New Trier, Warren play to their strengths
Thrilling Top 10 showdown ends in tie
By Patrick Z. McGavin
GURNEE -- Under a crisp and glorious, cool night, Warren forward Ella Skelton had to catch her breath, all the better to reflect on the moment.
Almost two years ago to the day, the Blue Devils were set to host New Trier in the opening game of the season.
Three days before the game, the severity of the pandemic brought about a postponement that eventually became permanent, creating a lost season.
“Especially after the last two years we have been through, we didn’t have all the time to prepare for last season because we were just thrown in,” Skelton said
“Our new season started a couple of weeks ago, but I feel like as a team we have been preparing for this season for a long time.”
A soccer game involving two of the best teams in the state was played, and it turned out to be a magnificent one.
“I told (New Trier coach) Jim Burnside that this game didn’t feel like the first game of the season,” Warren Ryan McCabe said.
“It felt quite a bit different, a highly competitive game.”
Underscoring the high level and the sharp play between the two programs, two future college teammates effectively decided the outcome.
Skelton created a beautiful goal for Samantha Pullins in the first half that was matched by an exhilarating goal by New Trier junior Lida Dodge that resulted in the 1-1 tie before a sizeable crowd here Tuesday night.
A senior midfielder, Pullins worked back door and moved beautifully in the 34th minute to finish a ball slotted by Skelton.
Not to be outdone, Dodge negotiated the middle of the field and blasted a howitzer from 37 yards that handcuffed Warren keeper Trish Georgiou in the 42nd minute.
Pullins and Dodge are both Purdue-bound.
Fittingly, the two shared the distinction of the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match.
What a way for the season to commence for two powerhouse programs.
New Trier (0-0-1) is ranked seventh in Chicagoland Soccer’s First 50 state-wide preseason poll. Warren sits at no. 9.
The Trevians finished 20-2-4 last year, their streak of six-consecutive state finals appearances ended by a 1-0 double overtime loss against Libertyville in the supersectional.
Warren finished 15-3-2 last year, finishing in a three-way tie for the conference championship with Libertyville and Stevenson.
“I told our girls we have a lot of young players—first time playing high school soccer or first time playing for their high school—and we are going to have questions,” McCabe said.
“We have to play good teams to help us answer those questions. That’s what tonight was all about.”
The Trevians are a largely remade team from a year ago.
Only three starters -- forward Kendall Sierens and defenders Ava Shah and Sadie-Grace Richardson – from the supersectional team were in the opening lineup against the Blue Devils (0-0-1).
“We lost 11 girls last year, and most of our lineup is new people,” forward Josie Noble said.
“We are trying to get to know each other as players.”
Dodge is the bracing and brilliant newcomer on the scene and injects an athletic shot-creator into the mix.
She made her Trevians’ debut after playing with the Oak Brook-based Eclipse club program.
She demonstrated balance, excellent footwork and a keen ability to move off the ball and find open spaces.
“She’s a good addition,” Burnside said.
The evenly played first half had terrific back-and-forth sequences. Each side showed creative and dangerous actions.
Warren had the more sustained play. Late in the first half, Skelton worked her magic.
The Loyola recruit, a Chicagoland Soccer all-state player, has next level speed and quickness.
She is always decisive and bold, even in tight spaces.
“The ball was played into me. I had my back to the defense, and I tried to dribble around them,” Skelton said.
“I saw Sam running in from behind, and I was able to slot there, and she was in the perfect spot.”
Skelton is as creative off the field as she is dynamic on it.
Lovingly called by her approving teammates the “fashionista,” she designed the evocative and stylish new uniforms worn for the first time against New Trier.
She has a beautiful rapport with Pullins. Their games mesh especially well with Skelton’s slashing style fusing with Pullins’ size and length.
“I think Sam and I do a great job of knowing where each other are on the field,” Skelton said. “That’s why I really appreciate playing with her.
“We’re always in the know of where one another is, and we are able to make those plays.”
New Trier had a familiar name at keeper, with freshman Caroline Hague showing exceptional nerve, anticipation and timing.
Her older sister Wynne was the starter on last year’s team.
Caroline Hague had five saves.
New Trier also found its footing. Right off the second half jump, the Trevians looked more secure and fluid in the attack.
“I think it was a matter of we were more locked in during the second half,” Burnside said. “We don’t have a lot of kids who started games last year.
“That was really their first half of starting a varsity soccer game, and it takes a little bit of time to get your legs under you.”
Dodge was the great equalizer.
In the 42nd minute, she created the necessary spatial separation and unleashed her furious kick that cut through the night sky.
It was a thing of beauty.
“I actually wasn’t going to shoot it, and then I heard (Burnside) yell out to shoot.”
Burnside interjected: “Thanks for listening.”
Dodge is a game-changer. She did not really need an introduction to the greatness of New Trier soccer.
“I wanted to play for my school,” she said. “I think it was a different vibe.
“From the seniors last year, I heard incredible things and they all told me I had to be a part of it.”
