Evanston finds natural stopper
to hold Naperville North at bay
Defender Siegel puts on gloves, makes impact in 0-0 Malnati's tie
By Patrick Z. McGavin
EVANSTON -- Every game instinctively tells two overlapping stories. What is dramatic and fascinating is how the tension is resolved, an internal rhythm underscoring one team contrasting with the dynamic of a given opponent.
In a marquee showdown, Naperville North was seeking to find a more consistent scoring attack, and Evanston was tasked with resorting to an emergency keeper who just two days earlier was a center back.
Call it Ruby Siegel’s 42nd Street moment, in honor of that show’s breakthrough talent, Ruby Keeler, who steps as a last-minute replacement for an injured star and makes her reputation in the process.
Siegel made two spectacular saves in the second half to thwart the no. 4 Huskies as the Wildcats played the defending tournament champions to a 0-0 draw in the opening match of group play in the Lou Malnati’s Deep Dish Classic here Saturday afternoon.
Replacing freshman starter Caitlyn Fitzpatrick and sophomore backup Sylvi Imrem, both out with injuries, Siegel made her second-consecutive start. She also worked the goalkeepers' position in the impressive victory over Vernon Hills on Thursday.
“I was asked,” she said. “My coach (Stacy Salgado) asked me if I could step in. I am a center back normally, and my coach thought I’d bring the same mindset and experience.”
She responded with two monster saves, a rocket ball from Naperville North midfielder Leah Shumate and and a spectacular diving stop off a left-footed blast by midfielder Taylor Klaiber in the 66th minute.
“On the first shot (by Shumate), I was nervous because she was really close,” Siegel said. “In that moment you can only really make a reaction. This is the form that we wanted to set for the other two teams (Hinsdale Central and Carmel) that are we are going to play. We are definitely ready. It was important for us to get a shutout, not just for me but the whole backline.”
Siegel earned the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match honor for her superb play.
Evanston (4-3-1) dominated the first half. The Wildkits were quicker to the ball and enjoyed the majority of possession time. Junior forward Keara Kerr applied considerable pressure in the Huskies’ back, nearly creating her own breakaway that Naperville North keeper Maddie Hausmann broke up with an athletic play that forced her into an early shot that she punched over the top of the bar.
“They were the most physical team we have played this year, and I thought we matched that,” Salgado said. “We had a couple of good opportunities. The girls showed up ready to play tough. I was really happy with how we matched their physical play and athleticism.”
In the first iteration last year, Naperville North defeated eventual state champion Barrington and state runner-up New Trier in capturing last year’s tournament. Playing its third game in four days, Naperville North was out of sync. The Huskies failed to score in a 1-0 loss to no. 8 Metea Valley on Thursday.
It is certainly worth pondering whether the psychological pressure has begun to weigh on the Huskies.
“We played Wheaton North Wednesday, and we scored five goals, we were finishing and putting our chances away,” senior midfielder Kaitlynn Buescher said. “We got to Metea, and it just wasn’t coming. I think that got into our heads. We had two (conference) games without a break. Today we just got caught mentally. We need to finish our chances. I think we are tired mentally and physically, but we just have to push through.”
Evanston never took the throttle off in the first half, forcing North to be a reactive team. They certainly captured the Huskies’ attention.
“Props to them,” Buescher said. “They totally caught us on our heels. They came in guns blazing, and they really wanted it. I don’t think we were ready. In the second half we came out and showed them our team. I think they took the first half, and we took the second half.”
Over the past two seasons behind the extraordinary play of two-time all-state keeper Elizabeth Cablk, Naperville North registered an astounding 39 shutouts in twice qualifying for Class 3A supersectionals. Hausmann, a Loyola recruit, has stepped in for a seamless transition.
She made six saves. She took away the Wildkits’ only second half scoring chance, a free kick by Callista O’Connor from just outside the box, with an athletic snare.
“I’m trying to figure things out, like a freshman since this is my first year playing with them,” Hausmann said. “I’ve loved every minute of it. The girls have been great. The players before have set the bar high. I try to rise to match those standards. I know my backline is going to help me no matter what.”
Naperville North coach Steve Goletz characterized his team’s first half performance as significantly lacking.
“I thought our effort was just terrible,” he said. “It’s the worst we have played in a long time. We were losing 50-50 balls, and we were slow to first and second balls. Evanston was all over us, and they deserved everything they had by just how hard they wanted it. I challenged the kids at half. If they wanted to be in this game, they had to step it up.
