Tyra King goals lift Metea Valley
past rival Neuqua Valley
Junior's brace nets 2-1 win, keeps Mustangs in DVC title chase
By Curt Herron
AURORA -- Despite one team entering the match with nine wins and the other with just one victory, there wasn't very much surprise to those involved as to what would likely happen when Indian Prairie School District 204 rivals Metea Valley and Neuqua Valley met Monday.
The host Mustangs grabbed the early lead and went up 2-0 just past the hour mark but the visiting Wildcats connected in the late going and had a few good scoring chances down the stretch before Metea Valley hung on to claim the 2-1 DuPage Valley Conference victory.
Junior Tyra King converted a penalty for the first goal in the 11th minute and then scored the second tally following a corner kick from senior Addison Wargo in the 62nd minute. The match's final goal also came on a set piece when Neuqua Valley senior Maya Stone fired in a long free kick and senior Keira Byrnes headed the ball into the net in the 71st minute.
Metea Valley (10-2-1, 2-0-0), ranked 11th in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, is unbeaten against Illinois teams. Its two losses came on April 15 and 16 at the Parkway Showcase in suburban St. Louis area to two Missouri squads. Its lone non-win in Illinois was a 2-2 draw against current no. 19 Plainfield North on March 22.
No. 2 Naperville Central and no. 3 Naperville North are both 2-0-1 in the DVC following Monday's scoreless draw between the rivals. The Mustangs play at Naperville North on May 3 and travel to Naperville Central on May 10.
Each of the losses for Neuqua Valley (1-6-3, 0-2-0) has come against a team that is listed among the top 13 teams in the Chicagoland Soccer rankings.
"I wasn't even thinking about their record," Metea Valley coach Chris Whaley said. "I know that they have talented players, and we knew that they were going to give us our best game.
“So, I just tried to prepare the girls for that. They (Neuqua Valley) did a nice job of defending well, and they had a lot of bodies behind the ball. It took us a lot of creativity to try to break them down.”
Whatley praised his club.
"I just told them that I love the way that they're playing, and I love the way that they're competing,” he said. “Games aren't going to be easy in this area, and we know that.
“The girls were battling, and they gave up a goal and a dead ball, and I didn't like that. But yes, we haven't lost a game to anyone from this state, so I've got to feel good about that.
“I just love that we're able to do different things. I can move people around, and I change formations. I can do whatever we need to do for them to be successful."
Both squads will be competing in the rugged Class 3A Naperville Central Sectional, which also features ranked teams Naperville North, no. 7 Oswego East and Plainfield North as well as honorable mention squads such as Lockport and Plainfield East. Metea Valley will be seeking its eighth-straight regional championship.
Neuqua Valley coach Joe Moreau, a 2013 IHSSCA Hall of Fame inductee and one of the few individuals with over 400 wins in girls soccer, always has his squad ready for the postseason. It is evidenced by his five-straight state titles at St. Charles and the fact that all but two of his Wildcats teams have won regional titles since he took over the program in 2006.
The Wildcats are hopeful that this match can serve as a catalyst for them to finish the regular-season on a strong note and head into the playoffs with some momentum. With 14 players back from a squad that got hot down the stretch and knocked off unbeaten Oswego East in the regional finals last spring, another late-season run will come as no surprise.
"They have a very good team," Moreau said. "They played well and have good speed, and they were very organized. I thought we played well, especially in the second half. The girls have done this all season, they just fight like heck.
“Maya served a nice ball in and Keira, who doesn't play a whole lot, got in there on the back end of it, so it was nice to see her finish. There are no cupcakes on our schedule. If you look at the teams that we've lost to, they have something like a total of six losses."
Neuqua Valley had several good chances early in the match. Mustangs senior goalie Julia Straub stopped attempts from seniors Brooke Miller, Kassie Salviola and Stone.
Metea Valley countered with a good try from junior Alyssa Parrilli that was hauled in by sophomore goalie Zoe Fabian.
The hosts caught the first big break in the 11th minute when King drove toward the net and was fouled in the box. She converted on the subsequent penalty to put her team in front for the remainder of the match.
