Notebook: Barrington-Evanston semifinal
By Michael Wojtychiw
NAPERVILLE – With its run of being at the state finals every season, it almost feels as if Barrington has a standing reservation at North Central College’s Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium for every traditional first weekend of June meeting of Class 3A's best.
Its opponent in its Class 3A semifinal, Evanston, has had quite the wait for its return to the state semifinals. The Wildkits last made it downstate in 2002, when the state still had only two classes and included a quarterfinal round. Manager Stacy Salgado was a member of that championship team. Now it won’t be the only Evanston team to have made it to the state finals.
Barrington back again
The Fillies made their fifth-consecutive trip to the Final Four and wwill make their fourth title game in those five appearances.
While, yes, it takes talent to be able to get this far, the Barrington players feel like there’s more to it than just that.
“The tradition in our program is amazing,” junior Ellie Sanchez said. “A lot of alumni have reached out, giving their message of how to approach this game. (That) has been really helpful. We’ve got some seniors who have spread some of their wisdom from previous years and that are willing to speak to us with words of encouragement.”
Barrington will try to grab that third title in those four opportunities after defeating Evanston 2-0 and securing a spot in the finals against Metea Valley on Saturday night.
“We’re going to go out there, play for each other, leave it all out there and have no regrets,” Sanchez said. “I think we’re all excited to get out there and play for the big one.”
Dominant defense
Evanston came into the semifinal having outscored its opponents 86-16; the Fillies had a 99-7 scoring differential.
Something had to give in Class 3A’s first semifinal.
That something ended up being Evanston’s offensive power.
“Coming into this game, we knew the stage we were going to be playing on, so coming in focused and ready to go, how we have been all season,” junior defender Ellie Sanchez said. “Playing for each other has really been how we’ve gotten through this season.
“There wasn’t a true strategy, it was to just keep playing as we had this season and keep it locked.”
“We took this one half at a time, especially because we’re guaranteed a game tomorrow,” junior midfielder Brooke Brown said. “We just had the mindset of leaving everything on the field, pushing ourselves to the absolute standard that we are capable of.”
Evanston only had four total shots on the day,
“Our defenders really limited their chances, so you have to give credit to all of our girls. We played a full game,” Brown said.
Evanston coming back strong
Evanston will look to go home Saturday with a third place trophy after its match against Lincoln-Way Central.
The Wildkits are one of only four Class 3A teams to play on the last day of the season. They’ll need to forget about Friday’s performance.
“We didn’t play our game,” Salgado said. “The early goal really shook us, and we were not able to regain our composure. We had to adjust and did the best we could.”
The Wildkits squad has been a reliant one all year, coming back from both of their previous losses with shutout wins, so Salgado and her squad will be looking to continue that streak Saturday afternoon.
Making their appearance
Evanston taking down perennial state team New Trier, along with top programs Loyola and Libertyville en route to the semifinal.
“I told them that they have one more time to play together, play for each other,” Salgado said. “In past seasons we haven’t had that opportunity.
“We have a strong senior class, lots of tears, which means they care, and as a coach, you know that means something if they have that emotion.”
The team has been able to get this far thanks to a dynamic offense that features two players with 18 or more goals, led by Jocelyn Leigh’s 26. Brealyn Viamille has 18 tallies on the year. Sophomore Leigh has had a big impact on this year’s senior-laden squad.
By Michael Wojtychiw
NAPERVILLE – With its run of being at the state finals every season, it almost feels as if Barrington has a standing reservation at North Central College’s Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium for every traditional first weekend of June meeting of Class 3A's best.
Its opponent in its Class 3A semifinal, Evanston, has had quite the wait for its return to the state semifinals. The Wildkits last made it downstate in 2002, when the state still had only two classes and included a quarterfinal round. Manager Stacy Salgado was a member of that championship team. Now it won’t be the only Evanston team to have made it to the state finals.
Barrington back again
The Fillies made their fifth-consecutive trip to the Final Four and wwill make their fourth title game in those five appearances.
While, yes, it takes talent to be able to get this far, the Barrington players feel like there’s more to it than just that.
“The tradition in our program is amazing,” junior Ellie Sanchez said. “A lot of alumni have reached out, giving their message of how to approach this game. (That) has been really helpful. We’ve got some seniors who have spread some of their wisdom from previous years and that are willing to speak to us with words of encouragement.”
Barrington will try to grab that third title in those four opportunities after defeating Evanston 2-0 and securing a spot in the finals against Metea Valley on Saturday night.
“We’re going to go out there, play for each other, leave it all out there and have no regrets,” Sanchez said. “I think we’re all excited to get out there and play for the big one.”
Dominant defense
Evanston came into the semifinal having outscored its opponents 86-16; the Fillies had a 99-7 scoring differential.
Something had to give in Class 3A’s first semifinal.
That something ended up being Evanston’s offensive power.
“Coming into this game, we knew the stage we were going to be playing on, so coming in focused and ready to go, how we have been all season,” junior defender Ellie Sanchez said. “Playing for each other has really been how we’ve gotten through this season.
“There wasn’t a true strategy, it was to just keep playing as we had this season and keep it locked.”
“We took this one half at a time, especially because we’re guaranteed a game tomorrow,” junior midfielder Brooke Brown said. “We just had the mindset of leaving everything on the field, pushing ourselves to the absolute standard that we are capable of.”
Evanston only had four total shots on the day,
“Our defenders really limited their chances, so you have to give credit to all of our girls. We played a full game,” Brown said.
Evanston coming back strong
Evanston will look to go home Saturday with a third place trophy after its match against Lincoln-Way Central.
The Wildkits are one of only four Class 3A teams to play on the last day of the season. They’ll need to forget about Friday’s performance.
“We didn’t play our game,” Salgado said. “The early goal really shook us, and we were not able to regain our composure. We had to adjust and did the best we could.”
The Wildkits squad has been a reliant one all year, coming back from both of their previous losses with shutout wins, so Salgado and her squad will be looking to continue that streak Saturday afternoon.
Making their appearance
Evanston taking down perennial state team New Trier, along with top programs Loyola and Libertyville en route to the semifinal.
“I told them that they have one more time to play together, play for each other,” Salgado said. “In past seasons we haven’t had that opportunity.
“We have a strong senior class, lots of tears, which means they care, and as a coach, you know that means something if they have that emotion.”
The team has been able to get this far thanks to a dynamic offense that features two players with 18 or more goals, led by Jocelyn Leigh’s 26. Brealyn Viamille has 18 tallies on the year. Sophomore Leigh has had a big impact on this year’s senior-laden squad.