Goals are 'Gone With the Wind' in Hinsdale Central, Wheaton Warrenville South draw
Each team earns 1st shutout since opening game
By Dave Owen
HINSDALE – The 40-mile-per-hour wind out of the northwest was the only winner when Wheaton Warrenville South and Hinsdale Central faced off Thursday.
With the steady gusts stifling much of the play, the two sides battled to a 0-0 tie.
“The wind obviously was really tough,” Hinsdale Central junior Carter Knotts said, “especially through-balls across the field. But I thought we really persevered through it. Obviously not the result we hoped for, but better than a loss.”
The game marked another step forward for Knotts after being slowed until recently by a toe injury, and for a Red Devils’ defense that has allowed just two goals in its last three games.
“It's hard to shut out a team like Wheaton Warrenville South,” Hinsdale Central coach Tony Madonia said. “They're traditionally a tough program, well-coached. I respect coach (Guy) Callipari a heck of a lot.
“So, to not allow a team like that to score on us...and we hadn't had a shutout since our first game, so it was great to see. And we started to get some solid opportunities to score too.”
Like Hinsdale Central (3-4-1), Wheaton Warrenville South (2-3-2) notched its first shutout since its season opener.
“I thought we did really well defending,” Tigers senior Meghan Economos said. “We didn't get as many shots off as we could have, but I thought the ones we did were pretty good.
“I think moving forward we have to work on building through the middle and sharpening up our passes.”
That troublesome wind made sharp passes a fantasy Thursday. And set pieces? A Tigers’ corner kick with the crosswind in the 19th minute pretty much summed it up: the gust took the ball across the field and out of bounds 25 yards from the net.
“The wind definitely was a factor,” Economos said. “You saw some of the corners definitely held back or take off, and you couldn't play balls in the air which was tough. But I thought we adjusted pretty well in the second half at least and played a little better.”
The opening 40 minutes took some adjustment, especially for the Wheaton Warrenville South, which played essentially into the angling gusts. But Tigers standout defender Mallory Cadagin said she was at least somewhat ready for the wind tunnel.
“On Tuesday we played a game with about the same wind,” Cadagin said, “so coming off of that we were a little used to it. But you mainly try to play balls on the ground. If you play it in the air, it's not going to go far.”
Hinsdale Central’s offense would show good signs both early and late in the match.
Cate McDonnell and Ava Elliott had one-hop shots on goal over a 70-second span starting in the 13th minute. A Red Devils corner kick with the wind in the 21st minute was then deflected just wide of the back post, and another quality chance in the 38th minute resulted in an Avery Edgewater 18-yard shot saved by Wheaton Warrenville South goalkeeper Mare Dixon.
“Hinsdale is going to be well-coached; they're going to maintain a rhythm to their game and attack with numbers,” Callipari said. “That's what you need to be prepared to play against later in the season when things count more.
“You can't get complacent. They're very good at transition and switch the attack well. It was a great lesson for us.”
Knotts’ crisp passes and midfield runs were a big catalyst for the Hinsdale Central chances.
“I think we've gotten a lot better connecting,” she said, “and have more of a feel for each other’s games. That's really helped us to grow as a team and also play better on the field.”
Her efforts earned her a share of MVP of the Match honors with Wheaton Warrenville South’s Cadagin.
“I'm coming off an injury,” Knotts said, “so this is one of the games I started to feel back to my regular self. Especially connecting with my teammates in a way that I haven't yet this season. That was it for me, getting back in the groove.”
Wheaton Warrenville South’s defense was in a good groove itself much of the day en route to its first shutout since its March 16 date vs. Waubonsie Valley.
“Playing with (fellow defenders) Carrie (Harvey), Ella McClatchey and Liv (Vassios) and then having Mare behind me, they give me the support I need,” Cadagin said. “I'll try to win it, but if (the ball) gets past me I have other players who can cover for me. I know I can rely on my teammates. In my mind it's win the ball first and try to get it up the field.”
The Tigers managed some good upfield attacks in the first half. In the 23rd minute, a throw-in led to an Economos right-side shot grabbed by Red Devils first half goalkeeper Rania Arain at the right post.
The best Wheaton Warrenville South chance of the half came in the 35th minute. After an end-line cross from Mia Taullahu, Ella Byrnes sent an 8-yard shot from in front just wide right.
But lest the wind be ignored, a 32-yard free kick in the 31st minute took care of that notion. The ball stalled at the 18 and careened out on the side.
Dixon was the only keeper to play both halves, and summed up her perceptions of the wind factor.
