North bests East in 'Battle of St. Charles'
Top-ranked North Stars claim 3-1 win over no. 13 Saints
By Steve Nemeth
ST. CHARLES -- The old notion is that familiarity breeds contempt. When it comes to St. Charles North girls soccer, it’s simply not true because winning never gets old. For Gia Wahlberg or Hailey Rydberg they go hand-in-hand, literally.
“The very first time I stepped onto a soccer field was with Hailey, I believe I was five or six years old,” Wahlberg said. “Our goals back then were marked by flags. Obviously we’ve played together a long time.”
The North Stars senior duo were instrumental in Tuesday’s 3-1 home victory over crosstown rival St. Charles East, the latest 'Battle of St. Charles' which never fails to deliver intensity or thrills.
North -- fresh from a second-straight year of capturing a PepsiCo bracket title and elevated to no. 1 in Chicagoland Soccer Top 25 -- improved to 11-0-1 overall and kept its position as the frontrunner for the Upstate Eight Conference River Division title with 3-0-0 mark. A Tuesday draw put Batavia atop the standings at 3-0-1 and 10 points. Geneva and St. Charles East will need help to negate a league loss.
The setback for the visitors curtailed a four-match win streak. The Fighting Saints (9-3-3, 3-1-0) have risen to a high point of no. 13 in the Chicagoland Soccer rankings. That;s made all the more remarkably impressive for a young club made even more youthful by the absence of Chantel Carranza and Kathryn Hill. Both senior starters were lost early in the season due to ACL injuries.
Ultimately the game hinged on the opening half and it was Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match Gia Wahlberg who put the North Stars in the driver’s seat to stay unbeaten and notch an eighth-consecutive triumph since a 2-2 road deadlock at Barrington on March 22.
“No question Gia is a highly-skilled player, and you don’t often see such a well-rounded player,” St. Charles North coach Brian Harks said in endorsing her MVP selection. “She holds her own physically, is both mature and savvy, and possesses an 80-minute work rate.”
And then there’s that unmistakable chemistry with Rydberg which put North ahead at 20:14 on what can only be described as a textbook cross.
“That first goal was simply a gorgeous cross from Hailey,” Wahlberg recounted. “She beat a defender down the side and put it on a dime for me. Seriously, the header was the easier part of the play.”
Maybe so, but Hailey Rydberg-to-Gia Wahlberg combinations are representative of the way that North capitalizes on the experience and bonds that make its line-up a little more unique.
Tuesday’s opening goal was the fifth time this season that Iowa signee Rydberg found Michigan State-bound Wahlberg for a score. With at least six matches left before postseason play, it’s likely they’ll surpass the seven times when no. 2 set up no. 15 last season.
“Working together comes naturally for us,” Rydberg noted. “If she makes a run I know to get into the middle and when I make a run, I know to look for her in the center. We’re comfortable in knowing each other’s strengths and moves.”
Their synchronicity works in either direction; three times this year Gia has assisted on Hailey goals, one less than what occurred in 2017. Then there’s also the psychic edge of sisterhood.
With the clock ticking toward intermission, Cece Wahlberg’s through-ball sprung big sister Gia for a breakaway that led to a 1-v.-1 with East goalie Grace Griffin. Gia slipped the ball past the outrushing keeper allowing her to continue trading the team lead for goals (now 16) with Rydberg (15).
“That was another good example of teamwork with a pass up the middle putting me in a position of advantage so that I could finish with a simple toe poke,” Wahlberg said. It was her younger sister’s third assist for 2018.
“Coming in the final (12.8) seconds before halftime that was definitely a nice addition for us in that it kept our spirits high,” Harks noted.
In anticipation of thwarting an East comeback, the North Stars remained aggressive and midway through the second half, Hailey Rydberg earned a second assist to give her eight on the year, two behind Gia. Her pass found sister Sami Rydberg in the clear for the sophomore to once again assess the keeper’s positioning and gamble on a 36-yard cannon shot for a 3-0 lead. Sami’s fourth strike was reminiscent of a long-distance bomb she blasted against Geneva based on her sister’s encouragement.
“Whenever it’s a North versus East match you can expect a battle for 80 minutes, so I’m happy with the win and our performance,” Harks said. “Coming off the (PepsiCo) tourney win there can be lots of highs and lows possible, but I thought we stayed grounded and focused.
