Late strike lifts Stevenson over New Trier
Egeland puts Patriots in line for Malnati's semifinal berth
By Mike Garofola
NORTHFIELD -- When PepeJon Chavez watched his club from Stevenson lift the 2019 Lou Malnati's Deep Dish Classic trophy, he knew deep down in his heart that it meant bigger and better things were ahead for his soccer program.
After losing in pool play to their New Trier host, the Patriots turned the tables with a 2-0 upset win over the Trevians in the final. Nearly five weeks later in its supersectional debut, Stevenson fell again to the perennial power.
Yet despite that defeat Chavez and Lily Mahdavian, the lone holdover from that 2019 squad, never wavered in their belief they would return to the Malnati’s final once again.
The Patriots (6-0-0) are halfway there after a brilliant 73rd-minute strike from Ellie Egeland gave them a 1-0 win over New Trier in the second round of pool play in a hard-fought, 80-minute affair before an appreciative crowd at Robert Naughton Field.
"It was here, at this tournament, that I knew," said Chavez. “With the players coming into our program, Lily coming back, and our commitment to excellence through hard work, dedication, and belief in each other, when we came back to this tournament we would be in a position to win it once again.
"Of course, there are some great teams in this tournament, and we have to play our best soccer, but this team knows it can play for the championship this weekend."
"I had such a good feeling in 2019,” said senior defender Mahdavian. “(We) do not have anyone back from that season, but the coaching staff. The atmosphere Pepe created was enough for me to believe my next three years could be really special,
"We lost our first supersectional appearance ever in program history, but it was a great experience. The program was obviously headed in the right direction."
"Lily was a part of that wonderful 2019 team, that finished 22-2-2,” said Chavez. “From that season, she has brought the energy and tradition into 2022 with her pre-game leadership and attention to detail in order to help the girls focus on the game ahead.”
The six points earned thus far in group play will send the Patriots into the semifinal action against a wild card team Thursday night. The final pool positions will be determined following results from Wednesday night action.
New Trier (4-3-2) is uncharacteristically still working to find its legs early in the season.
"The grit the girls showed tonight, and the way they played as a team is something we'll take from this loss," said Trevians manager Jim Burnside, whose club travels Thursday to play Lane on the northside of Chicago. “They all took a big step in the right direction against a very tough opponent.
"This game was an early season game where two athletic teams were pushing each other hard, which forces players to make big plays and mistakes. We worked hard to disrupt their flow because when they're in sync, they become a very dangerous opponent. We just couldn't let them get there."
The no. 17 Trevians knew what they faced in eighth-ranked Stevenson.
"We played hard, tried to keep everything in front of us, and did our best to force all of the play into the middle, and not outside," offered New Trier junior defender Sadie-Grace Richardson, who shared the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match honor with Stevenson’s goal-scoring heroine Egeland.
"We're a very young and inexperienced team, something New Trier soccer teams rarely are. But we played with a lot of heart, and fought all night. They scored a great goal, and sometimes that just happens."
Stevenson came out with purpose in its game and soon saw Mimi VanZanten test New Trier keeper Caroline Hague with a left-footed blast in the third minute.
The early strike seemed to energize the visitors’ attack. They played quickly, using width and depth to help keep the Trevians under pressure. Still, it only produced one additional, meaningful opportunity which came from Kaitlyn Hong whose redirected header from a Bella Chavez pass landed in the secure gloves of Hague.
"New Trier was incredibly organized, and a physical force that we always prepare for. Yet it’s always challenging to be fully ready for," said Chavez.
"I found that the girls found greater confidence in how to balance the tactical side of the match versus the physical, which was something we would highlight during our pre-game. That plan proved eventually effective.”
Both managers continued to bring on fresh legs in order to offset the hard pace of the night. Despite this tactical strategy, neither side was able to get anything dangerous on frame in the last half of the first period, except for an Egeland attempt in the 37th minute.
"It was difficult for us to get into the type of game we like to play because of the way New Trier defended against us, especially in the first half," said Egeland.
