North tops East for tournament title
North Stars end 3-game skid vs. Saints with Augsburg-Drach title
By Jared Birchfield
ST. CHARLES -- Going into the 2021 season, St. Charles North dominated its rivalry with cross-town and DuKane Conference foe St. Charles East. The North Stars had a six-year winning streak against the Fighting Saints.
However, the momentum swung to St. Charles East last year, which bested its rival three games in a row. Two came in the COVID-revamped conference schedule, and the win took the Class 3A Bartlett Sectional championship, which was decided on penalty kicks after 100 minutes of scoreless play.
Does the North Stars’ 2-1 win over the Saints in Saturday’s Rose Augsburg-Drach Invitational championship at Norris Field mean St. Charles North (5-0-0), ranked ninth in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25 Poll, has regained the advantage?
It's too early to tell according to St. Charles North coach Brian Harks.
“It was a hard-fought team victory. It's clear it's going to be another fun season and Saint Charles East will be a team that we will see in the future,” he said. “I'm looking forward to another matchup with them. It feels good that the quality of soccer that we are putting on the field this year has been excellent so far.”
The loss dropped the no. 14 Saints to 4-2-0.
St. Charles East coach Vince DiNuzzo said his squad is still a work in progress.
“It just felt like North in the second half just wanted it just a little bit more than us at times,” DiNuzzo said. “I think we need to be a little more consistent in our mentality and in our effort throughout the 80 minutes.”
Last year’s losses weighed on the minds of Bella Najera and her returning St. Charles North teammates.
“We knew it was going to be a hard game,” said the junior midfielder, a Chicagoland Soccer all-stater. “East is our rival, and we wanted to come out with a lot of energy.
“Before last year North was usually winning. To keep that tradition is really good. We were mad from last year, so we just wanted to come out and prove ourselves this year.”
Najera scored the opening goal of the contest. She corralled a Sophia Hein cross in front of goal and buried her shot in the left corner of the net with 8:20 left in the first half.
The lead didn’t last long. St. Charles East midfielder Kara Machala tied the game five minutes later. The junior’s 25-yard free kick from the center of the field dipped just under the cross bar.
The tie was broken with 5:21 left in the match on an own-goal. St. Charles East freshman goalkeeper Sidney Lazenby stopped a North Stars shot by the far post, but before she could clear the ball, it rolled into the net.
DiNuzzo said preventing crosses is an area his team needs to work on.
“Those two goals that they scored came from balls from the sidelines that were served in, whether it was a corner or from a throw-in.” DiNuzzo said. “I think that was the key. We need to work on breaking up those plays.”
Both coaches agreed that midfield play was another key to the match.
“Our midfield was fantastic,” Harks said. “Kayla Floyd was able to win the air game. Juliana Park, Bella Najera and Sophie Kirsten were able to figure out where the second ball was going to be and pounce all over it.”
St. Charles North had its hands full.
“Kara Machala scored the goal but she also did a lot defensively in terms of winning the first ball and providing cover when Bella (Najera) had the ball to limit chances,” DiNuzzo said. “We were forced to play a little bit more direct and did not maintain possession in that area of the field.
“Machala played a lot of minutes today after not being in the starting lineup. She stepped in and played very well.”
Harks also lauded his defense.
“I thought our backline really did a fantastic job of working as a unit,” he said. “Our center backs, Martina Nava and Abby Vichich, played extremely well, shutting down their opportunities.
“I thought our outside backs Lauren Balster and Sidney Timms and at time, Chloe Kirsten also did a really nice job on connecting through the midfield and closing the game out. The composure we had for the last five and a half minutes was excellent.
“And Hannah Lehmann, our goalkeeper coming up when we needed her to -- coming off the line and making good saves.”
Balster believes the North Stars backline has come together as a group.
“I think throughout the season our defense has become more of a unit,” the junior said. “We really supported each other and connect. East is a tough opponent. I think we did a great job of being organized.”
Overall, DiNuzzo was pleased with his defense.
“I thought our backline played pretty well in terms of limiting their chances in the first half,” he said. “In the second half I don't know if we got tired. I'm struggling trying to find an excuse for that. I think they had 15 minutes of better soccer than we did in terms of intensity and that kind of pinned us in.”
“I thought Mackenzie Loomis on the outside played very well against Sophia (Hein). And Anna Champine has been a rock for us.”
The Saints still have not settled on a starting goalkeeper. Net-tending duty was split between senior Sofia Iori and Lazenby. Junior Grace Stehman was also available.
“Sidney, a freshman who stepped in goal in the second half, made some key saves in tough conditions and kept us in position with five minutes to win the game. Unfortunately, it didn't bounce our way,” said DiNuzzo. “We have three very good goalies. Right now, we're just kind of playing the hot hand in terms of who's being more consistent in practice. We're still kind of uncertain how the goalkeeping thing is going to shake out, but it seems like it's healthy competition right now. And hopefully whatever decision we make works best for our team.”
