Senior Night rally drives
Reavis past Oak Forest
2-1 win sets up league title match, shot at program history
By Curt Herron
BURBANK -- As the entire Reavis team ran onto the field at Hanke Stadium to celebrate Tuesday's 2-1 come-from-behind win over Oak Forest in the team's final home match of the season, one might have inferred that its players had just captured some type of championship.
Instead, the Rams snapped a three-match losing streak, highlighted an evening where 10 seniors were recognized and gained hope that the boost from this cross-over victory set them up to make history and create an even bigger celebration Thursday.
That's when Reavis plays at 6 p.m. at Eisenhower to determine the South Suburban Conference Red Division title. The 8-7-0 Cardinals have won five in a row and are 5-0-0 in the conference while the 9-11-1 Rams are 4-0-1 in league play.
Reavis needs a win to repeat as SSC Red champions, a feat which program insiders believe would be a first.
The Rams scored twice within a 7-minute, 42-second span in the second half to rally past Oak Forest (6-8-4), which had gone 4-1-2 in its last seven matches after getting off to a 2-6-2 start.
After Reavis senior co-captain Jasmin Pascual tied things at 1-1 by converting on a penalty in the 59th minute, fellow classmate and co-captain Nicole Grochola set up the winner when she sent a pass to sophomore Alyssa Juarez, who connected from close range in the 67th minute.
Being able to score more than one goal was clearly important for the Rams. During their three-match losing streak, they scored a total of two goals. But prior to the recent rough stretch, they won six out of seven against South Suburban squads with three or more goals in five of those wins.
Now the regular-season ends in Blue Island with the South Suburban Conference Red Division championship showdown. The game gained the spotlight after being postponed May 5.
First-year Reavis coach Konrad Dziedzic was impressed with how his team responded after falling behind in the 51st minute. Oak Forest's Tereza Progri gave her team the lead when she fired in a liner from about 20 yards for what turned into a brief advantage.
Although being a head coach at a high school for the first time, the former Northern Illinois University goalkeeper and developmental player with the Chicago Magic has plenty of coaching experience to his credit at the high school and club levels. He said he has enjoyed his new role and hopes that his first squad can capture a conference title.
"Especially during conference play, I think that our seniors are bringing back the experience from last year when they won conference. They want this to be the first time in the program history here at Reavis to be back-to-back champions," Dziedzic said. "I kind of drilled that this was their last time playing at home, and I told the underclassmen that they should want to help your seniors to win on Senior Night. Then you can do the same when you're a senior. That kind of hit them harder, especially in the second half.
"It was a phenomenal goal for Oak Forest, but I thought our girls dealt with that very well and we responded immediately and started attacking. Then we got that PK and when we scored, you just felt that we had the momentum going for the rest of the game.
“I felt that something would go our way and we'd get another opportunity to put it in. It was a good win for us, and this puts us in the situation to play for a conference championship against Eisenhower on their Senior Night.
"Our team has great chemistry and they are very good friends outside of school and in school and you could see that clearly today. That helps their drive and they push each other. There's no negativity and everyone supports each other regardless if they're playing or not. And I think that sets us up well for Eisenhower and for the playoffs.
“Taking it from club to high school is a little bit different, and I think I like this more because I get to see my players every day and the camaraderie."
Following a scoreless opening half, both sides threatened early in the final half as Rams sophomore Olivia Smycz sent in a free kick from about 40 yards that was hauled in by Bengals goalie Serenity Berrios.
Then it was Reavis senior goalie Jazmin Ayala’s turn when she came out of the net to thwart an attempt from Emma Romano.
Oak Forest scored not long after that when Progri fired in a liner that found the upper corner of the opposite side of the net in the 51st minute. The Bengals threatened again a bit later when Progri sent in a dangerous free kick.
Reavis junior Emilia Kuca followed with a close-range attempt that went just wide.
The Rams capitalized on an opportunity in the 59th minute when Grochola was fouled in the box. Pascual was successful on the subsequent penalty to even things at 1-1.
"I honestly think that we wanted it more," Pascual said. "Once I scored that penalty, the intensity got picked up real quickly. We tried our best and did what we did, and we got a goal to go ahead. We just needed our intensity up. Once a goal was behind the net, we all wanted it more.
