Bartlett’s Evans shows off
best style vs. South Elgin
Hawks post 1-0 win, remain undefeated in Upstate 8
By Patrick Z. McGavin
STREAMWOOD -- Bartlett midfielder Tess Evans is a rambunctious and free-spirited player whose personality shapes her style.
“She is goofing around sometimes, but she knows when to be serious, and she knows when to pick people up,” sophomore forward Laney Stark said.
Evans is the fulcrum of the Hawks’ attack, a physical and gifted player who is skilled with either foot.
“I’m an attacking midfielder, and that is what I love to do,” Evans said.
She also reads the game and knows how to unlock a sequence.
Her burst and creativity with the ball was the difference-maker on a special night of soccer.
Stark finished a beautiful goal from 16 yards from Evans in the 50th minute in the 1-0 victory over South Elgin on Tuesday in Upstate Eight Conference play at Millenium Field.
Bartlett maintained its pace with Glenbard East on the path to the conference championship.
The Hawks (9-8-1, 6-0-1) topped East Aurora 3-0 on Wednesday and conclude the regular-season with a remake date Saturday at Glenbard South.
“We know we have to win out,” defender Sabrina Fowler said.
The game was part of a social awareness imitative called “Lace Up 4 Pediatric Cancer.”
Players on both teams wore special gold laces, and the players and staff had special shirts made, in collaboration with the organization, Go4theGoal.
“A lot of tonight was about unity and bringing our two teams together,” Fowler said.
“A lot of us girls play together (in club), and it’s a very good friendly rivalry. Each side brings it, and we don’t let up on each other.”
After South Elgin forward Alyssa Doherty took an inadvertent shot to the face that caused her to be taken the hospital for stitches during the first half, four Bartlett players watched over her, and called her by her name.
“That’s what you love about the game,” South Elgin coach Laura Snow said.
The make-up date came to Streamwood after two previous attempts to play the game were scuttled by unplayable field conditions at Bartlett.
Some 300 fans watched an intense and deeply emotional game.
More than $400 was raised.
“Tonight was a good reminder that, at the end of the day, it was about bringing out community together,” Snow said.
“A lot of the girls were excited about how many people were going to be in the stands tonight. These are the people who have been watching them play soccer for years.”
The special circumstances and the desire on both sides to establish a winning rhythm as they near the eve of the state tournament created a special night.
“We played as if we didn’t know each other, because we wanted to win it,” Fowler said.
Keeper Karissa Cruz was magnificent for South Elgin (6-8-3, 4-2-1).
She had seven saves and demonstrated toughness and poise in the box. She repeatedly stood tall against the Bartlett pressure.
“We came into the game wanting to win, and not let them have the conference victory,” Cruz said.
“We tried to keep them out as much as we could, and we did a good job of that.”
Fowler’s creativity in the back helped change the tenor of the game for Bartlett. Her ability to generate a propulsive transition game altered the equation at the start of the second half.
Bartlett created two corner kicks in the opening stages after the break, underscoring the pressure they accrued in the Storm’s final third.
The scoring sequence had many authors.
Fowler’s free and corner kicks exerted a cumulative toll. South Elgin was out of joint.
“I was able to turn and look up, and Tess was calling for the ball,” Fowler said.
“Laney had the beautiful diagonal run, and it just worked. That’s what we have been working on in practice, especially the switch of the ball.”
Evans worked the middle of the field and broke into daylight, playing a ball down the left edge that Stark caught in space.
She drove down, and hammered a shot inside the near post for the game-winner.
“I think our halftime talk gave us a little bit more pride and energy to come out strong,” Stark said.
“Tess is really good at giving me through-balls. I ran out and made sure to be there.”
Bartlett exploited the opening.
“It started right out here in the middle of the third, and we just let them get too comfortable,” Snow said.
“When we let them control the game like that, I am not surprised they put in in the back of the net in such a nice way through no fault of my keeper. The breakdown started in the middle.”
Cruz made a series of jaw-dropping saves to keep the Storm close. Twice, she stopped laser balls by Stark.
“It’s hard to describe my style, because it all depends on where the ball is, and the field location,” Cruz said.
