Notebook: Deerfield
By Dave Owen
The rise from a quality 15-win season and regional title in 2021 to a 16-1-1 mark through April this spring was a product of high levels of leadership and dedication.
Both elements were provided by a senior corps led by top-scorers Riley Schimanski and Holly Deutsch, top defender Katie Morgan and midfielders Ally Linn and Emma Gassman. All have been on varsity since freshman year in 2019.
“They've been huge,” Deerfield coach Rich Grady said.
“Like everyone we missed 2020 (due to COVID-19), then last season we had a good season but not as successful as they wanted to be. This year they've been committed to being successful.”
That commitment began long before the spring.
“They got together in November, and they planned the off-season workouts,” Grady said. “It really helps when the seniors are invested. They set the schedule and said these are the days we'll come in. I had 25 kids on a Friday afternoon in the winter going in the gym working out.”
It was the seniors’ total hands-on approach in the preseason preparation that made it that much better.
“We had workouts planned twice a week,” Schimanski said, “and as seniors we made it around our schedule to make sure we were there.
“We had the best numbers we've ever had. So, I think just building a strong culture before this season has really helped us during the season.”
Chemistry 101
Beyond months of hard work in the winter, the foundation was set one other way.
“On past teams there was always a divide between upper class and lower classes,” Morgan said. “This year we've kind of grabbed all the younger players and just made it one team. It doesn't matter how old you are or how many years you've been on the team, we're a family together and we're here to win.”
Averaging over an assist per game, Deutsch has helped make teamwork the theme on and off the field.
“Like Katie said, us seniors have made a really important promise to ourselves to make this team such a family,” Deutsch said. “Compared to a lot of other programs I think ours is the closest, and I think we're clearly showing that based on our record. We just want to win and make everyone in our school proud.”
The Warriors’ six senior starters have mixed with a underclassmen corps of six sophomores (Jessie Fisher, Madeline Stevens, Emily Fox, Ruby Levy, Avery Kingsepp and goalkeeper Lauren Gottlieb) and one freshman (Ryane Emory) that are also part the main rotation.
“Them looking up to us is also such a good feeling of gratification,” Deutsch said, “that we’re making a difference.”
One-two punch
Schimanski (15 goals, eight assists) and Deutsch (nine goals, 21 assists) have already put up incredible offensive numbers with several weeks still left in the season.
“We read each other really well,” Schimanski said. “I think it's because we're good friends off the field too. So on the field it helps our team even more. She assists me, I score, and vice versa.”
“And I cheer them on from the back,” Morgan joked. “Keep it up. You’re doing great.”
Officially speaking
Grady is in the unusual position of being not only a coach, but a high-level referee in soccer.
“I used to referee in Major League Soccer,” he said, “and right now I ref the pro indoor league, and I’m also an NCAA rules interpreter.
“I think coaching has made me a better official, because I can relate to where coaches are coming from. It's nice to stay involved in both things, and I have a kid playing soccer in college. So, I'm juggling a lot of things and able to stay around the game and have fun with it.”
No rest = no sweat
The Warriors were in the extremely rare position of playing four matches in four days this week.
The results were more than very impressive. They were perfect.
Opening with a 4-0 win over St. Ignatius on Wednesday in the Glenbrook South quad, Deerfield returned to the pitch the next night and posted a 4-0 win at Maine East.
Emily Fox had goals in both of those 4-0 wins. Morgan, Emma Gassman and Ryane Emory scored one each vs. St. Ignatius, and Ruby Levy, Jessie Fisher and Sara Goldstone each netted goals vs. Maine East.
The Warriors were back at it 22 hours after Thursday’s final horn with another great defensive effort, this time battling to a 1-0 win in the Glenbrook South Quad over a Young team that had tied Loyola and played powerhouse Lyons to a 3-2 loss.
Avery Kingsapp’s second half goal off an assist by fellow sophomore Fox was the difference.
Then to cap off the marathon stretch, Deerfield rolled to a 4-0 win over Grayslake Central on Saturday morning. Deutsch led the way with three more assists.
