Senior's goal the real McCoyd
in WWS victory at Lake Park
Midfielder strikes impressive, 73rd-minute game-winner in 1-0 win
By Bill McLean
ROSELLE — A traffic cop would not have allowed Wheaton Warrenville South senior midfielder Emma Showman to attempt the pass she made near the end of the Tigers’ DuKane Conference game at Lake Park on Tuesday night.
The inside-the-box path from Showman to WWS senior midfielder Mia McCoyd was way too congested.
Way too chaotic.
But Showman delivered it anyway, in part because she had heard, “Emma! Emma! Ball! Ball!” from McCoyd, who was positioned just outside the top of the box.
Somehow, Showman’s pass found its way through a phalanx of churning legs.
McCoyd settled the unscathed ball, remained calm and struck a sharp ground-ball goal between Lancers senior goalkeeper Emma Thorne (13 saves) and the right post in the 73rd minute.
What did McCoyd hear from Showman moments before her foot dented ball? “Shoot it!”
The tally was the difference in the Tigers’ 1-0 victory in rainy and occasionally gusty conditions.
McCoyd was succinct in her assessment of the assist.
“Perfect pass,” McCoyd said.
A free kick, followed by a deflection, preceded Showman’s tricky assist.
“Emma is crafty and reads the game well, and Mia did a good job keeping the ball on the ground,” said Tigers coach Guy Callipari, whose club improved to 10-7-0 overall and 9-4-0 (third place) in the DuKane Conference. “Nice, accurate shot. Found a corner.
“We needed to be more focused in the final third than we were tonight. Credit Lake Park. Lake Park played a nice brand of soccer, building out of the back and not allowing a goal in the first half. I know it’s a team that’s not getting the desired results, but Lake Park is getting better.”
Lake Park slipped to 1-11-4, 1-10-2. But the Lancers — with three sophomores and a freshman playing inspired defense in front of Thorne — played like a team in the top half of the league. They could be that if they didn’t play in the ultra-tough DuKane Conference.
“Our energy was definitely there,” LP sophomore center back Lauren Malone said. “We have heart. It’s such a bummer, losing a tough game like this. We’ve shown big improvements, though, with strong ball work. What helps is how well we know each other on defense. We’ve been using that knowledge to make connections on the field.”
Lake Park’s other resolute center back, sophomore Gianna Kubica, knows she’ll never take playing for her school lightly.
“I’m proud to compete for Lake Park and represent these colors,” she said, pointing to her jersey top. “Coach (Sean) Crosby does a great a job making all of us feel important. You know what he did the other day in practice? He pulled our defense aside and complimented us.”
Lake Park’s determined outside backs are sophomore Peyton Sarubbi and freshman Francesca Cali.
“Lake Park always has someone on you,” Showman lauded. “I was never open.”
Which meant she had to display her vast array of foot skills and compendium of slick touch passes to sustain possessions. Showman never appeared rattled in the sloshy contest and worked tirelessly to distribute — and those are only two of the reasons she earned Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match honors.
Showman, senior co-captain/forward Rebecca Hauenstein and sophomore forward Kate Hartnett combined their speed and creative ways to venture into the final third. Toughness and rushes from senior midfielder and co-captain Melisa Hadzic tested Lake Park’s defense, too.
Winning keeper Eva Aimonette, a junior, didn’t have to make a save. Junior back Elise Farrell stood out in both halves. Another Tigers junior defender, Mallory Cadagin, came up big in the final four minutes, including a clear in the 78th minute when heat from LP’s attack almost necessitated applications of sunscreen.
The Lake Park coach was proud of his team’s effort.
“We fought for 80 minutes,” Crosby said. “I’m proud of my team, definitely. We don’t have the number of club players that most teams on our schedule have. Competition in the DuKane is stiff. But I’ve heard good things from other coaches about our team, especially our defense. They say we’re composed and fearless back there. They say our backs do a super job of covering for each other.
“To battle like we did tonight, against a top-three team in our sectional, was encouraging.”
Tuesday night’s lone goal impressed Crosby.
“Perfect placement,” the coach said of McCoyd’s score. “She was composed. She knew what she was doing. (WWS) kept possession in the box after that free kick. We got caught scrambling a little too much.”
To close the regular-season, Wheaton Warrenville South hosts Glenbard North on Thursday at 5 p.m.; Lake Park visits Geneva on Thursday at 7 p.m.