“If I’m the last one, you better believe I’m coming out. I’m going to get the ball, or you are going to get taken out.
“If they take the shot, I’m going to get it.”
Bartlett has won its six conference games by shutout and permit a goal in its only tie.
“We work really well with each other in the back, ‘specially with covering for each other,” Fowler said.
“The outside players and the middle are always pressuring the ball. We are very good at closing the line down, and stuff like that. It’s about working together on the field, and talking together in knowing what we have to do.”
Going up against South Elgin means constantly accounting for forward Katrina Barthelt, a three-time Chicagoland Soccer all-state player.
Her shot-making and playmaking are something to behold. She is a magnet for attention.
That created open lanes for sophomore Ella Dihel, a midfielder who is the heir apparent in the Storm attack.
She is very dynamic and tough to slow down. She plays with a high-end motor and terrific energy.
Dihel created some of the best opportunities.
Bartlett did a fine job of repelling South Elgin’s best chances.
Evans controlled the possession in her style and earned the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match honor for her command of the game.
In the end, everything ran through her, and South Elgin struggled to contain her.
“I don’t think we deserved to win, but the final score was encouraging,” Snow said.
“That’s a very good team that has some very strong links, and they will probably be able to put up a good fight in the playoffs.”
Starting lineups
South Elgin
GK: Karissa Cruz
D: Alexia Benitez
D: Norah Stueck
D: Lesly Ulloa
D: Chloe Beucler
MF: Madelyn Baker
MF: Ella Dihel
MF: Mallory Stueck
MF: Janelle Defensor
F: Alyssa Doherty
F: Katrina Barthelt
Bartlett
GK: Megan Kron
D: Macy Medendorp
D: Madison Neer
D: Sabrina Fowler
D: Gracie Cwik
MF: Alexis DeRango
MF: Brooke Baumann
MF: Tess Evans
MF: Lizzie Dzielski
F: Laney Stark
F: Hailey Morhardt
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Tess Evans, sr., MF, Bartlett
Scoring summary
First half
No scoring
Second half
B: Laney Stark (Tess Evans), 50th minute
best style vs. South Elgin
Hawks post 1-0 win, remain undefeated in Upstate 8
By Patrick Z. McGavin
STREAMWOOD -- Bartlett midfielder Tess Evans is a rambunctious and free-spirited player whose personality shapes her style.
“She is goofing around sometimes, but she knows when to be serious, and she knows when to pick people up,” sophomore forward Laney Stark said.
Evans is the fulcrum of the Hawks’ attack, a physical and gifted player who is skilled with either foot.
“I’m an attacking midfielder, and that is what I love to do,” Evans said.
She also reads the game and knows how to unlock a sequence.
Her burst and creativity with the ball was the difference-maker on a special night of soccer.
Stark finished a beautiful goal from 16 yards from Evans in the 50th minute in the 1-0 victory over South Elgin on Tuesday in Upstate Eight Conference play at Millenium Field.
Bartlett maintained its pace with Glenbard East on the path to the conference championship.
The Hawks (9-8-1, 6-0-1) topped East Aurora 3-0 on Wednesday and conclude the regular-season with a remake date Saturday at Glenbard South.
“We know we have to win out,” defender Sabrina Fowler said.
The game was part of a social awareness imitative called “Lace Up 4 Pediatric Cancer.”
Players on both teams wore special gold laces, and the players and staff had special shirts made, in collaboration with the organization, Go4theGoal.
“A lot of tonight was about unity and bringing our two teams together,” Fowler said.
“A lot of us girls play together (in club), and it’s a very good friendly rivalry. Each side brings it, and we don’t let up on each other.”
After South Elgin forward Alyssa Doherty took an inadvertent shot to the face that caused her to be taken the hospital for stitches during the first half, four Bartlett players watched over her, and called her by her name.
“That’s what you love about the game,” South Elgin coach Laura Snow said.
The make-up date came to Streamwood after two previous attempts to play the game were scuttled by unplayable field conditions at Bartlett.
Some 300 fans watched an intense and deeply emotional game.
More than $400 was raised.
“Tonight was a good reminder that, at the end of the day, it was about bringing out community together,” Snow said.