“I thought in the second half we turned the tables and really took advantage of what our strength is, our athleticism.”
Naperville North played with greater urgency and thrust in the second half, exploding to the ball and creating dangerous opportunities in space. The Wildkits’ backline of Ruby Rogers, Annika DeStefano, Katy Donati and Ryann Lucas demonstrated resolve, agility and and a disruptive flair.
“They had some good chances in the second half, but we did a good job of getting back and recovering on defense,” Salgado said. “I really think we are starting to click. Everybody from seniors to freshmen are playing. Everybody is really close.
“Our freshmen are not playing like freshmen, or the sophomores. They are really showing maturity.”
On Monday Evanston hosts a Hinsdale Central squad that surprised Carmel 1-0. Naperville North welcomes the Corsairs to their field that night.
Goletz believes the team has the potential to be very explosive offensively, but the players need to work on their composure, to work the corners more like Shumate’s shot or take a second touch to force the keeper to make a countermove.
“The chances will come, the goals will come hopefully,” he said. “The hardest thing to do in the game of soccer is score. When you have a great goal-scorer, as a coach you feel like you are always in any game. We don’t have that right now. We have a bunch of kids who can develop into that. The way our schedule is set up, we don’t have an easy game. When you don’t have an easy game, you are going to have scoring lulls.
“Overall I am happy with how the kids responded in the second half, and we will continue to build and hopefully the goals are going to come.”
Starting lineups
Naperville North
GK: Maddie Hausmann
D: Jessica Siebers
D: Paige Sylvester
D: Alyssa Siebers
D: Sarah Stokes
D: Reilly Riggs
MF: Katelynn Buescher
MF: Shaina Dudas
MF: Leah Shumate
F: Megan Benmore
F: Hannah Martin
Evanston
GK: Ruby Siegel
D: Ruby Rogers
D: Annika DeStefano
D: Katy Donati
D: Ryann Lucas
M: Margaret Rogan
M: Hadley Bushala
M: Kat Sehgal
F: Callista O'Connor
F: Keara Kerr
F: Vanessa Eljaiek
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Ruby Siegel, sr., GK, Evanston
to hold Naperville North at bay
Defender Siegel puts on gloves, makes impact in 0-0 Malnati's tie
By Patrick Z. McGavin
EVANSTON -- Every game instinctively tells two overlapping stories. What is dramatic and fascinating is how the tension is resolved, an internal rhythm underscoring one team contrasting with the dynamic of a given opponent.
In a marquee showdown, Naperville North was seeking to find a more consistent scoring attack, and Evanston was tasked with resorting to an emergency keeper who just two days earlier was a center back.
Call it Ruby Siegel’s 42nd Street moment, in honor of that show’s breakthrough talent, Ruby Keeler, who steps as a last-minute replacement for an injured star and makes her reputation in the process.
Siegel made two spectacular saves in the second half to thwart the no. 4 Huskies as the Wildcats played the defending tournament champions to a 0-0 draw in the opening match of group play in the Lou Malnati’s Deep Dish Classic here Saturday afternoon.
Replacing freshman starter Caitlyn Fitzpatrick and sophomore backup Sylvi Imrem, both out with injuries, Siegel made her second-consecutive start. She also worked the goalkeepers' position in the impressive victory over Vernon Hills on Thursday.
“I was asked,” she said. “My coach (Stacy Salgado) asked me if I could step in. I am a center back normally, and my coach thought I’d bring the same mindset and experience.”
She responded with two monster saves, a rocket ball from Naperville North midfielder Leah Shumate and and a spectacular diving stop off a left-footed blast by midfielder Taylor Klaiber in the 66th minute.
“On the first shot (by Shumate), I was nervous because she was really close,” Siegel said. “In that moment you can only really make a reaction. This is the form that we wanted to set for the other two teams (Hinsdale Central and Carmel) that are we are going to play. We are definitely ready. It was important for us to get a shutout, not just for me but the whole backline.”
Siegel earned the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match honor for her superb play.
Evanston (4-3-1) dominated the first half. The Wildkits were quicker to the ball and enjoyed the majority of possession time. Junior forward Keara Kerr applied considerable pressure in the Huskies’ back, nearly creating her own breakaway that Naperville North keeper Maddie Hausmann broke up with an athletic play that forced her into an early shot that she punched over the top of the bar.