New Trier’s defensive scheme worked.
"That was our plan," began sophomore Clara Deliduka, who formed a first class partnership with fellow center back Richardson and their outside mates Ava Shah and Honor Dold.
"I've been lucky to have someone like Sadie-Grace to help me as a first-year player. The speed of play, and pace is a big adjustment, but she's been great. And all the seniors have been there for all of us younger players."
Stevenson’s backline of Hailey Livesay, Bri Welter, Hong and Mahdavian got more involved after the break. The Patriots had a lot of the early possession. The ball looked as if it were on a string as they knocked it around with ease.
Egeland had a good look from 25 yards in the 42nd minute. Then a short while later, she headed over the bar. Egeland went wide on the turn, before her best chance of the half to that point. It required New Trier’s Shah to take the ball off the line in the 63rd minute.
"Ellie has the ability to do so much on the field, but it's her infectious personality that steals the show for me," said a proud Chavez.
New Trier continued to frustrate the visitors in the final third with their stick-like-glue attitude and ability to win balls when they needed to. The Trevians defended a handful of deep cornersand free kicks.
"Clara and Sadie-Grace worked so hard tonight, defended really well, and both grew a ton in this game,” said Burnside. “Our freshman Honor Dold played great under pressure, in one of the most pressure-filled games of her young high school career.
“Annie Paden was wonderful all over the field. She defended and attacked well throughout the game."
Stevenson kept up the pressure. Bella Chavez went over the bar with her 30-yard free kick. Mahdavian and Kaitlyn and Ella Hong created a deep throw for Egeland, but once again New Trier’s effort kept the Patriots from making something out of nothing.
However, the home side could do nothing when VanZanten, whose second half touches were limited, collected a ball along the right side. She used her elite speed to roar past a pair of challengers before connecting with Egeland.
The sophomore deftly transfered the ball to her left foot before unleashing a wicked, blazing shot in the opposite direction of Hague, who could only watch the 25-yard missile nestle into the open far corner.
"We've been developing Ellie's timing and tactical IQ,” Chaves said. “When she applies all of that she does amazing things like tonight. It was a pretty sweet 16 birthday night for her."
Not to be lost in the game-winner was the terrific solo effort from VanZanten, whose industrious and full-speed ahead charge created the chance.
"Mimi is such a team player, and it’s her versatility that makes her the player that she is,” Chavez said. “On that goal, we had good build-up in the middle. She just found the ball, like she does; and with speed in her diagonal dribble, she created a nice dish to Ellie who prepped her touch for her clean strike."
"We knew coming in that No. 17 (VanZanten) was a great player,” said Burnside. “So we needed to keep our feet, and help each other on defense. It takes a village to defend a great player like her. And really, except for that sequence, we kept our intensity up and did not allow Stevenson to keep the ball much tonight. That's something we are very proud of."
Starting lineups
Stevenson (4-4-2)
G- Mandy Meliker
D- Kaitlyn Hong
D- Lily Mahdavian
D- Hailey Livesay
D- Bri Welter
M- Brynn Stein
M- Mimi VanZanten
M- Ella Hong
M- Bella Chavez
F- Ellie Egeland
F- Arria Chavez
New Trier (4-4-2)
G- Caroline Hague
D- Ava Shah
D- Sadie-Grace Richardson
D- Clara Deliduka
D- Honor Dold
M- Kendall Sierens
MF- Charlotte Dellin
M- Annie Paden
M- Josie Noble
F- Lida Dodge
F- Elizabeth Marquardt
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match:
Ellie Egeland, so., F, Stevenson;
Sadie-Grace Richardson, jr., D, New Trier
Referee: Ninos Alexander
Scoring summary
First half
No scoring
Second half
Stevenson: Egeland (VanZanten) 73'
Statistics
Shots on goal
Stevenson: 6; New Trier, 1
Shots off goal
Stevenson, 8; New Trier, 3
Fouls
Stevenson, 9; New Trier, 4
Corner kicks
Stevenson, 1; New Trier, 5
Offsides
Stevenson, 2; New Trier, 1
Egeland puts Patriots in line for Malnati's semifinal berth
By Mike Garofola
NORTHFIELD -- When PepeJon Chavez watched his club from Stevenson lift the 2019 Lou Malnati's Deep Dish Classic trophy, he knew deep down in his heart that it meant bigger and better things were ahead for his soccer program.
