IHSSCA fetes girls game at honors banquet
By Ken Keenan
ELMHURST -- Recognizing accomplishments spanning the 2019 season and distinguished careers as well, the Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association (IHSSCA) hosted its 33rd Annual Girls Soccer Honors Banquet at Diplomat West Banquet Hall on Thursday night.
In addition to scores of student-athletes earning all-state, all-section and honorable mention all-section selection, the IHSSCA honored its newest Hall of Fame inductee and named the 2019 Coach of the Year, Player of the Year, Assistant Coach of the Year, Soccer Person of the Year and Sportsmanship Cup winner. Certificates for coaching win milestones also were presented.
Hall of Fame selection Skip Begley's journey to the banquet podium began in the coaching ranks at Moline High School, in 1992, and continued at Hinsdale Central, where he amassed 268 wins combined as the Red Devils' boys and girls head coach, beginning in 1996. That total includes 186 victories as skipper of the girls team, and an IHSA Class 3A state title in 2009.
Retired from teaching, Begley currently serves as head coach of the Hinsdale Central freshman boys B team. He last led the girls varsity squad in 2011.
"It's a very humbling experience -- very emotional too," Begley said regarding his Hall of Fame nod. "There are some great people I've been affiliated with through the years, and you don't win an award of this magnitude without all the people behind you. I'm not really worthy without their help."
Begley also said, "The players are what make you a good or great coach. You hope you elevated them ... impressed some things on them. I know they certainly elevated me as a coach, and they influenced me as a person. I've enjoyed, and continue to enjoy being around those people. As long as I'm able, I hope I can be involved with the high school game."
Elle McCaslin's path to earning 2019 Player of the Year honors started with relocation from the Detroit, Mich., area -- and rehabilitation from an ACL injury -- all within the space of a calendar year.
After receiving clearance to resume soccer activities in February, McCaslin starred as a junior forward at St. Charles East this season, tallying 29 goals and 15 assists for a Fighting Saints squad that finished 22-6-0 after falling 3-1 to St. Charles North in the Class 3A Schaumburg Sectional title match on May 25. St. Charles East was ranked no. 9 in the Chicagoland Soccer Final 50 postseason poll.
"I didn't know about (Player of the Year) until earlier (Thursday), so it hasn't sunk in yet," said McCaslin, who was also a 2019 coaches' all-state selection. "It feels great. I'm so happy, and I thank everyone involved. But I give it all to my teammates. I trust them. They always find the ball at the right times. It was fun, too. The team was like a big family. They made me feel very welcome, and that made things a lot easier. We loved each other -- team bonding, parties, everything was fun."
The opposite was true for McCaslin during her time rehabbing from the ACL injury.
"Mentally, I don't sit still very well, and I couldn't touch a soccer ball for months," she said. "I had to work really hard to come back, so I'm proud where I ended up. In the end, you work your hardest, and you'll get through it."
Barrington head coach Ryan Stengren said that his team's combination of work ethic and skill paved the way to his selection as the Coach of the Year. The award came on the heels of the Fillies' runnerup finish in the Class 3A state final. Barrington was edged by Naperville North on penalty kicks to snap a 0-0 tie in the title match on June 1.
"I'm very honored," said Stengren, whose squad finished no. 2 in the Chicagoland Soccer Final 50. "I've always been blessed with a lot of talent, and you can't do it without talent. But we didn't have that 'academy kid,' that superstar, this year. We just did 'we' very well. I'm very impressed with the girls' buy-in, from Day 1."
Added Stengren: "There's a lot of good coaches in the (IHSSCA annals), and a lot of people deserving of the (Coach of the Year) award this year. So it does make you feel good when other coaches recognize the job you're doing."
Dave Smith, of Glenbrook South, was named Assistant Coach of the Year. Smith, who has been with the school for 22 years, led the Titans' JV2 team to a 15-2-0 mark in 2019. He also assists with the varsity squad and leads a freshman team at Glenbrook South as well.
"Working with the lower levels, it's fun watching kids with limited experience grow and become good players -- and good citizens," Smith said. "We don't worry about the wins and losses. It's about learning how to play as a team and develop a team attitude ... seeing how (players) grow in confidence and responsibility."
Regarding the IHSSCA award, Smith said, "It's the result of spending a lot of time with really quality people. You spend time with good people, good things happen. It's gratifying to know, if you work with good people, it'll eventually rub off on you."
