Reavis breaks out against Oak Lawn
Rams equal season goal total in 7-0 league win
By Patrick Z. McGavin
BURBANK -- The game touches many sides, encompassing the personal and the athletic.
The reasons for playing overlap and bounce off each other. Sometimes it is just direct and necessary.
The game exists to have fun and experience a kind of vicarious pleasure in being around friends.
Reavis has been on the wrong side of the scoreboard more often than comfortable the first month of the season.
But the Rams’ players radiate joy and beauty in being around each other. That gets the players through the rough moments and down times.
“It is more than a team with us,” Reavis midfielder Jasmin Pascual said.
“It’s more like family sometimes. Our bond is incredibly crazy. We love each other no matter what happens.”
Coach Konrad Dziedzic, in his first year directing the program, has observed the camaraderie and special chemistry.
“They are a great group of girls,” he said. “From our winter league until now, they have really worked hard.
“What began as a social aspect outside, they are now putting together in a soccer aspect.”
The Rams played off their friendship and intense closeness to perfection in their breakout game of the season.
Four players scored as Reavis exploded for a season-best offensive performance in the 7-0 victory over Oak Lawn in South Suburban Conference Red Division play on Tuesday.
Reavis (2-7-1, 1-1-1) matched its season total of goals through nine games.
Everything connected as the Rams took advantage of a swirling wind advantage to optimize their attack through the first half.
Reavis scored six times before the break, including three in the first 13 minutes.
It felt like a party.
“We had a rough past week, and we lost a couple of games in a row,” midfielder Nicole Grochola said.
Her goal in the sixth minute unleashed the attack.
“We knew we had that side with the wind first, and we had the mindset that we were going to keep the team up today,” Grochola said.
“We needed a game like this today.”
The Rams lost by an identical score against Aurora Central Catholic in the BodyArmor Series on Sunday.
They turned the tables on the Spartans (2-6-0, 0-3-0).
The fast goal by Grochola had a multiplying effect, bolstering the mood of the team and showing a way forward.
“I know from past experience when we go down one or two goals that it brings down the energy,” Grochola said.
“Playing in a game like this is fun, and it makes you happy.”
Sophomore Olivia Smycz got into the act by scoring the second and fourth goals.
A converted defender, Smycz is the team’s leading scorer with six goals. She has a flair for creating off the dribble and shooting from distance.
She had a hat-trick in the Rams’ previous win.
The forward parlayed the early goal into a wider narrative of offensive aggressiveness and recurring pressure.
“When Nicole scored like that, I just told myself that we were going to come out and keep scoring,” Smycz said.
She showed good quickness and shot creation off the dribble. She also moved very well off the ball.
“I like the quick passes, running and getting the crosses in, and scoring,” Smycz said. “The early goals got our confidence up, and we just started playing better.
“I feel like today is going to be the start of a new season.”
Confidence only begets more chances and a ready sense of urgency, and the feeling that anything is possible.
“The way we started and scoring the way that we did, it pushed all of us to attack and keep going,” Pascual said.
“The more goals you score, the better.”
A captain with Grochola, she scored her first goal of the year in the 13th minute.
It came just moments after the first goal by Smycz. The heavy wind just disconnected the Spartans’ attack.
Reavis spread them out, and repeatedly found gaps and seams to exploit. Pascual intercepted a ball and dribbled in from the left wing and let fly from about 19 yards.
It curled inside the near post.
“I thought a day like today was coming,” Pascual said. “I think we just wanted it more.”
Dziedzic cycled through his entire roster, running numbers that only amplified the differences of the two programs.
Oak Lawn has been suffering from a lack of players.
“We had a low turnout this year on both levels,” Oak Lawn coach John Faro said.
“I was very pleased with the girls’ effort. It’s tough with such a different talent, and you’re playing against girls who compete year-round.”
Forward Victoria Gallardo created some fairly dangerous moments for the Spartans.
Midfielder Cassandra Gutierrez had the best opportunity, getting behind the Rams’ back in the second half with a ball that just eluded her grasp.
“Reavis is always well-coached and well-organized,” Faro said. “They always play well together as a team. They definitely have some talent, and there is not much drop off from the top to the bottom.
“They definitely took advantage of the wind in the first half.”