Due to illness, DiNuzzo had to change his lineup and was pleased with the results.
“McKenna Gahagan played a little bit out of position today. Ella Stehman, our starting winger was sick, so McKenna played out wide, and that's something she isn't asked to do often,” he said. “I thought she did well, because she caused problems. She hit the crossbar a couple of times and almost scored two other times. We had a number of corners where I thought she was going to score.”
The teams played in challenging weather. It either rained or snowed during the entire match. Players kicked up tufts of snow when striking the ball and had to scrape ice off their cleats.
“It didn't alter our strategy it just changed our visibility of what was going on in the field,” Harks said.
DiNuzzo added his squad is used to playing in uncooperative weather.
“We've been playing through this all week. Wednesday, it was very cold. The snow made for a slick ball and kind of forced us play a little simpler in the back,” the East coach said. “But both teams had to play with those conditions. Hopefully when we get into May, we won't have this weather.”
The East coach and invitational host was pleased with this year’s event and plans to add more teams next year.
“We had six teams this year, and we're hoping to expand to eight teams next spring,” he said. “We have quality group of coaches and programs that are all very friendly, and we work hard to make sure the kids have a good experience.”
Najera earned the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match honor for her goal and midfield play. She was also named, along with Hein and teammate Martina Nava, to the all-tournament team.
St. Charles East was represented on the honorary squad by McKenna Gahagan, Grace Williams and Anna Champine.
Starting lineups
St. Charles North
GK – Hannah Lehmann
D – Lauren Balster
D – Martina Nava
D- Abby Vichich
D – Sidney Timms
M – Juliana Park
M - Sophia Kirsten
M – Kayla Floyd
M – Bella Najera
F – Sophia Hein
F – Sophie Sutherland
St. Charles East
GK – Sofia Iori
D – Lauren Silvestri
D – Mackenzie Loomis
D – Madison Flanders
D – Anna Champine
MF – Libby Thomas
MF – Yazmin Martinez
MF – Kara Machala
F – McKenna Gahagan
F – Ella Stehman
F – Grace Williams
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the March: Bella Najera, jr. MF, St. Charles North
Scoring summary
First half
SCN – Bella Najera (Sophia Hein) 32nd minute
SCE – Kara Machala 37th minute
Second half
SCN – own-goal, 75th minute
North Stars end 3-game skid vs. Saints with Augsburg-Drach title
By Jared Birchfield
ST. CHARLES -- Going into the 2021 season, St. Charles North dominated its rivalry with cross-town and DuKane Conference foe St. Charles East. The North Stars had a six-year winning streak against the Fighting Saints.
However, the momentum swung to St. Charles East last year, which bested its rival three games in a row. Two came in the COVID-revamped conference schedule, and the win took the Class 3A Bartlett Sectional championship, which was decided on penalty kicks after 100 minutes of scoreless play.
Does the North Stars’ 2-1 win over the Saints in Saturday’s Rose Augsburg-Drach Invitational championship at Norris Field mean St. Charles North (5-0-0), ranked ninth in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25 Poll, has regained the advantage?
It's too early to tell according to St. Charles North coach Brian Harks.
“It was a hard-fought team victory. It's clear it's going to be another fun season and Saint Charles East will be a team that we will see in the future,” he said. “I'm looking forward to another matchup with them. It feels good that the quality of soccer that we are putting on the field this year has been excellent so far.”
The loss dropped the no. 14 Saints to 4-2-0.
St. Charles East coach Vince DiNuzzo said his squad is still a work in progress.
“It just felt like North in the second half just wanted it just a little bit more than us at times,” DiNuzzo said. “I think we need to be a little more consistent in our mentality and in our effort throughout the 80 minutes.”
Last year’s losses weighed on the minds of Bella Najera and her returning St. Charles North teammates.
“We knew it was going to be a hard game,” said the junior midfielder, a Chicagoland Soccer all-stater. “East is our rival, and we wanted to come out with a lot of energy.
“Before last year North was usually winning. To keep that tradition is really good. We were mad from last year, so we just wanted to come out and prove ourselves this year.”
Najera scored the opening goal of the contest. She corralled a Sophia Hein cross in front of goal and buried her shot in the left corner of the net with 8:20 left in the first half.
The lead didn’t last long. St. Charles East midfielder Kara Machala tied the game five minutes later. The junior’s 25-yard free kick from the center of the field dipped just under the cross bar.
The tie was broken with 5:21 left in the match on an own-goal. St. Charles East freshman goalkeeper Sidney Lazenby stopped a North Stars shot by the far post, but before she could clear the ball, it rolled into the net.
DiNuzzo said preventing crosses is an area his team needs to work on.
