NSCD impresses, takes down host Willows
Weil records brace, Charnas 3 assists in 4-1 ISL win
By Mike Garofola
DES PLAINES -- First half goal-scorers Eun Hae Lillig and Emily Weil helped seal a 4-1 victory for visiting North Shore Country Day over Willows on Tuesday afternoon at Maryville Academy.
Lillig hit the opener at 19 minutes. But it was Weil's brace, scored 60 seconds apart, that delivered the knockout punch for Lizzy Giffen's Raiders (6-3-0, 2-0-0) whose rampant attack proved too much for the Eagles during an impressive first 40 minutes in the Independent School League match.
"I was really very happy with our overall play in the first half," said Giffen.
"We had not played a conference game since back in early April when we beat Chicago U-High (3-0), but we all knew this was a big game in the ISL, and the girls came out and treated (it) like the big game it was."
"That was maybe our best half of soccer this season," said Raiders junior Allie Charnas, whose partnership in the center of the park with teammate Julia Fortier clearly gave the visitors the advantage in midfield and earned each Chicagoland Soccer co-MVP of the Match honors.
"All (five) of us in the midfield did so well communicating, connecting passes, moving off the ball and creating chances."
Willows (10-5-0, 2-2-0) manager Leah Kartsimas admitted to some concern over the Raiders a few days in advance of this soccer match, and unfortunately her worries were realized when the visitors showcased their high-octane attack in the first quarter hour.
"I expected North Shore Country Day to be able to connect passes and drive the ball forward, so our plan was to try to break them down and put as much pressure on them as possible. In that first half we fell a little short in our own end, and they made us pay for it," said the Eagles first-year manager.
"They played quick, used their wing players really well, and played the ball into open space that we conceded into the middle. It wasn't until the break that we were able to make some adjustments for the second half."
North Shore Country Day managed to create five corners in the first quarter hour, plus a trio of deep throws to keep the home side in its own end for much of that time.
North Shore Country Day's lone forward, Edith Edwards-Mizel was the recepient of plenty of the creative genious of Charnas, Fortier, Weil and Paige Forester, so it wasn't long before this quintet pieced together a dominant, possession-heavy performance.
"Julia is an amazing teammate to play alongside of, and to be able to connect with Edith, Eun, Paige and others like we did today was a lot of fun," said Charnas.
Fortier and Charnas were responsible for the Hillig goal, but it was an sharp interception by Caroline Segal along the touchline and quick touch inside to the trailing Charnas that made the sequence possible.
Willows slowly worked into the game after conceding the first goal. With the help of Theresa Presberg, the home side began to test the Raiders backline.
"Theresa is the type of player who can be placed just about everywhere we need her, she's consistent and does a great job of creating for others," said Kartsimas of the junior, who wears a captain's armband for her club along with Kailey Mongoven and Celia Coyle.
Presberg's persistence led to a free kick opportunity at 32 minutes. Ashleigh Fischer curled her shot around the Raiders wall from 24 yards to force North Shore Country Day keeper Abby Renaud to save.
Renaud, for her part, enjoyed a relatively stress-free 80 minutes. Her backline of Rachel Olatunji, Jane Scullion, Emma Smirl and Segal made sure things were taken care of.
Weil's first goal in the 33rd minute was magnificent and began with quick ball movement and placement from Segal. Then Charnas pried open the Eagles to allow Weil to finish from the left side.
The senior made it 3-0 moments later after Charnas sent her through with a lovely ball.
"Both of Emily's goals were great goals -- professional goals -- each coming from some terrific work with and without the ball and with great passes, which wasn't easy playing on a grass field that had plenty of bumps," said Giffen.
A lesser soccer team might have folded like an umbrella when it was clear it would be chasing three goals at the break. But Willows showed its resolve when Claire Kelly put two on frame for the Eagles before the intermission. That signaled the home side was not about to go away for good on this sunny afternoon.
"This team plays with a lot of energy, and whether we're winning or losing, they always leave it out there, which is one of the things that I love about this group," said Kartsimas.
"We talked about a few things at the half, moved a few players around, which they all handle so well, and I thought played a much better second half of soccer."
North Shore Country Day worked to get back on the scoreboard, but a Charnas free kick went over the bar in the 56th minute. Then on the turn, Forester had her drive stopped by Willows keeper Kathryn Stengel, who enjoyed a wonderful day of work between the sticks for Kartsimas.
"We can always count on Kathryn for a couple of big saves," said Kartsimas. "She always keeps us in the game, and she's been a strong force in the net and a great communicator."
Stengel's counterpart Renaud stopped Kelly with a smart save in the 64th minute, then denied Kailey Mongoven two minutes later after Penelope Rodriguez turned provider.
