New Trier switch stymies Lyons
Trevians win entertaining opener in Malnati's Deep Dish Classic
By Mike Garofola
NORTHFIELD -- Jim Burnside -- tactical genious? Not so says the highly regarded, Hall of Fame New Trier manager.
Trevians stars Whitney Hoban and Nicole Kaspi say otherwise.
When Burnside introduced Jessa Snower in the 10th minute to change the Trevians formation to a 4-4-2 from its opening 4-3-3 -- the extra player took a rampant Lyons attack out of the express option and into the local lanes to allow the home side to get back into the game.
The no. 2 Trevians (5-0-0) weathered the visitors attack for the first quarter hour before getting back some of the play. Then New Trier turned things around in their favor with a dead ball goal and another later on a PK conversion to earn a hard-fought 2-0 win in the opening round of the Lou Malnati's Deep Dish Classic.
"Lyons had all of the play and really came out after us in that first 10-15 minutes -- had to do something to try to slow them down," said Burnside of adding a player in the middle of the park.
"Jessica did a great job for us right away, and the others picked up their play as well. Thankfully our backline did its job in those first 15 minutes, (but) it was Megan Dwyer who was our MVP today."
Goalkeeper Dwyer came to the rescue of her mates with a brilliant point-blank stop of a wicked attempt from the spot by Eileen Murphy when it appeared Lyons would equalize in the 43rd minute.
"It (would have been) 1-1 at that point (and) the momentum shifts back to LT who showed earlier it could attack and create chances," added Burnside. "So Megan came up big for us when we needed her to do so to complete a great all-around day for her that included great work coming off her line and taking command of her box."
Teammates Hoban and Kaspi offered that they see those types of saves in training all of the time, so the big-time in-game stop was no surprise.
Kaspi, who's on her way to play at the University of Chicago next fall, and Hoban, who's off to Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, were key figures in the Trevians eventual victory. Though the two were spectators of sorts as visiting Lyons (2-2-0) threw everything it could at the home side in a wonderful quarter hour of soccer.
"They kind of had us all freaked out in the first 15 minutes," said Kaspi. "It was important for us to try to be as organized as could in the back to keep them from scoring."
Added Hoban: "We trained a little with a 4-4-2 formation, but it was the first time we played it this season. It really helped change things around for us."
Lyons manager Bill Lanspeary was thrilled with what he saw -- not only in the first half, but overall -- despite the result after 80 minutes.
"We haven't played much because of the weather. You're not really sure what to expect coming out here to play in a great tournament, and a great opponent to open the tournament," he said.
"But I was really proud of our start, and the overall effort all of the players gave out there today, which is now something we can build off of going forward."
Going forward is exactly what Lyons did from the opening whistle. The trio of Maggie Gilchrist, Bella Lestina and Ava Dallavo applyied the early pressure with pace, purpose and the type of strong-willed determination needed to put the Trevians under the type of pressure few have created so far.
"I think most of us were really nervous about coming here to play a team like New Trier in its own stadium, with such great players and so much (state) success, and in the first game of the tournament," began Gilchrist.
"So for us to come out and play the way we did right from the start said a lot about us as a team. And that's a huge positive to take away from today."
Lestina's snap-shot called Dwyer into action at three minutes. Then the Lyons senior, along with Dallavo, earned a corner and moments later a deep throw. The Trevians water tight backline smartly parried the second threat out of the box.
Eileen Murphy, who handled the no. 10 chores for Lyons for most of the match was creative and strong when she pushed the attack. She improvised in an instant in order to put a cracking strike or two on frame when the opportunity arose.
It took time for the Trevians to sort out their new formation. Slowly but surely the home side got into the game thanks in part to a series of deep throws and corners it created.
One such throw required a nice bit of work from Lyons senior defender Catherine Johnson, who blocked a close-range attempt from Hoban in the 22nd minute. Later another throw allowed Kaspi to work free to force a save from Lions keeper Mattigan Kelly.
But the senior goalie could only watch in vain when Sydney Parker elevated far above a group at the back post to thump in her 25th-minute header off a looping corner from Emma Weaver.
Lyons Gilchrist got close at 30 minutes, and Murphy went over the bar just before the break, but it was clear that New Trier's adjustment helped change the direction of the game.
"We struggled with that change of another player in the middle, but we pulled it back together when we adjusted to their 4-4-2," said Lanspeary.
"But you could see as the second half wore on that (New Trier) had a little fresher legs than we did. So our attack and overall play fell off a little bit, which (later) made it easier for them to defend their two-goal advantage."
Lyons likely should have scored in the opening exchanges of the second period if not for Dwyer's sensational save on Murphy.
However, there was more to come from the visitors whose attack grew in confidence following its missed opportunity.
Murphy again made her presence felt when she roared up the right side before playing across to Dallavo in the box.
A sharp tackle from Parker ended the chance for Lyons. Another strong effort from the Lions went for naught when the New Trier star and her backline mate Nell Martin closed fast on Gilchrist inside the box and ended what originally looked to be something on frame after a build-up from Lestina and Murphy.
