Payton’s fast start upends Pritzker
Holzman’s early goal sparks Grizzlies in season debut
By Patrick Z. McGavin
CHICAGO -- Payton was ready to play a game.
After its originally planned opener with Niles North was scuttled by unplayable field conditions last week, the Grizzlies anxiously watched the days flip toward their home debut.
“It was exciting to play where it was not against your teammates for once,” junior midfielder Hayley Owens said.
The delay only deepened the natural tension and nerves of waiting for the season kick off. Class AA local power Pritzker offered a quality opponent.
“I was nervous for this game, because I also remember last year’s game,” Owens said. “That is a team with very good foot skills, all of them, and they are very fast.”
Junior forward Lindsey Holzman scored in the fifth minute to stabilize the Grizzlies’ attack and the talented young team withstood the Jaguars’ late rally for the 2-1 victory at Riis Park on Wednesday.
“This was our first game, and we are still working on some things,” Payton coach Paul Escobar said. “I am happy with the way that we came out, and the way we fought until the end. That was a very good win.
“That is a good team. They are well coached and very well organized. They have some very crafty players that proved a very good [opponent] for our girls to go up against.”
Pritzker is part of the 15-team Noble charter school network. The Jaguars started their girls program in 2007. Coach Lux Espinoza, who also coaches the boys’ side, has directed the program since 2011. She has guided the girls to three regional titles, including AA regional championships in 2015 and 2017.
Last year’s team played a strong Fenwick program to a narrow regional title loss. “We have a pretty good group that played for us last year who are back,” Espinoza said.
Payton took the Jaguars very seriously. Pritzker forged a 1-1 draw against the Grizzlies last year.
“Especially coming out today compared to when we played them last year,” Holzman said. “I think they were our second game last year, and we tied them. It was a tough, early-season tie and to get one in early like we did today was a good start to the game and got some momentum.”
The turf surface of the park district field played fast, and the Grizzlies (1-0-0) seized the early momentum through the exacting and skillful play of Owens and junior midfielder Emilia Wilke.
In the fifth minute, Wilke slotted a ball into an open seam that Holzman controlled and unleashed a quick one-touch ball that caught Jaguars’ Marina Frayre off guard.
Holzman later aggravated an ankle injury and did not play in the second half. Her goal established the rhythm and style the Grizzlies looked to establish.
“Emilia slid the ball in, and I was able to make a move,” she said. “This is an exciting moment for us. We have a new dynamic compared to last year. We graduated our keeper, Hannah Lynn and we lost our best player [all-state midfielder] Fiona O’Brien, but we have a deep and talented team this year.
“Last year we knew we could always play the ball to Fiona in the center, and she took great shots. Now everybody has to step up, with the center midfielders filling a big gap.”
For her effort and impact, Holzman earned the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match accolade.
Sophomore midfielder Olivia Moore, a Chicagoland Soccer watch list player last year, is currently in a walking boot and was unavailable. Her absence was felt given her technical skills and excellent finishing abilities.
Owens is another elite talent and one of the bright talents in city soccer. She also made the watch list last year. Her on the ball skills are perfectly tailored to the Grizzlies’ style. Her playmaking and creativity sets her apart.
“I think for the juniors, this is really the first time where we are the core of the team,” Owens said. “In the past we were always accessories to the upperclassmen and now we are the upperclassmen.
“We had Fiona O’Brien last year, who was just ridiculously amazing. The center midfielders having to step in her spot is huge. Our game plan was to play it to the corner and then cross it, and that was what we were working on.”
In the 13th minute, freshman forward Nadine Denahan scored her first career goal with a strong finish on a ball initially played by junior forward Sophie Salem.
“Since we did not play that last game, they were very hungry to play,” Escobar said. “You could tell by the intensity of our training. Our training has been great, very positive and a lot of hard work. It seems like these girls have been at it for a long time. We have three or four freshmen.
“We have a really dynamic group, a good skill set and a lot of integral parts.”
Junior Pilar Kelly made an impressive debut at keeper, replacing Lynn, a four-year starter and captain. Kelly is long and agile, and she showed agility and athleticism in recording six saves. She made two exceptional diving stops on Jaguars’ star forward Keyla Romero in the first half.