Stengel was fearless when she turned away a point-blank effort from Weil. But the ball spilled freely to Zinzi Steele, who made her mark on the game in the 67th minute just after Giffen brought the sophomore on.
"One of the many things I liked about this game was how much each and every player contributed to this victory," began Giffen.
"The effort and work rate was terrific, and that's what we'll need with some tough ISL games against Parker and Latin coming up."
Kelly would pull one back for Willows in the 68th minute with a glorious strike from 30 yards, but that was as close as the Eagles would get.
"North Shore Country Day is a very good team, and one, if we can get that far, will be the team we meet again in the Class A sectionals," said Kartsimas.
"We received some good work from the girls in the second half. Claire Kelly's goal was a good one. Mary Grace Kenny played extremely well as did Penelope (Rodriguez) who is a real fighter out there and very unselfish."
The Eagles recovered from the loss quickly to post a 9-0 conference home win over Elgin Academy on Wednesday.
North Shore Country Day will host the same squad on Friday afternoon.
"We did so many things well with our offense, but the defensive unit shouldn't be overlooked," said Charnas. "Because they did a great job of winning balls, and just being ready steady all during the game."
Starting lineups
North Shore Country Day (4-5-1)
G- Abby Renaud
D- Rachel Olatunji
D- Emma Smirl
D- Jane Scullion
D- Caroline Segal
M- Eue Hae Lillig
M- Allie Charnas
M- Julia Fortier
M- Page Forester
M- Emily Weil
F- Edith Edwards-Mizel
Willows (3-5-2)
G- Kathryn Stangel
D- Mary Grace Kenny
D- Emma Dunaway
D- Bridget Mongoven
DM- Ashleigh Fischer
M- Teresa Birmingham
M- Kailey Mongoven
M- Theresa Presberg
M- Clare Kelly
F- Faye Chapello
F- Grace Chapel
Chicagoland Soccer MVPs of the Match: Allie Charnas, jr., MF, NSCD
Julia Fortier, jr., MF, NSCD
Referee: Seong Ha
Scoring summary
First half
North Shore Country Day: Lillig (Fortier, Charnas) 19'
North Shore Country Day: Weil (Charnas) 33'
North Shore Country Day: Weil (Charnas) 34'
Second half
North Shore Country Day: Steele (U/A) 67'
Willows: Kelly (U/A) 68'
Weil records brace, Charnas 3 assists in 4-1 ISL win
By Mike Garofola
DES PLAINES -- First half goal-scorers Eun Hae Lillig and Emily Weil helped seal a 4-1 victory for visiting North Shore Country Day over Willows on Tuesday afternoon at Maryville Academy.
Lillig hit the opener at 19 minutes. But it was Weil's brace, scored 60 seconds apart, that delivered the knockout punch for Lizzy Giffen's Raiders (6-3-0, 2-0-0) whose rampant attack proved too much for the Eagles during an impressive first 40 minutes in the Independent School League match.
"I was really very happy with our overall play in the first half," said Giffen.
"We had not played a conference game since back in early April when we beat Chicago U-High (3-0), but we all knew this was a big game in the ISL, and the girls came out and treated (it) like the big game it was."
"That was maybe our best half of soccer this season," said Raiders junior Allie Charnas, whose partnership in the center of the park with teammate Julia Fortier clearly gave the visitors the advantage in midfield and earned each Chicagoland Soccer co-MVP of the Match honors.
"All (five) of us in the midfield did so well communicating, connecting passes, moving off the ball and creating chances."
Willows (10-5-0, 2-2-0) manager Leah Kartsimas admitted to some concern over the Raiders a few days in advance of this soccer match, and unfortunately her worries were realized when the visitors showcased their high-octane attack in the first quarter hour.
"I expected North Shore Country Day to be able to connect passes and drive the ball forward, so our plan was to try to break them down and put as much pressure on them as possible. In that first half we fell a little short in our own end, and they made us pay for it," said the Eagles first-year manager.
"They played quick, used their wing players really well, and played the ball into open space that we conceded into the middle. It wasn't until the break that we were able to make some adjustments for the second half."
North Shore Country Day managed to create five corners in the first quarter hour, plus a trio of deep throws to keep the home side in its own end for much of that time.
North Shore Country Day's lone forward, Edith Edwards-Mizel was the recepient of plenty of the creative genious of Charnas, Fortier, Weil and Paige Forester, so it wasn't long before this quintet pieced together a dominant, possession-heavy performance.
"Julia is an amazing teammate to play alongside of, and to be able to connect with Edith, Eun, Paige and others like we did today was a lot of fun," said Charnas.