“We knew East would fight back, and they did really hard. In that regard, I was pleasantly surprised by how our backline and goalie stepped up. Last year’s four starting defenders and (Chicagoland Soccer All-State) keeper (Sami Sample) are gone, so this group has needed to jell, and I’d say they’re now finding their stride.”
Harks was referring to netminder Sara Maleski plus defenders Cece Wahlberg, Vermont signee Dmi Petrusha, Makenna Collins and Alyssa Kraft.
“I have been pushing myself to meet that standard set by last year’s defense,” Maleski acknowledged. “I’ve specifically been working on my confidence and timing to come out of the box. As the season progresses, we’re taking more and more pride in what we can do as a defense.”
And that defense was put to the test. Less than five minutes after the North Stars’ third goal, the Saints responded with 25:36 left in regulation.
Kayla Villa fought and won possession to begin an upfield sprint. Before a North defender could catch her, the junior deftly played the ball to teammate Rose Stackhouse for a 1-v.-1 against Maleski.
“We knew North’s tenacity and figured a quick counter was needed. Once I got some space to dribble forward I felt a defender’s pressure and slotted the ball to Rose,” Villa said in regard to her team-best sixth assist.
Stackhouse knew what was coming.
“Having caught them in transition, I didn’t have to say anything and just sprinted to get in position so that Kayla could play the ball well ahead for me,” the senior said of what became her 10th goal of the season.
“Even though we were behind, we still believed a win was do-able,” Stackhouse continued. “I believe there are so many good teams this season, but I also believe we’re one of them.”
Villa, who tops the Saints with 12 goals and is the team co-leader with Stackhouse with three game-winners, was equally encouraged and enthusiastic about East's chances.
“Scoring was definitely a momentum changer. We realized we could be right back in it. Alondra (Carranza) hit a post, and there were a couple other instances where we were a little unlucky. I’m still convinced the better we do at possessing the ball, the more likely we are to be able to get victories.”
After the goal, St. Charles North responded. A major challenge forced St. Charles East's keeper Griffin to come up big. The junior made back-to-back stops that would have undoubtedly earned Pat Foley’s trademark “BIG save” description.
The North Stars dodged one bullet with 20:23 still remaining after a Saints corner kick drew a cluster of players by the near post. The ensuing clearance kick brought audible relief from the home bench. At the opposite end, another St. Charles North threat was averted when Griffin literally punched a loose ball out of the box.
With 3:34 remaining, Stackhouse worked her way into the North Stars’ box and was sent sprawling from a collision, but no whistle was blown and the deficit remained at two.
St. Charles East head coach Vince DiNuzzo feels his Saints have to play a more complete game.
“In the second half we played with them and not only looked good, but were dangerous,” DiNuzzo said. “But there’s no question they really outworked us in the first half, so overall they definitely played better than us.”
North’s dominance was evident statistically in the first 40 minutes in a 13-1 advantage for overall shot attempts and a 6-0 edge for shots on goal. Although St. Charles East was more aggressive, even the second half numbers favored the home team -- 16-6 for overall tries and 5-2 for shots on goal.
In an effort to spark the attack, Alondra Carranza moved from her starting defender role into a midfield slot and was prominent throughout the second half.
“Alondra plays on a different level and always brings it. She is so tough, and I’m not certain people recognize how much we ask her to do. She serves balls on corners, takes free kicks, strengthens the backline but can also link things from box-to-box,” DiNuzzo said. “She and Hayley (Popiel) don’t get the recognition they deserve.”
Popiel is headed to MIT for college soccer while seniors Madison Cady and Isabella Albano signed with Southern Indiana and Loras, respectively. Division II powerhouse Grand Valley State signed Chantel Carranza following her 2017 junior year.
The Saints now prepare for a Thursday quarterfinal meeting with Naperville North in the Naperville Invitational. In the Upstate Eight River chase, East has visits with Batavia and Geneva remaining.
St. Charles North, whose college signees also include Bella Falco (Wis.-Whitewater) and Cassidy Joyce (Minn. State-Mankato), spend this weekend in Burlington, Ia., at the Adidas Tournament of Champions before finishing with three-straight River Division contests against Streamwood, Larkin and Batavia.
