St. Ignatius attack too much for Parker
Wolfpack wins 7-0, sets up Chicago Cup showdown with Young
By Mike Garofola
CHICAGO -- First half doubles from Ella Richards and Grace Campbell inspired undefeated St. Ignatius to a definitive 7-0 victory over Parker Saturday morning at Fornelli Field.
The Wolfpack controlled proceedings throughout the Chicago Cup second round group play action and saw Richards score her 30th and 31st of the season before the break. Maddie Flynn, Itzel Calderon and Ashley Stearns also got into the scoring act.
"Parker played with a lot of pride and spirit out there today, and the score was not indicative on how hard they fought," said Wolfpack manager Sean Palacios.
"We have a lot of talent on this team, and girls who play with a lot of pride and who want to do their best for the school, program, each other and themselves. It's games like these that show just how much it means to be playing soccer for St. Ignatius."
Palacios, who starred at New Trier and played under Hall of Fame manager Craig Fairbairn, has assembled a quality unit in just his fourth season in charge. The Wolfpack (12-0-2) has rocketed up the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25 to no. 5.
St. Ignatius played no. 4 New Trier to a 1-1 draw, the same score it recorded against no. 20 Loyola. The squad put a 2-1 defeat on Stevenson, which rose to no. 3 after winning the recent Lou Malnati's Deep Dish Classic.
"We want to come out each and every time and prove to others that we belong among the top teams in the area," said Campbell, who will attend Tufts University in the fall with an eye on pre-med as her major. "It's our hard work and dedication to each other that helps us do just that.
Shay Reifert, who had her footprints on three of the first four goals for the homeside agreed with her teammate.
"Maybe we have to prove ourselves a little bit more each time out because we're a AA team, but I feel having to do so (has) helped us stay focused and training hard. The results we've had against bigger schools have shown that we're right there with the best."
The Wolfpack, who will likely be anointed either the no. 1 or 2 seed in the Nazareth Academy Sectional in the coming days, got the ball rolling just two minutes into the game.
Richards finished an Adrian Williams helper to jumpstart what would be a rampant first half of soccer by the Wolfpack, who created plenty of chances to keep Parker (2-8-0) in it own end for most of this morning contest.
"Our first five losses of the season were all by one goal, so we've shown we can play well enough to be in each of those games, but Ignatius had just too much for us today," said Parker manager Patrick Stanton, whose club plays Back of the Yards on Monday to complete group play.
"We're very competitive on our home field, where it's 100 x 54 (dimension in yards). But when we get out on a big, wide pitch like this one, we have trouble with a team like Sean's because they can exploit our weaknesses."
One weakness the Colonels do not have is between the sticks where fantastic freshman Alex Carlin resides.
The Parker keeper proved once again she's first class all the way with her command of the box, ability to be a big-time shotstopper, and the ability to read trouble in order to position herself to turn away troublesomes effort on frame.
Carlin was called into action to save four quality chances after the early Richards opener. Her best of the bunch came when Richards was put through at 18 minutes and on a header by Itzel Calderon.
Calderon was a key figure for Palacios each time he brought the junior on to provide fresh legs, pace and instant offense.
"Itzel gives us a lot every time we ask her. She's kind of like our sixth man off the bench," said Palacios with a smile.
"She's a magician on the ball, and she has that quick burst to get her back a defender. Plus she is lethal with either foot, making her such a valuable player to have."
Reifert to Campbell doubled the Wolfpack advantage in the 19th minute. A brilliant ball from Reifert pried open the Parker defense and allowed Richards to finish easily at 23 minutes.
Reifert continued to shine, nearly chipping Carlin with a sublime touch only to watch the Colonels keeper push her attempt up and over the bar.
Campbell and Kate Abdo would fuse timing and creative genious by starting the Wolfpack from deep in the ack and ending with Adrian Williams going just wide.
Williams was at it again moments later, this time sending Hailey Laurenson to the endline, where the junior had her attempt saved nicely by Carlin.
Parker did its best to stay organized in its own end while flooding the middle with extra numbers, but it did not stop the homeside from claiming eight corners in the half. The last produce goal no. 4.
Campbell did well to get herself to an open spot in the box. She headed a Reifert corner serve the other way past a helpless Carlin, who had no chance.
"I'm usually playing as one of our center backs, so it took a little adjustment for me when I was moved in as an attacking mid, but I felt good in that role for us," said Campbell.
"We did a lot of very good things in our attack today, but I would have liked us to finish chances that came through the run of play (instead) of from dead balls and corners," said Palacios.
Maddie Flynn teed-up from 20 yards to beat Carlin four minutes after the intermission. Then it was another superb individual effort from Carlin to stop a sure goal from Richards at 51 minutes.
That's when Richards broke free of a pair of defenders and raced full speed at Carlin, who challenged off her line when she sensed danger.