"This was my first one of the season," said King, of her two-goal performance. "They kept fighting and didn't give up the whole time. They were really gritty throughout the whole game, and they weren't giving us any easy opportunities, so we had to work for them. But that's always to be expected when we're playing against them, because they're pretty good rivals.
"I like our ball connection, and our chemistry is really good. We bonded really good pretty quickly, and I feel like it was quicker than most teams.
“I feel like a big part of that were our bonds outside of soccer, since we grew friendships pretty easily and quickly. But also since some of us had played together in previous years, that also helped, too. The thing that I like most about this team is the environment. It's such a fun team, and I just like being around everyone. It's just like a healthy environment."
Following the initial goal, Metea Valley sought another score on one corner kick from Wargo that was cleared by Miller. Another was disrupted by sophomore Brianna Clasen. Threatening shots from freshman Olivia Hernandez, Wargo and King were also defused.
One of Neuqua Valley's best threats in the middle of the opening half was a long free kick by Stone that was headed away by senior Justyce King.
The hosts were back on the attack early in the second half. King had several attempts that were pulled in by Fabian; junior Kaylee Bannack and senior Jocelyn Grabow were also turned away.
Then in the 62nd minute, junior Jordan Lange sent in a shot that was deflected by a defender to set up a corner kick. That's when Wargo placed the corner right in front of the net and King put in the close-range score to give the Mustangs their insurance goal.
"It's always fun playing Waubonsie and Neuqua, because they're rivalries and everyone plays hard and just wants to do their best for their school," Wargo said. "I feel like a part of Metea soccer is that we do our best off of combinations, and that's definitely what we wanted to focus on today.
"I also feel like because of players like Tyra and Jordan that we're able to get in behind when we need to, and they're able to score for us.
“I really like our community with each other. I feel like our chemistry is top-notch, and that's why we're able to trust each other. We're able to play those combinations, and I think that's why we're good."
Shortly after Bannack sent in a shot that deflected off a defender and then to Fabian, Neuqua Valley started to apply more pressure on Straub. Freshman Chloe Orlow started things with a liner before Stone made things interesting after firing in a free kick from about 45 yards that was headed in by Byrnes to close the gap to 2-1 in the 71st minute.
The Wildcats looked for the equalizer but their hopes of getting a late score ended with about a minute remaining when senior Maddie Sell provided the visitors' final challenge.
"Metea is an amazing team that has a very good front line and is very strong everywhere," Stone said. "I'm super proud of how hard we've been working. This has been a very difficult season but not once have we given up. We've fought through every game, and that's how it always should be, and I'm proud of us for that.
"Without Keira's header, we would not be where we are; that was phenomenal. She followed it so well, and I'm very happy about that.
“There's a reason that we chose the word, 'unite' (as the team motto. It has so much meaning, and I truly feel that our team is united. We're always working very hard together, and I think that despite the scores, that we've had a really phenomenal season in our growth."
Metea Valley returns to action Sunday when they play Maine South in a bracket championship at the rescheduled BodyArmor event in LaGrange.
Neuqua Valley meet Burlington Central on Thursday and Fremd on Saturday in the Naperville Invitational before the return to conference play at Waubonsie Valley on May 3 in the district's oldest rivalry match.
Starting lineups
Neuqua Valley
G Zoe Fabian
D Maya Stone
D Sejal Rhodes
D Kate Wohlfeil
D Abby Michalczyk
M Lauren Milani
M Chloe Orlow
M Brooke Miller
M Grace Petrina
F Kassie Salviola
F Brianna Clasen
Metea Valley
G Julia Straub
D Addison Wargo
D Justyce King
D Alyssa Parrilli
D Kaylee Bannack
M Olivia Hernandez
M Riley Strcic
M Jocelyn Grabow
M Jordan Lange
F Tyra King
F Lucy Bank
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match:
Tyra King, jr., F, Metea Valley
Scoring summary
First half
MV: Tyra King (PK), 11th
Second half
MV: Tyra King (Addison Wargo), 62nd
NV: Keira Byrnes (Maya Stone), 71st
past rival Neuqua Valley
Junior's brace nets 2-1 win, keeps Mustangs in DVC title chase
By Curt Herron
AURORA -- Despite one team entering the match with nine wins and the other with just one victory, there wasn't very much surprise to those involved as to what would likely happen when Indian Prairie School District 204 rivals Metea Valley and Neuqua Valley met Monday.
