Metea V., St. Francis fight fatigue in draw
Chances there, finishes aren't in 0-0 stalemate
By Dave Owen
WHEATON – Two teams weary from tough matches the previous night still put on a show worthy of ultimate praise.
While St. Francis (11-4-3) and Metea Valley (11-7-3) would end Tuesday’s battle where they began, locked in a 0-0 tie, both had plenty to savor in a key tuneup for the impending state playoffs.
For the host Spartans, Senior Night produced high emotions, high-level scoring chances, and sky-high compliments.
“They were by far the best team we’ve played this entire season,” Metea Valley co-captain Chesney Wargo said. “I’m really proud of how we responded to their pressure and their talent. I think it’s a really good game to come off of into the next few games.”
The Mustangs’ membership in the elite DuPage Valley Conference made her words even more notable.
“They (St. Francis) have a lot of talent,” Wargo said, “and we were talking about it at the end of the game.”
Keeping St. Francis, which is ranked sixth in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, scoreless for 80 minutes was a similar tribute to Metea Valley sophomore goalkeeper Nikki Coryell and the Mustangs’ defense.
“We were just trying to stay organized and work together defensively as a unit,” said Coryell. “They work really well off the ball. They made a lot of runs. So we tried to make sure we were communicating as best we can, just so we know where everyone’s at.”
That near-impossible task allowed for some great St. Francis chances whcih were met by some incredible saves by Coryell (who shared MVP of the Match honors with Spartans senior Kendra Pasquale).
Her diving catch at the near post on a Pasquale shot with 34:45 left was a prelude to one of the saves of the year 11 minutes later.
Off passes from Katherine Lemke and Pasquale, St. Francis’ Caroline Zimmer had an open look left of the net. Her 15-yard shot appeared destined for the right side of the net, but Coryell made an incredible leaping fingertip deflection wide of the net.
“Just instinct mostly,” Coryell said of her goalkeeping style. “I take away as much of the goal as I can, and make it as hard as possible for them.”
Spartans coach Jim Winslow was impressed both by Coryell, and his team’s perseverance.
“Do you want to win? Absolutely,” he said. “But we had some good opportunities, and their keeper made a great save on the one she flicked past the post.
“And we had some ones we should have put away. But two tough games back to back, you could see the kids were tired.”
Shutout losses Monday for both the Spartans (2-0 to Loyola) and Mustangs (1-0 to West Aurora) could have been a downer coming in, but didn’t impact the myriad of strong plays made Tuesday by the two quality sides.
“We were a little beat up (after Monday),” Pasquale said, “but it was great that we had two tough games going into playoffs versus other competition. This is taking a good step forward now.
“This way we’re keeping that peak going up, versus playing a team we can dominate. Having this competition at this high level is going to really help us.”
As usual, Pasquale was the main offensive force on the field. A constant threat, she was at her best with 31:15 left (lining a shot off the crossbar off a Hannah Rittenhouse pass) and again with 24:55 to go (blocking a Metea Valley clearing attempt and rocketing a high 30-yarder a millimeter wide of the back post).
Metea Valley had its own near misses, most notably with 21:30 to play.
After Sophia Senese was fouled, Wargo blasted a straight on 25-yard free kick off the crossbar. Maeve Riordan’s right side hustle produced a rebound try that went off the side of the net.
“We practice (free kicks) a lot, and my coaches have been cheering me on and asking me to take them a little bit more,” Wargo said. “And practice makes perfect. But it would have been nice if it had gone in.”
An entertaining second half featured big chances to the final minute.
For Metea Valley, Riordan’s midfield interception and dribble up the left side into the box ended with a 15-yard liner wide of the post with 9:50 left. Then a minute later, Spartans goalkeeper Courtney Kozak stopped an Alexa Paraham 22-yard shot.
Kozak smothered the last scoring bid of the night with 1:10 to go, diving to cover an end line cross by Riordan.
As for the Spartans, the late-game chances were even bigger.
Coryell caught a Zimmer 20-yarder with 5:10 left, and then closed her shutout effort with two big stops in the final 2:30.