Forward Yamileth Torres scored goals in the 27th and 29th minutes that turned the game into a rout.
“Everybody likes communicating, and that made it easier to score the goals today,” Torres said.
“Just making the runs and talking on the field helped everybody today. Having the wind to start was definitely easier to push the ball. We worked on being confident, working on possession and making quick touches.”
Regardless of the players in the game, Reavis controlled time and opportunities, even against the wind in the second half.
Forward Alaina Hernandez and midfielder Emilia Kuca proved especially active through their combination play.
It ended like it began with Grochola at the center of activity. Forward Alyssa Juarez finished her cross into the box for the punctuation mark.
Nicole Grochola and Olivia Smycz shared the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match honors.
“We had a tough start to the season,” Dziedzic said. “I think a big part of that was we were playing a lot of quality teams.
“Today you could see the joy in their faces.”
Starting lineups
Oak Lawn
GK: Genesis Macias
D: Emily Pietrzak
D: Miranda Vail
D: Mairead Green
D: Mia Belko-Ruiz
MF: Maci Plata
MF: Cassandra Gutierrez
MF: Jaretzy Ornelas-Ramos
MF: Brianna Jordan
F: Dunia Daifallah
F: Victoria Gallardo
Reavis
GK: Jazmin Ayala
D: Emily Chavez
D: Jade Guzman
D: Alexandra Mendez
D: Naomi Rangel
MF: Jasmin Pascual
MF: Nicole Grochola
MF: Emilia Kuca
F: Olivia Smycz
F: Alaina Hernandez
F: Natalie Carriedo
Chicagoland Soccer MVPs of the Match: Nicole Grochola, sr., MF, Reavis; Olivia Smycz, so., F, Reavis
Scoring summary
First half
Reavis—Nicole Grochola (unassisted), sixth minute
Reavis —Olivia Smycz (Alaina Hernandez), 12th minute
Reavis—Jasmin Pascual (unassisted), 13th minute
Reavis—Smycz (unassisted), 20th minute
Reavis—Yamileth Torres (unassisted), 27th minute
Reavis—Torres (Naomi Rangel), 29th minute
Second half
Reavis—Alyssa Juarez (Grochola), 62nd minute
Rams equal season goal total in 7-0 league win
By Patrick Z. McGavin
BURBANK -- The game touches many sides, encompassing the personal and the athletic.
The reasons for playing overlap and bounce off each other. Sometimes it is just direct and necessary.
The game exists to have fun and experience a kind of vicarious pleasure in being around friends.
Reavis has been on the wrong side of the scoreboard more often than comfortable the first month of the season.
But the Rams’ players radiate joy and beauty in being around each other. That gets the players through the rough moments and down times.
“It is more than a team with us,” Reavis midfielder Jasmin Pascual said.
“It’s more like family sometimes. Our bond is incredibly crazy. We love each other no matter what happens.”
Coach Konrad Dziedzic, in his first year directing the program, has observed the camaraderie and special chemistry.
“They are a great group of girls,” he said. “From our winter league until now, they have really worked hard.
“What began as a social aspect outside, they are now putting together in a soccer aspect.”
The Rams played off their friendship and intense closeness to perfection in their breakout game of the season.
Four players scored as Reavis exploded for a season-best offensive performance in the 7-0 victory over Oak Lawn in South Suburban Conference Red Division play on Tuesday.
Reavis (2-7-1, 1-1-1) matched its season total of goals through nine games.
Everything connected as the Rams took advantage of a swirling wind advantage to optimize their attack through the first half.
Reavis scored six times before the break, including three in the first 13 minutes.
It felt like a party.
“We had a rough past week, and we lost a couple of games in a row,” midfielder Nicole Grochola said.
Her goal in the sixth minute unleashed the attack.
“We knew we had that side with the wind first, and we had the mindset that we were going to keep the team up today,” Grochola said.
“We needed a game like this today.”
The Rams lost by an identical score against Aurora Central Catholic in the BodyArmor Series on Sunday.
They turned the tables on the Spartans (2-6-0, 0-3-0).
The fast goal by Grochola had a multiplying effect, bolstering the mood of the team and showing a way forward.
“I know from past experience when we go down one or two goals that it brings down the energy,” Grochola said.
“Playing in a game like this is fun, and it makes you happy.”