“I'd say the first half was tougher considering you also had the sun in your eyes on corner kicks,” she said. “It's a little more difficult seeing the ball. But both sides (going north or south) you have to adjust (to the wind).
“You have to adjust to everything. But with the defensive line we have everyone works together, and it really helps.”
That Tigers unit would be tested again in the second half, Second half Hinsdale Central goalkeeper Sydney Pjesky and her defense would also face increased pressure.
Economos battled to the end line on an attack two minutes into the half before having her shot blocked. Then with 34:45 left to play, a Vassios throw-in led to a Lauren Barnett 6-yard header off the side of the net.
“Just good 1-v-1 defending, staying in front of the ball, not trying to do anything fancy,” Madonia said of his defense’s approach. “We blocked a lot of shots. We had a lot of good tackles and we didn't jump in too much. Just the simple fundamentals of defending, we nailed.
“We've been talking a lot about making defending our thing. We're not going to score a lot of goals, so we have to defend well. I was really proud of our goalies and back four, and our center mids getting back to help.”
Goalkeeper Pjesky faced her first tests with a Petrie shot on goal with 33:15 left and a Vassios throw-in from 20 yards that she covered in the box.
But her best play came with 22:30 to go. Economos made a left-side run and crossed in front to Byrnes, whose point-blank shot was denied on a Pjesky kick save at the post.
“I definitely feel we were close (to scoring),” Economos said, “but some days they (shots) don't fall. And today was that day for us.”
Pjesky followed with a save on Economos’ low 22-yard liner with 19:20 left.
To her, coming in halfway through the game and facing pressure was no sweat.
“You watch the first half and you pick out the (Tigers) players and who you want to watch,” Pjesky said. “And my defense always does such a great job of blocking shots. They (the Tigers) had a few other really good shots that were blocked before they got to me. So, I think knowing I have such a strong defense in front of me, coming in I have complete trust in them, and I'm ready to go.
“The wind was definitely an adjustment for punts and distribution, but I trust my defense and midfield so even if the wind would jack up the ball a little bit, I knew they would get there and control it. I really wasn't worried.”
The senior tandem of Pjesky and Arain has generally split time in net all spring.
“I played against OPRF Tuesday (a 1-0 Red Devils loss to Oak Park and River Forest),” Pjesky said, “but it’s kind of been half and half all year.”
On the Wheaton Warrenville South side, Callipari was pleased with both the increased offense and a hang-tough defense.
“When we were able to switch the point of attack,” he said, “we were able to break them down and get to the next layer, get some people in and get some good looks. We put them under some pressure. And the backline did a great job, because we wanted to take some risks and get numbers forward.
“That left us a little susceptible in the back, but we did a nice job closing the gap on transition. They have some big girls and some threats up-front who made it interesting, but we were really organized in the back. Can't ask for more than that.”
The Tigers defense had to endure several Hinsdale Central quality chances.
With 29:50 left to play, a Maddy Panveno corner kick was caught at the near post by Dixon. Then over a three-minute stretch later in the half, the Red Devils did all they could to break the scoreless tie.
At 15:10 left, a Knotts corner kick pinballed around near the right post before McDonnell lined an 8-yard one-timer just over the net.
Another Knotts corner was repelled by the Tigers at 13:55. Then with 12:45 on the clock, Hannah Pjesky’s nice cross to the front was headed just over the crossbar by Delaney Marringa.
The near goal was part of a strong all-around performance off the bench by Marringa.
“If I had to pick out a couple players who turned the corner today. I think Delaney is one,” Madonia said. “She's really been working to develop that killer instinct, and I thought she played really well today. And Carter, Hannah … but it's hard to name just a few that played well.”
After Marringa’s header bid, the next decent scoring chance came with 3:40 to go when a Red Devil throw-in produced a Panveno 18-yard one-hop shot saved by Dixon.
“The wind started to die down in the middle (of the second half),” Knotts said, “then picked up again towards the end. But with energy and emotions, we were putting them under pressure, not allowing them to get out (of their end) as well and hoping to get a result off of one of their mistakes.”
A foul with 15 seconds left provided one last ditch chance for the Red Devils on a 55-yard Sidney Turnbull free kick. But Harvey’s win of the send and clear put a lid on the wind-blown dual shutout.
Neither side seemed too disappointed.
For the Tigers, the tie builds on recent strong performances against ninth-ranked St. Charles North (1-0 loss), Fenwick (2-1 win) and no. 6 Metea Valley (2-0 setback).
“I think we're in a good place,” Economos said. “We have the potential. We have to start scoring more goals, but once we get the goals, I think we'll be good. We're defending really well and our keepers Mare and Caroline (Spayth) have been doing really well making some big time saves.”