“They were the most physical team we have played this year, and I thought we matched that,” Salgado said. “We had a couple of good opportunities. The girls showed up ready to play tough. I was really happy with how we matched their physical play and athleticism.”
In the first iteration last year, Naperville North defeated eventual state champion Barrington and state runner-up New Trier in capturing last year’s tournament. Playing its third game in four days, Naperville North was out of sync. The Huskies failed to score in a 1-0 loss to no. 8 Metea Valley on Thursday.
It is certainly worth pondering whether the psychological pressure has begun to weigh on the Huskies.
“We played Wheaton North Wednesday, and we scored five goals, we were finishing and putting our chances away,” senior midfielder Kaitlynn Buescher said. “We got to Metea, and it just wasn’t coming. I think that got into our heads. We had two (conference) games without a break. Today we just got caught mentally. We need to finish our chances. I think we are tired mentally and physically, but we just have to push through.”
Evanston never took the throttle off in the first half, forcing North to be a reactive team. They certainly captured the Huskies’ attention.
“Props to them,” Buescher said. “They totally caught us on our heels. They came in guns blazing, and they really wanted it. I don’t think we were ready. In the second half we came out and showed them our team. I think they took the first half, and we took the second half.”
Over the past two seasons behind the extraordinary play of two-time all-state keeper Elizabeth Cablk, Naperville North registered an astounding 39 shutouts in twice qualifying for Class 3A supersectionals. Hausmann, a Loyola recruit, has stepped in for a seamless transition.
She made six saves. She took away the Wildkits’ only second half scoring chance, a free kick by Callista O’Connor from just outside the box, with an athletic snare.
“I’m trying to figure things out, like a freshman since this is my first year playing with them,” Hausmann said. “I’ve loved every minute of it. The girls have been great. The players before have set the bar high. I try to rise to match those standards. I know my backline is going to help me no matter what.”
Naperville North coach Steve Goletz characterized his team’s first half performance as significantly lacking.
“I thought our effort was just terrible,” he said. “It’s the worst we have played in a long time. We were losing 50-50 balls, and we were slow to first and second balls. Evanston was all over us, and they deserved everything they had by just how hard they wanted it. I challenged the kids at half. If they wanted to be in this game, they had to step it up.
“I thought in the second half we turned the tables and really took advantage of what our strength is, our athleticism.”
Naperville North played with greater urgency and thrust in the second half, exploding to the ball and creating dangerous opportunities in space. The Wildkits’ backline of Ruby Rogers, Annika DeStefano, Katy Donati and Ryann Lucas demonstrated resolve, agility and and a disruptive flair.
“They had some good chances in the second half, but we did a good job of getting back and recovering on defense,” Salgado said. “I really think we are starting to click. Everybody from seniors to freshmen are playing. Everybody is really close.
“Our freshmen are not playing like freshmen, or the sophomores. They are really showing maturity.”
On Monday Evanston hosts a Hinsdale Central squad that surprised Carmel 1-0. Naperville North welcomes the Corsairs to their field that night.
Goletz believes the team has the potential to be very explosive offensively, but the players need to work on their composure, to work the corners more like Shumate’s shot or take a second touch to force the keeper to make a countermove.
“The chances will come, the goals will come hopefully,” he said. “The hardest thing to do in the game of soccer is score. When you have a great goal-scorer, as a coach you feel like you are always in any game. We don’t have that right now. We have a bunch of kids who can develop into that. The way our schedule is set up, we don’t have an easy game. When you don’t have an easy game, you are going to have scoring lulls.
“Overall I am happy with how the kids responded in the second half, and we will continue to build and hopefully the goals are going to come.”
Starting lineups
Naperville North
GK: Maddie Hausmann
D: Jessica Siebers
D: Paige Sylvester
D: Alyssa Siebers
D: Sarah Stokes
D: Reilly Riggs
MF: Katelynn Buescher
MF: Shaina Dudas
MF: Leah Shumate
F: Megan Benmore
F: Hannah Martin
Evanston
GK: Ruby Siegel
D: Ruby Rogers
D: Annika DeStefano
D: Katy Donati
D: Ryann Lucas
M: Margaret Rogan
M: Hadley Bushala
M: Kat Sehgal
F: Callista O'Connor
F: Keara Kerr
F: Vanessa Eljaiek
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Ruby Siegel, sr., GK, Evanston