Lyons keeper Kelly kept her team in the game when she guessed correctly that Emma Weaver would drive her spot-kick at the right post in the 49th minute. At the opposite end, Dwyer ventured off her line to stop Lindsay Hahn from catching up to a lovely early ball from Gilchrist.
Disaster struck for Lyons when the referee correctly detected a foul inside the box that sent Kaspi to the spot. The senior's cool finish at 57 minutes helped complete a sequence that started with Caroline Iserloth's well-aimed free kick that set-up the Trevians second goal of the match.
Kaspi had another ball into the Lyons net moments later, but an offsides flag ended more celebration for the Trevians faithful.
As Lanspeary indicated, his club had little spring in its legs during the final quarter hour. The Lions were now struggling to get much of anything going against the well-drilled New Trier back four of: Parker, Iserloth, Martin and Meredith Nassar. The eventual clean-sheet left New Trier's unscored upon this season.
"Again, the overall effort was terrific," said Lanspeary, who's club is on the road for a secound round game Monday at St. Francis, and Tuesday at Proviso East. The 19th-ranked Lions (2-2-0) host Stevenson to complete group play Wednesday night. "I believe once we get more games under us, and we can gain some rhythm from playing more often, we're going to be in great shape."
"Bill has a team that can attack, and really come after you," said Burnside. "Today we had to count on the leadership from our seniors, as well as Megan in goal, to help keep us afloat while we went through some rough times."
Hoban added: "Even when (Lyons) was in our end for such a long time in that first half, we still stayed organized and composed. And once we play a few more games together and get into our schedule, I think we'll play so much better on both sides of the ball."
New Trier continues its tourney road when it hosts Stevenson on Monday and then high-flying St. Francis two days later to finish up group play.
Starting lineups
Lyons (4-3-3)
GK- Mattigan Kelly
D- Grace Truax
D- Kaelan Lee
D- Catherine Johnson
D- Bri Stirrat
M- Elizabeth Hall
M- Eileen Murphy
M- Meara Hilling
F- Maggie Gilchrist
F- Ava Dallavo
F- Bella Lestina
New Trier (4-3-3)
GK- Megan Dwyer
D- Caroline Iserloth
D- Nell Martin
D- Sydney Parker
D- Meredith Nassar
M- Fallon Warshauer
M- Lily Conley
M- Whitney Hoban
F- Emma Weaver
F- Nicole Kaspi
F- Grace Walker
Chicagoland soccer MVP of the Match: Megan Dwyer, jr., GK, New Trier
Referee: Rick Geatti
Scoring summary
New Trier
Parker (Weaver) 25'
Kaspi (PK) 57'
Trevians win entertaining opener in Malnati's Deep Dish Classic
By Mike Garofola
NORTHFIELD -- Jim Burnside -- tactical genious? Not so says the highly regarded, Hall of Fame New Trier manager.
Trevians stars Whitney Hoban and Nicole Kaspi say otherwise.
When Burnside introduced Jessa Snower in the 10th minute to change the Trevians formation to a 4-4-2 from its opening 4-3-3 -- the extra player took a rampant Lyons attack out of the express option and into the local lanes to allow the home side to get back into the game.
The no. 2 Trevians (5-0-0) weathered the visitors attack for the first quarter hour before getting back some of the play. Then New Trier turned things around in their favor with a dead ball goal and another later on a PK conversion to earn a hard-fought 2-0 win in the opening round of the Lou Malnati's Deep Dish Classic.
"Lyons had all of the play and really came out after us in that first 10-15 minutes -- had to do something to try to slow them down," said Burnside of adding a player in the middle of the park.
"Jessica did a great job for us right away, and the others picked up their play as well. Thankfully our backline did its job in those first 15 minutes, (but) it was Megan Dwyer who was our MVP today."
Goalkeeper Dwyer came to the rescue of her mates with a brilliant point-blank stop of a wicked attempt from the spot by Eileen Murphy when it appeared Lyons would equalize in the 43rd minute.
"It (would have been) 1-1 at that point (and) the momentum shifts back to LT who showed earlier it could attack and create chances," added Burnside. "So Megan came up big for us when we needed her to do so to complete a great all-around day for her that included great work coming off her line and taking command of her box."
Teammates Hoban and Kaspi offered that they see those types of saves in training all of the time, so the big-time in-game stop was no surprise.
Kaspi, who's on her way to play at the University of Chicago next fall, and Hoban, who's off to Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, were key figures in the Trevians eventual victory. Though the two were spectators of sorts as visiting Lyons (2-2-0) threw everything it could at the home side in a wonderful quarter hour of soccer.
"They kind of had us all freaked out in the first 15 minutes," said Kaspi. "It was important for us to try to be as organized as could in the back to keep them from scoring."
Added Hoban: "We trained a little with a 4-4-2 formation, but it was the first time we played it this season. It really helped change things around for us."
Lyons manager Bill Lanspeary was thrilled with what he saw -- not only in the first half, but overall -- despite the result after 80 minutes.
"We haven't played much because of the weather. You're not really sure what to expect coming out here to play in a great tournament, and a great opponent to open the tournament," he said.