After losing in pool play to their New Trier host, the Patriots turned the tables with a 2-0 upset win over the Trevians in the final. Nearly five weeks later in its supersectional debut, Stevenson fell again to the perennial power.
Yet despite that defeat Chavez and Lily Mahdavian, the lone holdover from that 2019 squad, never wavered in their belief they would return to the Malnati’s final once again.
The Patriots (6-0-0) are halfway there after a brilliant 73rd-minute strike from Ellie Egeland gave them a 1-0 win over New Trier in the second round of pool play in a hard-fought, 80-minute affair before an appreciative crowd at Robert Naughton Field.
"It was here, at this tournament, that I knew," said Chavez. “With the players coming into our program, Lily coming back, and our commitment to excellence through hard work, dedication, and belief in each other, when we came back to this tournament we would be in a position to win it once again.
"Of course, there are some great teams in this tournament, and we have to play our best soccer, but this team knows it can play for the championship this weekend."
"I had such a good feeling in 2019,” said senior defender Mahdavian. “(We) do not have anyone back from that season, but the coaching staff. The atmosphere Pepe created was enough for me to believe my next three years could be really special,
"We lost our first supersectional appearance ever in program history, but it was a great experience. The program was obviously headed in the right direction."
"Lily was a part of that wonderful 2019 team, that finished 22-2-2,” said Chavez. “From that season, she has brought the energy and tradition into 2022 with her pre-game leadership and attention to detail in order to help the girls focus on the game ahead.”
The six points earned thus far in group play will send the Patriots into the semifinal action against a wild card team Thursday night. The final pool positions will be determined following results from Wednesday night action.
New Trier (4-3-2) is uncharacteristically still working to find its legs early in the season.
"The grit the girls showed tonight, and the way they played as a team is something we'll take from this loss," said Trevians manager Jim Burnside, whose club travels Thursday to play Lane on the northside of Chicago. “They all took a big step in the right direction against a very tough opponent.
"This game was an early season game where two athletic teams were pushing each other hard, which forces players to make big plays and mistakes. We worked hard to disrupt their flow because when they're in sync, they become a very dangerous opponent. We just couldn't let them get there."
The no. 17 Trevians knew what they faced in eighth-ranked Stevenson.
"We played hard, tried to keep everything in front of us, and did our best to force all of the play into the middle, and not outside," offered New Trier junior defender Sadie-Grace Richardson, who shared the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match honor with Stevenson’s goal-scoring heroine Egeland.
"We're a very young and inexperienced team, something New Trier soccer teams rarely are. But we played with a lot of heart, and fought all night. They scored a great goal, and sometimes that just happens."
Stevenson came out with purpose in its game and soon saw Mimi VanZanten test New Trier keeper Caroline Hague with a left-footed blast in the third minute.
The early strike seemed to energize the visitors’ attack. They played quickly, using width and depth to help keep the Trevians under pressure. Still, it only produced one additional, meaningful opportunity which came from Kaitlyn Hong whose redirected header from a Bella Chavez pass landed in the secure gloves of Hague.
"New Trier was incredibly organized, and a physical force that we always prepare for. Yet it’s always challenging to be fully ready for," said Chavez.
"I found that the girls found greater confidence in how to balance the tactical side of the match versus the physical, which was something we would highlight during our pre-game. That plan proved eventually effective.”
Both managers continued to bring on fresh legs in order to offset the hard pace of the night. Despite this tactical strategy, neither side was able to get anything dangerous on frame in the last half of the first period, except for an Egeland attempt in the 37th minute.
"It was difficult for us to get into the type of game we like to play because of the way New Trier defended against us, especially in the first half," said Egeland.
New Trier’s defensive scheme worked.