Said Dixon: “I feel like it's good. We're definitely improving. We're working well together. We definitely need to start building up more in the middle and getting more shots, but we're getting better at working together and talking more.”
The game was even bigger for Hinsdale Central. After going 3-0-1 over their first four games, four-straight losses followed (the last three by one goal each).
“I think right now it's frustrating because we haven't been getting the results we wanted,” Sydney Pjesky said. “But I see a lot of improvement in the midfield and final third. We're so close I can taste it. We're there.”
Said Madonia: “We're right there, and the girls are showing progression.”
The Red Devils hope to ride the momentum of Thursday into an emotional next game, Tuesday vs. top rival and currently third-ranked Lyons (7-0-0), the defending Class 3A runnerup.
“We really respect LT,” Knotts said. “They have a great team and have done really well the last few years. But we really held up against this team, and if we continue to play the way we're playing and keep up the energy and the pace, I really think we can give them (the Lions) a good game.”
Wheaton Warrenville South has its own big week coming up against DuKane Conference foes: 10th-ranked St. Charles East (Tuesday) and no. 24 Batavia (Thursday).
“It's just frustrating that the final piece (scoring) isn't hitting with any regularity,” Callipari said. “But glass half full, it's a nice clean-sheet against a very organized team and were trying to get ready for a few conference games. Now we take the weekend off to get body and mind prepared for next week.”
Starting lineups
Wheaton Warrenville South
GK Marilyn Dixon
D Olivia Vassios
D Mallory Cadagin
D Lily Petrie
D Ella McClatchey
M Lauren Barnett
M Kate Grunland
M Ashlyn Adams
M Carrie Harvey
F Mia Taullahu
F Meghan Economos
Hinsdale Central
GK Rania Arain
D Claire Kumskis
D Sidney Turnbull
D Julia Marinaccio
D Nina Sarros
M Claire Kumskis
M Maddy Panveno
M Carter Knotts
M Avery Edgewater
F Hannah Pjesky
F Cate McDonnell
Chicagoland Soccer MVPs of the Match: Carter Knotts, jr., MF, Hinsdale Central; Mallory Cadagin, sr., D, Wheaton Warrenville South
Scoring summary
First half
No goals scored
Second half
No goals scored
Each team earns 1st shutout since opening game
By Dave Owen
HINSDALE – The 40-mile-per-hour wind out of the northwest was the only winner when Wheaton Warrenville South and Hinsdale Central faced off Thursday.
With the steady gusts stifling much of the play, the two sides battled to a 0-0 tie.
“The wind obviously was really tough,” Hinsdale Central junior Carter Knotts said, “especially through-balls across the field. But I thought we really persevered through it. Obviously not the result we hoped for, but better than a loss.”
The game marked another step forward for Knotts after being slowed until recently by a toe injury, and for a Red Devils’ defense that has allowed just two goals in its last three games.
“It's hard to shut out a team like Wheaton Warrenville South,” Hinsdale Central coach Tony Madonia said. “They're traditionally a tough program, well-coached. I respect coach (Guy) Callipari a heck of a lot.
“So, to not allow a team like that to score on us...and we hadn't had a shutout since our first game, so it was great to see. And we started to get some solid opportunities to score too.”
Like Hinsdale Central (3-4-1), Wheaton Warrenville South (2-3-2) notched its first shutout since its season opener.
“I thought we did really well defending,” Tigers senior Meghan Economos said. “We didn't get as many shots off as we could have, but I thought the ones we did were pretty good.
“I think moving forward we have to work on building through the middle and sharpening up our passes.”
That troublesome wind made sharp passes a fantasy Thursday. And set pieces? A Tigers’ corner kick with the crosswind in the 19th minute pretty much summed it up: the gust took the ball across the field and out of bounds 25 yards from the net.
“The wind definitely was a factor,” Economos said. “You saw some of the corners definitely held back or take off, and you couldn't play balls in the air which was tough. But I thought we adjusted pretty well in the second half at least and played a little better.”
The opening 40 minutes took some adjustment, especially for the Wheaton Warrenville South, which played essentially into the angling gusts. But Tigers standout defender Mallory Cadagin said she was at least somewhat ready for the wind tunnel.
“On Tuesday we played a game with about the same wind,” Cadagin said, “so coming off of that we were a little used to it. But you mainly try to play balls on the ground. If you play it in the air, it's not going to go far.”
Hinsdale Central’s offense would show good signs both early and late in the match.