By Dave Owen
The rise from a quality 15-win season and regional title in 2021 to a 16-1-1 mark through April this spring was a product of high levels of leadership and dedication.
Both elements were provided by a senior corps led by top-scorers Riley Schimanski and Holly Deutsch, top defender Katie Morgan and midfielders Ally Linn and Emma Gassman. All have been on varsity since freshman year in 2019.
“They've been huge,” Deerfield coach Rich Grady said.
“Like everyone we missed 2020 (due to COVID-19), then last season we had a good season but not as successful as they wanted to be. This year they've been committed to being successful.”
That commitment began long before the spring.
“They got together in November, and they planned the off-season workouts,” Grady said. “It really helps when the seniors are invested. They set the schedule and said these are the days we'll come in. I had 25 kids on a Friday afternoon in the winter going in the gym working out.”
It was the seniors’ total hands-on approach in the preseason preparation that made it that much better.
“We had workouts planned twice a week,” Schimanski said, “and as seniors we made it around our schedule to make sure we were there.
“We had the best numbers we've ever had. So, I think just building a strong culture before this season has really helped us during the season.”
Chemistry 101
Beyond months of hard work in the winter, the foundation was set one other way.
“On past teams there was always a divide between upper class and lower classes,” Morgan said. “This year we've kind of grabbed all the younger players and just made it one team. It doesn't matter how old you are or how many years you've been on the team, we're a family together and we're here to win.”
Averaging over an assist per game, Deutsch has helped make teamwork the theme on and off the field.
“Like Katie said, us seniors have made a really important promise to ourselves to make this team such a family,” Deutsch said. “Compared to a lot of other programs I think ours is the closest, and I think we're clearly showing that based on our record. We just want to win and make everyone in our school proud.”
The Warriors’ six senior starters have mixed with a underclassmen corps of six sophomores (Jessie Fisher, Madeline Stevens, Emily Fox, Ruby Levy, Avery Kingsepp and goalkeeper Lauren Gottlieb) and one freshman (Ryane Emory) that are also part the main rotation.
“Them looking up to us is also such a good feeling of gratification,” Deutsch said, “that we’re making a difference.”
One-two punch
Schimanski (15 goals, eight assists) and Deutsch (nine goals, 21 assists) have already put up incredible offensive numbers with several weeks still left in the season.
“We read each other really well,” Schimanski said. “I think it's because we're good friends off the field too. So on the field it helps our team even more. She assists me, I score, and vice versa.”
“And I cheer them on from the back,” Morgan joked. “Keep it up. You’re doing great.”
Officially speaking
Grady is in the unusual position of being not only a coach, but a high-level referee in soccer.
“I used to referee in Major League Soccer,” he said, “and right now I ref the pro indoor league, and I’m also an NCAA rules interpreter.
“I think coaching has made me a better official, because I can relate to where coaches are coming from. It's nice to stay involved in both things, and I have a kid playing soccer in college. So, I'm juggling a lot of things and able to stay around the game and have fun with it.”
No rest = no sweat
The Warriors were in the extremely rare position of playing four matches in four days this week.
The results were more than very impressive. They were perfect.
Opening with a 4-0 win over St. Ignatius on Wednesday in the Glenbrook South quad, Deerfield returned to the pitch the next night and posted a 4-0 win at Maine East.
Emily Fox had goals in both of those 4-0 wins. Morgan, Emma Gassman and Ryane Emory scored one each vs. St. Ignatius, and Ruby Levy, Jessie Fisher and Sara Goldstone each netted goals vs. Maine East.
The Warriors were back at it 22 hours after Thursday’s final horn with another great defensive effort, this time battling to a 1-0 win in the Glenbrook South Quad over a Young team that had tied Loyola and played powerhouse Lyons to a 3-2 loss.
Avery Kingsapp’s second half goal off an assist by fellow sophomore Fox was the difference.
Then to cap off the marathon stretch, Deerfield rolled to a 4-0 win over Grayslake Central on Saturday morning. Deutsch led the way with three more assists.