Loyola claims conference title
with win over Mother McAuley
Ramblers roll 6-0, extend unbeaten string to 14 matches
By Dave Owen
GLENVIEW – The celebration was delayed, but not denied.
With a chance to claim the Girls Catholic Athletic Conference Red Division title, host Loyola was kept under wraps for the first 21 minutes of Thursday’s match with Mother McAuley.
But playing into the strong wind quickly became playing into a win for the Ramblers. Striking for four goals in a 10-minute span, Loyola (13-1-2, 9-0-0) seized a 4-0 halftime lead en route to a 6-0 win.
“That time span where we got the four goals really got us going,” Loyola junior Lauren Couri said. “Then we had halftime to talk it over, come out even stronger and just finish it off.”
Loyola, which rankes seventh in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, had won at McAuley 4-0 on Tuesday in the first game of the home-and-home series.
“They came out today and were pretty solid,” Loyola junior midfielder Grace Ehlert said. “They compete hard. Just coming in to today’s game we wanted to keep the score similar to Tuesday and not let up because we knew we were the better team. We wanted to keep possession and then just manage the field and the wind.”
Ehlert, a 15-goal scorer this season, set up the goal which helped the Ramblers solve some early frustrations battling into the wind.
In the 21st minute, an unselfish combination play ended with Emma Shaffer’s second goal of the season and a 1-0 Loyola lead.
“Molly (Sipe) crossed it towards me,” Shaffer said, “and it was kind of bouncing around. Grace (Ehlert) headed it, and I got a lucky shot into the bottom right corner. That got us a good start to all the rest of our goals.”
The second of those goals came four minutes later and had perfect aim on a long-distance strike from defender Annie Carretta.
Isabella Guzman’s initial pass sprung Ella Grace Conley on a right-side rush. Conley dropped a pass back to Carretta in open space on the right side. Her 25-yard rocket into the upper-left corner made it 2-0 Ramblers.
“When my teammate passed the ball back to me,” Carretta said of her second goal of 2021, “I was just thinking to drive it in, aim for the high post, and see if it could become a cross, and we could get a rebound off of it. Or the shot would go in, like it did.”
MVP of the Match Ehlert was integral as a passer in the Ramblers’ third goal 12:41 before halftime. Her left side run and cross to the crease found Brooke Semple in front. A one-touch put-away inside the left post added to the lead.
“We had a lot of time in the midfield, which we don’t always get,” Ehlert said. “We were able to find good slot balls, and I was able to play our wingers in a fair amount and also get out to the wing and get some crosses in. I think we just used our athleticism and speed to break them down and get shots and crosses off.”
Sophomore Emmy Christopher played a soccer version of pinball with 8:09 left in the half. After a long run up the left side to the end line, she lined a cross off a McAuley defender in front and into the net as the Loyola lead stretched to 4-0.
“I think it bounced off the defender,” Christopher said. “I just kept driving like our coach (Shannon Hartinger) tells us to do. I wanted to get it in close if someone was there to finish it or it goes in; either way works.”
Everything has worked for Loyola of late. Since a 3-2 loss to Evanston on April 17, the Ramblers have reeled off a 12-0-2 record and head into Friday’s regular season finale with St. Ignatius having wrapped up a conference title.
“We’ve just been bringing it every game,” Carretta said. “Working hard every game and keeping the same mentality we’ve had: no easy mistakes, always giving 110 (percent) against every team we play even if they may not be the best. Just keep the energy and intensity up no matter what.”
Making the run of success even more impressive is the fact that with senior co-captain Eleanor Jackson out since the Evanston game with a season-ending injury, Loyola fields a lineup of all underclassmen.
“I think we have good team chemistry, and communication and teamwork has been huge,” Ehlert said. “We all push each other, and even we play teams not at the same level we stay motivated and just keep the high intensity and focus. That’s helped us win a lot.”
Loyola’s first half was capped with a defensive play, as goalkeeper Ellie Bradley smothered a corner kick send at the near post 3:40 before halftime to keep the score 4-0.
Bradley and second half goalkeeper Clare Sanders combined on the eventual shutout, the Ramblers’ 12th goose egg in a row since a 1-1 tie with New Trier on April 24.
“Our defense has been working really well,” Carretta said, “not only in the back half but the front as well. We’ve been getting better at building from the back, and as a team we’re helping each other when we need it.
“It’s great how we’ve gotten so close this season, and that shows on the field too.”
