Young’s Koleno sisters too much for Jones
Trio helps lead Dolphins into city final with 3-1 win
By Patrick Z. McGavin
CHICAGO -- Everywhere Ella Koleno turns, she invariably sees a reflection of herself.
The Young forward emerged on the scene in spectacular fashion as a freshman four years ago.
She scored 21 goals and had 13 assists for a city finalist and Class 3A sectional finalist.
Her combination of speed, guile, touch on the ball and relentless energy is infectious.
The Chicagoland Soccer all-stater radiates confidence and self-control due to the familiarity of her surroundings.
Her twin sister Sydney -- a creative midfielder -- is her constant presence, ostensibly a physical and emotional extension of her own sensibility.
Best of all, she is the protective older sister to freshman midfielder Moira Koleno.
“Playing with the three of us is even better than we even expected,” Ella Koleno said.
“It’s so fun, especially practicing every day together.”
The three sisters showcased their special gifts as the no. 21 Dolphins defeated Jones 3-1 in the Chicago Public League Tournament semifinal Saturday afternoon at Winnemac Stadium.
Young will (12-6-3) will travel to rival and 22nd-ranked Lane for the title match Thursday. Lane punched their ticket with a 7-0 semifinal win over Payton.
The Dolphins hope to end Lane’s six-year run as city champions.
Ella Koleno and Sydney Koleno scored first half goals, and Moira Koleno played a part in Alexis Sassower’s second half score in the semifinal win.
“I think we did a great job today creating a lot of chances,” Ella Koleno said. “Jones fought really hard.
“They’re a great team.”
And Ella Koleno is a great player. She earned the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match honor for goal and assist performance.
Young is now 8-1-0 in its last nine games. It’s only loss during the stretch was a narrow 1-0 defeat against no. 10 Deerfield.
Jones (8-8-1) was also playing its best soccer of the season.
The Eagles entered the game 6-1-0 in their last seven games. They avenged a regular-season loss against Lincoln Park to reach the semifinals.
Jones also gave Young -- the regular-season Premier Division champion and tournament top-seed -- one of its toughest city challenges.
The Eagles have also been bolstered emotionally by the return of senior defender Olivia Rodriguez, a two-time Chicagoland Soccer All-State Watch List member.
“Even when she is coming off an injury, she is very smart and knows the right play to make all the time,” Jones coach Derek Bylsma said.
Young defeated Jones 1-0 on a late goal by Daphne Murray in Premier Division league play.
The early stages featured sharp play by both sides. Young had the early command.
Jones nearly scored first. Off a counter, Maia Lane pushed the ball to forward Mia McRoberts, who had a direct route to the goal.
A collision between McRoberts and Young keeper Zoe Adelstein was a no-call.
“Young has a very talented team, and they deserved to win,” Jones coach Bylsma said. “At the same time, if you get a PK in the first couple of minutes and go up early, that changes a young team psychologically.
“We are a young team. We have a lot of variance in how good we are.”
Young landed the opening punch.
Off a restart on the left edge, free kicking specialist Lauren Roche hammered a ball from the left edge.
Forward Maisy Connolly played the header and Ella Koleno made a terrific and quick one-touch from about nine yards to inside the far post for the gorgeous goal in the 11th minute.
With the goal, Koleno set a new personal season best with her 22nd goal. She has scored 63 goals in a career cut to three years due to the pandemic.
The scoring sequence appeared to unnerve the Eagles, acccording to defender Patricia Felder, whose free kicks were dangerous. Jones struggled to establish connections or create much in possession time.
“I feel like we dipped and lost some focus after that goal, but I thought it back slowly,” Felder said.
“Unfortunately, it was just a little bit too late.”
Young is fast, explosive and powerful at the point of attack. Six first half saves by the Eagles’ excellent keeper Nicole Leon kept the game tight.
The Dolphins had devastating first-hand experience of the trap game represented by the semifinal stage of the city tournament.