Footnotes
WWS and Lake Park were assigned to the Class 3A Bartlett Sectional for the state playoffs. WWS, seeded no. 3, hosts no. 14 Addison Trail on June 2 at 6 p.m.; LP, seeded no. 13, visits no. 4 Glenbard West on June at 6 p.m. “That was a great day,” Tigers coach Callipari said of receiving a high seed in a highly competitive sectional. “We get to host through the regional final, and we play well at home. That gives us comfort.” … Tigers Lauren Barnett, a sophomore forward, and Ava Walsh, a freshman midfielder, each underwent knee surgery recently after suffering noncontact injuries 10 days apart this season. “At least they’ll get to recover collectively,” Callipari said. … Lake Park entered Tuesday night’s home match versus WWS three days after falling 2-1 to Upstate Eight Conference champion Bartlett, ranked no. 23 in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25. Senior midfielder Katie Schwegler scored LP’s goal. The Lancers’ effort in the road loss pleased Crosby. “We showed again that our shape on defense is a huge strength,” the coach said before Tuesday’s kickoff. “Emma (Thorne) has been rock solid in goal, and we have AnnMarie (Ahrens) in the middle.” … The real McCoyd, on her number of goals this season after scoring at LP Tuesday night: “Five or six,” she said with a shrug. “Not sure.” Translation: W’s mean more to the WWS senior midfielder than stats do. … Du-Pendous. How talent-laden is the DuKane Conference in girls soccer? It earned four of the top five seeds in the Class 3A Bartlett Sectional — St. Charles East (1), St. Charles North (2), Wheaton Warrenville North (3) and Wheaton North (5). St. Charles East and St. Charles North are ranked no. 1 and no. 11, respectively, in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25. WWS, WN and Geneva, are honorable mention teams in the rankings.
Starting lineups
Wheaton Warrenville South
GK Eva Aimonette
D Caroline Kratz
D Ella McClatchy
D Mallory Cadagin
D Olivia Vassios
D Elise Farrell
M Melisa Hadzic
M Emma Showman
M Mia McCoyd
F Rebecca Hauenstein
F Kate Hartnett
Lake Park
GK Emma Thorne
D Gianna Kubica
D Lauren Malone
D Peyton Sarubbi
D Francesca Cali
M Anna Odisho
M AnnMarie Ahrens
M Cecilia Defino
M Patty Lachowiez
M Alexis Morgan
F Nola White
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Emma Showman, sr., MF, Wheaton Warrenville South
Scoring summary
First half
No scoring
Second half
WWS — McCoyd (Showman), 73’
in WWS victory at Lake Park
Midfielder strikes impressive, 73rd-minute game-winner in 1-0 win
By Bill McLean
ROSELLE — A traffic cop would not have allowed Wheaton Warrenville South senior midfielder Emma Showman to attempt the pass she made near the end of the Tigers’ DuKane Conference game at Lake Park on Tuesday night.
The inside-the-box path from Showman to WWS senior midfielder Mia McCoyd was way too congested.
Way too chaotic.
But Showman delivered it anyway, in part because she had heard, “Emma! Emma! Ball! Ball!” from McCoyd, who was positioned just outside the top of the box.
Somehow, Showman’s pass found its way through a phalanx of churning legs.
McCoyd settled the unscathed ball, remained calm and struck a sharp ground-ball goal between Lancers senior goalkeeper Emma Thorne (13 saves) and the right post in the 73rd minute.
What did McCoyd hear from Showman moments before her foot dented ball? “Shoot it!”
The tally was the difference in the Tigers’ 1-0 victory in rainy and occasionally gusty conditions.
McCoyd was succinct in her assessment of the assist.
“Perfect pass,” McCoyd said.
A free kick, followed by a deflection, preceded Showman’s tricky assist.
“Emma is crafty and reads the game well, and Mia did a good job keeping the ball on the ground,” said Tigers coach Guy Callipari, whose club improved to 10-7-0 overall and 9-4-0 (third place) in the DuKane Conference. “Nice, accurate shot. Found a corner.
“We needed to be more focused in the final third than we were tonight. Credit Lake Park. Lake Park played a nice brand of soccer, building out of the back and not allowing a goal in the first half. I know it’s a team that’s not getting the desired results, but Lake Park is getting better.”
Lake Park slipped to 1-11-4, 1-10-2. But the Lancers — with three sophomores and a freshman playing inspired defense in front of Thorne — played like a team in the top half of the league. They could be that if they didn’t play in the ultra-tough DuKane Conference.
“Our energy was definitely there,” LP sophomore center back Lauren Malone said. “We have heart. It’s such a bummer, losing a tough game like this. We’ve shown big improvements, though, with strong ball work. What helps is how well we know each other on defense. We’ve been using that knowledge to make connections on the field.”
Lake Park’s other resolute center back, sophomore Gianna Kubica, knows she’ll never take playing for her school lightly.
