North Shore Country Day claims
special win against Woodlands
On Senior Day, Golson helps Raiders collect 2-1 lSL win
By Patrick Z. McGavin
WINNETKA -- The sample size is too small, and the statistical possibilities tend toward the coincidental rather than the scientific.
Even so, Lila Golson has had some of her best games against Woodlands.
“I scored my only goal against them last year,” she said.
A forward at North Shore Country Day, Golson took part in a special Senior Day celebration before the renewal of the rivalry between the two schools.
Her grit, sacrifice and toughness underscore her camaraderie and special friendships with the Raiders.
“It has been a nice four years, and it is really sad that this is our last one here,” Golson said.
“I’m going to miss it dearly. Today was just nice to be able to connect as a team, and see our hard work pay off like this.”
Golson managed her own version of “deja vu,” with her first goal of the season coming again against the Wildcats.
Her 56th-minute score helped stave off a Woodlands rally as the Raiders captured the 2-1 victory in Independent School League play Monday at Skokie Playfields.
North Shore Country Day (2-5-1, 2-4-0) had many reasons to celebrate after playing with focus and intensity throughout a first half that produced chances without scoring.
The Raiders found their stride and their purpose in the second half.
“I think we had quite a few shots in the opening minutes on target, which was nice to see,” junior forward Suraiyya Omar said.
“I took a lot of shots, and they were not going in.”
Meanwhile, senior keeper Peyton Hudson, who finished with seven saves, made a spectacular stop of a breakaway by Woodlands’ speedy forward Lexie Webb in the 22nd minute.
Hudson also stopped a strong ball by Delia Hernandez which maintained the scoreless first half.
Omar created opportunities at the top of the attack for North Shore Country Day. Midfielder Ellie Stevenson had several intriguing free kicks.
Defensively, center backs Lexi Jackson and Alma Fitzgerald had their hands full with the Wildcats’ elite midfielder Maddie Montez.
A top, club player at FC United, Montez created a near constant state of pressure off the dribble.
Her size and athleticism was a cut above. The Raiders had to cut off her angles and stop her attack.
That was easier said than done.
“This is definitely a different environment for me given that I play club,” Montez said.
“Usually I play more on the wing, and I’m the one making runs into the box or making more direct crosses into the middle.”
The Wildcats (2-5-1, 1-4-0) needed her shot creation off the bounce. She sent several dangerous crosses and through-balls into the box that put Hudson on notice.
At the start of the second half, North Shore Country Day finally made the necessary collection pay off.
Taylor Vallas caught a deflection outside the top of the Wildcats’ box, and slotted a ball to her right that Omar stepped into with authority.
“We were connecting in the front,” Omar said. “Finally, we passed it back, and I took a touch, and got it into the right corner with my left foot.”
Her goal from 14 yards put the Raiders up in the 46th minute.
“They were a good team, and it was really fun to play in a game like this,” Vallas said.
“There’s a nice competitive edge between us, two small private schools, and having a great Senior Day today.”
Teams are often at their most susceptible immediately after scoring.
Sure enough, Montez nearly created the equalizer seconds later.
Using her jet speed, she took advantage of several seams in the Raiders’ middle.
Weaving through the pack, she sent a laser from about 19 yards with her left foot.
Hudson did a great job of reacting, and blocked the game-tying attempt with her body.
The Raiders not only breathed a sigh of relief. North Shore Country Day realized it had to counter.
Moments later, Golson made her chance count. Riding off the pressure in the Wildcats’ back, she suddenly found herself holding the ball just yards away from an open net.
“Some of my shots don’t really go to the goal, so I was worried it was wide open, and I was going to miss,” Golson said.
“It was a spur of the moment, and I was trying to stay calm.”
Her one-touch from six yards put the Raiders up 2-0 in the 56th minute.
“I played my part, and retired for the day,” she said.
Golson has been dealing with the complications of a residual injury since the end of her sophomore year.