Kate Flynn, a junior defender at Benet this season, was one of the 60 players awarded IHSSCA all-state status. Flynn helped the Redwings (24-3-1) post a come-from-behind, 2-1 overtime win over Wauconda in the Class 2A state championship match on June 1. Benet ranked sixth in the Chicagoland Soccer Final 50.
"I'm happy to make All-State, but I'm happier the team won state his year," Flynn said. "After losing in supersectionals (in 2018), our theme was 'Complete the Journey.' Down 1-0 in the championship game, we were so close to losing it. But we had a lot of upperclassmen (10 seniors), and I'm happy to share this memory with them."
Flynn continued: "I'm honored to be here (at the banquet). It's super-cool to see everyone together enjoying the sport ... everyone enjoying each other and lifting each other up."
Soccer Person of the Year honors were bestowed upon Charlie Trout, a longtime coach at Antioch who retired from teaching this spring. Trout, who was unable to attend the banquet in person, counts 55 seasons combined as a boys and girls coach at Antioch, including 17 campaigns (1992-2008) as skipper of the girls varsity team.
"It's nice for our school to be recognized, and the soccer community to give me this award," said Trout, who will continue to coach on the lower levels at Antioch. "I'm honored to be recognized by a lot of great coaches that I have interacted with over the years. I want to thank the IHSSCA and the coaches who nominated me for this award."
Juarez received the IHSCCA Sportsmanship Cup, awarded to the girls soccer program in part for hosting a World Cup-type draw for the IHSA state tournament that included a host of Chicago Public Schools (CPS) teams. Eagles head coach Nick Dicianni accepted the Cup.
"At Juarez, we try to treat everyone the way we want to be treated," Dicianni said. "The event we hosted, we wanted to provide a warm, welcoming environment. The CPS coaches collaborate with each other, so this award is for all CPS coaches who try to provide a positive environment."
Add Dicianni: "So much is put on competition, but sportsmanship is equally important. You can take that into every aspect of life. It's not how you win or lose, it's how you play the game."
Among those netting certificates for coaching-win milestones were Chicagoland Soccer mentors Willie Fillian (Palatine, 300 wins), and Batavia's Mark Gianfrancesco, Warren's Ryan McCabe and West Aurora's Laura Wagley with 100 apiece.
By Ken Keenan
ELMHURST -- Recognizing accomplishments spanning the 2019 season and distinguished careers as well, the Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association (IHSSCA) hosted its 33rd Annual Girls Soccer Honors Banquet at Diplomat West Banquet Hall on Thursday night.
In addition to scores of student-athletes earning all-state, all-section and honorable mention all-section selection, the IHSSCA honored its newest Hall of Fame inductee and named the 2019 Coach of the Year, Player of the Year, Assistant Coach of the Year, Soccer Person of the Year and Sportsmanship Cup winner. Certificates for coaching win milestones also were presented.
Hall of Fame selection Skip Begley's journey to the banquet podium began in the coaching ranks at Moline High School, in 1992, and continued at Hinsdale Central, where he amassed 268 wins combined as the Red Devils' boys and girls head coach, beginning in 1996. That total includes 186 victories as skipper of the girls team, and an IHSA Class 3A state title in 2009.
Retired from teaching, Begley currently serves as head coach of the Hinsdale Central freshman boys B team. He last led the girls varsity squad in 2011.
"It's a very humbling experience -- very emotional too," Begley said regarding his Hall of Fame nod. "There are some great people I've been affiliated with through the years, and you don't win an award of this magnitude without all the people behind you. I'm not really worthy without their help."
Begley also said, "The players are what make you a good or great coach. You hope you elevated them ... impressed some things on them. I know they certainly elevated me as a coach, and they influenced me as a person. I've enjoyed, and continue to enjoy being around those people. As long as I'm able, I hope I can be involved with the high school game."
Elle McCaslin's path to earning 2019 Player of the Year honors started with relocation from the Detroit, Mich., area -- and rehabilitation from an ACL injury -- all within the space of a calendar year.
After receiving clearance to resume soccer activities in February, McCaslin starred as a junior forward at St. Charles East this season, tallying 29 goals and 15 assists for a Fighting Saints squad that finished 22-6-0 after falling 3-1 to St. Charles North in the Class 3A Schaumburg Sectional title match on May 25. St. Charles East was ranked no. 9 in the Chicagoland Soccer Final 50 postseason poll.