"I feel like us seniors play a big role for the younger kids since they look up to us. With us being their role models and not giving up, you have to pick them up and make them want it, like we do.
“I think Thursday's game is going to be amazing. I like our communication. This team loves each other and each of us supports each other, no matter what. I just think it's like a family here."
Following the equalizer, the Rams forged forward. Two of their best chances came on a long free kick from junior Alexandra Mendez near the midway mark of the final half and then sophomore Alaina Hernandez got free on the side but Berrios made a diving stop to briefly keep the hosts at bay.
But Reavis made the most of its next quality opportunity in the 67th minute. Grochola sent a pass in to Juarez, and she connected for the game-winner.
Both sides had chances shortly after that. Smycz sent in a long free kick, and Jasmine Chavez did the same for the visitors. The Reavis defense then solidified and didn't allow Oak Forest a serious threat for the final 10 minutes.
"We had a little streak where we were going downhill with a few losses in a row," Grochola said. "This for sure was the one that we needed. We took care of business today and hopefully we take care of business on Thursday and become conference champs. We won it last year and hopefully we can do it again.
"Coming into this game we were kind of nervous with the stress and the butterflies in your stomach, and especially on Senior Night. But right when we stepped onto this field, we just knew that we had to give it our all and come out with a win.
“We have a lot of underclassmen on this team and the connection at the beginning of the year was off with different drama coming here and there. But toward the end of the season, we've done some team bonding and by just playing games like this, I think it brings us together."
In the first half, each side threatened with good chances, but keepers Ayala and Berrios were both able to haul in the many dangerous attempts that came in their direction.
Smycz had an early corner kick punched away by the Bengals goalie, who then hauled in a short try from Kuca. After Kara Mantia was denied on a short-range shot by Ayala, Hernandez took an in-close try that for forced the Oak Forest keeper into a dive for the stop.
Shortly before the midpoint of the initial half, the visitors’ Progri started to become a scoring threat when she sent in a long free kick and then had another try that was cleared by Mendez.
A few minutes later, both goalies came up with big saves following long runs. Berrios stymied junior Yamileth Torres, and Reavis’ Ayala did the same as Romano drove to the net.
As the first half wound down, close attempts by each side were turned away. Smycz challenged for the Rams, and Jenna Cooper later countered for Oak Forest.
"We needed this W against them so that we can compete with Eisenhower," Ayala said. "And once we got the first goal, we knew what we needed to do to finish the game off. It was a good goal from her (Progri), but we knew what we had to do after that goal to bring up the intensity.
"We started off a bit rough just because we lost a lot of seniors last year. Now with the seniors and the other players, we've been able to communicate better throughout the season and it's all paying off toward the end.
“I like our chemistry. We're a little rocky at times, but once we all communicate and are all on the same page, we're able to pull through and get the W."
Next week brings the beginning of the state Class 3A playoffs. Reavis is the 11th-seed in the Glenbard West Sectional and will compete in the Lyons Regional in Western Springs.
There the Rams will face eighth-seed Willowbrook at 7 p.m. May 18. The winner is expected to meet the host, which is the top-seed and no. 1 team in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25. That title match is slated for 5 p.m. May 20.
Oak Forest is seeded fifth in the Class AA Kankakee Sectional and is favored to meet district rival Tinley Park, the fourth-seed in the Kankakee Regional title match at 6 p.m. May 20.
Starting lineups
Oak Forest
G Serenity Berrios
D Alani Villa
D Kayla Mantia
D Erin Speaker
D Elizabeth Kneeland
M Maddie Walsh
M Kara Mantia
M Tereza Progri
M Jenna Cooper
F Emma Romano
F Cassidy Miller
Reavis
G Jazmin Ayala
D Emily Chavez
D Naomi Rangel
D Jade Guzman
D Alexandra Mendez
M Olivia Smycz
M Nicole Grochola
M Jasmin Pascual
W Emilia Kuca
W Alaina Hernandez
F Natalie Carriedo
Chicagoland Soccer MVPs of the Match:
Nicole Grochola, sr., M, Reavis
Jasmin Pascual, sr., M, Reavis
Scoring summary
First half
No scoring
Second half
OF: Tereza Progri (unassisted), 51’
R: Jasmin Pascual (PK), 59’
R: Alyssa Juarez (Nicole Grochola), 67’
Reavis past Oak Forest
2-1 win sets up league title match, shot at program history
By Curt Herron
BURBANK -- As the entire Reavis team ran onto the field at Hanke Stadium to celebrate Tuesday's 2-1 come-from-behind win over Oak Forest in the team's final home match of the season, one might have inferred that its players had just captured some type of championship.