Cate McDonnell and Ava Elliott had one-hop shots on goal over a 70-second span starting in the 13th minute. A Red Devils corner kick with the wind in the 21st minute was then deflected just wide of the back post, and another quality chance in the 38th minute resulted in an Avery Edgewater 18-yard shot saved by Wheaton Warrenville South goalkeeper Mare Dixon.
“Hinsdale is going to be well-coached; they're going to maintain a rhythm to their game and attack with numbers,” Callipari said. “That's what you need to be prepared to play against later in the season when things count more.
“You can't get complacent. They're very good at transition and switch the attack well. It was a great lesson for us.”
Knotts’ crisp passes and midfield runs were a big catalyst for the Hinsdale Central chances.
“I think we've gotten a lot better connecting,” she said, “and have more of a feel for each other’s games. That's really helped us to grow as a team and also play better on the field.”
Her efforts earned her a share of MVP of the Match honors with Wheaton Warrenville South’s Cadagin.
“I'm coming off an injury,” Knotts said, “so this is one of the games I started to feel back to my regular self. Especially connecting with my teammates in a way that I haven't yet this season. That was it for me, getting back in the groove.”
Wheaton Warrenville South’s defense was in a good groove itself much of the day en route to its first shutout since its March 16 date vs. Waubonsie Valley.
“Playing with (fellow defenders) Carrie (Harvey), Ella McClatchey and Liv (Vassios) and then having Mare behind me, they give me the support I need,” Cadagin said. “I'll try to win it, but if (the ball) gets past me I have other players who can cover for me. I know I can rely on my teammates. In my mind it's win the ball first and try to get it up the field.”
The Tigers managed some good upfield attacks in the first half. In the 23rd minute, a throw-in led to an Economos right-side shot grabbed by Red Devils first half goalkeeper Rania Arain at the right post.
The best Wheaton Warrenville South chance of the half came in the 35th minute. After an end-line cross from Mia Taullahu, Ella Byrnes sent an 8-yard shot from in front just wide right.
But lest the wind be ignored, a 32-yard free kick in the 31st minute took care of that notion. The ball stalled at the 18 and careened out on the side.
Dixon was the only keeper to play both halves, and summed up her perceptions of the wind factor.
“I'd say the first half was tougher considering you also had the sun in your eyes on corner kicks,” she said. “It's a little more difficult seeing the ball. But both sides (going north or south) you have to adjust (to the wind).
“You have to adjust to everything. But with the defensive line we have everyone works together, and it really helps.”
That Tigers unit would be tested again in the second half, Second half Hinsdale Central goalkeeper Sydney Pjesky and her defense would also face increased pressure.
Economos battled to the end line on an attack two minutes into the half before having her shot blocked. Then with 34:45 left to play, a Vassios throw-in led to a Lauren Barnett 6-yard header off the side of the net.
“Just good 1-v-1 defending, staying in front of the ball, not trying to do anything fancy,” Madonia said of his defense’s approach. “We blocked a lot of shots. We had a lot of good tackles and we didn't jump in too much. Just the simple fundamentals of defending, we nailed.
“We've been talking a lot about making defending our thing. We're not going to score a lot of goals, so we have to defend well. I was really proud of our goalies and back four, and our center mids getting back to help.”
Goalkeeper Pjesky faced her first tests with a Petrie shot on goal with 33:15 left and a Vassios throw-in from 20 yards that she covered in the box.
But her best play came with 22:30 to go. Economos made a left-side run and crossed in front to Byrnes, whose point-blank shot was denied on a Pjesky kick save at the post.
“I definitely feel we were close (to scoring),” Economos said, “but some days they (shots) don't fall. And today was that day for us.”
Pjesky followed with a save on Economos’ low 22-yard liner with 19:20 left.
To her, coming in halfway through the game and facing pressure was no sweat.
“You watch the first half and you pick out the (Tigers) players and who you want to watch,” Pjesky said. “And my defense always does such a great job of blocking shots. They (the Tigers) had a few other really good shots that were blocked before they got to me. So, I think knowing I have such a strong defense in front of me, coming in I have complete trust in them, and I'm ready to go.
“The wind was definitely an adjustment for punts and distribution, but I trust my defense and midfield so even if the wind would jack up the ball a little bit, I knew they would get there and control it. I really wasn't worried.”
The senior tandem of Pjesky and Arain has generally split time in net all spring.
“I played against OPRF Tuesday (a 1-0 Red Devils loss to Oak Park and River Forest),” Pjesky said, “but it’s kind of been half and half all year.”