Pritzker found its footing after the rough beginning.
“In the first half, that the first time playing for our goalie [Marina Frayre], who is just a freshman,” Espinoza said. “We were just getting settled there, with our starters and our formation. I thought we came out much better in the second half. I think we had the majority of possession, and we had the better of the play.”
The Jaguars’ back closed down the opens spaces Payton generated at the start. Slowly Pritzker gained the upper hand possessing and controlling the ball.
Pritzker had Payton had on the defensive. The Grizzlies’ back is experienced and savvy in its own manner. Seniors Madeline Clerkin and Mimi Hamada are captains. Brigitte Joyce, another senior, is athletic and physical.
“Our defense was amazing,” Owens said.
Pritzker (3-1-0) averted the shutout in the 77th minute as Romero slid off a defender and smashed home a sharp ball from about 14 yards inside the near post.
“We came in undefeated, but the teams we played were not this good,” Romero said. “So it was a great thrill to be able to play with them and not lose that badly against a big Public League school like Payton.
“We have faith in our team and program, and this kind of game is going to help us with the teams we play down the road. It was really challenging to play against them, but it was also really exciting to be the only one to score on them.”
Starting lineups
Pritzker
GK: Marina Frayre
D: Priscila Pena
D: Stephanie Solis
D: America Calvario
MF: Citlaly Sanchez
MF: Andrea Fajardo
MF: Adrienie Cornejo
MF: Joanna Bahena
MF: Esmeralda Quijano
F: Denise J. Jimenez
F: Keyla Romero
Payton
GK: Pilar Kelly
D: Brigitte Joyce
D: Madeline Clerkin
D: Mimi Hamada
D: Ellen Hengesbach
MF: Ella Marden
MF: Emilia Wilke
MF: Hayley Owens
F: Sophie Salem
F: Nancy Krug
F: Lindsey Holzman
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Lindsey Holzman, jr., F, Payton
Scoring summary
First half
Payton—Lindsey Holzman (Emilia Wilke), 5th minute
Payton—Nadine Denahan (Sophie Salem), 13th minute
Second half
Pritzker—Keyla Romero (Joanna Bahena), 77th minute
Holzman’s early goal sparks Grizzlies in season debut
By Patrick Z. McGavin
CHICAGO -- Payton was ready to play a game.
After its originally planned opener with Niles North was scuttled by unplayable field conditions last week, the Grizzlies anxiously watched the days flip toward their home debut.
“It was exciting to play where it was not against your teammates for once,” junior midfielder Hayley Owens said.
The delay only deepened the natural tension and nerves of waiting for the season kick off. Class AA local power Pritzker offered a quality opponent.
“I was nervous for this game, because I also remember last year’s game,” Owens said. “That is a team with very good foot skills, all of them, and they are very fast.”
Junior forward Lindsey Holzman scored in the fifth minute to stabilize the Grizzlies’ attack and the talented young team withstood the Jaguars’ late rally for the 2-1 victory at Riis Park on Wednesday.
“This was our first game, and we are still working on some things,” Payton coach Paul Escobar said. “I am happy with the way that we came out, and the way we fought until the end. That was a very good win.
“That is a good team. They are well coached and very well organized. They have some very crafty players that proved a very good [opponent] for our girls to go up against.”
Pritzker is part of the 15-team Noble charter school network. The Jaguars started their girls program in 2007. Coach Lux Espinoza, who also coaches the boys’ side, has directed the program since 2011. She has guided the girls to three regional titles, including AA regional championships in 2015 and 2017.
Last year’s team played a strong Fenwick program to a narrow regional title loss. “We have a pretty good group that played for us last year who are back,” Espinoza said.
Payton took the Jaguars very seriously. Pritzker forged a 1-1 draw against the Grizzlies last year.
“Especially coming out today compared to when we played them last year,” Holzman said. “I think they were our second game last year, and we tied them. It was a tough, early-season tie and to get one in early like we did today was a good start to the game and got some momentum.”
The turf surface of the park district field played fast, and the Grizzlies (1-0-0) seized the early momentum through the exacting and skillful play of Owens and junior midfielder Emilia Wilke.
In the fifth minute, Wilke slotted a ball into an open seam that Holzman controlled and unleashed a quick one-touch ball that caught Jaguars’ Marina Frayre off guard.
