Burling powers Waubonsie Valley
over Plainfield North for Classic title
Scores 2 goals, adds assist in Warriors’ 4-1 victory
By Patrick Z. McGavin
PLAINFIELD -- Illinois' junior class is an exceptional one with Emma Weaver, Tina Teik, Hannah Martin, Malori Killoren and Camaron Niforos all casting off a special star quality.
Megan Burling belongs in the conversation regarding her class. She has made a sensational debut in her first year of high school soccer. Burling is the proverbial bow fired across the deck, a blazing and incandescent talent who plays with a passion and intensity of purpose.
“Describing my style I would say I am a very aggressive and forward-minded player,” Burling said. “I am trying to always look forward to the next pass and push the ball every chance we get.
“My attitude has always been, if you can get a shot on goal, take it.”
Burling continued to showcase her breathtaking abilities and all-around game by scoring two goals and adding an assist as Waubonsie Valley, then ranked 20th in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, defeated host Plainfield North 4-1 in the championship of the Plainfield Classic on Saturday.
Burning has already had seven two-goal games. She has scored in eight of the Warriors’ first 10 games. For her accomplishments, Megan Burling earned the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match distinction.
She scored her 14th and 15th goals of the year. She was a one-player wrecking crew in the five-game series of the Plainfield Classic. She had eight goals in those games. She also had two goal games against Oswego East, Minooka and York.
Only West Aurora shut her out in the Waubonsie Valley's 2-1 semifinal victory in the afternoon at Plainfield East.
Her natural instincts have always been as an attacking player, even her time in club where she played an outside back.
“I was a forward my whole life when I was younger,” she said. “When I made the transition to outside back with club, it was more of an attacking outside back. I’d be up and down the field serving balls and stuff. Even though I was more on the defensive side, I had an attacking role.”
Back at forward, Burling generated tremendous pressure against the Tigers’ backline right from the jump. It paid off the 10th minute. Junior Grace Setter, a gifted and versatile midfielder, worked the ball down the left flank and served a cross. Burling adeptly got to the ball just before Plainfield North keeper Ashley Clark could attempt her clearance.
“Grace made a great run. I was in a great position, and she played a great ball,” Burling said. “It was right at my feet, and I could only thank her for that.”
Setter creates a formidable presence in her own right. A starting center in basketball, she uses her 6-foot frame in a counterintuitive, devastating fashion, a prime target with length and agility. Her size counterpoints Burling’s speed, creativity and explosiveness.
“I have played outside most of my life, but this year I have stepped into the role of more of an attacking midfielder,” Setter said. “It has been good to get to know the position more, especially as the season moves on. Playing with Megan helps a lot, and I am able to connect with her.”
Waubonsie Valley (8-1-1) took control with three first half goals. Keeper Clark was a standout for Plainfield North. She made several highlight-worthy stops, including a spectacular dive that prevented a goal by CoCo Casey in the 14th minute. She also made a great denial off a volley scissors kick by Burling later in the first half.
Clark put the Tigers into the title game with a nifty 3-0 shutout of Naperville Central in the semifinal. She missed the first six games of the season recovering from a broken hand and ankle injuries.
“I feel like when she came back we turned the corner,” Plainfield North coach Steve Berry said. “Our first six games we played with a field player at keeper. Ashley is still coming back, maybe at about 70 percent and getting her timing and rhythm back. This is a step in the right direction.”
The Tigers’ youth-laden team is adjusting on the run. Plainfield North absorbed the early Waubonsie Valley pressure and created some decent scoring chances. Sophomore forward Allie Kroll continues to impress. Another sophomore, midfielder Marissa Richmond, created some deep runs. Lauryn Tillmon, a junior forward, was a spark off the bench. Her speed and elusiveness in space created some credible shots for the Tigers.
“Not to take anything away from Waubonsie, because they were solid and they deserved to win, but we had a couple of mistakes early on, and you could just see us get deflated,” Berry said. “We had the mentality of having to play against a quality team and chase the game a little bit. It felt hard.
“We felt deflated, and we could not put it together.”
Waubonsie Valley made the Tigers pay for their mistakes. In the 15th minute, operating off a short corner, sophomore midfielder Jillian Macaluso cut against the grain and lofted a sharp left-footed ball at an impossible angle from about 19 yards that eluded the reach of Clark for the 2-0 Waubonsie Valley lead.
The Warriors effectively put the game out of reach in the 27th minute as Burling and Setter again worked their devastating combination. This time they reversed roles. Burling headed a ball over the top in space that Setter controlled before she nailed a left-footed blast from about 16 yards inside the far post for the 3-0 lead.
Setter has six goals and seven assists. Macaluso, who scored against West Aurora in the semifinal victory, has two goals. Casey and sophomore midfielder Roxy Zieba, who scored the game-winner against West Aurora, also displayed savvy and talent.
Burling and Setter played together growing up as well.
“I think when we start off really aggressive and forward-thinking and start to make our runs, we really open up the space,” Burling said. “Our midfield is able to attack from the middle, and it opens up a lot of channels to help us put the ball on frame.”