Sophomore Olivia Smycz got into the act by scoring the second and fourth goals.
A converted defender, Smycz is the team’s leading scorer with six goals. She has a flair for creating off the dribble and shooting from distance.
She had a hat-trick in the Rams’ previous win.
The forward parlayed the early goal into a wider narrative of offensive aggressiveness and recurring pressure.
“When Nicole scored like that, I just told myself that we were going to come out and keep scoring,” Smycz said.
She showed good quickness and shot creation off the dribble. She also moved very well off the ball.
“I like the quick passes, running and getting the crosses in, and scoring,” Smycz said. “The early goals got our confidence up, and we just started playing better.
“I feel like today is going to be the start of a new season.”
Confidence only begets more chances and a ready sense of urgency, and the feeling that anything is possible.
“The way we started and scoring the way that we did, it pushed all of us to attack and keep going,” Pascual said.
“The more goals you score, the better.”
A captain with Grochola, she scored her first goal of the year in the 13th minute.
It came just moments after the first goal by Smycz. The heavy wind just disconnected the Spartans’ attack.
Reavis spread them out, and repeatedly found gaps and seams to exploit. Pascual intercepted a ball and dribbled in from the left wing and let fly from about 19 yards.
It curled inside the near post.
“I thought a day like today was coming,” Pascual said. “I think we just wanted it more.”
Dziedzic cycled through his entire roster, running numbers that only amplified the differences of the two programs.
Oak Lawn has been suffering from a lack of players.
“We had a low turnout this year on both levels,” Oak Lawn coach John Faro said.
“I was very pleased with the girls’ effort. It’s tough with such a different talent, and you’re playing against girls who compete year-round.”
Forward Victoria Gallardo created some fairly dangerous moments for the Spartans.
Midfielder Cassandra Gutierrez had the best opportunity, getting behind the Rams’ back in the second half with a ball that just eluded her grasp.
“Reavis is always well-coached and well-organized,” Faro said. “They always play well together as a team. They definitely have some talent, and there is not much drop off from the top to the bottom.
“They definitely took advantage of the wind in the first half.”
Forward Yamileth Torres scored goals in the 27th and 29th minutes that turned the game into a rout.
“Everybody likes communicating, and that made it easier to score the goals today,” Torres said.
“Just making the runs and talking on the field helped everybody today. Having the wind to start was definitely easier to push the ball. We worked on being confident, working on possession and making quick touches.”
Regardless of the players in the game, Reavis controlled time and opportunities, even against the wind in the second half.
Forward Alaina Hernandez and midfielder Emilia Kuca proved especially active through their combination play.
It ended like it began with Grochola at the center of activity. Forward Alyssa Juarez finished her cross into the box for the punctuation mark.
Nicole Grochola and Olivia Smycz shared the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match honors.
“We had a tough start to the season,” Dziedzic said. “I think a big part of that was we were playing a lot of quality teams.
“Today you could see the joy in their faces.”
Starting lineups
Oak Lawn
GK: Genesis Macias
D: Emily Pietrzak
D: Miranda Vail
D: Mairead Green
D: Mia Belko-Ruiz
MF: Maci Plata
MF: Cassandra Gutierrez
MF: Jaretzy Ornelas-Ramos
MF: Brianna Jordan
F: Dunia Daifallah
F: Victoria Gallardo
Reavis
GK: Jazmin Ayala
D: Emily Chavez
D: Jade Guzman
D: Alexandra Mendez
D: Naomi Rangel
MF: Jasmin Pascual
MF: Nicole Grochola
MF: Emilia Kuca
F: Olivia Smycz
F: Alaina Hernandez
F: Natalie Carriedo
Chicagoland Soccer MVPs of the Match: Nicole Grochola, sr., MF, Reavis; Olivia Smycz, so., F, Reavis
Scoring summary
First half
Reavis—Nicole Grochola (unassisted), sixth minute
Reavis —Olivia Smycz (Alaina Hernandez), 12th minute
Reavis—Jasmin Pascual (unassisted), 13th minute
Reavis—Smycz (unassisted), 20th minute
Reavis—Yamileth Torres (unassisted), 27th minute
Reavis—Torres (Naomi Rangel), 29th minute
Second half
Reavis—Alyssa Juarez (Grochola), 62nd minute