“I’m proud to compete for Lake Park and represent these colors,” she said, pointing to her jersey top. “Coach (Sean) Crosby does a great a job making all of us feel important. You know what he did the other day in practice? He pulled our defense aside and complimented us.”
Lake Park’s determined outside backs are sophomore Peyton Sarubbi and freshman Francesca Cali.
“Lake Park always has someone on you,” Showman lauded. “I was never open.”
Which meant she had to display her vast array of foot skills and compendium of slick touch passes to sustain possessions. Showman never appeared rattled in the sloshy contest and worked tirelessly to distribute — and those are only two of the reasons she earned Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match honors.
Showman, senior co-captain/forward Rebecca Hauenstein and sophomore forward Kate Hartnett combined their speed and creative ways to venture into the final third. Toughness and rushes from senior midfielder and co-captain Melisa Hadzic tested Lake Park’s defense, too.
Winning keeper Eva Aimonette, a junior, didn’t have to make a save. Junior back Elise Farrell stood out in both halves. Another Tigers junior defender, Mallory Cadagin, came up big in the final four minutes, including a clear in the 78th minute when heat from LP’s attack almost necessitated applications of sunscreen.
The Lake Park coach was proud of his team’s effort.
“We fought for 80 minutes,” Crosby said. “I’m proud of my team, definitely. We don’t have the number of club players that most teams on our schedule have. Competition in the DuKane is stiff. But I’ve heard good things from other coaches about our team, especially our defense. They say we’re composed and fearless back there. They say our backs do a super job of covering for each other.
“To battle like we did tonight, against a top-three team in our sectional, was encouraging.”
Tuesday night’s lone goal impressed Crosby.
“Perfect placement,” the coach said of McCoyd’s score. “She was composed. She knew what she was doing. (WWS) kept possession in the box after that free kick. We got caught scrambling a little too much.”
To close the regular-season, Wheaton Warrenville South hosts Glenbard North on Thursday at 5 p.m.; Lake Park visits Geneva on Thursday at 7 p.m.
Footnotes
WWS and Lake Park were assigned to the Class 3A Bartlett Sectional for the state playoffs. WWS, seeded no. 3, hosts no. 14 Addison Trail on June 2 at 6 p.m.; LP, seeded no. 13, visits no. 4 Glenbard West on June at 6 p.m. “That was a great day,” Tigers coach Callipari said of receiving a high seed in a highly competitive sectional. “We get to host through the regional final, and we play well at home. That gives us comfort.” … Tigers Lauren Barnett, a sophomore forward, and Ava Walsh, a freshman midfielder, each underwent knee surgery recently after suffering noncontact injuries 10 days apart this season. “At least they’ll get to recover collectively,” Callipari said. … Lake Park entered Tuesday night’s home match versus WWS three days after falling 2-1 to Upstate Eight Conference champion Bartlett, ranked no. 23 in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25. Senior midfielder Katie Schwegler scored LP’s goal. The Lancers’ effort in the road loss pleased Crosby. “We showed again that our shape on defense is a huge strength,” the coach said before Tuesday’s kickoff. “Emma (Thorne) has been rock solid in goal, and we have AnnMarie (Ahrens) in the middle.” … The real McCoyd, on her number of goals this season after scoring at LP Tuesday night: “Five or six,” she said with a shrug. “Not sure.” Translation: W’s mean more to the WWS senior midfielder than stats do. … Du-Pendous. How talent-laden is the DuKane Conference in girls soccer? It earned four of the top five seeds in the Class 3A Bartlett Sectional — St. Charles East (1), St. Charles North (2), Wheaton Warrenville North (3) and Wheaton North (5). St. Charles East and St. Charles North are ranked no. 1 and no. 11, respectively, in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25. WWS, WN and Geneva, are honorable mention teams in the rankings.
Starting lineups
Wheaton Warrenville South
GK Eva Aimonette
D Caroline Kratz
D Ella McClatchy
D Mallory Cadagin
D Olivia Vassios
D Elise Farrell
M Melisa Hadzic
M Emma Showman
M Mia McCoyd
F Rebecca Hauenstein
F Kate Hartnett
Lake Park
GK Emma Thorne
D Gianna Kubica
D Lauren Malone
D Peyton Sarubbi
D Francesca Cali
M Anna Odisho
M AnnMarie Ahrens
M Cecilia Defino
M Patty Lachowiez
M Alexis Morgan
F Nola White
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Emma Showman, sr., MF, Wheaton Warrenville South
Scoring summary
First half
No scoring
Second half
WWS — McCoyd (Showman), 73’