Starting lineups
St. Charles East
GK: Grace Griffin
D: Lindsey Rzeszutko
D: Alondra Carranza
D: Hayley Popiel
D: Ashley DiOrio
M: Alessia D’Argento
M: Margaret Harper
M: Madison Cady
M: Hannah Miller
F: Rose Stackhouse
F: Kayla Villa
St. Charles North
GK: Sara Maleski
D: Makenna Collins
D: Cece Wahlberg
D: Dmi Petrusha
D: Alyssa Kraft
M: Sami Rydberg
M: Cassidy Joyce
M: Hailey Rydberg
F: Claudia Najera
F: Gia Wahlberg
F: Chloe Netzel
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Gia Wahlberg, sr., F, St. Charles North
Referees: Scott Lichtfuss (center), Miguel Chavez, John O’Bryan
Game summary
St. Charles North 3, St. Charles East 1
St. Charles East 0 1 --- 1 (9-3-3 / UEC-R 3-1-0)
St. Charles North 2 1 --- 3 (11-0-1 / UEC-R 3-0-0)
Scoring
First half
SCN --- G. Wahlberg eight-yard header off textbook cross (H. Rydberg), 20:14 gone
SCN --- G. Wahlberg breakaway for 1v1 and 11-yarder tucked by goalie (C. Wahlberg assist), 39:47 gone
Second half
SCN --- S. Rydberg 36-yard cannon shot (H. Rydberg assist), 59:10 gone
SCE --- Stackhouse fastbreak run for 1v1 and 12-yarder tucked by goalie (Villa assist), 54:24 gone
Shots
SCE 1 – 6 --- 7
SCN 13 – 16 --- 29
Shots on soal
SCE 0 – 2 --- 2
SCN 6 – 5 --- 11
Saves (goalie)
SCE (Griffin) 4 – 4 --- 8
SCN (Maleski) 0 – 1 --- 1
Corner kicks
SCE 0 – 3 --- 3
SCN 3 – 2 --- 5
Offsides
SCE 0 – 0 --- 0
SCN 0 – 2 --- 2
Top-ranked North Stars claim 3-1 win over no. 13 Saints
By Steve Nemeth
ST. CHARLES -- The old notion is that familiarity breeds contempt. When it comes to St. Charles North girls soccer, it’s simply not true because winning never gets old. For Gia Wahlberg or Hailey Rydberg they go hand-in-hand, literally.
“The very first time I stepped onto a soccer field was with Hailey, I believe I was five or six years old,” Wahlberg said. “Our goals back then were marked by flags. Obviously we’ve played together a long time.”
The North Stars senior duo were instrumental in Tuesday’s 3-1 home victory over crosstown rival St. Charles East, the latest 'Battle of St. Charles' which never fails to deliver intensity or thrills.
North -- fresh from a second-straight year of capturing a PepsiCo bracket title and elevated to no. 1 in Chicagoland Soccer Top 25 -- improved to 11-0-1 overall and kept its position as the frontrunner for the Upstate Eight Conference River Division title with 3-0-0 mark. A Tuesday draw put Batavia atop the standings at 3-0-1 and 10 points. Geneva and St. Charles East will need help to negate a league loss.
The setback for the visitors curtailed a four-match win streak. The Fighting Saints (9-3-3, 3-1-0) have risen to a high point of no. 13 in the Chicagoland Soccer rankings. That;s made all the more remarkably impressive for a young club made even more youthful by the absence of Chantel Carranza and Kathryn Hill. Both senior starters were lost early in the season due to ACL injuries.
Ultimately the game hinged on the opening half and it was Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match Gia Wahlberg who put the North Stars in the driver’s seat to stay unbeaten and notch an eighth-consecutive triumph since a 2-2 road deadlock at Barrington on March 22.
“No question Gia is a highly-skilled player, and you don’t often see such a well-rounded player,” St. Charles North coach Brian Harks said in endorsing her MVP selection. “She holds her own physically, is both mature and savvy, and possesses an 80-minute work rate.”
And then there’s that unmistakable chemistry with Rydberg which put North ahead at 20:14 on what can only be described as a textbook cross.