It took a player with an ice-cold demeanor and quick reflexes, such as Carlin, to somehow end the Richards threat.
"There are few words to describe just how well Alex has played for us, all the while remembering she's just a freshman," said a proud Stanton.
"Even in defeat, and with Ignatius having at least 80% of the ball today, Carlin was great. Players like Ivy Jacobs, Molly Taylor and Senna Gardner, who is back from ACL surgery, all gave a great effort against a very good soccer team."
Calderon enjoyed a well-deserved goal in the 67th minute for her outstanding work off the bench following a nifty interception by Stearns, who later put an exclamation point on the day with a score 10 minutes from time.
The seven goals from the Wolfpack means the club has now outscored its opponents 55-9 thus far this season as it heads into its showdown match with Young on Monday. The winner takes the group.
"We're working hard but having fun at the same time, and everyone on this roster is making a contribution," said Campbell.
"We're fortunate to have so many interchangeable parts on our roster for me to go to," began Palacios. "I was lucky to come in four years ago and to have two players such as Grace (Campbell) and Shay (Reifert)
"(Both) from the start, proved to be exceptional young women, terrific student-athlete's and two players who have been great leaders, both on and off the field, to help bring this program to where it is today."
Starting lineups
Parker (5-4-1)
G- Alex Carlin
D- Sadie Soren
D- Alex Ori
D- Leah Gordon
D- Senna Gardner
D- Lindsay Carlin
M- Molly Taylor
M- Ivy Jacobs
M- Paige Shayne
M- Amelia Heorr
F- Ava Ori
St. Ignatius (4-3-3)
G- Darcy Shoen
D- Rachel Ryan
D- Grace Campbell
D- Kate Abdo
D- Cameron Shutt
M- Adrian Williams
M- Shay Reifert
M- Maddie Flynn
F- Hailey Laurenson
F- Ella Richards
F- Maura Murphy
Chicagoland Soccer MVPs of the Match: Grace Campbell, sr., D/MF, St. Ignatius
Alex Carlin, fr., GK, Parker
Referee: Justo Ramirez
Scoring summary
First half
SI: Richards (Williams) 2'
SI: Campbell (Reifert) 19'
SI: Richards (Reifert) 23'
SI: Campbell (Reifert) 38'
Second half
SI: Flynn (U/A) 44'
SI: Calderson (Stearns) 67'
SI: Stearns (Fassnacht) 70'
Wolfpack wins 7-0, sets up Chicago Cup showdown with Young
By Mike Garofola
CHICAGO -- First half doubles from Ella Richards and Grace Campbell inspired undefeated St. Ignatius to a definitive 7-0 victory over Parker Saturday morning at Fornelli Field.
The Wolfpack controlled proceedings throughout the Chicago Cup second round group play action and saw Richards score her 30th and 31st of the season before the break. Maddie Flynn, Itzel Calderon and Ashley Stearns also got into the scoring act.
"Parker played with a lot of pride and spirit out there today, and the score was not indicative on how hard they fought," said Wolfpack manager Sean Palacios.
"We have a lot of talent on this team, and girls who play with a lot of pride and who want to do their best for the school, program, each other and themselves. It's games like these that show just how much it means to be playing soccer for St. Ignatius."
Palacios, who starred at New Trier and played under Hall of Fame manager Craig Fairbairn, has assembled a quality unit in just his fourth season in charge. The Wolfpack (12-0-2) has rocketed up the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25 to no. 5.
St. Ignatius played no. 4 New Trier to a 1-1 draw, the same score it recorded against no. 20 Loyola. The squad put a 2-1 defeat on Stevenson, which rose to no. 3 after winning the recent Lou Malnati's Deep Dish Classic.
"We want to come out each and every time and prove to others that we belong among the top teams in the area," said Campbell, who will attend Tufts University in the fall with an eye on pre-med as her major. "It's our hard work and dedication to each other that helps us do just that.
Shay Reifert, who had her footprints on three of the first four goals for the homeside agreed with her teammate.
"Maybe we have to prove ourselves a little bit more each time out because we're a AA team, but I feel having to do so (has) helped us stay focused and training hard. The results we've had against bigger schools have shown that we're right there with the best."
The Wolfpack, who will likely be anointed either the no. 1 or 2 seed in the Nazareth Academy Sectional in the coming days, got the ball rolling just two minutes into the game.
Richards finished an Adrian Williams helper to jumpstart what would be a rampant first half of soccer by the Wolfpack, who created plenty of chances to keep Parker (2-8-0) in it own end for most of this morning contest.
"Our first five losses of the season were all by one goal, so we've shown we can play well enough to be in each of those games, but Ignatius had just too much for us today," said Parker manager Patrick Stanton, whose club plays Back of the Yards on Monday to complete group play.