Holzman later aggravated an ankle injury and did not play in the second half. Her goal established the rhythm and style the Grizzlies looked to establish.
“Emilia slid the ball in, and I was able to make a move,” she said. “This is an exciting moment for us. We have a new dynamic compared to last year. We graduated our keeper, Hannah Lynn and we lost our best player [all-state midfielder] Fiona O’Brien, but we have a deep and talented team this year.
“Last year we knew we could always play the ball to Fiona in the center, and she took great shots. Now everybody has to step up, with the center midfielders filling a big gap.”
For her effort and impact, Holzman earned the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match accolade.
Sophomore midfielder Olivia Moore, a Chicagoland Soccer watch list player last year, is currently in a walking boot and was unavailable. Her absence was felt given her technical skills and excellent finishing abilities.
Owens is another elite talent and one of the bright talents in city soccer. She also made the watch list last year. Her on the ball skills are perfectly tailored to the Grizzlies’ style. Her playmaking and creativity sets her apart.
“I think for the juniors, this is really the first time where we are the core of the team,” Owens said. “In the past we were always accessories to the upperclassmen and now we are the upperclassmen.
“We had Fiona O’Brien last year, who was just ridiculously amazing. The center midfielders having to step in her spot is huge. Our game plan was to play it to the corner and then cross it, and that was what we were working on.”
In the 13th minute, freshman forward Nadine Denahan scored her first career goal with a strong finish on a ball initially played by junior forward Sophie Salem.
“Since we did not play that last game, they were very hungry to play,” Escobar said. “You could tell by the intensity of our training. Our training has been great, very positive and a lot of hard work. It seems like these girls have been at it for a long time. We have three or four freshmen.
“We have a really dynamic group, a good skill set and a lot of integral parts.”
Junior Pilar Kelly made an impressive debut at keeper, replacing Lynn, a four-year starter and captain. Kelly is long and agile, and she showed agility and athleticism in recording six saves. She made two exceptional diving stops on Jaguars’ star forward Keyla Romero in the first half.
Pritzker found its footing after the rough beginning.
“In the first half, that the first time playing for our goalie [Marina Frayre], who is just a freshman,” Espinoza said. “We were just getting settled there, with our starters and our formation. I thought we came out much better in the second half. I think we had the majority of possession, and we had the better of the play.”
The Jaguars’ back closed down the opens spaces Payton generated at the start. Slowly Pritzker gained the upper hand possessing and controlling the ball.
Pritzker had Payton had on the defensive. The Grizzlies’ back is experienced and savvy in its own manner. Seniors Madeline Clerkin and Mimi Hamada are captains. Brigitte Joyce, another senior, is athletic and physical.
“Our defense was amazing,” Owens said.
Pritzker (3-1-0) averted the shutout in the 77th minute as Romero slid off a defender and smashed home a sharp ball from about 14 yards inside the near post.
“We came in undefeated, but the teams we played were not this good,” Romero said. “So it was a great thrill to be able to play with them and not lose that badly against a big Public League school like Payton.
“We have faith in our team and program, and this kind of game is going to help us with the teams we play down the road. It was really challenging to play against them, but it was also really exciting to be the only one to score on them.”
Starting lineups
Pritzker
GK: Marina Frayre
D: Priscila Pena
D: Stephanie Solis
D: America Calvario
MF: Citlaly Sanchez
MF: Andrea Fajardo
MF: Adrienie Cornejo
MF: Joanna Bahena
MF: Esmeralda Quijano
F: Denise J. Jimenez
F: Keyla Romero
Payton
GK: Pilar Kelly
D: Brigitte Joyce
D: Madeline Clerkin
D: Mimi Hamada
D: Ellen Hengesbach
MF: Ella Marden
MF: Emilia Wilke
MF: Hayley Owens
F: Sophie Salem
F: Nancy Krug
F: Lindsey Holzman
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Lindsey Holzman, jr., F, Payton
Scoring summary
First half
Payton—Lindsey Holzman (Emilia Wilke), 5th minute
Payton—Nadine Denahan (Sophie Salem), 13th minute
Second half
Pritzker—Keyla Romero (Joanna Bahena), 77th minute