St. Francis earns draw vs. Stevenson
Teams tie 1-1 in Malnati's group opener
By Mike Garofola
NORTHFIELD -- If first day results at the third annual Lou Malnati's Deep Dish Classic are any indication, then this high-profile tournament should end up producing some thrilling moments during its eight-day tour.
At Robert Naughton Field in Northfield on Saturday, New Trier hosted two terrific Malnati's openers on a magnificent spring day. The action began with St. Francis taking on Stevenson.
The two clubs battled to a 1-1 draw in this noon game with a sensational 16-yard strike from Mickey Corrigan producing the equalizer for St. Francis (0-1-2) in the 53rd minute.
The 2018 Class AA state champion St. Francis will continue its foray as a Class 3A team at Chicago power Lane at 7:30 p.m. Monday. Stevenson returns to meet meet New Trier at 7 p.m.
"Not a bad effort at all after playing our last game back on March 20, and with most of our training indoors," said pleased Spartans manager Jim Winslow.
"We've been a little handcuffed with our training, because our stadium turf was damaged from recent flooding. (So) it's been indoors for us, making this week of the tournament our first 'real' time outdoors for the girls."
"We were a little out of sorts in that first half," admitted senior and Iowa commit Hannah Rittenhouse. "It looked like to me with our play, communication and inability to connect -- we just haven't had any time outside together."
Rittenhouse, who had a monster postseason a year ago, is one of just four who were in Winslows' first 11 during the Spartans dominating 4-0 victory over Saint Viator to help the Spartans claim the second state title in program history.
"We had a lot of dynamic players last year: such as Kendra (Pasquale) and Erin Peck, (but) they went off to college with several others," began Winslow.
"Hannah gives us so much, whether we line her up in the middle, or up-top, but we're at that point where we have to find someone to combine with her to make us more dangerous."
"We're (varsity) young, but there's a lot of talent here. It's going to take some time, so a week-long tournament like this against quality opponents is just the thing we need to figure some things out and to let the girls go out and play."
Stevenson manager PepeJon Chavez was thrilled when he saw the set-up for group play.
"Opening against a manager like Jim, who runs a classy program with classy kids, is the best way for my girls to begin this tournament," said Chavez.
The unbeaten Patriots (5-0-2) entered the first day of play with a lopsided goal differential of 14 scored versus two conceded.
"Since coming here it's been all about playing the game the correct way," Chavez said. "By that I mean defending (first) as a team, building from the back, creating a lot of play through the midfield, and trying to develop some firepower up-front to be the type of team that can finish its chances."
That mention of finishing chances will be a point of contention for the Patriots terrific manager later on.
The defensive unit Chavez deployed was an active one, showing a willingness to jump into the attack or give it a jump-start with some nice distribution to the middle.
St. Francis has in its backline one of the best in the business in Jill DiTusa. This year the center back will be asked to bring the team together along with Emma Armbrust and Caroline Zimmer, who are also returning starters.
"We know it's going to be a work in progress here in the early going, not only in the back, but just about everywhere else because of all of the talented and experienced players we lost," said DiTusa.
"There's three freshmen up with us right now, plus a few players who were on our JV last season, who all need to get used to the speed of play.
"It took us most of the first half to finally calm down. But once we did, we got back into the game with better movement and passing to play a much better second half."
The Spartans were under pressure early, thanks in part to the influence of the Patriots' midfield duo of Emma Ramagnano and Abigail Kalou who ran the show in the center or the park, and relentless play on the outside from captain Kristin Hill.
This trio kept a steady stream of possession in and around the area. Because of that, the Spartans found themselves chasing the lead just 13 minutes into the first half.
That's when a well-struck free kick from near the midline ended on the foot of an unmarked Kalyssa VanZanten at the back post.
The Notre Dame-bound VanZanten, who played for the under-15 through under-17 U.S. national teams, smashed home the opener with a lovely one-timer.
St. Francis should have leveled moments later but for a sharp tackle from Paige Copeland that stopped the advances of Alex Salemy who was alone in the Stevenson box.
The chances kept coming during this exciting short sequence of back-and-forth attacking soccer.
VanZanten was at the heart of the Patriots chance to add another, when she quickly played to Kalou, who with a brilliant turn burst past her mark to set up a 1-v.-1 with Aubrey Quaranto.
The Spartans keeper never hesitated challenging off ther line and blocked the point-blank effort of Kalou.
However, in the process the ball spilled free to Jessica Baigorria, but fortunately the Stevenson senior steered her attempt wide of the open net.
"(That) for us, would be one of three missed opportunities, which likely forced us to settle for the draw instead of a victory," said Chavez.
