Reavis runs into buzzsaw in McAuley
Rams fall to undefeated Mighty Macs
By Mike Garofola
BURBANK -- After a trio of thrilling wins eased the memory o two losses in the opening week, Reavis started its day Saturday morning with hopes of claiming its fourth-straight victory.
However, Mother McAuley came to Burbank with the wind fully in its sails. The Mighty Macs arrived at the Rams soccer park with a perfect 6-0-0 record and a cumulative 19-1 goal advantage.
Led by two basketball stars from its recent Class 4A state runnerup team, the visitors showed off a ferocious attack during a 7-0 nonconference triumph.
"We've come a long way since our first day of training, and that opening week of the season," said first-year Reavis manager Jeff Grider. "When you play a team like (Mother McAuley) which is big, strong, and athletic (it) shows we still have a ways to go to get to where we want.
"I told the girls afterwards that it's easy to hang your heads after a loss like this. I also reminded them that was easily the best team we've played thus far, and a team like that will show your flaws, then expose them.
"I'll admit we came out a little flat, but I am not disappointed at all with the result, because the girls played hard, never quit, and gave an 80-minute effort, which says a lot about a team which is so coachable and terrific to be around and a part of."
Manager Denny Clanton's Mother McCauley club was swarming early on against the homeside. Much of the action came from the dynamic frontline duo of Jenna Badali and Grace Hynes, who were just a few weeks removed from a memorable run on the hardwood for the Mighty Macs who returned to the Illinois state basketball finals for the first time since 1997.
"We're fortunate to have some great athletes on this team, several of which play basketball as well," said Clanton, now in his third year in charge. "What they bring, along with other players, helps us play an attacking style of soccer which suits their ability, style and desire to be successful."
Clanton himself is an interesting story.
The former Waubonsie Valley and later University of Dayton star defender, was a fourth-round choice of the Chicago Fire in 2004. He played for the MLS club for two seasons before moving indoors with the Chicago Storm.
Clanton also spent time in the club coaching ranks, most notably with the Chicago Fire Juniors.
The aforementioned Hynes was recently named to the 2019 all-state basketball team. Badali, who led the Mighty Macs in scoring with 15.5 points, earned all-state honorable mention.
Basali, who scored the first three on this day, struck for the opener in the 4th minute, with Isabella Finnegan providing the helper.
"As I said, we were a little flat at the start," offered Grider. "Kind of awestruck by the weapons (Mother McAuley) came at us with. At that point, all you want your team to do is to try to weather the storm."
The Rams backline of Andy Flores, Maggie Mrugala and Alejandra Rodriguez did their best to stay composed and organized during the first quarter hour as they and their mates tried to sort out a well-designed and executed attack in a 3-4-3 formation.
"We like playing in a 3-4-3, because it takes advantage of the players we have along the top, and especially in the middle where the girls like to get forward and be a part of our offense," said Clanton.
To their credit, the trio of Flores, Mrugala and Alejandra did not back down from the challenge. They went hard into tackles and never shied from contact on the floor or in the air.
The sheer speed and crafty movement from Badali, Hynes and Finnegan kept the Rams (3-3-0) under constant pressure. So did Maeve Sheridan, who ran the show from her spot in the middle of the Mighty Macs attack.
"Perhaps the biggest thing we had trouble with was them getting so many numbers forward and us trying to deal with how to stay organized against a team whose front (seven) were all fast and constantly moving," said Grider.
As might as expected, Reavis keeper Diana Gonzalez had a busy day between the sticks. Though the homeside conceded seven, the sophomore came through with a handful of marvelous saves in the contest.
Gonzalez was fearless when making a point-blank stop effort from Badali in the 29th minute, moments afterward she was called into action to turn around a Finnegan attempt after a well-driven free kick whipped into the area by Abigail Grobarcik.
When Grider brought on Lily Saenz and Lesley Zavala minutes before the Gonzalez heroics, the Rams manager move his top player, Litzy Corona, up-top from her spot from the middle in hopes of providing inspiration to his attack.