Two sophomores have helped the emergence of Loyola’s defense.
“We’re really excited about the progress of Eva Pattison and Emily Pikarski, two of our backs,” Hartinger said. “They both came in with a lot of high-level experience on the club side, and I think that’s shown. They’re very composed in the back. They read the game well, and they help us keep possession once we win the ball. They’re very good on the ball.
“We’re very excited about the two of them, and of course our goalkeeper Ellie Bradley is a sophomore. She just continues to grow each game with her distribution and her ability to stay engaged in the game and to make saves when she needs to. Overall she’s good with her feet, she distributes well. We’re really happy with her as well.”
While Loyola led 4-0 at the half, Mother McAuley put up an impressive effort.
“On Tuesday night, Loyola scored in the first 5 minutes of the game,” Mighty Macs coach Jenna Ryan said. “We were then able to hold them 0-0 the second half. For Thursday’s game, I told the girls it was crucial to shut them down the first 10 minutes. They did exactly that plus another 12 minutes so I was proud of them for working that hard against a very strong offense.
“Unfortunately, we were unable to capitalize on our couple chances, and when you play a team like Loyola you need to finish those rare opportunities to stay in the game.”
Ryan noted defenders Bridget Murphy and Annemarie Clark, midfielder Janey Hynes and forward Angelina Garcia as recent standouts for her squad.
As for Loyola, its strong team performance continued into the second half.
After chances in the first 10 minutes for Ehlert (shot over the net) and Kendall Beil (shot deflection in front) barely missed, Couri scored 14 minutes into the second half to make the lead 5-0.
“Katie Diblik is the one who dribbled down the field,” Couri said, “and I was just right there in front of the goal. It was a perfect slot to me, and I just hit it in.
“We all really connect well in the final third, and it pays off.
“I think the key was really just communicating and getting passes to each other,” Couri added. “I thought all of our first touches were really well done, and we had control of the ball most of the game.”
Maya Basan was the late game offensive story for the Ramblers. After curling a corner kick onto the top of the net with 15:40 to go, she was right on target with 4:15 on the clock with her 8-yard put-away inside the left post for a 6-0 finish.
“Once we got two (goals in the first half), everybody kept going, and we had the momentum,” Christopher said. “I feel like in the last few weeks we’ve developed as a team better, started playing together better and connecting.”
Said Shaffer: “We were just fighting to get all our energy into the game so we could finish it. And not let any goals in either.”
Another happy result has been part of a determined team effort since the disappointments of a year ago.
“I think it’s just our connection as a team,” Shaffer said. “After COVID last year we didn’t play at all, and after getting back at it we’ve been taking every game like it’s our last and putting all our effort into it.
“Last year I was a freshman, and I made varsity and really wanted to play. But this year getting into it, it’s been really good. I’ve enjoyed every game with the team.”
Winning helps that enjoyment, and the Ramblers hope there’s more magic to come.
“St Ignatius is a big rivalry game for us in the GCAC,” Hartinger said, “so the focus is that. And then after that game tomorrow we’ll start to turn our attention to the playoffs. We’re excited.”
The players echo that excitement.
“For next week (the state playoffs) it’s going to be really hard playing New Trier and Evanston,” Shaffer said. “But I think we can do it as long as we put in as much effort as we have the past month. And going into next year I think our team will just continue to grow.”
Starting lineups
Mother McAuley
GK Caitlin McGrane
D Katelynn Marquez
D Bridget Murphy
D Emily Grzyb
D Abigail Grobarcik
MF Jane Hynes
MF Lauren Gallagher
MF Julia McKee
MF Xotchil Ramirez
F Angelina Garcia
F Ciara Hosty
Loyola
GK Ellie Bradley
D Annie Carretta
D Eva Pattison
D Emily Pikarski
D Molly Sipe
MF Emma Shaffer
MF Grace Ehlert
MF Isabella Guzman
MF Kaitlyn Kurtz
F Madison Steele
F Kathryn Diblik
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Grace Ehlert, jr., MF, Loyola
Scoring summary
First half
L- Emma Shaffer (Grace Ehlert assist), 22nd min
L- Annie Carretta (Ella Grace Conley), 26th min
L- Brooke Semple (Ehlert), 28th min
L- Emmy Christopher, 32nd min
Second half
L- Lauren Couri (Kathryn Diblik), 54th min
L- Maya Basan, 76th min
with win over Mother McAuley
Ramblers roll 6-0, extend unbeaten string to 14 matches
By Dave Owen
GLENVIEW – The celebration was delayed, but not denied.