Rittenhouse and Salemy slowed the Patriots attack for a brief moment or two when the duo roared up the left side to create a trio of half-chances for their Spartans. But all were blocked by on the way towards Jennifer Staten, who had an easy time of its between the sticks for the Patriots before the break.
"At this point, we're encouraging patience and to play simple here in the early part of the season," said Winslow.
"This is a really athletic group that we have that doesn't have a Kendra Pasquale around to go get us a goal when we need one, or an Erin Peck who could score or create that big assist."
The Spartans struggled to play out of their own end during the last 10 minutes of the first period against the Stevenson's aggressive surge.
Grace Wingfield released VanZanten who went endline before whipping her crossing effort to Ramagnano.
If the senior did not mishit her close-range effort, it might have been 2-0 near the end of the first half.
"We set the tempo this game right from the start and managed nearly every part of the game (except) in the final third," said Chavez. "We missed chances to quite possibly put Jim's team away for good."
St. Francis came out of the break with more energy and purpose, and was on its collective front foot from the whistle.
Katherine Lemke, a talented sophomore midfielder, went wide with her attempt from 22 yards. When the Patriots were unable to clear the area, they conceded a free kick for DiTusa at 44 minutes.
DiTusa found Rittenhouse and the Spartans star dazzled with a mazy, stop-and-go run. She finally reached the endline, where her subsequent cross to the spot was parried away by defender Myah Schoolman.
Stevenson fought back from the early time spent in its own end with Kalou firing wide after Quaranto influenced the shot by coming off her line. Then Kristin Hill split a pair of Spartans before setting up VanZanten for an unsuccessful attempt on frame.
Although St. Francis was having some trouble with its possession, it still showed signs of being dangerous whether by quality long balls out of the back or just by its strong work rate.
A nicely played short corner by Julia Zeman and Meg Ward produced a half-chance in the 54th minute for St. Francis. At that juncture, the ever-present Rittenhouse constantly draw two Patriots whenever she was on the ball.
The Spartans averted disaster in the 56th minute when VanZanten's ghost run from the left ended with the senior driving her shot just wide.
"No doubt, we were a little fortunate on a couple of their chances, but we stayed with (it) and got back even," said Winslow.
Corrigan made the Patriots pay for their inability clear the area that conceded a deep throw.
The senior was allowed enough time to tee-up an unstoppable cracker that exploded into the lower right side of Staten's net.
"We needed someone to do something dynamic, and Mickey came throught and did it for us," said Winslow.
The final 10 minutes were frantic with each side looking to find the game-winner.
Stevenson was the first, but an alert Emily Thill moved in to end Kayla Constabileo's dream of doing so.
Corrigan and Thill initiated a Spartans counter from the midline which Rittenhouse continued through to Adrianna Rotondi whose attempt was be saved.
The 80th minute produced a show of displeasure from the Patriots faithful, who thought an offsides flag shown against Ramagnano was incorrect.
"I really liked how we played in that second half, there were a lot of positive things for us to take from it going into our next tournament game," said DiTusa.
"Me too," agreed Rittenhouse. "We're going to learn about ourselves during a really busy week of soccer, but with the young roster we have, that will be a good thing for us."
Following its second game in group play with Lane on Monday, the Spartans will meet New Trier, a 1-0 winner over Lane on Saturday. Then it's a trip to meet Rosary in its league opener.
The semifinals of the Malnati Classic will take place Thursday, with the placing and consolation matches to be played Saturday (April 13).
"Our lack of training, and overall experience showed during that first half, but I really like the way we made adjustments and battled back to get even," began Winslow.
"It wasn't always pretty to be sure, but the effort, fight, and desire to compete was something I was happy with.
"Sure, there were a couple of sitters (they) could have finished, but that's the sport of soccer. It still was a good 80 minutes, and hopefully we'll be better against Lane next week."
Starting lineups
St. Francis (4-3-3)
G- Aubrey Quaranto
D- Katherine Lemke
D- Emma Armbrust
D- Jilian DiTusa
D- Lauren Douglass
M- Anne Moran
M- Mickey Corrigan
M- Emily Thill
F- Hannah Rittenhouse
F- Ava Hensley
F- Alex Salemy
Stevenson (4-5-1)
G- Jennifer Staten
D- Tess Koleno
D- Kayla Constabileo
D- Myah Schoolman
D- Paige Copeland
M- Gabi Nyc
M- Emma Ramagnano
M- Jessica Baigorria
M- Abigail Kalou
M- Kristin Hill
F- Kalyssa VanZanten
Chicagoland Soccer MVPs of the Match: Hannah RIttenhouse, sr., F/MF, St. Francis
Emma Ramagnano, sr., MF, Stevenson
Referee: Mario Castillo
Scoring summary
First half
Stevenson: Van Zanten (Nyc) 13'
Second half
St. Francis: Corrigan (U/A) 53'
Teams tie 1-1 in Malnati's group opener
By Mike Garofola
NORTHFIELD -- If first day results at the third annual Lou Malnati's Deep Dish Classic are any indication, then this high-profile tournament should end up producing some thrilling moments during its eight-day tour.