"Litzy is so technical and highly skilled, and has the ability to do a lot of different things for us with or without the ball," Grider said. "She has so much experience as one of the few seniors on our roster.
"She leads our team in goals, and is being looked at by a handful of colleges (some) NAIA, as well as Division I teams like Eastern Illinois, so it shows what others think about her as a person and player."
The addition of Corona to the attack resulted in the Rams first opportunity of the match. It came from freshman, Jasmin Pascual, whom Grider said will be a key player and cornerstone of the Rams future.
Pascual tricked her way free of a pair of defenders near the edge. If not for a strong, sharp tackle by Brenna Keaty, the Reavis rookie could have been in on the keeper.
Corona nearly latched onto a well-driven, wind-assisted ball out of the back from sophomore Andy Flores but the alert McAuley backline, collectively, smothered the serve.
Badali gave Mother McAuley a 2-0 advantage at 35 minutes when she ran onto a lovely early ball from Sheridan, touched past her mark, then used another touch to turn before finding the far inside netting with a sublime finish.
The junior claimed her hat-trick just seconds before the intermission with help of Hynes.
"(They) came really hard after us right from the start," Corona said. "We had a lot of trouble with it, and even though we had to defend for nearly most of the first half, I still thought we communicated really well and tried to connect with each other from the back to our midfielders."
The biggest threat to the Rams after the break was a now blustery, cold win in its face, as well as the superb and accurate foot of Grobarcik. Each corner the sophomore took gave the homeside headaches.
Reavis, which at times played an aggressive offside trap, nearly caught their guests pushing forward just three minutes into the second period.
That's when Pascual picked out Giselle Ruiz on the counter, only to have the assistant referee on the far side correctly raise his offsides flag.
Gonzalez impressed with a pair of saves on Finnegan's close-range attempts from inside the six, but after the second stop spilled free and Finnegan easily slotted it home at 46 minutes.
Finnegan aimed a one-timer into the back of the net with authority after running onto a Grobarcik corner in the 57th minute. Goal number six came when Veronica Zapata drove another Grobarcik corner past a diving Gonzalez.
Three minutes from time, the Mighty Macs added the final goal to the scoreline.
"I really feel as if we played better (collectively) in the second half, it's just that (McAuley) did well by using the wind to its advantage, and by getting the ball to their best players as often as possible," began Grider.
"It's tough giving up that many goals, and we've been preaching defense from the very first day we got together. But a team like that has a lot of quality, and when they have the chance, they can bury your mistakes."
"It might not look like it after looking at the final score, but I think we played about as well as we could defensively in the back, and the midfield." said Flores. "We haven't faced a team like that, and they were very good."
Flores, a sophomore, was one of several players Grider acknowledged after the game as the conversation shifted to his first year in the program.
"Andy is so coachable, and a great leader already, despite just a sophomore," he said.
"She's a great 1-v.-1 defender, works extremely hard and is just a defensive warrior -- which is so important to have."
Grider has high hopes for his lone freshmen (Pascual), who has already shown flashes of brilliance.
"Jasmin never had played as a central midfielder, but she's figured out things really well," Grider said. "She belongs on a varsity roster, and I know she will continue to improve with each game (just) as everyone else has."
Reavis' first 11 was heavy in juniors and sophomores, including another player Grider praised.
"No. 15 (Alyssa Froylan) is the heart and soul for us out there because of that work rate and work ethic," said Grider.
"It's not about the glory with Alyssa, she goes into every 50-50 as if it's her last, and that's something for everyone to learn from."
After the Rams claimed their first victory (2-0) over Marian in its third and final match at the Windy City Classic, Corona and Froylan each score to help their club to a 2-1 victory against Leyden.
The Rams avenged a season-opening loss in PKs to Stagg, when Cami Valdez stunned the Chargers faithful with the game-winner in the 79th minute.
"As I said before, this is a team that works hard all of the time, and that's something you cannot teach," said a proud Grider. "So me and my staff are extremely lucky to have a group like this one in our first year."