First, a Mickey Corrigan pass set up Rittenhouse on the left for an 8-yard blast blocked by Coryell. Then off a Claire Hensley corner kick with 1:30 to go, Coryell made a sliding save to repel Sarah Maller’s low 20-yard drive.
Metea coach Chris Whaley was impressed with his defense’s ability to weather the storm.
“Nikki in goal for sure was strong; she made a couple of big saves,” Whaley said. “And (Sophia) Senese played really well in the mid, just battling.
“They (St. Francis) have talent all over the field. You really have to work on both sides of the ball, to shut them down and then get yourself up to go forward again.”
Nineteenth-ranked Metea Valley started more freshmen or sophomores (five) than seniors (four) Tuesday.
“We’re just trying to teach them the culture,” senior Wargo said. “I think that’s the most important thing, to try and include them in everything, because this is going to be their home for the next four years. We’re just trying to build up their confidence to work as a team, and hopefully it will all keep coming together at the end of the season.”
For the Spartans, Senior Night (with a starting lineup of 11 seniors) added a little fire to Tuesday’s effort.
“I thought that as a team we played pretty well,” St. Francis senior Erin Peck said, “especially because sometimes all the seniors don’t get to play together.
“It was an opportunity for everyone to play together, and I thought despite not playing together every game we played pretty well. We had possession for most of the game, especially in the second half. We just needed to finish our chances.”
But to Winslow, the chance to see every Spartan on the field was the main goal.
“I felt good,” he said. “I got to play everybody on the roster, to all take part in it (Senior Night). And it kind of showed in the first half. We weren’t pretty.
“The seniors did a great job the first 15 minutes, and then they kind of ran out of juice, and they (Metea) had control of the game for a little while. Then we kind of responded.”
Metea’s first half scoring bids included a Nicole Dawson 15-yard free kick from the right sideline in the 30th minute – which Kozak dove to stop at the near post.
Coryell had her own big saves in the first half, including a low grab at the post of a 15-yard Rittenhouse rocket.
“Then the second half was kind of up and down the field,” Winslow said. “You still point out things that ‘If we could improve this by 5 percent at this point of the season, it would make a big difference.’
“But to be frank, for as hard as it was after last night to come back and play a good team tonight, I was impressed by our kids.”
That good impression of his team is nothing new.
“I’m going to miss them because it’s hard to find kids like this,” Winslow said. “This group (of seniors) has had a ton of success, but they really haven’t let it get to their heads. They’ve always worked hard.
“And they all get along. In that group of 12 they have their own friends, but it isn’t cliquey. And they’ve always treated underclassmen with dignity and respect. They’re just a great group, and they’re all going to do really well in their future careers.”
Senior Night produced individual moments to savor.
“Maggie O’Reilly played quite a bit for us last year, then tore her ACL in the sectional final,” Winslow said. “Her recovery unfortunately took some time, and by the time she was up and going we’re well into the season. But she’s such a sweet kid, and she’s overcome a lot.
“She played about 15 to 20 minutes tonight.”
With 12 seniors on the Spartans, Pasquale volunteered to be the one not to start Tuesday. But she just missed on multiple finishes (goals), and the regular season finale of her four-year varsity career produced waves of memories.
“I wouldn’t have changed this for the world,” Pasquale said. “They’ve taught me so much here, and being with these girls has definitely been like a second family.
“Being with our big senior class for four years, we’ve really grown together. We’ve had amazing people coming in, and I had amazing people ahead of me that taught me so much. So being able to play for this team and represent St. Francis has really been special to me. And getting to come out and play every game with these girls – I wouldn’t have changed it.”
Both the Spartans and Mustangs now change gears, with playoff time right around the corner.
Tuesday was good preparation for the tests to come.
“These are great games (with St. Francis),” Whaley said. “Jim and I talk all the time about how you want to get your team ready for postseason here. He has a very talented team.
“We haven’t had a good last couple of weeks, but I knew our girls would bring good energy tonight, and they did. We’re in a good spot. And we’re excited about playing well tonight.”
Said Coryell: “Obviously it was a good effort tonight with two good teams. We just want to continue to build off of this.”
Wargo sees one factor as key to success going forward.