The Warriors are likely to become even more dangerous as Burling becomes accustomed to the talents of her teammates.
“It helps knowing the players around you, like Grace, but I think from the beginning of the season until now, it is going to be easier to get more assists because we know where everyone is running,” she said.
Burling put the finishing touches on her performance with her second goal in the 60th minute.
Plainfield North (7-5-1) played hard and aggressively throughout. Some injuries and a shortened depth wore them out. Senior defender Makenna Woodill achieved a measure of respect with a beautiful goal from the left wing in the 72nd minute off a free kick to avert the shutout.
Looking at the complete picture, Berry was pleased at his team’s performance in the five-game run.
“In the second half I thought we came out and did some quality things,” he said. “We just could not put enough together to crack one. After that we just started rotating people a lot, because we wanted to make sure we are healthy. We are just trying to stay afloat until we get everyone back.”
Sophomore forward Jessie Gruben was another bright spot. Her ability to penetrate and drive created some intriguing scenarios for the Tigers to explore in their coming games. Berry said the team is focused on its perfect conference start of 4-0-0 and moving on from there.
“We can play with anybody,” he said. “We have little pieces that we will continue to clean up. We have not been able to put all of our best players on the field together at the same time. Our soccer is getting better, and I like to see that.
“Our competitive nature is getting better. Even losing a game like this, we are going to bounce back this week and come out and compete again.”
Starting lineups
Waubonsie Valley
GK: Nicole Kleronomos
D: Brooke Mathews
D: Alexa Quaranta
D: Jessica Wallace
D: Mollie Valek
MF: CoCo Casey
MF: Jillian Macaluso
MF: Grace Setter
MF: Jessica Keeley
F: Roxy Zieba
F: Megan Burling
Plainfield North
GK: Ashley Clark
D: Claudia Baginski
D: Makenna Woodill
D: Payton Strausberger
D: Sophie Adzia
MF: Marissa Richmond
MF: Madi Buck
MF: Ann-Marie Krusiewicz
F: Lindsey Dusatko
F: Allie Kroll
F: Jessie Gruben
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Megan Burling, jr., F, Waubonsie Valley
Scoring summary
First half
Waubonsie Valley—Megan Burling (Grace Setter), 10th minute
Waubonsie Valley—Jillian Macaluso (unassisted), 15th minute
Waubonsie Valley—Setter (Burling), 27th minute
Second half
Waubonsie Valley—Burling (Roxy Zieba), 60th minute
Plainfield North—Makenna Woodill (free kick), 72nd minute
over Plainfield North for Classic title
Scores 2 goals, adds assist in Warriors’ 4-1 victory
By Patrick Z. McGavin
PLAINFIELD -- Illinois' junior class is an exceptional one with Emma Weaver, Tina Teik, Hannah Martin, Malori Killoren and Camaron Niforos all casting off a special star quality.
Megan Burling belongs in the conversation regarding her class. She has made a sensational debut in her first year of high school soccer. Burling is the proverbial bow fired across the deck, a blazing and incandescent talent who plays with a passion and intensity of purpose.
“Describing my style I would say I am a very aggressive and forward-minded player,” Burling said. “I am trying to always look forward to the next pass and push the ball every chance we get.
“My attitude has always been, if you can get a shot on goal, take it.”
Burling continued to showcase her breathtaking abilities and all-around game by scoring two goals and adding an assist as Waubonsie Valley, then ranked 20th in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, defeated host Plainfield North 4-1 in the championship of the Plainfield Classic on Saturday.
Burning has already had seven two-goal games. She has scored in eight of the Warriors’ first 10 games. For her accomplishments, Megan Burling earned the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match distinction.
She scored her 14th and 15th goals of the year. She was a one-player wrecking crew in the five-game series of the Plainfield Classic. She had eight goals in those games. She also had two goal games against Oswego East, Minooka and York.
Only West Aurora shut her out in the Waubonsie Valley's 2-1 semifinal victory in the afternoon at Plainfield East.
Her natural instincts have always been as an attacking player, even her time in club where she played an outside back.
“I was a forward my whole life when I was younger,” she said. “When I made the transition to outside back with club, it was more of an attacking outside back. I’d be up and down the field serving balls and stuff. Even though I was more on the defensive side, I had an attacking role.”
Back at forward, Burling generated tremendous pressure against the Tigers’ backline right from the jump. It paid off the 10th minute. Junior Grace Setter, a gifted and versatile midfielder, worked the ball down the left flank and served a cross. Burling adeptly got to the ball just before Plainfield North keeper Ashley Clark could attempt her clearance.
“Grace made a great run. I was in a great position, and she played a great ball,” Burling said. “It was right at my feet, and I could only thank her for that.”
Setter creates a formidable presence in her own right. A starting center in basketball, she uses her 6-foot frame in a counterintuitive, devastating fashion, a prime target with length and agility. Her size counterpoints Burling’s speed, creativity and explosiveness.