The host Mustangs grabbed the early lead and went up 2-0 just past the hour mark but the visiting Wildcats connected in the late going and had a few good scoring chances down the stretch before Metea Valley hung on to claim the 2-1 DuPage Valley Conference victory.
Junior Tyra King converted a penalty for the first goal in the 11th minute and then scored the second tally following a corner kick from senior Addison Wargo in the 62nd minute. The match's final goal also came on a set piece when Neuqua Valley senior Maya Stone fired in a long free kick and senior Keira Byrnes headed the ball into the net in the 71st minute.
Metea Valley (10-2-1, 2-0-0), ranked 11th in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, is unbeaten against Illinois teams. Its two losses came on April 15 and 16 at the Parkway Showcase in suburban St. Louis area to two Missouri squads. Its lone non-win in Illinois was a 2-2 draw against current no. 19 Plainfield North on March 22.
No. 2 Naperville Central and no. 3 Naperville North are both 2-0-1 in the DVC following Monday's scoreless draw between the rivals. The Mustangs play at Naperville North on May 3 and travel to Naperville Central on May 10.
Each of the losses for Neuqua Valley (1-6-3, 0-2-0) has come against a team that is listed among the top 13 teams in the Chicagoland Soccer rankings.
"I wasn't even thinking about their record," Metea Valley coach Chris Whaley said. "I know that they have talented players, and we knew that they were going to give us our best game.
“So, I just tried to prepare the girls for that. They (Neuqua Valley) did a nice job of defending well, and they had a lot of bodies behind the ball. It took us a lot of creativity to try to break them down.”
Whatley praised his club.
"I just told them that I love the way that they're playing, and I love the way that they're competing,” he said. “Games aren't going to be easy in this area, and we know that.
“The girls were battling, and they gave up a goal and a dead ball, and I didn't like that. But yes, we haven't lost a game to anyone from this state, so I've got to feel good about that.
“I just love that we're able to do different things. I can move people around, and I change formations. I can do whatever we need to do for them to be successful."
Both squads will be competing in the rugged Class 3A Naperville Central Sectional, which also features ranked teams Naperville North, no. 7 Oswego East and Plainfield North as well as honorable mention squads such as Lockport and Plainfield East. Metea Valley will be seeking its eighth-straight regional championship.
Neuqua Valley coach Joe Moreau, a 2013 IHSSCA Hall of Fame inductee and one of the few individuals with over 400 wins in girls soccer, always has his squad ready for the postseason. It is evidenced by his five-straight state titles at St. Charles and the fact that all but two of his Wildcats teams have won regional titles since he took over the program in 2006.
The Wildcats are hopeful that this match can serve as a catalyst for them to finish the regular-season on a strong note and head into the playoffs with some momentum. With 14 players back from a squad that got hot down the stretch and knocked off unbeaten Oswego East in the regional finals last spring, another late-season run will come as no surprise.
"They have a very good team," Moreau said. "They played well and have good speed, and they were very organized. I thought we played well, especially in the second half. The girls have done this all season, they just fight like heck.
“Maya served a nice ball in and Keira, who doesn't play a whole lot, got in there on the back end of it, so it was nice to see her finish. There are no cupcakes on our schedule. If you look at the teams that we've lost to, they have something like a total of six losses."
Neuqua Valley had several good chances early in the match. Mustangs senior goalie Julia Straub stopped attempts from seniors Brooke Miller, Kassie Salviola and Stone.
Metea Valley countered with a good try from junior Alyssa Parrilli that was hauled in by sophomore goalie Zoe Fabian.
The hosts caught the first big break in the 11th minute when King drove toward the net and was fouled in the box. She converted on the subsequent penalty to put her team in front for the remainder of the match.