“Obviously today we would have liked to see the goal a little more,” she said. “I think we do a really good job of possessing and getting up there, but finishing is the main goal for the coming weeks.”
St. Francis has big goals in the Class AA playoffs.
“Obviously our goal is to go to state and hopefully win state,” Peck said, “so we just have to make sure that in all our practices now we give it 110 percent, and we keep pushing through all of our injuries.”
Midfielder Kaitlyn Joniak returned from injury to start and see notable playing time Tuesday, diminishing the injury concern a bit.
A rare string of two-straight shutouts also isn’t a cause for worry.
“We had a lot of really good chances,” Pasquale said. “We just couldn’t finish, but we have games like that.
“Last night we really couldn’t finish either, so I think it was good that we kept our intensity up the whole time.
“Going into playoffs we’re definitely ready, and we always give it our all so that will be consistent with us,” Pasquale added. “We just have to capitalize on our opportunities.”
For his part, Winslow is optimistic – but cautiously.
“We have great individual, collective talent,” Winslow said. “Our biggest thing is making sure we don’t lose the focus.
“Last night in the second half we did a good job combining against Loyola, getting behind them and doing some better things. I have to hammer that home, the need to do that going into the state playoffs.
“We can score goals,” he added, “but there are teams that will park the bus (pack the defensive end) where we have to be patient. If we get that first goal, teams have to come out and play us. That’s when we’re really scary.”
Starting lineups
Metea Valley
GK Nikki Coryell
D Kalya Hansen
D Katy Flanders
D Nicole Dawson
D Paige Buranosky
M Chesney Wargo
M Sydney Rohm
M Sophia Senese
M Kayla Hurst
F Maeve Riordan
F Lauryn Wesolowski
St. Francis
GK Courtney Kozak
D Eloise Curtiss
D Alex Pruesser
D Maggie O’Reilly
D Sarah Maller
M Claire Hensley
M Kaitlyn Joniak
M Nicole Platt
M Adeline Shaw
F Christine Fasana
F Erin Peck
Chicagoland Soccer co-MVPs of the Match: Nikki Coryell, so., GK, Metea Valley
Kendra Pasquale, sr. F, St. Francis
Chances there, finishes aren't in 0-0 stalemate
By Dave Owen
WHEATON – Two teams weary from tough matches the previous night still put on a show worthy of ultimate praise.
While St. Francis (11-4-3) and Metea Valley (11-7-3) would end Tuesday’s battle where they began, locked in a 0-0 tie, both had plenty to savor in a key tuneup for the impending state playoffs.
For the host Spartans, Senior Night produced high emotions, high-level scoring chances, and sky-high compliments.
“They were by far the best team we’ve played this entire season,” Metea Valley co-captain Chesney Wargo said. “I’m really proud of how we responded to their pressure and their talent. I think it’s a really good game to come off of into the next few games.”
The Mustangs’ membership in the elite DuPage Valley Conference made her words even more notable.
“They (St. Francis) have a lot of talent,” Wargo said, “and we were talking about it at the end of the game.”
Keeping St. Francis, which is ranked sixth in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, scoreless for 80 minutes was a similar tribute to Metea Valley sophomore goalkeeper Nikki Coryell and the Mustangs’ defense.
“We were just trying to stay organized and work together defensively as a unit,” said Coryell. “They work really well off the ball. They made a lot of runs. So we tried to make sure we were communicating as best we can, just so we know where everyone’s at.”
That near-impossible task allowed for some great St. Francis chances whcih were met by some incredible saves by Coryell (who shared MVP of the Match honors with Spartans senior Kendra Pasquale).
Her diving catch at the near post on a Pasquale shot with 34:45 left was a prelude to one of the saves of the year 11 minutes later.
Off passes from Katherine Lemke and Pasquale, St. Francis’ Caroline Zimmer had an open look left of the net. Her 15-yard shot appeared destined for the right side of the net, but Coryell made an incredible leaping fingertip deflection wide of the net.
“Just instinct mostly,” Coryell said of her goalkeeping style. “I take away as much of the goal as I can, and make it as hard as possible for them.”
Spartans coach Jim Winslow was impressed both by Coryell, and his team’s perseverance.