She has to take treatment during the game, and wears a protective wrap on her right thigh.
Her insurance goal lived up to its meaning after Montez finally got free and blasted home a left-footed ball from about 16 yards inside the far post in the 61st minute.
“Typically, I like to do a little less individual work,” Montez said. “It has been a little more difficult to utilize other players, because they have less experience on how to make runs or receive balls.
“It has put me in a position to expand my footwork.”
Montez was dangerous until the very end, necessitating double teams and group actions to slow her down.
“I’m really impressed with my team,” Montez said. “It’s great to see them putting in a full effort, and really go for it the best they can.”
The committee approach proved effective. Hudson also stepped up with a couple of strong plays inside the box.
For her toughness and resilience, Golson was the choice for Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match honors.
The Senior Day flowers, balloons and pictures spoke to the moment of happiness and celebration.
The day was one of looking backward and moving forward.
In a game where every player was needed, the Raiders stepped up.
“It was great to be part of that ride,” Golson said. “Knowing that I contributed something meaningful is very exciting.”
Starting lineups
Woodlands
GK: Regan Stewart
D: Avery Drehkoff
D: Greer Talty
D: Isabel Rettino
MF: Lily Hinojosa
MF: Diana Santoyo
MF: Maddie Montez
MF: Sonya Castellanos
MF: RC David
F: Delia Hernandez
F: Kaley Meister
North Shore Country Day
GK: Peyton Hudson
D: Antonio Lopes
D: Lexi Jackson
D: Alma Fitzgerald
D: Taylor Vallas
MF: Kendall Vallas
MF: Lindsey Glew
MF: Ellie Stevenson
MF: Bella Flemma
F: Suraiyya Omar
F: Lila Golson
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Lila Golson, sr., F, North Shore Country Day
Scoring summary
First half
No scoring
Second half
NSCD: Suraiyya Omar (Taylor Vallas), 46th minute
NSCD: Lila Golson (Bella Flemma), 56th minute
Woodlands: Maddie Montez (unassisted), 61st minute
special win against Woodlands
On Senior Day, Golson helps Raiders collect 2-1 lSL win
By Patrick Z. McGavin
WINNETKA -- The sample size is too small, and the statistical possibilities tend toward the coincidental rather than the scientific.
Even so, Lila Golson has had some of her best games against Woodlands.
“I scored my only goal against them last year,” she said.
A forward at North Shore Country Day, Golson took part in a special Senior Day celebration before the renewal of the rivalry between the two schools.
Her grit, sacrifice and toughness underscore her camaraderie and special friendships with the Raiders.
“It has been a nice four years, and it is really sad that this is our last one here,” Golson said.
“I’m going to miss it dearly. Today was just nice to be able to connect as a team, and see our hard work pay off like this.”
Golson managed her own version of “deja vu,” with her first goal of the season coming again against the Wildcats.
Her 56th-minute score helped stave off a Woodlands rally as the Raiders captured the 2-1 victory in Independent School League play Monday at Skokie Playfields.
North Shore Country Day (2-5-1, 2-4-0) had many reasons to celebrate after playing with focus and intensity throughout a first half that produced chances without scoring.
The Raiders found their stride and their purpose in the second half.
“I think we had quite a few shots in the opening minutes on target, which was nice to see,” junior forward Suraiyya Omar said.
“I took a lot of shots, and they were not going in.”
Meanwhile, senior keeper Peyton Hudson, who finished with seven saves, made a spectacular stop of a breakaway by Woodlands’ speedy forward Lexie Webb in the 22nd minute.
Hudson also stopped a strong ball by Delia Hernandez which maintained the scoreless first half.
Omar created opportunities at the top of the attack for North Shore Country Day. Midfielder Ellie Stevenson had several intriguing free kicks.
Defensively, center backs Lexi Jackson and Alma Fitzgerald had their hands full with the Wildcats’ elite midfielder Maddie Montez.
A top, club player at FC United, Montez created a near constant state of pressure off the dribble.