The Trevians’ defense is always disciplined and sharp. Shah and Charlotte Dellin, a converted forward, proved particularly disruptive.
“We talked at halftime, and we were all just extremely nervous during the first half,” Noble said.
“We had to settle down, and had to remember everything we have been coached through the last half year.”
Angular and lithe, Noble used her height for several superb set piece attacks that pushed Georgiou, a UIC recruit, to the edge.
Warren created the best chances after Dodge’s equalizer.
Luck proved elusive.
Three times, Warren hit the far post in the final 17 minutes.
That’s soccer, and the larger story was the Blue Devils’ depth and bright young talents.
Warren has five college recruits and four Division I prospects. A sixth college player and fifth D I recruit, Athena McGinn, is recovering from knee surgery and is not playing.
The most revealing part of the night was the play of Warren’s emerging talent. The Blue Devils started three freshmen.
Freshman forward Addison Stanciak hit a shot off the post, as did Skelton and sophomore midfielder Reese Mertens.
“I think they have great potential, especially playing against such a good team like New Trier,” Pullins said.
“They stayed composed, and they played their game. They were top notch, and they are only going to get better.”
The result was a fair one, and it left players from sides elated about what comes next.
“It was too bad that we didn’t get that second goal, but we will be back,” Noble said.
Skelton echoed that idea.
“Obviously we wanted the win, but I’m very proud of how we did,” she said. “I think going into the season, our goal was to hit the hard teams first.
“I think tonight showed how much potential we have for the rest of the season.”
Starting lineups
New Trier
GK: Caroline Hague
D: Olivia Wilson
D: Charlotte Dellin
D: Ava Shah
D: Sadie-Grace Richardson
MF: Annie Paden
MF: Lida Dodge
MF: Lauren Caldwell
F: Elizabeth Marquardt
F: Kendall Sierens
F: Josie Noble
Warren
GK: Trish Georgiou
D: Olivia Ehlers
D: Mia Gloria
D: Maya Martinek
D: Emma Paraskos
MF: Katelyn Crowson
MF: Brooke Gaertig
MF: Samantha Pullins
MF: Reese Mertens
F: Ella Skelton
F: Addison Stanciak
Chicagoland Soccer MVPs of the Match: Lida Dodge, jr., MF, New Trier; Samantha Pullins, sr., MF, Warren
Scoring summary
First half
Warren—Samantha Pullins (Ella Skelton), 34th minute
Second half
New Trier—Lida Dodge (unassisted), 42nd minute
Thrilling Top 10 showdown ends in tie
By Patrick Z. McGavin
GURNEE -- Under a crisp and glorious, cool night, Warren forward Ella Skelton had to catch her breath, all the better to reflect on the moment.
Almost two years ago to the day, the Blue Devils were set to host New Trier in the opening game of the season.
Three days before the game, the severity of the pandemic brought about a postponement that eventually became permanent, creating a lost season.
“Especially after the last two years we have been through, we didn’t have all the time to prepare for last season because we were just thrown in,” Skelton said
“Our new season started a couple of weeks ago, but I feel like as a team we have been preparing for this season for a long time.”
A soccer game involving two of the best teams in the state was played, and it turned out to be a magnificent one.
“I told (New Trier coach) Jim Burnside that this game didn’t feel like the first game of the season,” Warren Ryan McCabe said.
“It felt quite a bit different, a highly competitive game.”
Underscoring the high level and the sharp play between the two programs, two future college teammates effectively decided the outcome.
Skelton created a beautiful goal for Samantha Pullins in the first half that was matched by an exhilarating goal by New Trier junior Lida Dodge that resulted in the 1-1 tie before a sizeable crowd here Tuesday night.
A senior midfielder, Pullins worked back door and moved beautifully in the 34th minute to finish a ball slotted by Skelton.
Not to be outdone, Dodge negotiated the middle of the field and blasted a howitzer from 37 yards that handcuffed Warren keeper Trish Georgiou in the 42nd minute.
Pullins and Dodge are both Purdue-bound.
Fittingly, the two shared the distinction of the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match.
What a way for the season to commence for two powerhouse programs.
New Trier (0-0-1) is ranked seventh in Chicagoland Soccer’s First 50 state-wide preseason poll. Warren sits at no. 9.
The Trevians finished 20-2-4 last year, their streak of six-consecutive state finals appearances ended by a 1-0 double overtime loss against Libertyville in the supersectional.
Warren finished 15-3-2 last year, finishing in a three-way tie for the conference championship with Libertyville and Stevenson.
“I told our girls we have a lot of young players—first time playing high school soccer or first time playing for their high school—and we are going to have questions,” McCabe said.
“We have to play good teams to help us answer those questions. That’s what tonight was all about.”
The Trevians are a largely remade team from a year ago.
Only three starters -- forward Kendall Sierens and defenders Ava Shah and Sadie-Grace Richardson – from the supersectional team were in the opening lineup against the Blue Devils (0-0-1).
