Wheaton N. falls in PKs to Glenbard W.
Hilltoppers win first regional in 20 years
By Curt Herron
GLEN ELLYN -- With nine of the 32 Class 3A regional titles being determined by one goal, many of those matches obviously featured some very interesting story lines.
But based on a significant achievement in the highest-scoring of those narrow victories, Saturday's regional championship between Wheaton North and host Glenbard West at Memorial Field has to rank among the best.
The teams battled short-handed rosters, 100 minutes of soccer in high-temperature heat and the stress of a shootout.
After the teams played to a 3-3 draw in regulation and then still hadn't determined a winner following two 10- minute overtimes, the Hilltoppers converted all three of their penalty kicks while keeper Sam Bleker thwarted all three that came her way.
The shootout gave Glenbard West its first regional championship in 20 years.
The victory sends the fourth-seeded Hilltoppers (11-5-0) to the sectional semifinals for the first time since 2001, when they also reached that level with a victory over the Falcons.
Coach Adam Szyszko's squad advances to the Bartlett Sectional, where they'll meet top-seeded St. Charles East (20-0-1) at the Fighting Saints' Norris Stadium on Tuesday for a 5 p.m. match.
Wheaton North (8-8-2) received two goals from Julia Simon, one goal from Macy Hutchinson and two assists from Maria Haworth. Glenbard West got a goal and two assists from Emmie Roberts, Sophia Brown and Gwen Johnson also scored goals and Clare Kostolansky added an assist.
Despite seeing his team fall a bit short of winning their first regional title since 2015, coach Tim McEvilly was proud of how hard his Falcons battled throughout the tough match.
"It was 100 minutes in 90 degree-plus heat on the turf with lots of kids going down with cramps and needing subs," McEvilly said. "But we knew coming in that this was an evenly-matched regional championship game. They had kids who could put the ball in the back of the net and we can score goals. So, neither team really panicked if they gave up a goal.They just found a way to tie or to pull ahead, and I was proud that our kids were able to do that.
"(Glenbard West has) been doing a good job of finding a greater level of consistency within their program throughout all of their levels, and they have girls who can be dangerous at times. As we talked about after the game, when you're playing in a 3A regional game in this part of the state, you know that you're playing a high-quality team. There are no free passes."
The Falcons coach was pleased with how well his team came together and gave it their all throughout this challenging season.
"We talked many times about trying to not make any single game bigger than the game itself, but it's difficult mentally when you've lost a season and can see that there's a finite amount of opportunities in front of you, it's hard to just go out and enjoy the day," McEvilly said. "But we were fortunate to have a group of young ladies that made this spring rewarding for us as a coaching staff. I think they did a great job of supporting each other.
"I ended up with 24 players on my roster for the tournament and every single one of them had to participate and give us something on the field throughout the spring because of injuries and illnesses and everything.
“Today was one of those days when we needed more subs. But all that you can hope for is: one, that they play as near to their potential as possible; and two, that they find enjoyment for themselves and with their teammates while they're doing that. And I think that we were able to do that throughout the year."
While excited about his program's big victory, Glenbard West’s coach was also impressed with the efforts that both sides turned in during the challenging match.
"In this area, you run into a regional final that could be a sectional game anywhere else in the state," Szyszko said. "This area is so competitive in 3A and the margins are so fine between a three-seed and a 10- or 11-seed. That makes for great play, and it makes it really hard to win regionals. I'm thrilled for our team and program that we could do it.
"Tim's squad has been battling injuries the last couple of weeks, but his kids played so hard. They got knocked down and went out and then came back in, so kudos to them since their effort was amazing.
"We talked to our group at the end of regulation about how we've been fighting adversity. We were missing two starters, but we have a next-player-up mentality. We had a couple of players who stepped in and played huge, like Maeve Repking and Sophia Brown. I'm just so proud of our efforts. It's been a special group. The atmosphere and environment that they've created is special, and it's been fun to come to practice every day."
In the penalties, the Hilltoppers got goals from Roberts, Kostolansky and Brianna Hernandez while Bleker stopped all three attempts that she faced. Due to an injury to starting keeper Zoey Bohmer just before regulation play ended, Wheaton North went with Olivia Iberle through the overtimes and Hannah Lang in the penalties.
"I knew that I would get a lot of shots so I was just hoping to save as many as I could," Bleker said. "For the past four years, I've been practicing my PKs and knowing which way they were going. Everyone put all of their effort on the field and all of the support on the sideline helped us to get through this game. Winning regionals means a lot to me."
Glenbard West threatened in the first overtime, but Iberle stopped a free kick from Kostolansky and an attempt from Megan Mullins. Then she made a stop on a good chance by Maggie McDonnell in the final overtime.
The squads scored two goals apiece in just over 12 minutes to start the match but that's how it remained at halftime. The sides exchanged goals just before the midway mark of the final half to conclude the scoring. However, both sides had several other good opportunities to add to their goal total.