Young, the top-seed a year ago, was stunned by Payton 2-1 in overtime.
“That loss to Payton last year was heartbreaking,” Ella Koleno said. “I think we did go into that game not as prepared as we should have been.
“We told ourselves today it’s not happening again. We’re going to be the first to every 50/50 ball. We’re going to fight as hard as we possibly can.”
Sydney Koleno has a much different game than her twin. Her game is subtle and glancing, blessed with a great feel, and possessed of an intuitive sense of where to play the ball.
Late in the first half, Sydney Koleno called her own number.
Watching a loose ball redirected her way, Sydney Koleno unleashed her own laser shot from 36 yards for a beautiful goal and 2-0 Young lead.
It was her second goal of the year.
“The ball just trickled out, and I thought to myself why not go for it, and I just hit it,” Sydney Koleno said.
“At that point, we were thinking we have a lead by one, but we have to get more, because it is just too dangerous to only be leading by one goal.”
Watching her older sisters has been thrilling and empowering for Moira Koleno, the precocious freshman who has started since the first game of the season against Lyons.
“Seeing them do so well is very inspiring,” Moira Koleno said. “It makes me want to do better.
“It’s very nerve wracking sometimes, but it also makes me feel very good about myself. Just being able to play with them makes it so fun. They’re always open, and we run some great combinations.”
Moira Koleno played a vital role in the Dolphins’ third goal in the 47th minute. Controlling a ball in the middle, she played a touch to her sister Ella, who slotted it to Sassower.
Her ball from the top of the box curved brilliantly for a textbook goal.
Sassower is the metaphorical “fourth sister,” the best friend of the twins since they were all in first grade.
The Chicagoland Soccer all-state midfielder scored her 10th goal of the year.
“At halftime, we talked about how important it is to get the first goal of the second half,” Sassower said.
“I think that was really on our minds. I think that really helped with our confidence, and let us settle in for the rest of the game.”
Jones had every reason to capitulate down the three goals. The Eagles dug in and turned up the pressure.
Midfielder Lane showed a deft ability to get behind the Dolphins’ back and create some opportunities in the final third.
Carolina Rondelli had a couple of dangerous free kicks.
Jones scored in the 70th minute off a corner opportunity from the left wing. After Morgan Scott’s corner, Lane had the first touch.
Rondelli controlled her rebound, and drilled home a short volley from about six yards.
“Once we did kick in the intensity, I thought we did a great job of fighting and showing how we are capable of playing,” Felder said.
“They’re just really good.”
Jones could not quite match the high-end individual talent of the Dolphins.
“They’re talented; they’re well-coached; and they’re a really good team,” Bylsma said.
“If we lose at our best, I am fine with that. We needed to play smarter, and we didn’t. We have more than we showed today, so that is frustrating. I feel badly for some of our seniors. That’s a tough way to go out in the city.”
Starting lineupss
Jones
GK: Nicole Leon
D: Arianna Lopez
D: Patricia Felder
D: Karina Telez
D: Olivia Rodriguez
MF: Marisol Hamida
MF: Morgan Scott
MF: Maia Lane
MF: Sanai Wright
F: Carolina Rondelli
F: Mia McRoberts
Young
GK: Zoe Adelstein
D: Maisy Connolly
D: Celeste Garton
D: Francesca Sadovi
D: Ainsley Christensen
MF: Sidney Koleno
MF: Alexis Sassower
MF: Lauren Roche
MF: Daphne Murray
MF: Moira Koleno
F: Ella Koleno
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Ella Koleno, sr., F, Young
Scoring summary
First half
Young—Ella Koleno (Lauren Roche/Maisy Connolly), 11th minute
Young—Sydney Koleno (unassisted), 37th minute
Second half
Young—Alexis Sassower (Moira Koleno/Ella Koleno), 47th minute
Jones—Carolina Rondelli (Maia Lane), 70th minute
Trio helps lead Dolphins into city final with 3-1 win
By Patrick Z. McGavin
CHICAGO -- Everywhere Ella Koleno turns, she invariably sees a reflection of herself.
