Prospect pushes Prairie Ridge
Knights tie game but fall on 2 goals in final 7:53
By Dave Owen
MT. PROSPECT -- A dose of second half trickery put Prospect in position to do what only three teams have done since the start of the 2018 season -- tie or beat Prairie Ridge.
And while Wolves senior star Nikki Anderson (33 goals this season) scored twice in the last 7:53 of Friday's match to turn a 1-1 tie into a 3-1 win for Prairie Ridge (17-1-1), the second half response by the host Knights (11-8-5) against an elite opponent was an impressive way to gear up for regionals.
“We know they’re a good side,” Prospect coach Tom Froats said of the Wolves. “We had the good fortune of playing them last year prior to the start of the postseason (a 1-0 Prairie Ridge win in that game), and I think it’s good to have kind of a playoff atmosphere and a high-caliber team to prepare yourself.
“Today I was super proud of the way we responded after being down 1-0, and just put forth a tremendous effort. I couldn’t be more proud of our side.”
A set piece with 22:12 left was the Knights’ proudest moment. It featured great design, perfect execution and maybe a dose of beginners’ luck.
Trailing 1-0 and setting up for a 20-yard free kick with 22:12 left in Friday’s nonconference game, the Knights had three players standing astride the ball.
At the whistle, two of the players split off into opposite directions to create a distraction and freshman Hannah Mekky stepped into the opening to drive a perfectly placed strike into the upper left corner of the net.
If the play looked like a product of endless fine tuning and practice, at least one key part of it was all new.
“Actually we’ve worked on that,” Prospect senior midfielder Katelyn Branch said, just never with Hannah Mekky taking the shot.
“She walks up (for the free kick) and says, ‘I have no idea what I’m doing,’ and then makes the most beautiful goal. That was awesome.”
Mekky has 10 goals this season, but none in previous restart situations.
“I’ve actually never taken free kicks before,” Mekky said, “and since no one was on the field who usually takes free kicks, he (Froats) was like, ‘Hannah, why don’t you take it,’ and I was like, ‘OK, why not. We’ll see what happens.’
“And it ended up working.”
Mekky’s work ethic has produced strong results for the freshman.
“Hannah’s finish on the direct kick was beautiful, and good for her,” Froats said. “She’s worked really hard. As a freshman she’s come in, and I think with every game gotten more and more comfortable.
“To see her be able to step up in a big moment with a big kick and put it in the back of the net, I think it speaks volumes for how far she’s come this season.”
Prairie Ridge has a 34-2-1 record since the start of 2017. The lone loss last year came in the state playoffs to eventual Class 3A champion Barrington.
Suddenly, Mekky’s free kick strike had the Wolves in the rare position of not holding a lead late in the game. But Anderson and her teammates didn’t panic.
“When they scored and tied the game, that was kind of wake up call,” said Anderson, whose 10-yard one-timer 35 minutes into the first half had put the Wolves ahead 1-0.
“We just had to step it up even more, and keep pushing to get the end result we wanted.”
Prospect met that push with a strong stand, maintaining the 1-1 tie for nearly 15 minutes.
With 11:15 left, Abby Eriksen’s corner kick send was denied on a high catch by Prospect second half goalkeeper Hannah Samuelson.
Then after Eriksen sent a 28-yard free kick over the net with 9:35 to go, the Wolves’ matched Prospect’s mid-half set piece magic with their own perfect execution.
Reanne Weil’s right side corner kick with 7:53 to play found Anderson at the back post. Her solid header put Prairie Ridge up 2-1.
Already the school record holder for goals in a season coming into the day, Anderson added to her accomplishment.
“I think (being in the) right place, right time helps, but it’s also my teammates,” Anderson said of her scoring prowess. “They play great balls. Like Reanne -- that was a beautiful corner. It was perfect placement.
“My teammates are always running off of me and making the right runs to get to the net.”
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match Anderson followed that goal with defense. Off a Mekky corner kick with 5:15 to go, Anderson finally ended a long battle for the send with a interception at the edge of the box and a counterattack.
Then with 3:08 left, Anderson’s put the game out of reach with her third goal of the day that was another blend of teamwork and powerful finish.
After taking a pass from Anderson on the right side, Eriksen dished the ball back to Anderson up-top just inside the box. Turning to her right to create a sliver of space against defenders, Anderson sent a low shot inside the left post to put her team up 3-1.
“It was not our best performance,” Prairie Ridge coach Mark Lewis said, “but again we find a way to win games.