In the final half, Simon, Hutchinson and Kayla Shebar all were denied on good chances before the Hilltoppers went up 3-2 in the 56th minute when Kostolansky sent a pass to Roberts, who connected from 15 yards. Roberts nearly gave the hosts a two-goal lead a bit later but her close-range effort bounced off the post.
The Falcons tied things at 3-3 in the 68th minute when Haworth sent a corner kick into the box, and Simon headed it in. They had several chances to move in front before regulation play ended. Simon and Grace Ryan were denied.
After Bohmer exited following a collision with Roberts, the hosts had one more chance but Iberle stopped a short try by Kostolansky.
Glenbard West started the scoring. Brown connected from in-close in the third minute on the first of many quality throw-ins by Roberts.
Wheaton North responded quickly when Simon scored from in front of the net in the fourth minute.
Wheaton North went up 2-1 in the 12th minute with Hutchinson scoring from close range off an assist from Haworth. But Glenbard West got the equalizer in the 13th minute when Roberts sent a pass to Johnson, who connected.
The visitors’ Simon and Shebar had good chances during the latter part of the first half, and Roberts had the same for the hosts.
"We came out here knowing that it would be a good game," Hernandez said. "We've fought through all of the adversity and we won regionals. We're basically like a huge family, and every day we're excited to come to practice."
Starting lineups
Wheaton North
G - Zoey Bohmer
D - Ella Kocher
D - Sara Chojnacki
D - Anna Roe
D - Abby Gosling
M - Maria Haworth
M - Claudia Kim
M - Olivia Moreno
M - Macy Hutchinson
F - Julia Simon
F - Kayla Shebar
Glenbard West
G - Sam Bleker
D - Ellie Tarczon
D - Maeve Repking
D - Jennifer Fox
D - Ellie Beaudoin
M - Megan Mullins
M - Emmie Roberts
M - Clare Kostolansky
M - Maggie McDonnell
F - Brianna Hernandez
F - Sophia Brown
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match:
Emmie Roberts, jr., MF, Glenbard West
Scoring summary
First half
GW - Brown (Roberts), 3
WN - Simon, 4
WN - Hutchinson (Haworth), 12
GW - Johnson (Roberts), 13
Second half
GW - Roberts (Kostolansky), 56
WN - Simon (Haworth), 68
PKs
GW- Roberts, Kostolansky, Hernandez
Hilltoppers win first regional in 20 years
By Curt Herron
GLEN ELLYN -- With nine of the 32 Class 3A regional titles being determined by one goal, many of those matches obviously featured some very interesting story lines.
But based on a significant achievement in the highest-scoring of those narrow victories, Saturday's regional championship between Wheaton North and host Glenbard West at Memorial Field has to rank among the best.
The teams battled short-handed rosters, 100 minutes of soccer in high-temperature heat and the stress of a shootout.
After the teams played to a 3-3 draw in regulation and then still hadn't determined a winner following two 10- minute overtimes, the Hilltoppers converted all three of their penalty kicks while keeper Sam Bleker thwarted all three that came her way.
The shootout gave Glenbard West its first regional championship in 20 years.
The victory sends the fourth-seeded Hilltoppers (11-5-0) to the sectional semifinals for the first time since 2001, when they also reached that level with a victory over the Falcons.
Coach Adam Szyszko's squad advances to the Bartlett Sectional, where they'll meet top-seeded St. Charles East (20-0-1) at the Fighting Saints' Norris Stadium on Tuesday for a 5 p.m. match.
Wheaton North (8-8-2) received two goals from Julia Simon, one goal from Macy Hutchinson and two assists from Maria Haworth. Glenbard West got a goal and two assists from Emmie Roberts, Sophia Brown and Gwen Johnson also scored goals and Clare Kostolansky added an assist.
Despite seeing his team fall a bit short of winning their first regional title since 2015, coach Tim McEvilly was proud of how hard his Falcons battled throughout the tough match.
"It was 100 minutes in 90 degree-plus heat on the turf with lots of kids going down with cramps and needing subs," McEvilly said. "But we knew coming in that this was an evenly-matched regional championship game. They had kids who could put the ball in the back of the net and we can score goals. So, neither team really panicked if they gave up a goal.They just found a way to tie or to pull ahead, and I was proud that our kids were able to do that.
"(Glenbard West has) been doing a good job of finding a greater level of consistency within their program throughout all of their levels, and they have girls who can be dangerous at times. As we talked about after the game, when you're playing in a 3A regional game in this part of the state, you know that you're playing a high-quality team. There are no free passes."
The Falcons coach was pleased with how well his team came together and gave it their all throughout this challenging season.
