Carmel can't close deal vs. Saint Viator
After tough competition in Malnati's, Corsairs can't break tie
By Rusty Silber
MUNDELEIN -- The hope was that Carmel turned the corner with its efforts in the Lou Malnati's Deep Dish Classic at New Trier last week. The Corsairs posted an impressive victory over Evanston, a draw with Hinsdale Central and close matches with Naperville North and Glenbrook South.
With its return back to East Suburban Catholic conference play, Carmel will face different challenges and styles.
That included the rivalry matchup against Saint Viator on Wednesday at home. The Corsairs finished the match with a point after the 1-1 overtime tie.
"There were some very good teams in that tournament. It could've got us ready for this game, but it didn't," Carmel coach Ray Krawzak said. "Our schedule is as strong as its ever been. So, I think we were ready for this game because we've had such a tough schedule. I just wish we had a better result. Going into the game, I thought we were more mentally ready for it."
Going into the matchup, the Corsairs (3-6-2, 0-1-1) did not have the impressive record in the game. But the way they played early against Saint Viator (7-1-3, 1-0-1), an observer would have thought the records were reversed in favor of Carmel.
"I'm not happy with the result," Krawzak added. "I thought we mostly outplayed (Saint Viator).
"I think they were very frustrated with their ability to win the ball. We were doing a very good job of winning every 50/50 ball. We had many chances in the first half, and we could've had 6-to-7 goals. We had a mistake in the back giving up a goal that was very frustrating. It could've been a different game if we put balls into the back of the net."
Saint Viator didn't have many chances on goal in the opening half. But the Lions took advantage of their best chance in the 22nd minute of play. That's when Emilie Doersching broke free at the top of the box and scored after taking a pass from Claire Bottscher.
The Lions held their 1-0 advantage into the second half. But the problem for Saint Viator was dealing with the winds that gave Carmel an advantage for the entire second half.
the Corsairs kept pushing forward and tried to take every opportunity to find the equalizer. However Saint Viator keeper Lilly Collins was able to make six saves and hold the lead.
The Lions lead held up until the 78th minute, when defender Morgan Smola took a pass from Lyndsey Basara and then lofted a 25-yard kick into the corner of the goal.
Smola had been pushing forward from the backline to add pressure and opportunities to the Corsairs attack. The big goal was her second of the season and earned her the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match honor.
"I had so much adrenaline," Smola said. "I just wanted to go for it. It all worked out for us. I just had good blessings, and it went in. We just needed all the energy up the field to help us get the tie."
Going into the extra two five-minute overtimes, Carmel had one great opportunity to take the game in the 89th minute. Grambling State-bound Zanaya Barnes broke free for a breakaway in front of the goal and had a shot to score. But Collins closed the angle down and was able to deflect the ball wide off her left leg.
"I knew I had to set my feet. When I saw her winding up, I had to go for it," Collins said. "It hit my leg and thankfully went out. It was scary, but I have to get the job done. I wanted to make the team happy and try keep Carmel out of the net as much as I can."
That wasn't made easy with Carmel's 12th player.
"The wind was a big issue," Collins added. "It was hard to get the ball out and playing it back. It helped us out at times when we got more people back. Our players did step up a lot defensively."
Saint Viator played the game without one of its defender Bridget Dezeller, who sat out with an injury.
The Lions didn't play the way they needed to in the crucial ESCC match against Carmel.
"If we could just control the ball," Saint Viator coach Mike Taylor said. "We just bounced the ball and hit it away. I thought we were lucky. I do have some kids with talent here. We're young without some senior leadership. In the second half, I knew they would score one to tie.
"(Carmel) had corner kicks in like five minutes and could've had one with a head ball at the near post. We just didn't play well."
Carmel had chances off its corners with a few kicks with the wind that had eyes for the goal. But Collins was up for the challenge.
The Corsairs displayed steady defense with a backline led by Caitlin Teehan, along with Smola, Maddy Splitt and Liz Galla.
"We did play hard and did our best out there," Teehan said. "We're definitely getting better each and every game, and growing as a team. Our confidence in the back is getting better and better."
Starting Lineups
Saint Viator
GK-Lilly Collins
D-Payton McDonnell
D-Gabby Brown
D-Sam DeJulio
D-Natalie Krause
MF-Emily Rasher
MF-Claire Bottcher
MF-Zophia Perez
MF-Gabby Brown
F-Caroline Sexton
F-Megan Martin
Carmel
GK-Annie Burkhalter
D-Morgan Smola
D-Liz Galla
D-Maddy Splitt
D-Caitlin Teehan
MF-Mia Salvi
MF-Oliva Salvi
MF-Lucy Tarcha
MF-Olivia Pullin
F-Sarah Galla
F-Zanaya Barnes
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Morgan Smola sr., D, Carmel
Referee: John Anderson
Scoring summary
First half
SV: Doersching (Bottscher) 22'
Second half
Carmel: Smola (Basara) 78'
First overtime
No scoring
Second overtime
No scoring
After tough competition in Malnati's, Corsairs can't break tie
By Rusty Silber
MUNDELEIN -- The hope was that Carmel turned the corner with its efforts in the Lou Malnati's Deep Dish Classic at New Trier last week. The Corsairs posted an impressive victory over Evanston, a draw with Hinsdale Central and close matches with Naperville North and Glenbrook South.