“Do you want to win? Absolutely,” he said. “But we had some good opportunities, and their keeper made a great save on the one she flicked past the post.
“And we had some ones we should have put away. But two tough games back to back, you could see the kids were tired.”
Shutout losses Monday for both the Spartans (2-0 to Loyola) and Mustangs (1-0 to West Aurora) could have been a downer coming in, but didn’t impact the myriad of strong plays made Tuesday by the two quality sides.
“We were a little beat up (after Monday),” Pasquale said, “but it was great that we had two tough games going into playoffs versus other competition. This is taking a good step forward now.
“This way we’re keeping that peak going up, versus playing a team we can dominate. Having this competition at this high level is going to really help us.”
As usual, Pasquale was the main offensive force on the field. A constant threat, she was at her best with 31:15 left (lining a shot off the crossbar off a Hannah Rittenhouse pass) and again with 24:55 to go (blocking a Metea Valley clearing attempt and rocketing a high 30-yarder a millimeter wide of the back post).
Metea Valley had its own near misses, most notably with 21:30 to play.
After Sophia Senese was fouled, Wargo blasted a straight on 25-yard free kick off the crossbar. Maeve Riordan’s right side hustle produced a rebound try that went off the side of the net.
“We practice (free kicks) a lot, and my coaches have been cheering me on and asking me to take them a little bit more,” Wargo said. “And practice makes perfect. But it would have been nice if it had gone in.”
An entertaining second half featured big chances to the final minute.
For Metea Valley, Riordan’s midfield interception and dribble up the left side into the box ended with a 15-yard liner wide of the post with 9:50 left. Then a minute later, Spartans goalkeeper Courtney Kozak stopped an Alexa Paraham 22-yard shot.
Kozak smothered the last scoring bid of the night with 1:10 to go, diving to cover an end line cross by Riordan.
As for the Spartans, the late-game chances were even bigger.
Coryell caught a Zimmer 20-yarder with 5:10 left, and then closed her shutout effort with two big stops in the final 2:30.
First, a Mickey Corrigan pass set up Rittenhouse on the left for an 8-yard blast blocked by Coryell. Then off a Claire Hensley corner kick with 1:30 to go, Coryell made a sliding save to repel Sarah Maller’s low 20-yard drive.
Metea coach Chris Whaley was impressed with his defense’s ability to weather the storm.
“Nikki in goal for sure was strong; she made a couple of big saves,” Whaley said. “And (Sophia) Senese played really well in the mid, just battling.
“They (St. Francis) have talent all over the field. You really have to work on both sides of the ball, to shut them down and then get yourself up to go forward again.”
Nineteenth-ranked Metea Valley started more freshmen or sophomores (five) than seniors (four) Tuesday.
“We’re just trying to teach them the culture,” senior Wargo said. “I think that’s the most important thing, to try and include them in everything, because this is going to be their home for the next four years. We’re just trying to build up their confidence to work as a team, and hopefully it will all keep coming together at the end of the season.”
For the Spartans, Senior Night (with a starting lineup of 11 seniors) added a little fire to Tuesday’s effort.
“I thought that as a team we played pretty well,” St. Francis senior Erin Peck said, “especially because sometimes all the seniors don’t get to play together.
“It was an opportunity for everyone to play together, and I thought despite not playing together every game we played pretty well. We had possession for most of the game, especially in the second half. We just needed to finish our chances.”
But to Winslow, the chance to see every Spartan on the field was the main goal.
“I felt good,” he said. “I got to play everybody on the roster, to all take part in it (Senior Night). And it kind of showed in the first half. We weren’t pretty.
“The seniors did a great job the first 15 minutes, and then they kind of ran out of juice, and they (Metea) had control of the game for a little while. Then we kind of responded.”
Metea’s first half scoring bids included a Nicole Dawson 15-yard free kick from the right sideline in the 30th minute – which Kozak dove to stop at the near post.
Coryell had her own big saves in the first half, including a low grab at the post of a 15-yard Rittenhouse rocket.
“Then the second half was kind of up and down the field,” Winslow said. “You still point out things that ‘If we could improve this by 5 percent at this point of the season, it would make a big difference.’