The Young forward emerged on the scene in spectacular fashion as a freshman four years ago.
She scored 21 goals and had 13 assists for a city finalist and Class 3A sectional finalist.
Her combination of speed, guile, touch on the ball and relentless energy is infectious.
The Chicagoland Soccer all-stater radiates confidence and self-control due to the familiarity of her surroundings.
Her twin sister Sydney -- a creative midfielder -- is her constant presence, ostensibly a physical and emotional extension of her own sensibility.
Best of all, she is the protective older sister to freshman midfielder Moira Koleno.
“Playing with the three of us is even better than we even expected,” Ella Koleno said.
“It’s so fun, especially practicing every day together.”
The three sisters showcased their special gifts as the no. 21 Dolphins defeated Jones 3-1 in the Chicago Public League Tournament semifinal Saturday afternoon at Winnemac Stadium.
Young will (12-6-3) will travel to rival and 22nd-ranked Lane for the title match Thursday. Lane punched their ticket with a 7-0 semifinal win over Payton.
The Dolphins hope to end Lane’s six-year run as city champions.
Ella Koleno and Sydney Koleno scored first half goals, and Moira Koleno played a part in Alexis Sassower’s second half score in the semifinal win.
“I think we did a great job today creating a lot of chances,” Ella Koleno said. “Jones fought really hard.
“They’re a great team.”
And Ella Koleno is a great player. She earned the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match honor for goal and assist performance.
Young is now 8-1-0 in its last nine games. It’s only loss during the stretch was a narrow 1-0 defeat against no. 10 Deerfield.
Jones (8-8-1) was also playing its best soccer of the season.
The Eagles entered the game 6-1-0 in their last seven games. They avenged a regular-season loss against Lincoln Park to reach the semifinals.
Jones also gave Young -- the regular-season Premier Division champion and tournament top-seed -- one of its toughest city challenges.
The Eagles have also been bolstered emotionally by the return of senior defender Olivia Rodriguez, a two-time Chicagoland Soccer All-State Watch List member.
“Even when she is coming off an injury, she is very smart and knows the right play to make all the time,” Jones coach Derek Bylsma said.
Young defeated Jones 1-0 on a late goal by Daphne Murray in Premier Division league play.
The early stages featured sharp play by both sides. Young had the early command.
Jones nearly scored first. Off a counter, Maia Lane pushed the ball to forward Mia McRoberts, who had a direct route to the goal.
A collision between McRoberts and Young keeper Zoe Adelstein was a no-call.
“Young has a very talented team, and they deserved to win,” Jones coach Bylsma said. “At the same time, if you get a PK in the first couple of minutes and go up early, that changes a young team psychologically.
“We are a young team. We have a lot of variance in how good we are.”
Young landed the opening punch.
Off a restart on the left edge, free kicking specialist Lauren Roche hammered a ball from the left edge.
Forward Maisy Connolly played the header and Ella Koleno made a terrific and quick one-touch from about nine yards to inside the far post for the gorgeous goal in the 11th minute.
With the goal, Koleno set a new personal season best with her 22nd goal. She has scored 63 goals in a career cut to three years due to the pandemic.
The scoring sequence appeared to unnerve the Eagles, acccording to defender Patricia Felder, whose free kicks were dangerous. Jones struggled to establish connections or create much in possession time.
“I feel like we dipped and lost some focus after that goal, but I thought it back slowly,” Felder said.
“Unfortunately, it was just a little bit too late.”
Young is fast, explosive and powerful at the point of attack. Six first half saves by the Eagles’ excellent keeper Nicole Leon kept the game tight.
The Dolphins had devastating first-hand experience of the trap game represented by the semifinal stage of the city tournament.