“I’ve said this before -- when you have a player like Nikki Anderson on your team, you’re capable of winning against anybody. She came through when she needed. She’s special.”
Despite the loss, Prospect had its own special performances up and down its roster to stay toe-to-toe with a strong opponent.
“Katelyn Branch at center mid did a fabulous job,” Froats said, “and Lauryn (Schneider) as well. Lauryn normally plays a different position, and dropped into the midfield today to help us.
“I thought Abby Knott was outstanding (at midfield), and our backline too -- everywhere we did a really nice job. And up-top the work rate of Ella Marzolf, Abbey Danciu and Hannah Mekky, they did a really nice job of giving us a push offensively.”
Pushing back after falling behind was most impressive.
“In the beginning it was a little rough,” Mekky said, “but it was a good-fought game I think.
“At the end we just kind of lost it a little bit. It was unfortunate but we had a few chances, and I think it was a pretty good game overall. Unfortunately the score didn’t show it.”
But Prospect’s next match has much bigger ramifications: the sixth seed faces Carmel, a 12th seed in the sectional, at 7 p.m. Tuesday in a Fremd Regional semifinal.
“They are a lot more than a 12 seed,” Froats said. “We’ll have to play our best game to date to get the result that we want. I’m looking forward to that competition, and the challenge that lies ahead.”
Prospect players share that outlook.
“We feel really confident,” Branch said. “We have a pretty deep bench, and everyone really wants it and desires it. We always work really well together as a team, so I think we’re confident and really excited.
“I’d say we’re really smart decision makers,” Branch added, “so as long as we keep that going, that will definitely be our key.”
Said Mekky: “I feel good (about regionals). I think we have a really strong team, and we have a ton of players with a lot of talent. I think we have a really good chance of making it far. Hopefully it happens.”
No matter how 2019 ends, Mekky has enjoyed the ride so far as one of three freshmen (with Knott and Samuelson) on the Prospect squad.
“It’s a lot of fun,” Mekky said. “I’m really fortunate to be a freshman on varsity, and to get this opportunity to play with these amazing seniors.”
By sheer numbers, Prospect’s senior class has certainly been the guiding force of the team.
A deep Class of 2019 group includes Branch, Marzolf, Danciu, Madalyn Ladd, Kristin Schneider, Helen Siavelis, Taylor Kosia, Lauryn Schneider, Ashley Welk, Tina Suto, Kendall Tapia, Ashley Adams and Karsen Keller.
“I would say all of us have become really close through the years in Prospect soccer,” Branch said. “And having 13 seniors on the team, it’s really rare that we’re as close as we are. We always have a great time when we’re playing together.”
Between that senior nucleus, chemistry and a strong regular season finale, Prospect has reason for postseason optimism.
“They’ve worked hard, and we certainly saw some fruits of that hard work today,” Froats said. “We’re pleased with that, and we were trying to get everyone through today healthy and ready to perform when their name is called next week.”
Prospect opened the season on a seven-game unbeaten streak (4-0-3), and a three-game stretch without a loss before the Prairie Ridge battle bodes well.
“Overall I think our work rate throughout the course of the year has been tremendous,” Froats said. “And I think we’re starting to play a little more cohesively offensively.
“We’ve talked about that, that we’re stronger together than individually, and over the course of the season we’ve been doing that better and better.
“The environment (entering regionals) is what you want it to be,” Froats added. “This is why we worked hard for several months. This is the moment they’ve all been waiting for. It should be exciting.”
Starting lineups
Prairie Ridge
GK: Samantha Gablenz
D: Abby Klimkowski
D: Olivia Ott
D: Delaney Todd
D: Madison Kachelmuss
M: Emily Eriksen
M: Lucy Klimkowski
M: Kelly Gende
M: Abby Eriksen
F: Nikki Anderson
F: Reanne Weil
Prospect
GK: Annie Ninness
D: Madalyn Ladd
D: Ashley Erickson
D: Isabelle Suto
D: Karsen Keller
M: Lauryn Schneider
M: Katelyn Branch
M: Abby Knott
M: Ella Marzolf
F: Hannah Mekky
F: Abbey Danciu
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Nikki Anderson, sr., F, Prairie Ridge
Scoring summary
First half
PR- Nikki Anderson, 35th minute
Second half
P - Hannah Mekky, 58th minute
PR- Anderson (Reanne Weil), 73rd minute
PR- Anderson (Abby Eriksen), 77th minute
Knights tie game but fall on 2 goals in final 7:53
By Dave Owen
MT. PROSPECT -- A dose of second half trickery put Prospect in position to do what only three teams have done since the start of the 2018 season -- tie or beat Prairie Ridge.