"But I was really proud of our start, and the overall effort all of the players gave out there today, which is now something we can build off of going forward."
Going forward is exactly what Lyons did from the opening whistle. The trio of Maggie Gilchrist, Bella Lestina and Ava Dallavo applyied the early pressure with pace, purpose and the type of strong-willed determination needed to put the Trevians under the type of pressure few have created so far.
"I think most of us were really nervous about coming here to play a team like New Trier in its own stadium, with such great players and so much (state) success, and in the first game of the tournament," began Gilchrist.
"So for us to come out and play the way we did right from the start said a lot about us as a team. And that's a huge positive to take away from today."
Lestina's snap-shot called Dwyer into action at three minutes. Then the Lyons senior, along with Dallavo, earned a corner and moments later a deep throw. The Trevians water tight backline smartly parried the second threat out of the box.
Eileen Murphy, who handled the no. 10 chores for Lyons for most of the match was creative and strong when she pushed the attack. She improvised in an instant in order to put a cracking strike or two on frame when the opportunity arose.
It took time for the Trevians to sort out their new formation. Slowly but surely the home side got into the game thanks in part to a series of deep throws and corners it created.
One such throw required a nice bit of work from Lyons senior defender Catherine Johnson, who blocked a close-range attempt from Hoban in the 22nd minute. Later another throw allowed Kaspi to work free to force a save from Lions keeper Mattigan Kelly.
But the senior goalie could only watch in vain when Sydney Parker elevated far above a group at the back post to thump in her 25th-minute header off a looping corner from Emma Weaver.
Lyons Gilchrist got close at 30 minutes, and Murphy went over the bar just before the break, but it was clear that New Trier's adjustment helped change the direction of the game.
"We struggled with that change of another player in the middle, but we pulled it back together when we adjusted to their 4-4-2," said Lanspeary.
"But you could see as the second half wore on that (New Trier) had a little fresher legs than we did. So our attack and overall play fell off a little bit, which (later) made it easier for them to defend their two-goal advantage."
Lyons likely should have scored in the opening exchanges of the second period if not for Dwyer's sensational save on Murphy.
However, there was more to come from the visitors whose attack grew in confidence following its missed opportunity.
Murphy again made her presence felt when she roared up the right side before playing across to Dallavo in the box.
A sharp tackle from Parker ended the chance for Lyons. Another strong effort from the Lions went for naught when the New Trier star and her backline mate Nell Martin closed fast on Gilchrist inside the box and ended what originally looked to be something on frame after a build-up from Lestina and Murphy.
Lyons keeper Kelly kept her team in the game when she guessed correctly that Emma Weaver would drive her spot-kick at the right post in the 49th minute. At the opposite end, Dwyer ventured off her line to stop Lindsay Hahn from catching up to a lovely early ball from Gilchrist.
Disaster struck for Lyons when the referee correctly detected a foul inside the box that sent Kaspi to the spot. The senior's cool finish at 57 minutes helped complete a sequence that started with Caroline Iserloth's well-aimed free kick that set-up the Trevians second goal of the match.
Kaspi had another ball into the Lyons net moments later, but an offsides flag ended more celebration for the Trevians faithful.
As Lanspeary indicated, his club had little spring in its legs during the final quarter hour. The Lions were now struggling to get much of anything going against the well-drilled New Trier back four of: Parker, Iserloth, Martin and Meredith Nassar. The eventual clean-sheet left New Trier's unscored upon this season.
"Again, the overall effort was terrific," said Lanspeary, who's club is on the road for a secound round game Monday at St. Francis, and Tuesday at Proviso East. The 19th-ranked Lions (2-2-0) host Stevenson to complete group play Wednesday night. "I believe once we get more games under us, and we can gain some rhythm from playing more often, we're going to be in great shape."
"Bill has a team that can attack, and really come after you," said Burnside. "Today we had to count on the leadership from our seniors, as well as Megan in goal, to help keep us afloat while we went through some rough times."
Hoban added: "Even when (Lyons) was in our end for such a long time in that first half, we still stayed organized and composed. And once we play a few more games together and get into our schedule, I think we'll play so much better on both sides of the ball."
New Trier continues its tourney road when it hosts Stevenson on Monday and then high-flying St. Francis two days later to finish up group play.
Starting lineups
Lyons (4-3-3)
GK- Mattigan Kelly
D- Grace Truax
D- Kaelan Lee
D- Catherine Johnson
D- Bri Stirrat
M- Elizabeth Hall
M- Eileen Murphy
M- Meara Hilling
F- Maggie Gilchrist
F- Ava Dallavo
F- Bella Lestina
New Trier (4-3-3)
GK- Megan Dwyer
D- Caroline Iserloth
D- Nell Martin
D- Sydney Parker
D- Meredith Nassar
M- Fallon Warshauer
M- Lily Conley
M- Whitney Hoban
F- Emma Weaver
F- Nicole Kaspi
F- Grace Walker
Chicagoland soccer MVP of the Match: Megan Dwyer, jr., GK, New Trier
Referee: Rick Geatti
Scoring summary
New Trier
Parker (Weaver) 25'
Kaspi (PK) 57'