Both Corona and Flores agree the growing influence of their new boss is taking hold. Each feels the club is headed in the right direction in advance of its first week of South Suburban Conference play against Oak Lawn (Tuesday) and Shepard (Thursday). Reavis also will begin in the PepsiCo Showdown next Saturday at Olympic Park in Schaumburg.
"We're passing the ball so much better, the communication has improved in each game, and we're trying to play soccer, and not just kicking the ball (and) hoping it finds someone, and that's all good," says Corona.
Flores added: "Our 1-0 win against Stagg was exciting because we played physical, kept our shape, crossed and moved the ball. I thought it was our best overall game of the year."
Mother McAuley (7-0-0), which a year ago lost its regional final to eventual Class 3A fourth place finisher Andrew, has Shepard, then Girls Catholic Athletic Conference Red Division foe Trinity on its schedule this coming week.
Starting lineups
Mother McAuley (3-4-3)
G- Caitlin Fitzsimmons
D- Jane Hynes
D- Brenna Keaty
D- Nikki Murphy
M- Julie McKee
M- Veronica Zapata
M- Maeve Sheridan
M- Abigail Grobarcik
F- Isabella Finnegan
F- Grace Hynes
F- Jenna Badali
Reavis (3-4-3)
G- Diana Gonzalez
D- Maggie Mrugala
D- Andy Flores
D- Alejandra Rodriguez
M- Cami Valdez
M- Jasmin Pascual
M- Alyssa Froylan
M- Natalie Longoria
F- Sandy Garcia
F- Litzy Corona
F- Melenie Martinez
Chicagoland Soccer MVPs of the Match: Jenna Badali, jr., F, Mother McAuley
Litzy Corona, sr., MF/F, Reavis
Referee: Tim Jarama
Scoring summary
First half
Mother McAuley: Badali (Finnegan) 4'
Mother McAuley: Badali (Sheridan) 35'
Mother McAuley: Badali (G. Hynes) 40'
Second half
Mother McAuley: Finnegan (U/A) 46'
Mother McAuley: Finnegan (Grobarcik) 57'
Mother McAuley: Zapata (Grobarcik) 63'
Mother McAuley: Ternes (Finnegan, Grobarcik) 77'
Rams fall to undefeated Mighty Macs
By Mike Garofola
BURBANK -- After a trio of thrilling wins eased the memory o two losses in the opening week, Reavis started its day Saturday morning with hopes of claiming its fourth-straight victory.
However, Mother McAuley came to Burbank with the wind fully in its sails. The Mighty Macs arrived at the Rams soccer park with a perfect 6-0-0 record and a cumulative 19-1 goal advantage.
Led by two basketball stars from its recent Class 4A state runnerup team, the visitors showed off a ferocious attack during a 7-0 nonconference triumph.
"We've come a long way since our first day of training, and that opening week of the season," said first-year Reavis manager Jeff Grider. "When you play a team like (Mother McAuley) which is big, strong, and athletic (it) shows we still have a ways to go to get to where we want.
"I told the girls afterwards that it's easy to hang your heads after a loss like this. I also reminded them that was easily the best team we've played thus far, and a team like that will show your flaws, then expose them.
"I'll admit we came out a little flat, but I am not disappointed at all with the result, because the girls played hard, never quit, and gave an 80-minute effort, which says a lot about a team which is so coachable and terrific to be around and a part of."
Manager Denny Clanton's Mother McCauley club was swarming early on against the homeside. Much of the action came from the dynamic frontline duo of Jenna Badali and Grace Hynes, who were just a few weeks removed from a memorable run on the hardwood for the Mighty Macs who returned to the Illinois state basketball finals for the first time since 1997.
"We're fortunate to have some great athletes on this team, several of which play basketball as well," said Clanton, now in his third year in charge. "What they bring, along with other players, helps us play an attacking style of soccer which suits their ability, style and desire to be successful."
Clanton himself is an interesting story.
The former Waubonsie Valley and later University of Dayton star defender, was a fourth-round choice of the Chicago Fire in 2004. He played for the MLS club for two seasons before moving indoors with the Chicago Storm.
Clanton also spent time in the club coaching ranks, most notably with the Chicago Fire Juniors.