“I have played outside most of my life, but this year I have stepped into the role of more of an attacking midfielder,” Setter said. “It has been good to get to know the position more, especially as the season moves on. Playing with Megan helps a lot, and I am able to connect with her.”
Waubonsie Valley (8-1-1) took control with three first half goals. Keeper Clark was a standout for Plainfield North. She made several highlight-worthy stops, including a spectacular dive that prevented a goal by CoCo Casey in the 14th minute. She also made a great denial off a volley scissors kick by Burling later in the first half.
Clark put the Tigers into the title game with a nifty 3-0 shutout of Naperville Central in the semifinal. She missed the first six games of the season recovering from a broken hand and ankle injuries.
“I feel like when she came back we turned the corner,” Plainfield North coach Steve Berry said. “Our first six games we played with a field player at keeper. Ashley is still coming back, maybe at about 70 percent and getting her timing and rhythm back. This is a step in the right direction.”
The Tigers’ youth-laden team is adjusting on the run. Plainfield North absorbed the early Waubonsie Valley pressure and created some decent scoring chances. Sophomore forward Allie Kroll continues to impress. Another sophomore, midfielder Marissa Richmond, created some deep runs. Lauryn Tillmon, a junior forward, was a spark off the bench. Her speed and elusiveness in space created some credible shots for the Tigers.
“Not to take anything away from Waubonsie, because they were solid and they deserved to win, but we had a couple of mistakes early on, and you could just see us get deflated,” Berry said. “We had the mentality of having to play against a quality team and chase the game a little bit. It felt hard.
“We felt deflated, and we could not put it together.”
Waubonsie Valley made the Tigers pay for their mistakes. In the 15th minute, operating off a short corner, sophomore midfielder Jillian Macaluso cut against the grain and lofted a sharp left-footed ball at an impossible angle from about 19 yards that eluded the reach of Clark for the 2-0 Waubonsie Valley lead.
The Warriors effectively put the game out of reach in the 27th minute as Burling and Setter again worked their devastating combination. This time they reversed roles. Burling headed a ball over the top in space that Setter controlled before she nailed a left-footed blast from about 16 yards inside the far post for the 3-0 lead.
Setter has six goals and seven assists. Macaluso, who scored against West Aurora in the semifinal victory, has two goals. Casey and sophomore midfielder Roxy Zieba, who scored the game-winner against West Aurora, also displayed savvy and talent.
Burling and Setter played together growing up as well.
“I think when we start off really aggressive and forward-thinking and start to make our runs, we really open up the space,” Burling said. “Our midfield is able to attack from the middle, and it opens up a lot of channels to help us put the ball on frame.”
The Warriors are likely to become even more dangerous as Burling becomes accustomed to the talents of her teammates.
“It helps knowing the players around you, like Grace, but I think from the beginning of the season until now, it is going to be easier to get more assists because we know where everyone is running,” she said.
Burling put the finishing touches on her performance with her second goal in the 60th minute.
Plainfield North (7-5-1) played hard and aggressively throughout. Some injuries and a shortened depth wore them out. Senior defender Makenna Woodill achieved a measure of respect with a beautiful goal from the left wing in the 72nd minute off a free kick to avert the shutout.
Looking at the complete picture, Berry was pleased at his team’s performance in the five-game run.
“In the second half I thought we came out and did some quality things,” he said. “We just could not put enough together to crack one. After that we just started rotating people a lot, because we wanted to make sure we are healthy. We are just trying to stay afloat until we get everyone back.”
Sophomore forward Jessie Gruben was another bright spot. Her ability to penetrate and drive created some intriguing scenarios for the Tigers to explore in their coming games. Berry said the team is focused on its perfect conference start of 4-0-0 and moving on from there.
“We can play with anybody,” he said. “We have little pieces that we will continue to clean up. We have not been able to put all of our best players on the field together at the same time. Our soccer is getting better, and I like to see that.
“Our competitive nature is getting better. Even losing a game like this, we are going to bounce back this week and come out and compete again.”
Starting lineups
Waubonsie Valley
GK: Nicole Kleronomos
D: Brooke Mathews
D: Alexa Quaranta
D: Jessica Wallace
D: Mollie Valek
MF: CoCo Casey
MF: Jillian Macaluso
MF: Grace Setter
MF: Jessica Keeley
F: Roxy Zieba
F: Megan Burling
Plainfield North
GK: Ashley Clark
D: Claudia Baginski
D: Makenna Woodill
D: Payton Strausberger
D: Sophie Adzia
MF: Marissa Richmond
MF: Madi Buck
MF: Ann-Marie Krusiewicz
F: Lindsey Dusatko
F: Allie Kroll
F: Jessie Gruben
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Megan Burling, jr., F, Waubonsie Valley
Scoring summary
First half
Waubonsie Valley—Megan Burling (Grace Setter), 10th minute
Waubonsie Valley—Jillian Macaluso (unassisted), 15th minute
Waubonsie Valley—Setter (Burling), 27th minute
Second half
Waubonsie Valley—Burling (Roxy Zieba), 60th minute
Plainfield North—Makenna Woodill (free kick), 72nd minute