“Those two goals that they scored came from balls from the sidelines that were served in, whether it was a corner or from a throw-in.” DiNuzzo said. “I think that was the key. We need to work on breaking up those plays.”
Both coaches agreed that midfield play was another key to the match.
“Our midfield was fantastic,” Harks said. “Kayla Floyd was able to win the air game. Juliana Park, Bella Najera and Sophie Kirsten were able to figure out where the second ball was going to be and pounce all over it.”
St. Charles North had its hands full.
“Kara Machala scored the goal but she also did a lot defensively in terms of winning the first ball and providing cover when Bella (Najera) had the ball to limit chances,” DiNuzzo said. “We were forced to play a little bit more direct and did not maintain possession in that area of the field.
“Machala played a lot of minutes today after not being in the starting lineup. She stepped in and played very well.”
Harks also lauded his defense.
“I thought our backline really did a fantastic job of working as a unit,” he said. “Our center backs, Martina Nava and Abby Vichich, played extremely well, shutting down their opportunities.
“I thought our outside backs Lauren Balster and Sidney Timms and at time, Chloe Kirsten also did a really nice job on connecting through the midfield and closing the game out. The composure we had for the last five and a half minutes was excellent.
“And Hannah Lehmann, our goalkeeper coming up when we needed her to -- coming off the line and making good saves.”
Balster believes the North Stars backline has come together as a group.
“I think throughout the season our defense has become more of a unit,” the junior said. “We really supported each other and connect. East is a tough opponent. I think we did a great job of being organized.”
Overall, DiNuzzo was pleased with his defense.
“I thought our backline played pretty well in terms of limiting their chances in the first half,” he said. “In the second half I don't know if we got tired. I'm struggling trying to find an excuse for that. I think they had 15 minutes of better soccer than we did in terms of intensity and that kind of pinned us in.”
“I thought Mackenzie Loomis on the outside played very well against Sophia (Hein). And Anna Champine has been a rock for us.”
The Saints still have not settled on a starting goalkeeper. Net-tending duty was split between senior Sofia Iori and Lazenby. Junior Grace Stehman was also available.
“Sidney, a freshman who stepped in goal in the second half, made some key saves in tough conditions and kept us in position with five minutes to win the game. Unfortunately, it didn't bounce our way,” said DiNuzzo. “We have three very good goalies. Right now, we're just kind of playing the hot hand in terms of who's being more consistent in practice. We're still kind of uncertain how the goalkeeping thing is going to shake out, but it seems like it's healthy competition right now. And hopefully whatever decision we make works best for our team.”
Due to illness, DiNuzzo had to change his lineup and was pleased with the results.
“McKenna Gahagan played a little bit out of position today. Ella Stehman, our starting winger was sick, so McKenna played out wide, and that's something she isn't asked to do often,” he said. “I thought she did well, because she caused problems. She hit the crossbar a couple of times and almost scored two other times. We had a number of corners where I thought she was going to score.”
The teams played in challenging weather. It either rained or snowed during the entire match. Players kicked up tufts of snow when striking the ball and had to scrape ice off their cleats.
“It didn't alter our strategy it just changed our visibility of what was going on in the field,” Harks said.
DiNuzzo added his squad is used to playing in uncooperative weather.
“We've been playing through this all week. Wednesday, it was very cold. The snow made for a slick ball and kind of forced us play a little simpler in the back,” the East coach said. “But both teams had to play with those conditions. Hopefully when we get into May, we won't have this weather.”
The East coach and invitational host was pleased with this year’s event and plans to add more teams next year.
“We had six teams this year, and we're hoping to expand to eight teams next spring,” he said. “We have quality group of coaches and programs that are all very friendly, and we work hard to make sure the kids have a good experience.”
Najera earned the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match honor for her goal and midfield play. She was also named, along with Hein and teammate Martina Nava, to the all-tournament team.
St. Charles East was represented on the honorary squad by McKenna Gahagan, Grace Williams and Anna Champine.
Starting lineups
St. Charles North
GK – Hannah Lehmann
D – Lauren Balster
D – Martina Nava
D- Abby Vichich
D – Sidney Timms
M – Juliana Park
M - Sophia Kirsten
M – Kayla Floyd
M – Bella Najera
F – Sophia Hein
F – Sophie Sutherland
St. Charles East
GK – Sofia Iori
D – Lauren Silvestri
D – Mackenzie Loomis
D – Madison Flanders
D – Anna Champine
MF – Libby Thomas
MF – Yazmin Martinez
MF – Kara Machala
F – McKenna Gahagan
F – Ella Stehman
F – Grace Williams
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the March: Bella Najera, jr. MF, St. Charles North
Scoring summary
First half
SCN – Bella Najera (Sophia Hein) 32nd minute
SCE – Kara Machala 37th minute
Second half
SCN – own-goal, 75th minute