And while Wolves senior star Nikki Anderson (33 goals this season) scored twice in the last 7:53 of Friday's match to turn a 1-1 tie into a 3-1 win for Prairie Ridge (17-1-1), the second half response by the host Knights (11-8-5) against an elite opponent was an impressive way to gear up for regionals.
“We know they’re a good side,” Prospect coach Tom Froats said of the Wolves. “We had the good fortune of playing them last year prior to the start of the postseason (a 1-0 Prairie Ridge win in that game), and I think it’s good to have kind of a playoff atmosphere and a high-caliber team to prepare yourself.
“Today I was super proud of the way we responded after being down 1-0, and just put forth a tremendous effort. I couldn’t be more proud of our side.”
A set piece with 22:12 left was the Knights’ proudest moment. It featured great design, perfect execution and maybe a dose of beginners’ luck.
Trailing 1-0 and setting up for a 20-yard free kick with 22:12 left in Friday’s nonconference game, the Knights had three players standing astride the ball.
At the whistle, two of the players split off into opposite directions to create a distraction and freshman Hannah Mekky stepped into the opening to drive a perfectly placed strike into the upper left corner of the net.
If the play looked like a product of endless fine tuning and practice, at least one key part of it was all new.
“Actually we’ve worked on that,” Prospect senior midfielder Katelyn Branch said, just never with Hannah Mekky taking the shot.
“She walks up (for the free kick) and says, ‘I have no idea what I’m doing,’ and then makes the most beautiful goal. That was awesome.”
Mekky has 10 goals this season, but none in previous restart situations.
“I’ve actually never taken free kicks before,” Mekky said, “and since no one was on the field who usually takes free kicks, he (Froats) was like, ‘Hannah, why don’t you take it,’ and I was like, ‘OK, why not. We’ll see what happens.’
“And it ended up working.”
Mekky’s work ethic has produced strong results for the freshman.
“Hannah’s finish on the direct kick was beautiful, and good for her,” Froats said. “She’s worked really hard. As a freshman she’s come in, and I think with every game gotten more and more comfortable.
“To see her be able to step up in a big moment with a big kick and put it in the back of the net, I think it speaks volumes for how far she’s come this season.”
Prairie Ridge has a 34-2-1 record since the start of 2017. The lone loss last year came in the state playoffs to eventual Class 3A champion Barrington.
Suddenly, Mekky’s free kick strike had the Wolves in the rare position of not holding a lead late in the game. But Anderson and her teammates didn’t panic.
“When they scored and tied the game, that was kind of wake up call,” said Anderson, whose 10-yard one-timer 35 minutes into the first half had put the Wolves ahead 1-0.
“We just had to step it up even more, and keep pushing to get the end result we wanted.”
Prospect met that push with a strong stand, maintaining the 1-1 tie for nearly 15 minutes.
With 11:15 left, Abby Eriksen’s corner kick send was denied on a high catch by Prospect second half goalkeeper Hannah Samuelson.
Then after Eriksen sent a 28-yard free kick over the net with 9:35 to go, the Wolves’ matched Prospect’s mid-half set piece magic with their own perfect execution.
Reanne Weil’s right side corner kick with 7:53 to play found Anderson at the back post. Her solid header put Prairie Ridge up 2-1.
Already the school record holder for goals in a season coming into the day, Anderson added to her accomplishment.
“I think (being in the) right place, right time helps, but it’s also my teammates,” Anderson said of her scoring prowess. “They play great balls. Like Reanne -- that was a beautiful corner. It was perfect placement.
“My teammates are always running off of me and making the right runs to get to the net.”
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match Anderson followed that goal with defense. Off a Mekky corner kick with 5:15 to go, Anderson finally ended a long battle for the send with a interception at the edge of the box and a counterattack.
Then with 3:08 left, Anderson’s put the game out of reach with her third goal of the day that was another blend of teamwork and powerful finish.
After taking a pass from Anderson on the right side, Eriksen dished the ball back to Anderson up-top just inside the box. Turning to her right to create a sliver of space against defenders, Anderson sent a low shot inside the left post to put her team up 3-1.
“It was not our best performance,” Prairie Ridge coach Mark Lewis said, “but again we find a way to win games.