“We lost 11 girls last year, and most of our lineup is new people,” forward Josie Noble said.
“We are trying to get to know each other as players.”
Dodge is the bracing and brilliant newcomer on the scene and injects an athletic shot-creator into the mix.
She made her Trevians’ debut after playing with the Oak Brook-based Eclipse club program.
She demonstrated balance, excellent footwork and a keen ability to move off the ball and find open spaces.
“She’s a good addition,” Burnside said.
The evenly played first half had terrific back-and-forth sequences. Each side showed creative and dangerous actions.
Warren had the more sustained play. Late in the first half, Skelton worked her magic.
The Loyola recruit, a Chicagoland Soccer all-state player, has next level speed and quickness.
She is always decisive and bold, even in tight spaces.
“The ball was played into me. I had my back to the defense, and I tried to dribble around them,” Skelton said.
“I saw Sam running in from behind, and I was able to slot there, and she was in the perfect spot.”
Skelton is as creative off the field as she is dynamic on it.
Lovingly called by her approving teammates the “fashionista,” she designed the evocative and stylish new uniforms worn for the first time against New Trier.
She has a beautiful rapport with Pullins. Their games mesh especially well with Skelton’s slashing style fusing with Pullins’ size and length.
“I think Sam and I do a great job of knowing where each other are on the field,” Skelton said. “That’s why I really appreciate playing with her.
“We’re always in the know of where one another is, and we are able to make those plays.”
New Trier had a familiar name at keeper, with freshman Caroline Hague showing exceptional nerve, anticipation and timing.
Her older sister Wynne was the starter on last year’s team.
Caroline Hague had five saves.
New Trier also found its footing. Right off the second half jump, the Trevians looked more secure and fluid in the attack.
“I think it was a matter of we were more locked in during the second half,” Burnside said. “We don’t have a lot of kids who started games last year.
“That was really their first half of starting a varsity soccer game, and it takes a little bit of time to get your legs under you.”
Dodge was the great equalizer.
In the 42nd minute, she created the necessary spatial separation and unleashed her furious kick that cut through the night sky.
It was a thing of beauty.
“I actually wasn’t going to shoot it, and then I heard (Burnside) yell out to shoot.”
Burnside interjected: “Thanks for listening.”
Dodge is a game-changer. She did not really need an introduction to the greatness of New Trier soccer.
“I wanted to play for my school,” she said. “I think it was a different vibe.
“From the seniors last year, I heard incredible things and they all told me I had to be a part of it.”
The Trevians’ defense is always disciplined and sharp. Shah and Charlotte Dellin, a converted forward, proved particularly disruptive.
“We talked at halftime, and we were all just extremely nervous during the first half,” Noble said.
“We had to settle down, and had to remember everything we have been coached through the last half year.”
Angular and lithe, Noble used her height for several superb set piece attacks that pushed Georgiou, a UIC recruit, to the edge.
Warren created the best chances after Dodge’s equalizer.
Luck proved elusive.
Three times, Warren hit the far post in the final 17 minutes.
That’s soccer, and the larger story was the Blue Devils’ depth and bright young talents.
Warren has five college recruits and four Division I prospects. A sixth college player and fifth D I recruit, Athena McGinn, is recovering from knee surgery and is not playing.
The most revealing part of the night was the play of Warren’s emerging talent. The Blue Devils started three freshmen.
Freshman forward Addison Stanciak hit a shot off the post, as did Skelton and sophomore midfielder Reese Mertens.
“I think they have great potential, especially playing against such a good team like New Trier,” Pullins said.
“They stayed composed, and they played their game. They were top notch, and they are only going to get better.”
The result was a fair one, and it left players from sides elated about what comes next.
“It was too bad that we didn’t get that second goal, but we will be back,” Noble said.
Skelton echoed that idea.
“Obviously we wanted the win, but I’m very proud of how we did,” she said. “I think going into the season, our goal was to hit the hard teams first.
“I think tonight showed how much potential we have for the rest of the season.”
Starting lineups
New Trier
GK: Caroline Hague
D: Olivia Wilson
D: Charlotte Dellin
D: Ava Shah
D: Sadie-Grace Richardson
MF: Annie Paden
MF: Lida Dodge
MF: Lauren Caldwell
F: Elizabeth Marquardt
F: Kendall Sierens
F: Josie Noble
Warren
GK: Trish Georgiou
D: Olivia Ehlers
D: Mia Gloria
D: Maya Martinek
D: Emma Paraskos
MF: Katelyn Crowson
MF: Brooke Gaertig
MF: Samantha Pullins
MF: Reese Mertens
F: Ella Skelton
F: Addison Stanciak
Chicagoland Soccer MVPs of the Match: Lida Dodge, jr., MF, New Trier; Samantha Pullins, sr., MF, Warren
Scoring summary
First half
Warren—Samantha Pullins (Ella Skelton), 34th minute
Second half
New Trier—Lida Dodge (unassisted), 42nd minute