The aforementioned Hynes was recently named to the 2019 all-state basketball team. Badali, who led the Mighty Macs in scoring with 15.5 points, earned all-state honorable mention.
Basali, who scored the first three on this day, struck for the opener in the 4th minute, with Isabella Finnegan providing the helper.
"As I said, we were a little flat at the start," offered Grider. "Kind of awestruck by the weapons (Mother McAuley) came at us with. At that point, all you want your team to do is to try to weather the storm."
The Rams backline of Andy Flores, Maggie Mrugala and Alejandra Rodriguez did their best to stay composed and organized during the first quarter hour as they and their mates tried to sort out a well-designed and executed attack in a 3-4-3 formation.
"We like playing in a 3-4-3, because it takes advantage of the players we have along the top, and especially in the middle where the girls like to get forward and be a part of our offense," said Clanton.
To their credit, the trio of Flores, Mrugala and Alejandra did not back down from the challenge. They went hard into tackles and never shied from contact on the floor or in the air.
The sheer speed and crafty movement from Badali, Hynes and Finnegan kept the Rams (3-3-0) under constant pressure. So did Maeve Sheridan, who ran the show from her spot in the middle of the Mighty Macs attack.
"Perhaps the biggest thing we had trouble with was them getting so many numbers forward and us trying to deal with how to stay organized against a team whose front (seven) were all fast and constantly moving," said Grider.
As might as expected, Reavis keeper Diana Gonzalez had a busy day between the sticks. Though the homeside conceded seven, the sophomore came through with a handful of marvelous saves in the contest.
Gonzalez was fearless when making a point-blank stop effort from Badali in the 29th minute, moments afterward she was called into action to turn around a Finnegan attempt after a well-driven free kick whipped into the area by Abigail Grobarcik.
When Grider brought on Lily Saenz and Lesley Zavala minutes before the Gonzalez heroics, the Rams manager move his top player, Litzy Corona, up-top from her spot from the middle in hopes of providing inspiration to his attack.
"Litzy is so technical and highly skilled, and has the ability to do a lot of different things for us with or without the ball," Grider said. "She has so much experience as one of the few seniors on our roster.
"She leads our team in goals, and is being looked at by a handful of colleges (some) NAIA, as well as Division I teams like Eastern Illinois, so it shows what others think about her as a person and player."
The addition of Corona to the attack resulted in the Rams first opportunity of the match. It came from freshman, Jasmin Pascual, whom Grider said will be a key player and cornerstone of the Rams future.
Pascual tricked her way free of a pair of defenders near the edge. If not for a strong, sharp tackle by Brenna Keaty, the Reavis rookie could have been in on the keeper.
Corona nearly latched onto a well-driven, wind-assisted ball out of the back from sophomore Andy Flores but the alert McAuley backline, collectively, smothered the serve.
Badali gave Mother McAuley a 2-0 advantage at 35 minutes when she ran onto a lovely early ball from Sheridan, touched past her mark, then used another touch to turn before finding the far inside netting with a sublime finish.
The junior claimed her hat-trick just seconds before the intermission with help of Hynes.
"(They) came really hard after us right from the start," Corona said. "We had a lot of trouble with it, and even though we had to defend for nearly most of the first half, I still thought we communicated really well and tried to connect with each other from the back to our midfielders."
The biggest threat to the Rams after the break was a now blustery, cold win in its face, as well as the superb and accurate foot of Grobarcik. Each corner the sophomore took gave the homeside headaches.
Reavis, which at times played an aggressive offside trap, nearly caught their guests pushing forward just three minutes into the second period.
That's when Pascual picked out Giselle Ruiz on the counter, only to have the assistant referee on the far side correctly raise his offsides flag.
Gonzalez impressed with a pair of saves on Finnegan's close-range attempts from inside the six, but after the second stop spilled free and Finnegan easily slotted it home at 46 minutes.
Finnegan aimed a one-timer into the back of the net with authority after running onto a Grobarcik corner in the 57th minute. Goal number six came when Veronica Zapata drove another Grobarcik corner past a diving Gonzalez.
Three minutes from time, the Mighty Macs added the final goal to the scoreline.