Fortier and Charnas were responsible for the Hillig goal, but it was an sharp interception by Caroline Segal along the touchline and quick touch inside to the trailing Charnas that made the sequence possible.
Willows slowly worked into the game after conceding the first goal. With the help of Theresa Presberg, the home side began to test the Raiders backline.
"Theresa is the type of player who can be placed just about everywhere we need her, she's consistent and does a great job of creating for others," said Kartsimas of the junior, who wears a captain's armband for her club along with Kailey Mongoven and Celia Coyle.
Presberg's persistence led to a free kick opportunity at 32 minutes. Ashleigh Fischer curled her shot around the Raiders wall from 24 yards to force North Shore Country Day keeper Abby Renaud to save.
Renaud, for her part, enjoyed a relatively stress-free 80 minutes. Her backline of Rachel Olatunji, Jane Scullion, Emma Smirl and Segal made sure things were taken care of.
Weil's first goal in the 33rd minute was magnificent and began with quick ball movement and placement from Segal. Then Charnas pried open the Eagles to allow Weil to finish from the left side.
The senior made it 3-0 moments later after Charnas sent her through with a lovely ball.
"Both of Emily's goals were great goals -- professional goals -- each coming from some terrific work with and without the ball and with great passes, which wasn't easy playing on a grass field that had plenty of bumps," said Giffen.
A lesser soccer team might have folded like an umbrella when it was clear it would be chasing three goals at the break. But Willows showed its resolve when Claire Kelly put two on frame for the Eagles before the intermission. That signaled the home side was not about to go away for good on this sunny afternoon.
"This team plays with a lot of energy, and whether we're winning or losing, they always leave it out there, which is one of the things that I love about this group," said Kartsimas.
"We talked about a few things at the half, moved a few players around, which they all handle so well, and I thought played a much better second half of soccer."
North Shore Country Day worked to get back on the scoreboard, but a Charnas free kick went over the bar in the 56th minute. Then on the turn, Forester had her drive stopped by Willows keeper Kathryn Stengel, who enjoyed a wonderful day of work between the sticks for Kartsimas.
"We can always count on Kathryn for a couple of big saves," said Kartsimas. "She always keeps us in the game, and she's been a strong force in the net and a great communicator."
Stengel's counterpart Renaud stopped Kelly with a smart save in the 64th minute, then denied Kailey Mongoven two minutes later after Penelope Rodriguez turned provider.
Stengel was fearless when she turned away a point-blank effort from Weil. But the ball spilled freely to Zinzi Steele, who made her mark on the game in the 67th minute just after Giffen brought the sophomore on.
"One of the many things I liked about this game was how much each and every player contributed to this victory," began Giffen.
"The effort and work rate was terrific, and that's what we'll need with some tough ISL games against Parker and Latin coming up."
Kelly would pull one back for Willows in the 68th minute with a glorious strike from 30 yards, but that was as close as the Eagles would get.
"North Shore Country Day is a very good team, and one, if we can get that far, will be the team we meet again in the Class A sectionals," said Kartsimas.
"We received some good work from the girls in the second half. Claire Kelly's goal was a good one. Mary Grace Kenny played extremely well as did Penelope (Rodriguez) who is a real fighter out there and very unselfish."
The Eagles recovered from the loss quickly to post a 9-0 conference home win over Elgin Academy on Wednesday.
North Shore Country Day will host the same squad on Friday afternoon.
"We did so many things well with our offense, but the defensive unit shouldn't be overlooked," said Charnas. "Because they did a great job of winning balls, and just being ready steady all during the game."
Starting lineups
North Shore Country Day (4-5-1)
G- Abby Renaud
D- Rachel Olatunji
D- Emma Smirl
D- Jane Scullion
D- Caroline Segal
M- Eue Hae Lillig
M- Allie Charnas
M- Julia Fortier
M- Page Forester
M- Emily Weil
F- Edith Edwards-Mizel
Willows (3-5-2)
G- Kathryn Stangel
D- Mary Grace Kenny
D- Emma Dunaway
D- Bridget Mongoven
DM- Ashleigh Fischer
M- Teresa Birmingham
M- Kailey Mongoven
M- Theresa Presberg
M- Clare Kelly
F- Faye Chapello
F- Grace Chapel
Chicagoland Soccer MVPs of the Match: Allie Charnas, jr., MF, NSCD
Julia Fortier, jr., MF, NSCD
Referee: Seong Ha
Scoring summary
First half
North Shore Country Day: Lillig (Fortier, Charnas) 19'
North Shore Country Day: Weil (Charnas) 33'
North Shore Country Day: Weil (Charnas) 34'
Second half
North Shore Country Day: Steele (U/A) 67'
Willows: Kelly (U/A) 68'