“That first goal was simply a gorgeous cross from Hailey,” Wahlberg recounted. “She beat a defender down the side and put it on a dime for me. Seriously, the header was the easier part of the play.”
Maybe so, but Hailey Rydberg-to-Gia Wahlberg combinations are representative of the way that North capitalizes on the experience and bonds that make its line-up a little more unique.
Tuesday’s opening goal was the fifth time this season that Iowa signee Rydberg found Michigan State-bound Wahlberg for a score. With at least six matches left before postseason play, it’s likely they’ll surpass the seven times when no. 2 set up no. 15 last season.
“Working together comes naturally for us,” Rydberg noted. “If she makes a run I know to get into the middle and when I make a run, I know to look for her in the center. We’re comfortable in knowing each other’s strengths and moves.”
Their synchronicity works in either direction; three times this year Gia has assisted on Hailey goals, one less than what occurred in 2017. Then there’s also the psychic edge of sisterhood.
With the clock ticking toward intermission, Cece Wahlberg’s through-ball sprung big sister Gia for a breakaway that led to a 1-v.-1 with East goalie Grace Griffin. Gia slipped the ball past the outrushing keeper allowing her to continue trading the team lead for goals (now 16) with Rydberg (15).
“That was another good example of teamwork with a pass up the middle putting me in a position of advantage so that I could finish with a simple toe poke,” Wahlberg said. It was her younger sister’s third assist for 2018.
“Coming in the final (12.8) seconds before halftime that was definitely a nice addition for us in that it kept our spirits high,” Harks noted.
In anticipation of thwarting an East comeback, the North Stars remained aggressive and midway through the second half, Hailey Rydberg earned a second assist to give her eight on the year, two behind Gia. Her pass found sister Sami Rydberg in the clear for the sophomore to once again assess the keeper’s positioning and gamble on a 36-yard cannon shot for a 3-0 lead. Sami’s fourth strike was reminiscent of a long-distance bomb she blasted against Geneva based on her sister’s encouragement.
“Whenever it’s a North versus East match you can expect a battle for 80 minutes, so I’m happy with the win and our performance,” Harks said. “Coming off the (PepsiCo) tourney win there can be lots of highs and lows possible, but I thought we stayed grounded and focused.
“We knew East would fight back, and they did really hard. In that regard, I was pleasantly surprised by how our backline and goalie stepped up. Last year’s four starting defenders and (Chicagoland Soccer All-State) keeper (Sami Sample) are gone, so this group has needed to jell, and I’d say they’re now finding their stride.”
Harks was referring to netminder Sara Maleski plus defenders Cece Wahlberg, Vermont signee Dmi Petrusha, Makenna Collins and Alyssa Kraft.
“I have been pushing myself to meet that standard set by last year’s defense,” Maleski acknowledged. “I’ve specifically been working on my confidence and timing to come out of the box. As the season progresses, we’re taking more and more pride in what we can do as a defense.”
And that defense was put to the test. Less than five minutes after the North Stars’ third goal, the Saints responded with 25:36 left in regulation.
Kayla Villa fought and won possession to begin an upfield sprint. Before a North defender could catch her, the junior deftly played the ball to teammate Rose Stackhouse for a 1-v.-1 against Maleski.
“We knew North’s tenacity and figured a quick counter was needed. Once I got some space to dribble forward I felt a defender’s pressure and slotted the ball to Rose,” Villa said in regard to her team-best sixth assist.
Stackhouse knew what was coming.
“Having caught them in transition, I didn’t have to say anything and just sprinted to get in position so that Kayla could play the ball well ahead for me,” the senior said of what became her 10th goal of the season.
“Even though we were behind, we still believed a win was do-able,” Stackhouse continued. “I believe there are so many good teams this season, but I also believe we’re one of them.”
Villa, who tops the Saints with 12 goals and is the team co-leader with Stackhouse with three game-winners, was equally encouraged and enthusiastic about East's chances.
“Scoring was definitely a momentum changer. We realized we could be right back in it. Alondra (Carranza) hit a post, and there were a couple other instances where we were a little unlucky. I’m still convinced the better we do at possessing the ball, the more likely we are to be able to get victories.”