"I really feel as if we played better (collectively) in the second half, it's just that (McAuley) did well by using the wind to its advantage, and by getting the ball to their best players as often as possible," began Grider.
"It's tough giving up that many goals, and we've been preaching defense from the very first day we got together. But a team like that has a lot of quality, and when they have the chance, they can bury your mistakes."
"It might not look like it after looking at the final score, but I think we played about as well as we could defensively in the back, and the midfield." said Flores. "We haven't faced a team like that, and they were very good."
Flores, a sophomore, was one of several players Grider acknowledged after the game as the conversation shifted to his first year in the program.
"Andy is so coachable, and a great leader already, despite just a sophomore," he said.
"She's a great 1-v.-1 defender, works extremely hard and is just a defensive warrior -- which is so important to have."
Grider has high hopes for his lone freshmen (Pascual), who has already shown flashes of brilliance.
"Jasmin never had played as a central midfielder, but she's figured out things really well," Grider said. "She belongs on a varsity roster, and I know she will continue to improve with each game (just) as everyone else has."
Reavis' first 11 was heavy in juniors and sophomores, including another player Grider praised.
"No. 15 (Alyssa Froylan) is the heart and soul for us out there because of that work rate and work ethic," said Grider.
"It's not about the glory with Alyssa, she goes into every 50-50 as if it's her last, and that's something for everyone to learn from."
After the Rams claimed their first victory (2-0) over Marian in its third and final match at the Windy City Classic, Corona and Froylan each score to help their club to a 2-1 victory against Leyden.
The Rams avenged a season-opening loss in PKs to Stagg, when Cami Valdez stunned the Chargers faithful with the game-winner in the 79th minute.
"As I said before, this is a team that works hard all of the time, and that's something you cannot teach," said a proud Grider. "So me and my staff are extremely lucky to have a group like this one in our first year."
Both Corona and Flores agree the growing influence of their new boss is taking hold. Each feels the club is headed in the right direction in advance of its first week of South Suburban Conference play against Oak Lawn (Tuesday) and Shepard (Thursday). Reavis also will begin in the PepsiCo Showdown next Saturday at Olympic Park in Schaumburg.
"We're passing the ball so much better, the communication has improved in each game, and we're trying to play soccer, and not just kicking the ball (and) hoping it finds someone, and that's all good," says Corona.
Flores added: "Our 1-0 win against Stagg was exciting because we played physical, kept our shape, crossed and moved the ball. I thought it was our best overall game of the year."
Mother McAuley (7-0-0), which a year ago lost its regional final to eventual Class 3A fourth place finisher Andrew, has Shepard, then Girls Catholic Athletic Conference Red Division foe Trinity on its schedule this coming week.
Starting lineups
Mother McAuley (3-4-3)
G- Caitlin Fitzsimmons
D- Jane Hynes
D- Brenna Keaty
D- Nikki Murphy
M- Julie McKee
M- Veronica Zapata
M- Maeve Sheridan
M- Abigail Grobarcik
F- Isabella Finnegan
F- Grace Hynes
F- Jenna Badali
Reavis (3-4-3)
G- Diana Gonzalez
D- Maggie Mrugala
D- Andy Flores
D- Alejandra Rodriguez
M- Cami Valdez
M- Jasmin Pascual
M- Alyssa Froylan
M- Natalie Longoria
F- Sandy Garcia
F- Litzy Corona
F- Melenie Martinez
Chicagoland Soccer MVPs of the Match: Jenna Badali, jr., F, Mother McAuley
Litzy Corona, sr., MF/F, Reavis
Referee: Tim Jarama
Scoring summary
First half
Mother McAuley: Badali (Finnegan) 4'
Mother McAuley: Badali (Sheridan) 35'
Mother McAuley: Badali (G. Hynes) 40'
Second half
Mother McAuley: Finnegan (U/A) 46'
Mother McAuley: Finnegan (Grobarcik) 57'
Mother McAuley: Zapata (Grobarcik) 63'
Mother McAuley: Ternes (Finnegan, Grobarcik) 77'