“But to be frank, for as hard as it was after last night to come back and play a good team tonight, I was impressed by our kids.”
That good impression of his team is nothing new.
“I’m going to miss them because it’s hard to find kids like this,” Winslow said. “This group (of seniors) has had a ton of success, but they really haven’t let it get to their heads. They’ve always worked hard.
“And they all get along. In that group of 12 they have their own friends, but it isn’t cliquey. And they’ve always treated underclassmen with dignity and respect. They’re just a great group, and they’re all going to do really well in their future careers.”
Senior Night produced individual moments to savor.
“Maggie O’Reilly played quite a bit for us last year, then tore her ACL in the sectional final,” Winslow said. “Her recovery unfortunately took some time, and by the time she was up and going we’re well into the season. But she’s such a sweet kid, and she’s overcome a lot.
“She played about 15 to 20 minutes tonight.”
With 12 seniors on the Spartans, Pasquale volunteered to be the one not to start Tuesday. But she just missed on multiple finishes (goals), and the regular season finale of her four-year varsity career produced waves of memories.
“I wouldn’t have changed this for the world,” Pasquale said. “They’ve taught me so much here, and being with these girls has definitely been like a second family.
“Being with our big senior class for four years, we’ve really grown together. We’ve had amazing people coming in, and I had amazing people ahead of me that taught me so much. So being able to play for this team and represent St. Francis has really been special to me. And getting to come out and play every game with these girls – I wouldn’t have changed it.”
Both the Spartans and Mustangs now change gears, with playoff time right around the corner.
Tuesday was good preparation for the tests to come.
“These are great games (with St. Francis),” Whaley said. “Jim and I talk all the time about how you want to get your team ready for postseason here. He has a very talented team.
“We haven’t had a good last couple of weeks, but I knew our girls would bring good energy tonight, and they did. We’re in a good spot. And we’re excited about playing well tonight.”
Said Coryell: “Obviously it was a good effort tonight with two good teams. We just want to continue to build off of this.”
Wargo sees one factor as key to success going forward.
“Obviously today we would have liked to see the goal a little more,” she said. “I think we do a really good job of possessing and getting up there, but finishing is the main goal for the coming weeks.”
St. Francis has big goals in the Class AA playoffs.
“Obviously our goal is to go to state and hopefully win state,” Peck said, “so we just have to make sure that in all our practices now we give it 110 percent, and we keep pushing through all of our injuries.”
Midfielder Kaitlyn Joniak returned from injury to start and see notable playing time Tuesday, diminishing the injury concern a bit.
A rare string of two-straight shutouts also isn’t a cause for worry.
“We had a lot of really good chances,” Pasquale said. “We just couldn’t finish, but we have games like that.
“Last night we really couldn’t finish either, so I think it was good that we kept our intensity up the whole time.
“Going into playoffs we’re definitely ready, and we always give it our all so that will be consistent with us,” Pasquale added. “We just have to capitalize on our opportunities.”
For his part, Winslow is optimistic – but cautiously.
“We have great individual, collective talent,” Winslow said. “Our biggest thing is making sure we don’t lose the focus.
“Last night in the second half we did a good job combining against Loyola, getting behind them and doing some better things. I have to hammer that home, the need to do that going into the state playoffs.
“We can score goals,” he added, “but there are teams that will park the bus (pack the defensive end) where we have to be patient. If we get that first goal, teams have to come out and play us. That’s when we’re really scary.”
Starting lineups
Metea Valley
GK Nikki Coryell
D Kalya Hansen
D Katy Flanders
D Nicole Dawson
D Paige Buranosky
M Chesney Wargo
M Sydney Rohm
M Sophia Senese
M Kayla Hurst
F Maeve Riordan
F Lauryn Wesolowski
St. Francis
GK Courtney Kozak
D Eloise Curtiss
D Alex Pruesser
D Maggie O’Reilly
D Sarah Maller
M Claire Hensley
M Kaitlyn Joniak
M Nicole Platt
M Adeline Shaw
F Christine Fasana
F Erin Peck
Chicagoland Soccer co-MVPs of the Match: Nikki Coryell, so., GK, Metea Valley
Kendra Pasquale, sr. F, St. Francis