With its return back to East Suburban Catholic conference play, Carmel will face different challenges and styles.
That included the rivalry matchup against Saint Viator on Wednesday at home. The Corsairs finished the match with a point after the 1-1 overtime tie.
"There were some very good teams in that tournament. It could've got us ready for this game, but it didn't," Carmel coach Ray Krawzak said. "Our schedule is as strong as its ever been. So, I think we were ready for this game because we've had such a tough schedule. I just wish we had a better result. Going into the game, I thought we were more mentally ready for it."
Going into the matchup, the Corsairs (3-6-2, 0-1-1) did not have the impressive record in the game. But the way they played early against Saint Viator (7-1-3, 1-0-1), an observer would have thought the records were reversed in favor of Carmel.
"I'm not happy with the result," Krawzak added. "I thought we mostly outplayed (Saint Viator).
"I think they were very frustrated with their ability to win the ball. We were doing a very good job of winning every 50/50 ball. We had many chances in the first half, and we could've had 6-to-7 goals. We had a mistake in the back giving up a goal that was very frustrating. It could've been a different game if we put balls into the back of the net."
Saint Viator didn't have many chances on goal in the opening half. But the Lions took advantage of their best chance in the 22nd minute of play. That's when Emilie Doersching broke free at the top of the box and scored after taking a pass from Claire Bottscher.
The Lions held their 1-0 advantage into the second half. But the problem for Saint Viator was dealing with the winds that gave Carmel an advantage for the entire second half.
the Corsairs kept pushing forward and tried to take every opportunity to find the equalizer. However Saint Viator keeper Lilly Collins was able to make six saves and hold the lead.
The Lions lead held up until the 78th minute, when defender Morgan Smola took a pass from Lyndsey Basara and then lofted a 25-yard kick into the corner of the goal.
Smola had been pushing forward from the backline to add pressure and opportunities to the Corsairs attack. The big goal was her second of the season and earned her the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match honor.
"I had so much adrenaline," Smola said. "I just wanted to go for it. It all worked out for us. I just had good blessings, and it went in. We just needed all the energy up the field to help us get the tie."
Going into the extra two five-minute overtimes, Carmel had one great opportunity to take the game in the 89th minute. Grambling State-bound Zanaya Barnes broke free for a breakaway in front of the goal and had a shot to score. But Collins closed the angle down and was able to deflect the ball wide off her left leg.
"I knew I had to set my feet. When I saw her winding up, I had to go for it," Collins said. "It hit my leg and thankfully went out. It was scary, but I have to get the job done. I wanted to make the team happy and try keep Carmel out of the net as much as I can."
That wasn't made easy with Carmel's 12th player.
"The wind was a big issue," Collins added. "It was hard to get the ball out and playing it back. It helped us out at times when we got more people back. Our players did step up a lot defensively."
Saint Viator played the game without one of its defender Bridget Dezeller, who sat out with an injury.
The Lions didn't play the way they needed to in the crucial ESCC match against Carmel.
"If we could just control the ball," Saint Viator coach Mike Taylor said. "We just bounced the ball and hit it away. I thought we were lucky. I do have some kids with talent here. We're young without some senior leadership. In the second half, I knew they would score one to tie.
"(Carmel) had corner kicks in like five minutes and could've had one with a head ball at the near post. We just didn't play well."
Carmel had chances off its corners with a few kicks with the wind that had eyes for the goal. But Collins was up for the challenge.
The Corsairs displayed steady defense with a backline led by Caitlin Teehan, along with Smola, Maddy Splitt and Liz Galla.
"We did play hard and did our best out there," Teehan said. "We're definitely getting better each and every game, and growing as a team. Our confidence in the back is getting better and better."
Starting Lineups
Saint Viator
GK-Lilly Collins
D-Payton McDonnell
D-Gabby Brown
D-Sam DeJulio
D-Natalie Krause
MF-Emily Rasher
MF-Claire Bottcher
MF-Zophia Perez
MF-Gabby Brown
F-Caroline Sexton
F-Megan Martin
Carmel
GK-Annie Burkhalter
D-Morgan Smola
D-Liz Galla
D-Maddy Splitt
D-Caitlin Teehan
MF-Mia Salvi
MF-Oliva Salvi
MF-Lucy Tarcha
MF-Olivia Pullin
F-Sarah Galla
F-Zanaya Barnes
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Morgan Smola sr., D, Carmel
Referee: John Anderson
Scoring summary
First half
SV: Doersching (Bottscher) 22'
Second half
Carmel: Smola (Basara) 78'
First overtime
No scoring
Second overtime
No scoring