"That was our plan," began sophomore Clara Deliduka, who formed a first class partnership with fellow center back Richardson and their outside mates Ava Shah and Honor Dold.
"I've been lucky to have someone like Sadie-Grace to help me as a first-year player. The speed of play, and pace is a big adjustment, but she's been great. And all the seniors have been there for all of us younger players."
Stevenson’s backline of Hailey Livesay, Bri Welter, Hong and Mahdavian got more involved after the break. The Patriots had a lot of the early possession. The ball looked as if it were on a string as they knocked it around with ease.
Egeland had a good look from 25 yards in the 42nd minute. Then a short while later, she headed over the bar. Egeland went wide on the turn, before her best chance of the half to that point. It required New Trier’s Shah to take the ball off the line in the 63rd minute.
"Ellie has the ability to do so much on the field, but it's her infectious personality that steals the show for me," said a proud Chavez.
New Trier continued to frustrate the visitors in the final third with their stick-like-glue attitude and ability to win balls when they needed to. The Trevians defended a handful of deep cornersand free kicks.
"Clara and Sadie-Grace worked so hard tonight, defended really well, and both grew a ton in this game,” said Burnside. “Our freshman Honor Dold played great under pressure, in one of the most pressure-filled games of her young high school career.
“Annie Paden was wonderful all over the field. She defended and attacked well throughout the game."
Stevenson kept up the pressure. Bella Chavez went over the bar with her 30-yard free kick. Mahdavian and Kaitlyn and Ella Hong created a deep throw for Egeland, but once again New Trier’s effort kept the Patriots from making something out of nothing.
However, the home side could do nothing when VanZanten, whose second half touches were limited, collected a ball along the right side. She used her elite speed to roar past a pair of challengers before connecting with Egeland.
The sophomore deftly transfered the ball to her left foot before unleashing a wicked, blazing shot in the opposite direction of Hague, who could only watch the 25-yard missile nestle into the open far corner.
"We've been developing Ellie's timing and tactical IQ,” Chaves said. “When she applies all of that she does amazing things like tonight. It was a pretty sweet 16 birthday night for her."
Not to be lost in the game-winner was the terrific solo effort from VanZanten, whose industrious and full-speed ahead charge created the chance.
"Mimi is such a team player, and it’s her versatility that makes her the player that she is,” Chavez said. “On that goal, we had good build-up in the middle. She just found the ball, like she does; and with speed in her diagonal dribble, she created a nice dish to Ellie who prepped her touch for her clean strike."
"We knew coming in that No. 17 (VanZanten) was a great player,” said Burnside. “So we needed to keep our feet, and help each other on defense. It takes a village to defend a great player like her. And really, except for that sequence, we kept our intensity up and did not allow Stevenson to keep the ball much tonight. That's something we are very proud of."
Starting lineups
Stevenson (4-4-2)
G- Mandy Meliker
D- Kaitlyn Hong
D- Lily Mahdavian
D- Hailey Livesay
D- Bri Welter
M- Brynn Stein
M- Mimi VanZanten
M- Ella Hong
M- Bella Chavez
F- Ellie Egeland
F- Arria Chavez
New Trier (4-4-2)
G- Caroline Hague
D- Ava Shah
D- Sadie-Grace Richardson
D- Clara Deliduka
D- Honor Dold
M- Kendall Sierens
MF- Charlotte Dellin
M- Annie Paden
M- Josie Noble
F- Lida Dodge
F- Elizabeth Marquardt
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match:
Ellie Egeland, so., F, Stevenson;
Sadie-Grace Richardson, jr., D, New Trier
Referee: Ninos Alexander
Scoring summary
First half
No scoring
Second half
Stevenson: Egeland (VanZanten) 73'
Statistics
Shots on goal
Stevenson: 6; New Trier, 1
Shots off goal
Stevenson, 8; New Trier, 3
Fouls
Stevenson, 9; New Trier, 4
Corner kicks
Stevenson, 1; New Trier, 5
Offsides
Stevenson, 2; New Trier, 1