"We talked many times about trying to not make any single game bigger than the game itself, but it's difficult mentally when you've lost a season and can see that there's a finite amount of opportunities in front of you, it's hard to just go out and enjoy the day," McEvilly said. "But we were fortunate to have a group of young ladies that made this spring rewarding for us as a coaching staff. I think they did a great job of supporting each other.
"I ended up with 24 players on my roster for the tournament and every single one of them had to participate and give us something on the field throughout the spring because of injuries and illnesses and everything.
“Today was one of those days when we needed more subs. But all that you can hope for is: one, that they play as near to their potential as possible; and two, that they find enjoyment for themselves and with their teammates while they're doing that. And I think that we were able to do that throughout the year."
While excited about his program's big victory, Glenbard West’s coach was also impressed with the efforts that both sides turned in during the challenging match.
"In this area, you run into a regional final that could be a sectional game anywhere else in the state," Szyszko said. "This area is so competitive in 3A and the margins are so fine between a three-seed and a 10- or 11-seed. That makes for great play, and it makes it really hard to win regionals. I'm thrilled for our team and program that we could do it.
"Tim's squad has been battling injuries the last couple of weeks, but his kids played so hard. They got knocked down and went out and then came back in, so kudos to them since their effort was amazing.
"We talked to our group at the end of regulation about how we've been fighting adversity. We were missing two starters, but we have a next-player-up mentality. We had a couple of players who stepped in and played huge, like Maeve Repking and Sophia Brown. I'm just so proud of our efforts. It's been a special group. The atmosphere and environment that they've created is special, and it's been fun to come to practice every day."
In the penalties, the Hilltoppers got goals from Roberts, Kostolansky and Brianna Hernandez while Bleker stopped all three attempts that she faced. Due to an injury to starting keeper Zoey Bohmer just before regulation play ended, Wheaton North went with Olivia Iberle through the overtimes and Hannah Lang in the penalties.
"I knew that I would get a lot of shots so I was just hoping to save as many as I could," Bleker said. "For the past four years, I've been practicing my PKs and knowing which way they were going. Everyone put all of their effort on the field and all of the support on the sideline helped us to get through this game. Winning regionals means a lot to me."
Glenbard West threatened in the first overtime, but Iberle stopped a free kick from Kostolansky and an attempt from Megan Mullins. Then she made a stop on a good chance by Maggie McDonnell in the final overtime.
The squads scored two goals apiece in just over 12 minutes to start the match but that's how it remained at halftime. The sides exchanged goals just before the midway mark of the final half to conclude the scoring. However, both sides had several other good opportunities to add to their goal total.
In the final half, Simon, Hutchinson and Kayla Shebar all were denied on good chances before the Hilltoppers went up 3-2 in the 56th minute when Kostolansky sent a pass to Roberts, who connected from 15 yards. Roberts nearly gave the hosts a two-goal lead a bit later but her close-range effort bounced off the post.
The Falcons tied things at 3-3 in the 68th minute when Haworth sent a corner kick into the box, and Simon headed it in. They had several chances to move in front before regulation play ended. Simon and Grace Ryan were denied.
After Bohmer exited following a collision with Roberts, the hosts had one more chance but Iberle stopped a short try by Kostolansky.
Glenbard West started the scoring. Brown connected from in-close in the third minute on the first of many quality throw-ins by Roberts.
Wheaton North responded quickly when Simon scored from in front of the net in the fourth minute.
Wheaton North went up 2-1 in the 12th minute with Hutchinson scoring from close range off an assist from Haworth. But Glenbard West got the equalizer in the 13th minute when Roberts sent a pass to Johnson, who connected.
The visitors’ Simon and Shebar had good chances during the latter part of the first half, and Roberts had the same for the hosts.
"We came out here knowing that it would be a good game," Hernandez said. "We've fought through all of the adversity and we won regionals. We're basically like a huge family, and every day we're excited to come to practice."
Starting lineups
Wheaton North
G - Zoey Bohmer
D - Ella Kocher
D - Sara Chojnacki
D - Anna Roe
D - Abby Gosling
M - Maria Haworth
M - Claudia Kim
M - Olivia Moreno
M - Macy Hutchinson
F - Julia Simon
F - Kayla Shebar
Glenbard West
G - Sam Bleker
D - Ellie Tarczon
D - Maeve Repking
D - Jennifer Fox
D - Ellie Beaudoin
M - Megan Mullins
M - Emmie Roberts
M - Clare Kostolansky
M - Maggie McDonnell
F - Brianna Hernandez
F - Sophia Brown
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match:
Emmie Roberts, jr., MF, Glenbard West
Scoring summary
First half
GW - Brown (Roberts), 3
WN - Simon, 4
WN - Hutchinson (Haworth), 12
GW - Johnson (Roberts), 13
Second half
GW - Roberts (Kostolansky), 56
WN - Simon (Haworth), 68
PKs
GW- Roberts, Kostolansky, Hernandez