At Robert Naughton Field in Northfield on Saturday, New Trier hosted two terrific Malnati's openers on a magnificent spring day. The action began with St. Francis taking on Stevenson.
The two clubs battled to a 1-1 draw in this noon game with a sensational 16-yard strike from Mickey Corrigan producing the equalizer for St. Francis (0-1-2) in the 53rd minute.
The 2018 Class AA state champion St. Francis will continue its foray as a Class 3A team at Chicago power Lane at 7:30 p.m. Monday. Stevenson returns to meet meet New Trier at 7 p.m.
"Not a bad effort at all after playing our last game back on March 20, and with most of our training indoors," said pleased Spartans manager Jim Winslow.
"We've been a little handcuffed with our training, because our stadium turf was damaged from recent flooding. (So) it's been indoors for us, making this week of the tournament our first 'real' time outdoors for the girls."
"We were a little out of sorts in that first half," admitted senior and Iowa commit Hannah Rittenhouse. "It looked like to me with our play, communication and inability to connect -- we just haven't had any time outside together."
Rittenhouse, who had a monster postseason a year ago, is one of just four who were in Winslows' first 11 during the Spartans dominating 4-0 victory over Saint Viator to help the Spartans claim the second state title in program history.
"We had a lot of dynamic players last year: such as Kendra (Pasquale) and Erin Peck, (but) they went off to college with several others," began Winslow.
"Hannah gives us so much, whether we line her up in the middle, or up-top, but we're at that point where we have to find someone to combine with her to make us more dangerous."
"We're (varsity) young, but there's a lot of talent here. It's going to take some time, so a week-long tournament like this against quality opponents is just the thing we need to figure some things out and to let the girls go out and play."
Stevenson manager PepeJon Chavez was thrilled when he saw the set-up for group play.
"Opening against a manager like Jim, who runs a classy program with classy kids, is the best way for my girls to begin this tournament," said Chavez.
The unbeaten Patriots (5-0-2) entered the first day of play with a lopsided goal differential of 14 scored versus two conceded.
"Since coming here it's been all about playing the game the correct way," Chavez said. "By that I mean defending (first) as a team, building from the back, creating a lot of play through the midfield, and trying to develop some firepower up-front to be the type of team that can finish its chances."
That mention of finishing chances will be a point of contention for the Patriots terrific manager later on.
The defensive unit Chavez deployed was an active one, showing a willingness to jump into the attack or give it a jump-start with some nice distribution to the middle.
St. Francis has in its backline one of the best in the business in Jill DiTusa. This year the center back will be asked to bring the team together along with Emma Armbrust and Caroline Zimmer, who are also returning starters.
"We know it's going to be a work in progress here in the early going, not only in the back, but just about everywhere else because of all of the talented and experienced players we lost," said DiTusa.
"There's three freshmen up with us right now, plus a few players who were on our JV last season, who all need to get used to the speed of play.
"It took us most of the first half to finally calm down. But once we did, we got back into the game with better movement and passing to play a much better second half."
The Spartans were under pressure early, thanks in part to the influence of the Patriots' midfield duo of Emma Ramagnano and Abigail Kalou who ran the show in the center or the park, and relentless play on the outside from captain Kristin Hill.
This trio kept a steady stream of possession in and around the area. Because of that, the Spartans found themselves chasing the lead just 13 minutes into the first half.
That's when a well-struck free kick from near the midline ended on the foot of an unmarked Kalyssa VanZanten at the back post.
The Notre Dame-bound VanZanten, who played for the under-15 through under-17 U.S. national teams, smashed home the opener with a lovely one-timer.
St. Francis should have leveled moments later but for a sharp tackle from Paige Copeland that stopped the advances of Alex Salemy who was alone in the Stevenson box.
The chances kept coming during this exciting short sequence of back-and-forth attacking soccer.
VanZanten was at the heart of the Patriots chance to add another, when she quickly played to Kalou, who with a brilliant turn burst past her mark to set up a 1-v.-1 with Aubrey Quaranto.
The Spartans keeper never hesitated challenging off ther line and blocked the point-blank effort of Kalou.
However, in the process the ball spilled free to Jessica Baigorria, but fortunately the Stevenson senior steered her attempt wide of the open net.
"(That) for us, would be one of three missed opportunities, which likely forced us to settle for the draw instead of a victory," said Chavez.