Instead, the Rams snapped a three-match losing streak, highlighted an evening where 10 seniors were recognized and gained hope that the boost from this cross-over victory set them up to make history and create an even bigger celebration Thursday.
That's when Reavis plays at 6 p.m. at Eisenhower to determine the South Suburban Conference Red Division title. The 8-7-0 Cardinals have won five in a row and are 5-0-0 in the conference while the 9-11-1 Rams are 4-0-1 in league play.
Reavis needs a win to repeat as SSC Red champions, a feat which program insiders believe would be a first.
The Rams scored twice within a 7-minute, 42-second span in the second half to rally past Oak Forest (6-8-4), which had gone 4-1-2 in its last seven matches after getting off to a 2-6-2 start.
After Reavis senior co-captain Jasmin Pascual tied things at 1-1 by converting on a penalty in the 59th minute, fellow classmate and co-captain Nicole Grochola set up the winner when she sent a pass to sophomore Alyssa Juarez, who connected from close range in the 67th minute.
Being able to score more than one goal was clearly important for the Rams. During their three-match losing streak, they scored a total of two goals. But prior to the recent rough stretch, they won six out of seven against South Suburban squads with three or more goals in five of those wins.
Now the regular-season ends in Blue Island with the South Suburban Conference Red Division championship showdown. The game gained the spotlight after being postponed May 5.
First-year Reavis coach Konrad Dziedzic was impressed with how his team responded after falling behind in the 51st minute. Oak Forest's Tereza Progri gave her team the lead when she fired in a liner from about 20 yards for what turned into a brief advantage.
Although being a head coach at a high school for the first time, the former Northern Illinois University goalkeeper and developmental player with the Chicago Magic has plenty of coaching experience to his credit at the high school and club levels. He said he has enjoyed his new role and hopes that his first squad can capture a conference title.
"Especially during conference play, I think that our seniors are bringing back the experience from last year when they won conference. They want this to be the first time in the program history here at Reavis to be back-to-back champions," Dziedzic said. "I kind of drilled that this was their last time playing at home, and I told the underclassmen that they should want to help your seniors to win on Senior Night. Then you can do the same when you're a senior. That kind of hit them harder, especially in the second half.
"It was a phenomenal goal for Oak Forest, but I thought our girls dealt with that very well and we responded immediately and started attacking. Then we got that PK and when we scored, you just felt that we had the momentum going for the rest of the game.
“I felt that something would go our way and we'd get another opportunity to put it in. It was a good win for us, and this puts us in the situation to play for a conference championship against Eisenhower on their Senior Night.
"Our team has great chemistry and they are very good friends outside of school and in school and you could see that clearly today. That helps their drive and they push each other. There's no negativity and everyone supports each other regardless if they're playing or not. And I think that sets us up well for Eisenhower and for the playoffs.
“Taking it from club to high school is a little bit different, and I think I like this more because I get to see my players every day and the camaraderie."
Following a scoreless opening half, both sides threatened early in the final half as Rams sophomore Olivia Smycz sent in a free kick from about 40 yards that was hauled in by Bengals goalie Serenity Berrios.
Then it was Reavis senior goalie Jazmin Ayala’s turn when she came out of the net to thwart an attempt from Emma Romano.
Oak Forest scored not long after that when Progri fired in a liner that found the upper corner of the opposite side of the net in the 51st minute. The Bengals threatened again a bit later when Progri sent in a dangerous free kick.
Reavis junior Emilia Kuca followed with a close-range attempt that went just wide.
The Rams capitalized on an opportunity in the 59th minute when Grochola was fouled in the box. Pascual was successful on the subsequent penalty to even things at 1-1.
"I honestly think that we wanted it more," Pascual said. "Once I scored that penalty, the intensity got picked up real quickly. We tried our best and did what we did, and we got a goal to go ahead. We just needed our intensity up. Once a goal was behind the net, we all wanted it more.