“I’ve said this before -- when you have a player like Nikki Anderson on your team, you’re capable of winning against anybody. She came through when she needed. She’s special.”
Despite the loss, Prospect had its own special performances up and down its roster to stay toe-to-toe with a strong opponent.
“Katelyn Branch at center mid did a fabulous job,” Froats said, “and Lauryn (Schneider) as well. Lauryn normally plays a different position, and dropped into the midfield today to help us.
“I thought Abby Knott was outstanding (at midfield), and our backline too -- everywhere we did a really nice job. And up-top the work rate of Ella Marzolf, Abbey Danciu and Hannah Mekky, they did a really nice job of giving us a push offensively.”
Pushing back after falling behind was most impressive.
“In the beginning it was a little rough,” Mekky said, “but it was a good-fought game I think.
“At the end we just kind of lost it a little bit. It was unfortunate but we had a few chances, and I think it was a pretty good game overall. Unfortunately the score didn’t show it.”
But Prospect’s next match has much bigger ramifications: the sixth seed faces Carmel, a 12th seed in the sectional, at 7 p.m. Tuesday in a Fremd Regional semifinal.
“They are a lot more than a 12 seed,” Froats said. “We’ll have to play our best game to date to get the result that we want. I’m looking forward to that competition, and the challenge that lies ahead.”
Prospect players share that outlook.
“We feel really confident,” Branch said. “We have a pretty deep bench, and everyone really wants it and desires it. We always work really well together as a team, so I think we’re confident and really excited.
“I’d say we’re really smart decision makers,” Branch added, “so as long as we keep that going, that will definitely be our key.”
Said Mekky: “I feel good (about regionals). I think we have a really strong team, and we have a ton of players with a lot of talent. I think we have a really good chance of making it far. Hopefully it happens.”
No matter how 2019 ends, Mekky has enjoyed the ride so far as one of three freshmen (with Knott and Samuelson) on the Prospect squad.
“It’s a lot of fun,” Mekky said. “I’m really fortunate to be a freshman on varsity, and to get this opportunity to play with these amazing seniors.”
By sheer numbers, Prospect’s senior class has certainly been the guiding force of the team.
A deep Class of 2019 group includes Branch, Marzolf, Danciu, Madalyn Ladd, Kristin Schneider, Helen Siavelis, Taylor Kosia, Lauryn Schneider, Ashley Welk, Tina Suto, Kendall Tapia, Ashley Adams and Karsen Keller.
“I would say all of us have become really close through the years in Prospect soccer,” Branch said. “And having 13 seniors on the team, it’s really rare that we’re as close as we are. We always have a great time when we’re playing together.”
Between that senior nucleus, chemistry and a strong regular season finale, Prospect has reason for postseason optimism.
“They’ve worked hard, and we certainly saw some fruits of that hard work today,” Froats said. “We’re pleased with that, and we were trying to get everyone through today healthy and ready to perform when their name is called next week.”
Prospect opened the season on a seven-game unbeaten streak (4-0-3), and a three-game stretch without a loss before the Prairie Ridge battle bodes well.
“Overall I think our work rate throughout the course of the year has been tremendous,” Froats said. “And I think we’re starting to play a little more cohesively offensively.
“We’ve talked about that, that we’re stronger together than individually, and over the course of the season we’ve been doing that better and better.
“The environment (entering regionals) is what you want it to be,” Froats added. “This is why we worked hard for several months. This is the moment they’ve all been waiting for. It should be exciting.”
Starting lineups
Prairie Ridge
GK: Samantha Gablenz
D: Abby Klimkowski
D: Olivia Ott
D: Delaney Todd
D: Madison Kachelmuss
M: Emily Eriksen
M: Lucy Klimkowski
M: Kelly Gende
M: Abby Eriksen
F: Nikki Anderson
F: Reanne Weil
Prospect
GK: Annie Ninness
D: Madalyn Ladd
D: Ashley Erickson
D: Isabelle Suto
D: Karsen Keller
M: Lauryn Schneider
M: Katelyn Branch
M: Abby Knott
M: Ella Marzolf
F: Hannah Mekky
F: Abbey Danciu
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Nikki Anderson, sr., F, Prairie Ridge
Scoring summary
First half
PR- Nikki Anderson, 35th minute
Second half
P - Hannah Mekky, 58th minute
PR- Anderson (Reanne Weil), 73rd minute
PR- Anderson (Abby Eriksen), 77th minute