Young, the top-seed a year ago, was stunned by Payton 2-1 in overtime.
“That loss to Payton last year was heartbreaking,” Ella Koleno said. “I think we did go into that game not as prepared as we should have been.
“We told ourselves today it’s not happening again. We’re going to be the first to every 50/50 ball. We’re going to fight as hard as we possibly can.”
Sydney Koleno has a much different game than her twin. Her game is subtle and glancing, blessed with a great feel, and possessed of an intuitive sense of where to play the ball.
Late in the first half, Sydney Koleno called her own number.
Watching a loose ball redirected her way, Sydney Koleno unleashed her own laser shot from 36 yards for a beautiful goal and 2-0 Young lead.
It was her second goal of the year.
“The ball just trickled out, and I thought to myself why not go for it, and I just hit it,” Sydney Koleno said.
“At that point, we were thinking we have a lead by one, but we have to get more, because it is just too dangerous to only be leading by one goal.”
Watching her older sisters has been thrilling and empowering for Moira Koleno, the precocious freshman who has started since the first game of the season against Lyons.
“Seeing them do so well is very inspiring,” Moira Koleno said. “It makes me want to do better.
“It’s very nerve wracking sometimes, but it also makes me feel very good about myself. Just being able to play with them makes it so fun. They’re always open, and we run some great combinations.”
Moira Koleno played a vital role in the Dolphins’ third goal in the 47th minute. Controlling a ball in the middle, she played a touch to her sister Ella, who slotted it to Sassower.
Her ball from the top of the box curved brilliantly for a textbook goal.
Sassower is the metaphorical “fourth sister,” the best friend of the twins since they were all in first grade.
The Chicagoland Soccer all-state midfielder scored her 10th goal of the year.
“At halftime, we talked about how important it is to get the first goal of the second half,” Sassower said.
“I think that was really on our minds. I think that really helped with our confidence, and let us settle in for the rest of the game.”
Jones had every reason to capitulate down the three goals. The Eagles dug in and turned up the pressure.
Midfielder Lane showed a deft ability to get behind the Dolphins’ back and create some opportunities in the final third.
Carolina Rondelli had a couple of dangerous free kicks.
Jones scored in the 70th minute off a corner opportunity from the left wing. After Morgan Scott’s corner, Lane had the first touch.
Rondelli controlled her rebound, and drilled home a short volley from about six yards.
“Once we did kick in the intensity, I thought we did a great job of fighting and showing how we are capable of playing,” Felder said.
“They’re just really good.”
Jones could not quite match the high-end individual talent of the Dolphins.
“They’re talented; they’re well-coached; and they’re a really good team,” Bylsma said.
“If we lose at our best, I am fine with that. We needed to play smarter, and we didn’t. We have more than we showed today, so that is frustrating. I feel badly for some of our seniors. That’s a tough way to go out in the city.”
Starting lineupss
Jones
GK: Nicole Leon
D: Arianna Lopez
D: Patricia Felder
D: Karina Telez
D: Olivia Rodriguez
MF: Marisol Hamida
MF: Morgan Scott
MF: Maia Lane
MF: Sanai Wright
F: Carolina Rondelli
F: Mia McRoberts
Young
GK: Zoe Adelstein
D: Maisy Connolly
D: Celeste Garton
D: Francesca Sadovi
D: Ainsley Christensen
MF: Sidney Koleno
MF: Alexis Sassower
MF: Lauren Roche
MF: Daphne Murray
MF: Moira Koleno
F: Ella Koleno
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Ella Koleno, sr., F, Young
Scoring summary
First half
Young—Ella Koleno (Lauren Roche/Maisy Connolly), 11th minute
Young—Sydney Koleno (unassisted), 37th minute
Second half
Young—Alexis Sassower (Moira Koleno/Ella Koleno), 47th minute
Jones—Carolina Rondelli (Maia Lane), 70th minute