"We're very competitive on our home field, where it's 100 x 54 (dimension in yards). But when we get out on a big, wide pitch like this one, we have trouble with a team like Sean's because they can exploit our weaknesses."
One weakness the Colonels do not have is between the sticks where fantastic freshman Alex Carlin resides.
The Parker keeper proved once again she's first class all the way with her command of the box, ability to be a big-time shotstopper, and the ability to read trouble in order to position herself to turn away troublesomes effort on frame.
Carlin was called into action to save four quality chances after the early Richards opener. Her best of the bunch came when Richards was put through at 18 minutes and on a header by Itzel Calderon.
Calderon was a key figure for Palacios each time he brought the junior on to provide fresh legs, pace and instant offense.
"Itzel gives us a lot every time we ask her. She's kind of like our sixth man off the bench," said Palacios with a smile.
"She's a magician on the ball, and she has that quick burst to get her back a defender. Plus she is lethal with either foot, making her such a valuable player to have."
Reifert to Campbell doubled the Wolfpack advantage in the 19th minute. A brilliant ball from Reifert pried open the Parker defense and allowed Richards to finish easily at 23 minutes.
Reifert continued to shine, nearly chipping Carlin with a sublime touch only to watch the Colonels keeper push her attempt up and over the bar.
Campbell and Kate Abdo would fuse timing and creative genious by starting the Wolfpack from deep in the ack and ending with Adrian Williams going just wide.
Williams was at it again moments later, this time sending Hailey Laurenson to the endline, where the junior had her attempt saved nicely by Carlin.
Parker did its best to stay organized in its own end while flooding the middle with extra numbers, but it did not stop the homeside from claiming eight corners in the half. The last produce goal no. 4.
Campbell did well to get herself to an open spot in the box. She headed a Reifert corner serve the other way past a helpless Carlin, who had no chance.
"I'm usually playing as one of our center backs, so it took a little adjustment for me when I was moved in as an attacking mid, but I felt good in that role for us," said Campbell.
"We did a lot of very good things in our attack today, but I would have liked us to finish chances that came through the run of play (instead) of from dead balls and corners," said Palacios.
Maddie Flynn teed-up from 20 yards to beat Carlin four minutes after the intermission. Then it was another superb individual effort from Carlin to stop a sure goal from Richards at 51 minutes.
That's when Richards broke free of a pair of defenders and raced full speed at Carlin, who challenged off her line when she sensed danger.
It took a player with an ice-cold demeanor and quick reflexes, such as Carlin, to somehow end the Richards threat.
"There are few words to describe just how well Alex has played for us, all the while remembering she's just a freshman," said a proud Stanton.
"Even in defeat, and with Ignatius having at least 80% of the ball today, Carlin was great. Players like Ivy Jacobs, Molly Taylor and Senna Gardner, who is back from ACL surgery, all gave a great effort against a very good soccer team."
Calderon enjoyed a well-deserved goal in the 67th minute for her outstanding work off the bench following a nifty interception by Stearns, who later put an exclamation point on the day with a score 10 minutes from time.
The seven goals from the Wolfpack means the club has now outscored its opponents 55-9 thus far this season as it heads into its showdown match with Young on Monday. The winner takes the group.
"We're working hard but having fun at the same time, and everyone on this roster is making a contribution," said Campbell.
"We're fortunate to have so many interchangeable parts on our roster for me to go to," began Palacios. "I was lucky to come in four years ago and to have two players such as Grace (Campbell) and Shay (Reifert)
"(Both) from the start, proved to be exceptional young women, terrific student-athlete's and two players who have been great leaders, both on and off the field, to help bring this program to where it is today."
Starting lineups
Parker (5-4-1)
G- Alex Carlin
D- Sadie Soren
D- Alex Ori
D- Leah Gordon
D- Senna Gardner
D- Lindsay Carlin
M- Molly Taylor
M- Ivy Jacobs
M- Paige Shayne
M- Amelia Heorr
F- Ava Ori
St. Ignatius (4-3-3)
G- Darcy Shoen
D- Rachel Ryan
D- Grace Campbell
D- Kate Abdo
D- Cameron Shutt
M- Adrian Williams
M- Shay Reifert
M- Maddie Flynn
F- Hailey Laurenson
F- Ella Richards
F- Maura Murphy
Chicagoland Soccer MVPs of the Match: Grace Campbell, sr., D/MF, St. Ignatius
Alex Carlin, fr., GK, Parker
Referee: Justo Ramirez
Scoring summary
First half
SI: Richards (Williams) 2'
SI: Campbell (Reifert) 19'
SI: Richards (Reifert) 23'
SI: Campbell (Reifert) 38'
Second half
SI: Flynn (U/A) 44'
SI: Calderson (Stearns) 67'
SI: Stearns (Fassnacht) 70'