With a chance to claim the Girls Catholic Athletic Conference Red Division title, host Loyola was kept under wraps for the first 21 minutes of Thursday’s match with Mother McAuley.
But playing into the strong wind quickly became playing into a win for the Ramblers. Striking for four goals in a 10-minute span, Loyola (13-1-2, 9-0-0) seized a 4-0 halftime lead en route to a 6-0 win.
“That time span where we got the four goals really got us going,” Loyola junior Lauren Couri said. “Then we had halftime to talk it over, come out even stronger and just finish it off.”
Loyola, which rankes seventh in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, had won at McAuley 4-0 on Tuesday in the first game of the home-and-home series.
“They came out today and were pretty solid,” Loyola junior midfielder Grace Ehlert said. “They compete hard. Just coming in to today’s game we wanted to keep the score similar to Tuesday and not let up because we knew we were the better team. We wanted to keep possession and then just manage the field and the wind.”
Ehlert, a 15-goal scorer this season, set up the goal which helped the Ramblers solve some early frustrations battling into the wind.
In the 21st minute, an unselfish combination play ended with Emma Shaffer’s second goal of the season and a 1-0 Loyola lead.
“Molly (Sipe) crossed it towards me,” Shaffer said, “and it was kind of bouncing around. Grace (Ehlert) headed it, and I got a lucky shot into the bottom right corner. That got us a good start to all the rest of our goals.”
The second of those goals came four minutes later and had perfect aim on a long-distance strike from defender Annie Carretta.
Isabella Guzman’s initial pass sprung Ella Grace Conley on a right-side rush. Conley dropped a pass back to Carretta in open space on the right side. Her 25-yard rocket into the upper-left corner made it 2-0 Ramblers.
“When my teammate passed the ball back to me,” Carretta said of her second goal of 2021, “I was just thinking to drive it in, aim for the high post, and see if it could become a cross, and we could get a rebound off of it. Or the shot would go in, like it did.”
MVP of the Match Ehlert was integral as a passer in the Ramblers’ third goal 12:41 before halftime. Her left side run and cross to the crease found Brooke Semple in front. A one-touch put-away inside the left post added to the lead.
“We had a lot of time in the midfield, which we don’t always get,” Ehlert said. “We were able to find good slot balls, and I was able to play our wingers in a fair amount and also get out to the wing and get some crosses in. I think we just used our athleticism and speed to break them down and get shots and crosses off.”
Sophomore Emmy Christopher played a soccer version of pinball with 8:09 left in the half. After a long run up the left side to the end line, she lined a cross off a McAuley defender in front and into the net as the Loyola lead stretched to 4-0.
“I think it bounced off the defender,” Christopher said. “I just kept driving like our coach (Shannon Hartinger) tells us to do. I wanted to get it in close if someone was there to finish it or it goes in; either way works.”
Everything has worked for Loyola of late. Since a 3-2 loss to Evanston on April 17, the Ramblers have reeled off a 12-0-2 record and head into Friday’s regular season finale with St. Ignatius having wrapped up a conference title.
“We’ve just been bringing it every game,” Carretta said. “Working hard every game and keeping the same mentality we’ve had: no easy mistakes, always giving 110 (percent) against every team we play even if they may not be the best. Just keep the energy and intensity up no matter what.”
Making the run of success even more impressive is the fact that with senior co-captain Eleanor Jackson out since the Evanston game with a season-ending injury, Loyola fields a lineup of all underclassmen.
“I think we have good team chemistry, and communication and teamwork has been huge,” Ehlert said. “We all push each other, and even we play teams not at the same level we stay motivated and just keep the high intensity and focus. That’s helped us win a lot.”
Loyola’s first half was capped with a defensive play, as goalkeeper Ellie Bradley smothered a corner kick send at the near post 3:40 before halftime to keep the score 4-0.
Bradley and second half goalkeeper Clare Sanders combined on the eventual shutout, the Ramblers’ 12th goose egg in a row since a 1-1 tie with New Trier on April 24.
“Our defense has been working really well,” Carretta said, “not only in the back half but the front as well. We’ve been getting better at building from the back, and as a team we’re helping each other when we need it.
“It’s great how we’ve gotten so close this season, and that shows on the field too.”