On the Wheaton Warrenville South side, Callipari was pleased with both the increased offense and a hang-tough defense.
“When we were able to switch the point of attack,” he said, “we were able to break them down and get to the next layer, get some people in and get some good looks. We put them under some pressure. And the backline did a great job, because we wanted to take some risks and get numbers forward.
“That left us a little susceptible in the back, but we did a nice job closing the gap on transition. They have some big girls and some threats up-front who made it interesting, but we were really organized in the back. Can't ask for more than that.”
The Tigers defense had to endure several Hinsdale Central quality chances.
With 29:50 left to play, a Maddy Panveno corner kick was caught at the near post by Dixon. Then over a three-minute stretch later in the half, the Red Devils did all they could to break the scoreless tie.
At 15:10 left, a Knotts corner kick pinballed around near the right post before McDonnell lined an 8-yard one-timer just over the net.
Another Knotts corner was repelled by the Tigers at 13:55. Then with 12:45 on the clock, Hannah Pjesky’s nice cross to the front was headed just over the crossbar by Delaney Marringa.
The near goal was part of a strong all-around performance off the bench by Marringa.
“If I had to pick out a couple players who turned the corner today. I think Delaney is one,” Madonia said. “She's really been working to develop that killer instinct, and I thought she played really well today. And Carter, Hannah … but it's hard to name just a few that played well.”
After Marringa’s header bid, the next decent scoring chance came with 3:40 to go when a Red Devil throw-in produced a Panveno 18-yard one-hop shot saved by Dixon.
“The wind started to die down in the middle (of the second half),” Knotts said, “then picked up again towards the end. But with energy and emotions, we were putting them under pressure, not allowing them to get out (of their end) as well and hoping to get a result off of one of their mistakes.”
A foul with 15 seconds left provided one last ditch chance for the Red Devils on a 55-yard Sidney Turnbull free kick. But Harvey’s win of the send and clear put a lid on the wind-blown dual shutout.
Neither side seemed too disappointed.
For the Tigers, the tie builds on recent strong performances against ninth-ranked St. Charles North (1-0 loss), Fenwick (2-1 win) and no. 6 Metea Valley (2-0 setback).
“I think we're in a good place,” Economos said. “We have the potential. We have to start scoring more goals, but once we get the goals, I think we'll be good. We're defending really well and our keepers Mare and Caroline (Spayth) have been doing really well making some big time saves.”
Said Dixon: “I feel like it's good. We're definitely improving. We're working well together. We definitely need to start building up more in the middle and getting more shots, but we're getting better at working together and talking more.”
The game was even bigger for Hinsdale Central. After going 3-0-1 over their first four games, four-straight losses followed (the last three by one goal each).
“I think right now it's frustrating because we haven't been getting the results we wanted,” Sydney Pjesky said. “But I see a lot of improvement in the midfield and final third. We're so close I can taste it. We're there.”
Said Madonia: “We're right there, and the girls are showing progression.”
The Red Devils hope to ride the momentum of Thursday into an emotional next game, Tuesday vs. top rival and currently third-ranked Lyons (7-0-0), the defending Class 3A runnerup.
“We really respect LT,” Knotts said. “They have a great team and have done really well the last few years. But we really held up against this team, and if we continue to play the way we're playing and keep up the energy and the pace, I really think we can give them (the Lions) a good game.”
Wheaton Warrenville South has its own big week coming up against DuKane Conference foes: 10th-ranked St. Charles East (Tuesday) and no. 24 Batavia (Thursday).
“It's just frustrating that the final piece (scoring) isn't hitting with any regularity,” Callipari said. “But glass half full, it's a nice clean-sheet against a very organized team and were trying to get ready for a few conference games. Now we take the weekend off to get body and mind prepared for next week.”
Starting lineups
Wheaton Warrenville South
GK Marilyn Dixon
D Olivia Vassios
D Mallory Cadagin
D Lily Petrie
D Ella McClatchey
M Lauren Barnett
M Kate Grunland
M Ashlyn Adams
M Carrie Harvey
F Mia Taullahu
F Meghan Economos
Hinsdale Central
GK Rania Arain
D Claire Kumskis
D Sidney Turnbull
D Julia Marinaccio
D Nina Sarros
M Claire Kumskis
M Maddy Panveno
M Carter Knotts
M Avery Edgewater
F Hannah Pjesky
F Cate McDonnell
Chicagoland Soccer MVPs of the Match: Carter Knotts, jr., MF, Hinsdale Central; Mallory Cadagin, sr., D, Wheaton Warrenville South
Scoring summary
First half
No goals scored
Second half
No goals scored