“A lot of the girls were excited about how many people were going to be in the stands tonight. These are the people who have been watching them play soccer for years.”
The special circumstances and the desire on both sides to establish a winning rhythm as they near the eve of the state tournament created a special night.
“We played as if we didn’t know each other, because we wanted to win it,” Fowler said.
Keeper Karissa Cruz was magnificent for South Elgin (6-8-3, 4-2-1).
She had seven saves and demonstrated toughness and poise in the box. She repeatedly stood tall against the Bartlett pressure.
“We came into the game wanting to win, and not let them have the conference victory,” Cruz said.
“We tried to keep them out as much as we could, and we did a good job of that.”
Fowler’s creativity in the back helped change the tenor of the game for Bartlett. Her ability to generate a propulsive transition game altered the equation at the start of the second half.
Bartlett created two corner kicks in the opening stages after the break, underscoring the pressure they accrued in the Storm’s final third.
The scoring sequence had many authors.
Fowler’s free and corner kicks exerted a cumulative toll. South Elgin was out of joint.
“I was able to turn and look up, and Tess was calling for the ball,” Fowler said.
“Laney had the beautiful diagonal run, and it just worked. That’s what we have been working on in practice, especially the switch of the ball.”
Evans worked the middle of the field and broke into daylight, playing a ball down the left edge that Stark caught in space.
She drove down, and hammered a shot inside the near post for the game-winner.
“I think our halftime talk gave us a little bit more pride and energy to come out strong,” Stark said.
“Tess is really good at giving me through-balls. I ran out and made sure to be there.”
Bartlett exploited the opening.
“It started right out here in the middle of the third, and we just let them get too comfortable,” Snow said.
“When we let them control the game like that, I am not surprised they put in in the back of the net in such a nice way through no fault of my keeper. The breakdown started in the middle.”
Cruz made a series of jaw-dropping saves to keep the Storm close. Twice, she stopped laser balls by Stark.
“It’s hard to describe my style, because it all depends on where the ball is, and the field location,” Cruz said.
“If I’m the last one, you better believe I’m coming out. I’m going to get the ball, or you are going to get taken out.
“If they take the shot, I’m going to get it.”
Bartlett has won its six conference games by shutout and permit a goal in its only tie.
“We work really well with each other in the back, ‘specially with covering for each other,” Fowler said.
“The outside players and the middle are always pressuring the ball. We are very good at closing the line down, and stuff like that. It’s about working together on the field, and talking together in knowing what we have to do.”
Going up against South Elgin means constantly accounting for forward Katrina Barthelt, a three-time Chicagoland Soccer all-state player.
Her shot-making and playmaking are something to behold. She is a magnet for attention.
That created open lanes for sophomore Ella Dihel, a midfielder who is the heir apparent in the Storm attack.
She is very dynamic and tough to slow down. She plays with a high-end motor and terrific energy.
Dihel created some of the best opportunities.
Bartlett did a fine job of repelling South Elgin’s best chances.
Evans controlled the possession in her style and earned the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match honor for her command of the game.
In the end, everything ran through her, and South Elgin struggled to contain her.
“I don’t think we deserved to win, but the final score was encouraging,” Snow said.
“That’s a very good team that has some very strong links, and they will probably be able to put up a good fight in the playoffs.”
Starting lineups
South Elgin
GK: Karissa Cruz
D: Alexia Benitez
D: Norah Stueck
D: Lesly Ulloa
D: Chloe Beucler
MF: Madelyn Baker
MF: Ella Dihel
MF: Mallory Stueck
MF: Janelle Defensor
F: Alyssa Doherty
F: Katrina Barthelt
Bartlett
GK: Megan Kron
D: Macy Medendorp
D: Madison Neer
D: Sabrina Fowler
D: Gracie Cwik
MF: Alexis DeRango
MF: Brooke Baumann
MF: Tess Evans
MF: Lizzie Dzielski
F: Laney Stark
F: Hailey Morhardt
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Tess Evans, sr., MF, Bartlett
Scoring summary
First half
No scoring
Second half
B: Laney Stark (Tess Evans), 50th minute