Her size and athleticism was a cut above. The Raiders had to cut off her angles and stop her attack.
That was easier said than done.
“This is definitely a different environment for me given that I play club,” Montez said.
“Usually I play more on the wing, and I’m the one making runs into the box or making more direct crosses into the middle.”
The Wildcats (2-5-1, 1-4-0) needed her shot creation off the bounce. She sent several dangerous crosses and through-balls into the box that put Hudson on notice.
At the start of the second half, North Shore Country Day finally made the necessary collection pay off.
Taylor Vallas caught a deflection outside the top of the Wildcats’ box, and slotted a ball to her right that Omar stepped into with authority.
“We were connecting in the front,” Omar said. “Finally, we passed it back, and I took a touch, and got it into the right corner with my left foot.”
Her goal from 14 yards put the Raiders up in the 46th minute.
“They were a good team, and it was really fun to play in a game like this,” Vallas said.
“There’s a nice competitive edge between us, two small private schools, and having a great Senior Day today.”
Teams are often at their most susceptible immediately after scoring.
Sure enough, Montez nearly created the equalizer seconds later.
Using her jet speed, she took advantage of several seams in the Raiders’ middle.
Weaving through the pack, she sent a laser from about 19 yards with her left foot.
Hudson did a great job of reacting, and blocked the game-tying attempt with her body.
The Raiders not only breathed a sigh of relief. North Shore Country Day realized it had to counter.
Moments later, Golson made her chance count. Riding off the pressure in the Wildcats’ back, she suddenly found herself holding the ball just yards away from an open net.
“Some of my shots don’t really go to the goal, so I was worried it was wide open, and I was going to miss,” Golson said.
“It was a spur of the moment, and I was trying to stay calm.”
Her one-touch from six yards put the Raiders up 2-0 in the 56th minute.
“I played my part, and retired for the day,” she said.
Golson has been dealing with the complications of a residual injury since the end of her sophomore year.
She has to take treatment during the game, and wears a protective wrap on her right thigh.
Her insurance goal lived up to its meaning after Montez finally got free and blasted home a left-footed ball from about 16 yards inside the far post in the 61st minute.
“Typically, I like to do a little less individual work,” Montez said. “It has been a little more difficult to utilize other players, because they have less experience on how to make runs or receive balls.
“It has put me in a position to expand my footwork.”
Montez was dangerous until the very end, necessitating double teams and group actions to slow her down.
“I’m really impressed with my team,” Montez said. “It’s great to see them putting in a full effort, and really go for it the best they can.”
The committee approach proved effective. Hudson also stepped up with a couple of strong plays inside the box.
For her toughness and resilience, Golson was the choice for Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match honors.
The Senior Day flowers, balloons and pictures spoke to the moment of happiness and celebration.
The day was one of looking backward and moving forward.
In a game where every player was needed, the Raiders stepped up.
“It was great to be part of that ride,” Golson said. “Knowing that I contributed something meaningful is very exciting.”
Starting lineups
Woodlands
GK: Regan Stewart
D: Avery Drehkoff
D: Greer Talty
D: Isabel Rettino
MF: Lily Hinojosa
MF: Diana Santoyo
MF: Maddie Montez
MF: Sonya Castellanos
MF: RC David
F: Delia Hernandez
F: Kaley Meister
North Shore Country Day
GK: Peyton Hudson
D: Antonio Lopes
D: Lexi Jackson
D: Alma Fitzgerald
D: Taylor Vallas
MF: Kendall Vallas
MF: Lindsey Glew
MF: Ellie Stevenson
MF: Bella Flemma
F: Suraiyya Omar
F: Lila Golson
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Lila Golson, sr., F, North Shore Country Day
Scoring summary
First half
No scoring
Second half
NSCD: Suraiyya Omar (Taylor Vallas), 46th minute
NSCD: Lila Golson (Bella Flemma), 56th minute
Woodlands: Maddie Montez (unassisted), 61st minute