"I feel like us seniors play a big role for the younger kids since they look up to us. With us being their role models and not giving up, you have to pick them up and make them want it, like we do.
“I think Thursday's game is going to be amazing. I like our communication. This team loves each other and each of us supports each other, no matter what. I just think it's like a family here."
Following the equalizer, the Rams forged forward. Two of their best chances came on a long free kick from junior Alexandra Mendez near the midway mark of the final half and then sophomore Alaina Hernandez got free on the side but Berrios made a diving stop to briefly keep the hosts at bay.
But Reavis made the most of its next quality opportunity in the 67th minute. Grochola sent a pass in to Juarez, and she connected for the game-winner.
Both sides had chances shortly after that. Smycz sent in a long free kick, and Jasmine Chavez did the same for the visitors. The Reavis defense then solidified and didn't allow Oak Forest a serious threat for the final 10 minutes.
"We had a little streak where we were going downhill with a few losses in a row," Grochola said. "This for sure was the one that we needed. We took care of business today and hopefully we take care of business on Thursday and become conference champs. We won it last year and hopefully we can do it again.
"Coming into this game we were kind of nervous with the stress and the butterflies in your stomach, and especially on Senior Night. But right when we stepped onto this field, we just knew that we had to give it our all and come out with a win.
“We have a lot of underclassmen on this team and the connection at the beginning of the year was off with different drama coming here and there. But toward the end of the season, we've done some team bonding and by just playing games like this, I think it brings us together."
In the first half, each side threatened with good chances, but keepers Ayala and Berrios were both able to haul in the many dangerous attempts that came in their direction.
Smycz had an early corner kick punched away by the Bengals goalie, who then hauled in a short try from Kuca. After Kara Mantia was denied on a short-range shot by Ayala, Hernandez took an in-close try that for forced the Oak Forest keeper into a dive for the stop.
Shortly before the midpoint of the initial half, the visitors’ Progri started to become a scoring threat when she sent in a long free kick and then had another try that was cleared by Mendez.
A few minutes later, both goalies came up with big saves following long runs. Berrios stymied junior Yamileth Torres, and Reavis’ Ayala did the same as Romano drove to the net.
As the first half wound down, close attempts by each side were turned away. Smycz challenged for the Rams, and Jenna Cooper later countered for Oak Forest.
"We needed this W against them so that we can compete with Eisenhower," Ayala said. "And once we got the first goal, we knew what we needed to do to finish the game off. It was a good goal from her (Progri), but we knew what we had to do after that goal to bring up the intensity.
"We started off a bit rough just because we lost a lot of seniors last year. Now with the seniors and the other players, we've been able to communicate better throughout the season and it's all paying off toward the end.
“I like our chemistry. We're a little rocky at times, but once we all communicate and are all on the same page, we're able to pull through and get the W."
Next week brings the beginning of the state Class 3A playoffs. Reavis is the 11th-seed in the Glenbard West Sectional and will compete in the Lyons Regional in Western Springs.
There the Rams will face eighth-seed Willowbrook at 7 p.m. May 18. The winner is expected to meet the host, which is the top-seed and no. 1 team in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25. That title match is slated for 5 p.m. May 20.
Oak Forest is seeded fifth in the Class AA Kankakee Sectional and is favored to meet district rival Tinley Park, the fourth-seed in the Kankakee Regional title match at 6 p.m. May 20.
Starting lineups
Oak Forest
G Serenity Berrios
D Alani Villa
D Kayla Mantia
D Erin Speaker
D Elizabeth Kneeland
M Maddie Walsh
M Kara Mantia
M Tereza Progri
M Jenna Cooper
F Emma Romano
F Cassidy Miller
Reavis
G Jazmin Ayala
D Emily Chavez
D Naomi Rangel
D Jade Guzman
D Alexandra Mendez
M Olivia Smycz
M Nicole Grochola
M Jasmin Pascual
W Emilia Kuca
W Alaina Hernandez
F Natalie Carriedo
Chicagoland Soccer MVPs of the Match:
Nicole Grochola, sr., M, Reavis
Jasmin Pascual, sr., M, Reavis
Scoring summary
First half
No scoring
Second half
OF: Tereza Progri (unassisted), 51’
R: Jasmin Pascual (PK), 59’
R: Alyssa Juarez (Nicole Grochola), 67’