Lyons forward would have been 1-v.-1 with Dwyer.
"We were really strong during the last 10 minutes or so of the first and second halves," said Mattern. "Our possession was good, we moved the ball around quickly and kept the pressure on them each time."
The visitors continued to pry open the Trevians in their end with some quick passing and use of width, all with a build-up that saw five or six players have a touch during these exchanges.
Izzy Alvarado and Dallavo helped create a deep throw, then a corner, in which saw Dallavo's serve found Linnea Nelson-Sandall on the end for a shot at Dwyer.
The Lyons faithful and the bench hoped the referee would be a generous soul when Murphy went down in the box while defended by Goldish after Grace Truax and Dallavo sent her there. But the man in the center correctly ruled against their wishes.
"(We) kept New Trier on its heels in the later part of the first half," said Stirrat. "We came out of the break and played with the same intensity and continued to for most of the second half."
The Lions' Sawdey went close at 44 minutes, then Tess Grzegorek on the turn sent her attempt straight at Dwyer following a corner.
Then it was Weaver's turn to go close after the junior collected a long punt from Dwyer, burst forward and then earned the Trevians a corner.
The ensuing serve from Weaver required Murphy to elevate and clear a dangerous ball from out of the six-yard box.
Moments later Dwyer made perhaps her best save on the day, but it may have been overlooked by some because of how clean the senior was in her effort.
This opportunity by the visitors came after a sublime early ball from Elaina Simms set Colleen Kulinski free to the endline.
Once there, the junior delivered what looked like a deadly low cross through the box. Thanks to the long reach of Dwyer, who appeared to have elastic arms in order to collect and hold onto the ball with the stickiest of goalie gloves, the score did not change.
"Such a big stop from Meghan," began Burnside. "(She) lets that one slip through her, then the one or two players at the back post have a chance to put that one in on us."
It was near the hour that more urgency set in for both clubs, though each had a different goal.
Lyons wanted to get back level, while the Trevians (9-0-5) looked to double their advantage to likely insure victory in regulation.
New Trier's Mia Sedgewick had the first chance to do so by sending a wicked 30-yard effort on frame that Grabis smartly saved.
Weaver would gather up an interception and carried across the top of the box before hitting a well-paced, heavy strike that resulted in a corner.
Once again, as they had all throughout, the Lyons backline of Stirrat, Mattern, Truax and Lizzy Vear defended another Trevians corner to keep their club in the match.
Disaster nearly struck for the visitors during a dangerous sequence of events which started when Weaver turned the corner when tricked her way past a defender.
Now in close, the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match for New Trier drove her close-range shot directly at Grabis, who saved valiantly.
Fallon Warshauer kept the rebound in the box alive, which allowed Sedgwick to smash a powerful 20-yard cracker that smacked the woodwork.
"Mia was terrific for us today, on both sides of the ball. Twice she was a little unlucky on those shots she put on frame," said Burnside.
Undaunted, the visitors came back to find the equalizer.
It would be the dynamic duo of Dallavo and Mattern, who so richly deserved to be a part of the Lyons' lone goal after their nonstop work, to combine six minutes from time to send the game to overtime.
"It took me awhile to adjust to playing in the midfield from my spot as an outside back," said Mattern with a big smile. "I had to adjust the mindset from defending to attacking. Ava gave me such a great ball; there was no way I could miss that shot."
"(So) much fight and heart to battle back to get even,," said a proud Lanspeary. "I really felt we deserved to get to overtime after such a terrific effort from all of the girls."
Once there, Dallavo went wide, as did Weaver, while the New Trier benched argued, to no avail, that Weaver was fouled inside the box in the 88th minute.
Lyons displayed some first-rate passing and possession early into the second extra session with Murphy, Dallavo and Hilling at the heart of a chance from Alvarado which Dwyer smothered.
Sixty seconds later, Weaver unloaded her unstoppable, curling shot into the upper right corner.
"When it left Emma's foot, I actually knew it was going to go in because we've seen what she can do," beamed Burnside. "(But) it was still a shock when it did."
Lyons needed not hang its head.
"We battled, fought, and played our best against one of the best," said Stirrat. "In the end, it really was an incredible shot shot that beat us," admitted Stirrat.
"Up until today, we had led in each game we played, and never had to chase the lead. I really felt like we showed a lot by doing so, which is something that's going to help us later on."
Added Lanspeary: "We had a great run at a fantastic tournament."
"There's nothing for us to feel bad about, because we played very well against some really quality opponents this week and proved to ourselves we're right there with everyone else."
The Lions will host West Suburban League Silver Division rival Oak Park and River Forest on Tuesday before beginning pool play at yet another high-profile tournament when they meet Oswego East in their first contest of the Naperville Invitational.
Following the Thursday night match, Lanspeary's club takes on Naperville North, who lost in kicks to Stevenson in its Malnati's semifinal Saturday.
New Trier moves on for a chance at a tournament trophy it has coveted.
"It was a great game, really an entertaining, well played, back-and-forth game, which obviously I am thrilled to have won," said Burnside.
"As you could see, we're still sorting it out, moving players here and there in order to put them in the best place possible for them to succeed. But all this week, we've taken a nice step forward."
After its championship match with Stevenson, the Trevians embark on another busy week of soccer. It includes their pool play opener against Downers Grove South on Wednesday to start their defense of their championship in the 2018 Naperville Invitational.
Prior to that, New Trier will host Niles West in a Central Suburban League South Division game Tuesday.
Starting lineups
Lyons (4-3-3)
G- Sophie Grabis
D- Lizzy Vear
D- Lily Mattern
D- Bri Stirrat
D- Grace Truax
M- Linnea Nelson-Sandall
M- Eileen Murphy
M- Meara Hilling
F- Ava Dallavo
F- Tess Grzegorek
F- Izzy Alvardo
New Trier (4-4-2)
G- Meghan Dwyer
D- Jenna Birdsell
D- Heidi Bianucci
D- Josie Crumley
D- Ava Shah
M- Josie Goldish
M- Lily Conley
M- Fallon Warshauer
M- Kate Sawdey
F- Alex Wirth
F- Emma Weaver
Chicagoland Soccer MVPs of the Match: Emma Weaver, jr., MF/F, New Trier
Ava Dallavo, so., F, Lyons
Referee: Rick Geati
Scoring summary
First half
New Trier: Conley (Weaver, Shah) 12'
Second half
Lyons: Mattern (Dallavo) 74'
First overtime
No scoring
Second overtime
New Trier: Weaver (U/A) 95'