"This was my first one of the season," said King, of her two-goal performance. "They kept fighting and didn't give up the whole time. They were really gritty throughout the whole game, and they weren't giving us any easy opportunities, so we had to work for them. But that's always to be expected when we're playing against them, because they're pretty good rivals.
"I like our ball connection, and our chemistry is really good. We bonded really good pretty quickly, and I feel like it was quicker than most teams.
“I feel like a big part of that were our bonds outside of soccer, since we grew friendships pretty easily and quickly. But also since some of us had played together in previous years, that also helped, too. The thing that I like most about this team is the environment. It's such a fun team, and I just like being around everyone. It's just like a healthy environment."
Following the initial goal, Metea Valley sought another score on one corner kick from Wargo that was cleared by Miller. Another was disrupted by sophomore Brianna Clasen. Threatening shots from freshman Olivia Hernandez, Wargo and King were also defused.
One of Neuqua Valley's best threats in the middle of the opening half was a long free kick by Stone that was headed away by senior Justyce King.
The hosts were back on the attack early in the second half. King had several attempts that were pulled in by Fabian; junior Kaylee Bannack and senior Jocelyn Grabow were also turned away.
Then in the 62nd minute, junior Jordan Lange sent in a shot that was deflected by a defender to set up a corner kick. That's when Wargo placed the corner right in front of the net and King put in the close-range score to give the Mustangs their insurance goal.
"It's always fun playing Waubonsie and Neuqua, because they're rivalries and everyone plays hard and just wants to do their best for their school," Wargo said. "I feel like a part of Metea soccer is that we do our best off of combinations, and that's definitely what we wanted to focus on today.
"I also feel like because of players like Tyra and Jordan that we're able to get in behind when we need to, and they're able to score for us.
“I really like our community with each other. I feel like our chemistry is top-notch, and that's why we're able to trust each other. We're able to play those combinations, and I think that's why we're good."
Shortly after Bannack sent in a shot that deflected off a defender and then to Fabian, Neuqua Valley started to apply more pressure on Straub. Freshman Chloe Orlow started things with a liner before Stone made things interesting after firing in a free kick from about 45 yards that was headed in by Byrnes to close the gap to 2-1 in the 71st minute.
The Wildcats looked for the equalizer but their hopes of getting a late score ended with about a minute remaining when senior Maddie Sell provided the visitors' final challenge.
"Metea is an amazing team that has a very good front line and is very strong everywhere," Stone said. "I'm super proud of how hard we've been working. This has been a very difficult season but not once have we given up. We've fought through every game, and that's how it always should be, and I'm proud of us for that.
"Without Keira's header, we would not be where we are; that was phenomenal. She followed it so well, and I'm very happy about that.
“There's a reason that we chose the word, 'unite' (as the team motto. It has so much meaning, and I truly feel that our team is united. We're always working very hard together, and I think that despite the scores, that we've had a really phenomenal season in our growth."
Metea Valley returns to action Sunday when they play Maine South in a bracket championship at the rescheduled BodyArmor event in LaGrange.
Neuqua Valley meet Burlington Central on Thursday and Fremd on Saturday in the Naperville Invitational before the return to conference play at Waubonsie Valley on May 3 in the district's oldest rivalry match.
Starting lineups
Neuqua Valley
G Zoe Fabian
D Maya Stone
D Sejal Rhodes
D Kate Wohlfeil
D Abby Michalczyk
M Lauren Milani
M Chloe Orlow
M Brooke Miller
M Grace Petrina
F Kassie Salviola
F Brianna Clasen
Metea Valley
G Julia Straub
D Addison Wargo
D Justyce King
D Alyssa Parrilli
D Kaylee Bannack
M Olivia Hernandez
M Riley Strcic
M Jocelyn Grabow
M Jordan Lange
F Tyra King
F Lucy Bank
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match:
Tyra King, jr., F, Metea Valley
Scoring summary
First half
MV: Tyra King (PK), 11th
Second half
MV: Tyra King (Addison Wargo), 62nd
NV: Keira Byrnes (Maya Stone), 71st