After the goal, St. Charles North responded. A major challenge forced St. Charles East's keeper Griffin to come up big. The junior made back-to-back stops that would have undoubtedly earned Pat Foley’s trademark “BIG save” description.
The North Stars dodged one bullet with 20:23 still remaining after a Saints corner kick drew a cluster of players by the near post. The ensuing clearance kick brought audible relief from the home bench. At the opposite end, another St. Charles North threat was averted when Griffin literally punched a loose ball out of the box.
With 3:34 remaining, Stackhouse worked her way into the North Stars’ box and was sent sprawling from a collision, but no whistle was blown and the deficit remained at two.
St. Charles East head coach Vince DiNuzzo feels his Saints have to play a more complete game.
“In the second half we played with them and not only looked good, but were dangerous,” DiNuzzo said. “But there’s no question they really outworked us in the first half, so overall they definitely played better than us.”
North’s dominance was evident statistically in the first 40 minutes in a 13-1 advantage for overall shot attempts and a 6-0 edge for shots on goal. Although St. Charles East was more aggressive, even the second half numbers favored the home team -- 16-6 for overall tries and 5-2 for shots on goal.
In an effort to spark the attack, Alondra Carranza moved from her starting defender role into a midfield slot and was prominent throughout the second half.
“Alondra plays on a different level and always brings it. She is so tough, and I’m not certain people recognize how much we ask her to do. She serves balls on corners, takes free kicks, strengthens the backline but can also link things from box-to-box,” DiNuzzo said. “She and Hayley (Popiel) don’t get the recognition they deserve.”
Popiel is headed to MIT for college soccer while seniors Madison Cady and Isabella Albano signed with Southern Indiana and Loras, respectively. Division II powerhouse Grand Valley State signed Chantel Carranza following her 2017 junior year.
The Saints now prepare for a Thursday quarterfinal meeting with Naperville North in the Naperville Invitational. In the Upstate Eight River chase, East has visits with Batavia and Geneva remaining.
St. Charles North, whose college signees also include Bella Falco (Wis.-Whitewater) and Cassidy Joyce (Minn. State-Mankato), spend this weekend in Burlington, Ia., at the Adidas Tournament of Champions before finishing with three-straight River Division contests against Streamwood, Larkin and Batavia.
Starting lineups
St. Charles East
GK: Grace Griffin
D: Lindsey Rzeszutko
D: Alondra Carranza
D: Hayley Popiel
D: Ashley DiOrio
M: Alessia D’Argento
M: Margaret Harper
M: Madison Cady
M: Hannah Miller
F: Rose Stackhouse
F: Kayla Villa
St. Charles North
GK: Sara Maleski
D: Makenna Collins
D: Cece Wahlberg
D: Dmi Petrusha
D: Alyssa Kraft
M: Sami Rydberg
M: Cassidy Joyce
M: Hailey Rydberg
F: Claudia Najera
F: Gia Wahlberg
F: Chloe Netzel
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Gia Wahlberg, sr., F, St. Charles North
Referees: Scott Lichtfuss (center), Miguel Chavez, John O’Bryan
Game summary
St. Charles North 3, St. Charles East 1
St. Charles East 0 1 --- 1 (9-3-3 / UEC-R 3-1-0)
St. Charles North 2 1 --- 3 (11-0-1 / UEC-R 3-0-0)
Scoring
First half
SCN --- G. Wahlberg eight-yard header off textbook cross (H. Rydberg), 20:14 gone
SCN --- G. Wahlberg breakaway for 1v1 and 11-yarder tucked by goalie (C. Wahlberg assist), 39:47 gone
Second half
SCN --- S. Rydberg 36-yard cannon shot (H. Rydberg assist), 59:10 gone
SCE --- Stackhouse fastbreak run for 1v1 and 12-yarder tucked by goalie (Villa assist), 54:24 gone
Shots
SCE 1 – 6 --- 7
SCN 13 – 16 --- 29
Shots on soal
SCE 0 – 2 --- 2
SCN 6 – 5 --- 11
Saves (goalie)
SCE (Griffin) 4 – 4 --- 8
SCN (Maleski) 0 – 1 --- 1
Corner kicks
SCE 0 – 3 --- 3
SCN 3 – 2 --- 5
Offsides
SCE 0 – 0 --- 0
SCN 0 – 2 --- 2