Two sophomores have helped the emergence of Loyola’s defense.
“We’re really excited about the progress of Eva Pattison and Emily Pikarski, two of our backs,” Hartinger said. “They both came in with a lot of high-level experience on the club side, and I think that’s shown. They’re very composed in the back. They read the game well, and they help us keep possession once we win the ball. They’re very good on the ball.
“We’re very excited about the two of them, and of course our goalkeeper Ellie Bradley is a sophomore. She just continues to grow each game with her distribution and her ability to stay engaged in the game and to make saves when she needs to. Overall she’s good with her feet, she distributes well. We’re really happy with her as well.”
While Loyola led 4-0 at the half, Mother McAuley put up an impressive effort.
“On Tuesday night, Loyola scored in the first 5 minutes of the game,” Mighty Macs coach Jenna Ryan said. “We were then able to hold them 0-0 the second half. For Thursday’s game, I told the girls it was crucial to shut them down the first 10 minutes. They did exactly that plus another 12 minutes so I was proud of them for working that hard against a very strong offense.
“Unfortunately, we were unable to capitalize on our couple chances, and when you play a team like Loyola you need to finish those rare opportunities to stay in the game.”
Ryan noted defenders Bridget Murphy and Annemarie Clark, midfielder Janey Hynes and forward Angelina Garcia as recent standouts for her squad.
As for Loyola, its strong team performance continued into the second half.
After chances in the first 10 minutes for Ehlert (shot over the net) and Kendall Beil (shot deflection in front) barely missed, Couri scored 14 minutes into the second half to make the lead 5-0.
“Katie Diblik is the one who dribbled down the field,” Couri said, “and I was just right there in front of the goal. It was a perfect slot to me, and I just hit it in.
“We all really connect well in the final third, and it pays off.
“I think the key was really just communicating and getting passes to each other,” Couri added. “I thought all of our first touches were really well done, and we had control of the ball most of the game.”
Maya Basan was the late game offensive story for the Ramblers. After curling a corner kick onto the top of the net with 15:40 to go, she was right on target with 4:15 on the clock with her 8-yard put-away inside the left post for a 6-0 finish.
“Once we got two (goals in the first half), everybody kept going, and we had the momentum,” Christopher said. “I feel like in the last few weeks we’ve developed as a team better, started playing together better and connecting.”
Said Shaffer: “We were just fighting to get all our energy into the game so we could finish it. And not let any goals in either.”
Another happy result has been part of a determined team effort since the disappointments of a year ago.
“I think it’s just our connection as a team,” Shaffer said. “After COVID last year we didn’t play at all, and after getting back at it we’ve been taking every game like it’s our last and putting all our effort into it.
“Last year I was a freshman, and I made varsity and really wanted to play. But this year getting into it, it’s been really good. I’ve enjoyed every game with the team.”
Winning helps that enjoyment, and the Ramblers hope there’s more magic to come.
“St Ignatius is a big rivalry game for us in the GCAC,” Hartinger said, “so the focus is that. And then after that game tomorrow we’ll start to turn our attention to the playoffs. We’re excited.”
The players echo that excitement.
“For next week (the state playoffs) it’s going to be really hard playing New Trier and Evanston,” Shaffer said. “But I think we can do it as long as we put in as much effort as we have the past month. And going into next year I think our team will just continue to grow.”
Starting lineups
Mother McAuley
GK Caitlin McGrane
D Katelynn Marquez
D Bridget Murphy
D Emily Grzyb
D Abigail Grobarcik
MF Jane Hynes
MF Lauren Gallagher
MF Julia McKee
MF Xotchil Ramirez
F Angelina Garcia
F Ciara Hosty
Loyola
GK Ellie Bradley
D Annie Carretta
D Eva Pattison
D Emily Pikarski
D Molly Sipe
MF Emma Shaffer
MF Grace Ehlert
MF Isabella Guzman
MF Kaitlyn Kurtz
F Madison Steele
F Kathryn Diblik
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Grace Ehlert, jr., MF, Loyola
Scoring summary
First half
L- Emma Shaffer (Grace Ehlert assist), 22nd min
L- Annie Carretta (Ella Grace Conley), 26th min
L- Brooke Semple (Ehlert), 28th min
L- Emmy Christopher, 32nd min
Second half
L- Lauren Couri (Kathryn Diblik), 54th min
L- Maya Basan, 76th min