Rittenhouse and Salemy slowed the Patriots attack for a brief moment or two when the duo roared up the left side to create a trio of half-chances for their Spartans. But all were blocked by on the way towards Jennifer Staten, who had an easy time of its between the sticks for the Patriots before the break.
"At this point, we're encouraging patience and to play simple here in the early part of the season," said Winslow.
"This is a really athletic group that we have that doesn't have a Kendra Pasquale around to go get us a goal when we need one, or an Erin Peck who could score or create that big assist."
The Spartans struggled to play out of their own end during the last 10 minutes of the first period against the Stevenson's aggressive surge.
Grace Wingfield released VanZanten who went endline before whipping her crossing effort to Ramagnano.
If the senior did not mishit her close-range effort, it might have been 2-0 near the end of the first half.
"We set the tempo this game right from the start and managed nearly every part of the game (except) in the final third," said Chavez. "We missed chances to quite possibly put Jim's team away for good."
St. Francis came out of the break with more energy and purpose, and was on its collective front foot from the whistle.
Katherine Lemke, a talented sophomore midfielder, went wide with her attempt from 22 yards. When the Patriots were unable to clear the area, they conceded a free kick for DiTusa at 44 minutes.
DiTusa found Rittenhouse and the Spartans star dazzled with a mazy, stop-and-go run. She finally reached the endline, where her subsequent cross to the spot was parried away by defender Myah Schoolman.
Stevenson fought back from the early time spent in its own end with Kalou firing wide after Quaranto influenced the shot by coming off her line. Then Kristin Hill split a pair of Spartans before setting up VanZanten for an unsuccessful attempt on frame.
Although St. Francis was having some trouble with its possession, it still showed signs of being dangerous whether by quality long balls out of the back or just by its strong work rate.
A nicely played short corner by Julia Zeman and Meg Ward produced a half-chance in the 54th minute for St. Francis. At that juncture, the ever-present Rittenhouse constantly draw two Patriots whenever she was on the ball.
The Spartans averted disaster in the 56th minute when VanZanten's ghost run from the left ended with the senior driving her shot just wide.
"No doubt, we were a little fortunate on a couple of their chances, but we stayed with (it) and got back even," said Winslow.
Corrigan made the Patriots pay for their inability clear the area that conceded a deep throw.
The senior was allowed enough time to tee-up an unstoppable cracker that exploded into the lower right side of Staten's net.
"We needed someone to do something dynamic, and Mickey came throught and did it for us," said Winslow.
The final 10 minutes were frantic with each side looking to find the game-winner.
Stevenson was the first, but an alert Emily Thill moved in to end Kayla Constabileo's dream of doing so.
Corrigan and Thill initiated a Spartans counter from the midline which Rittenhouse continued through to Adrianna Rotondi whose attempt was be saved.
The 80th minute produced a show of displeasure from the Patriots faithful, who thought an offsides flag shown against Ramagnano was incorrect.
"I really liked how we played in that second half, there were a lot of positive things for us to take from it going into our next tournament game," said DiTusa.
"Me too," agreed Rittenhouse. "We're going to learn about ourselves during a really busy week of soccer, but with the young roster we have, that will be a good thing for us."
Following its second game in group play with Lane on Monday, the Spartans will meet New Trier, a 1-0 winner over Lane on Saturday. Then it's a trip to meet Rosary in its league opener.
The semifinals of the Malnati Classic will take place Thursday, with the placing and consolation matches to be played Saturday (April 13).
"Our lack of training, and overall experience showed during that first half, but I really like the way we made adjustments and battled back to get even," began Winslow.
"It wasn't always pretty to be sure, but the effort, fight, and desire to compete was something I was happy with.
"Sure, there were a couple of sitters (they) could have finished, but that's the sport of soccer. It still was a good 80 minutes, and hopefully we'll be better against Lane next week."
Starting lineups
St. Francis (4-3-3)
G- Aubrey Quaranto
D- Katherine Lemke
D- Emma Armbrust
D- Jilian DiTusa
D- Lauren Douglass
M- Anne Moran
M- Mickey Corrigan
M- Emily Thill
F- Hannah Rittenhouse
F- Ava Hensley
F- Alex Salemy
Stevenson (4-5-1)
G- Jennifer Staten
D- Tess Koleno
D- Kayla Constabileo
D- Myah Schoolman
D- Paige Copeland
M- Gabi Nyc
M- Emma Ramagnano
M- Jessica Baigorria
M- Abigail Kalou
M- Kristin Hill
F- Kalyssa VanZanten
Chicagoland Soccer MVPs of the Match: Hannah RIttenhouse, sr., F/MF, St. Francis
Emma Ramagnano, sr., MF, Stevenson
Referee: Mario Castillo
Scoring summary
First half
Stevenson: Van Zanten (Nyc) 13'
Second half
St. Francis: Corrigan (U/A) 53'