"I didn't know about (Player of the Year) until earlier (Thursday), so it hasn't sunk in yet," said McCaslin, who was also a 2019 coaches' all-state selection. "It feels great. I'm so happy, and I thank everyone involved. But I give it all to my teammates. I trust them. They always find the ball at the right times. It was fun, too. The team was like a big family. They made me feel very welcome, and that made things a lot easier. We loved each other -- team bonding, parties, everything was fun."
The opposite was true for McCaslin during her time rehabbing from the ACL injury.
"Mentally, I don't sit still very well, and I couldn't touch a soccer ball for months," she said. "I had to work really hard to come back, so I'm proud where I ended up. In the end, you work your hardest, and you'll get through it."
Barrington head coach Ryan Stengren said that his team's combination of work ethic and skill paved the way to his selection as the Coach of the Year. The award came on the heels of the Fillies' runnerup finish in the Class 3A state final. Barrington was edged by Naperville North on penalty kicks to snap a 0-0 tie in the title match on June 1.
"I'm very honored," said Stengren, whose squad finished no. 2 in the Chicagoland Soccer Final 50. "I've always been blessed with a lot of talent, and you can't do it without talent. But we didn't have that 'academy kid,' that superstar, this year. We just did 'we' very well. I'm very impressed with the girls' buy-in, from Day 1."
Added Stengren: "There's a lot of good coaches in the (IHSSCA annals), and a lot of people deserving of the (Coach of the Year) award this year. So it does make you feel good when other coaches recognize the job you're doing."
Dave Smith, of Glenbrook South, was named Assistant Coach of the Year. Smith, who has been with the school for 22 years, led the Titans' JV2 team to a 15-2-0 mark in 2019. He also assists with the varsity squad and leads a freshman team at Glenbrook South as well.
"Working with the lower levels, it's fun watching kids with limited experience grow and become good players -- and good citizens," Smith said. "We don't worry about the wins and losses. It's about learning how to play as a team and develop a team attitude ... seeing how (players) grow in confidence and responsibility."
Regarding the IHSSCA award, Smith said, "It's the result of spending a lot of time with really quality people. You spend time with good people, good things happen. It's gratifying to know, if you work with good people, it'll eventually rub off on you."
Kate Flynn, a junior defender at Benet this season, was one of the 60 players awarded IHSSCA all-state status. Flynn helped the Redwings (24-3-1) post a come-from-behind, 2-1 overtime win over Wauconda in the Class 2A state championship match on June 1. Benet ranked sixth in the Chicagoland Soccer Final 50.
"I'm happy to make All-State, but I'm happier the team won state his year," Flynn said. "After losing in supersectionals (in 2018), our theme was 'Complete the Journey.' Down 1-0 in the championship game, we were so close to losing it. But we had a lot of upperclassmen (10 seniors), and I'm happy to share this memory with them."
Flynn continued: "I'm honored to be here (at the banquet). It's super-cool to see everyone together enjoying the sport ... everyone enjoying each other and lifting each other up."
Soccer Person of the Year honors were bestowed upon Charlie Trout, a longtime coach at Antioch who retired from teaching this spring. Trout, who was unable to attend the banquet in person, counts 55 seasons combined as a boys and girls coach at Antioch, including 17 campaigns (1992-2008) as skipper of the girls varsity team.
"It's nice for our school to be recognized, and the soccer community to give me this award," said Trout, who will continue to coach on the lower levels at Antioch. "I'm honored to be recognized by a lot of great coaches that I have interacted with over the years. I want to thank the IHSSCA and the coaches who nominated me for this award."
Juarez received the IHSCCA Sportsmanship Cup, awarded to the girls soccer program in part for hosting a World Cup-type draw for the IHSA state tournament that included a host of Chicago Public Schools (CPS) teams. Eagles head coach Nick Dicianni accepted the Cup.
"At Juarez, we try to treat everyone the way we want to be treated," Dicianni said. "The event we hosted, we wanted to provide a warm, welcoming environment. The CPS coaches collaborate with each other, so this award is for all CPS coaches who try to provide a positive environment."
Add Dicianni: "So much is put on competition, but sportsmanship is equally important. You can take that into every aspect of life. It's not how you win or lose, it's how you play the game."
Among those netting certificates for coaching-win milestones were Chicagoland Soccer mentors Willie Fillian (Palatine, 300 wins), and Batavia's Mark Gianfrancesco, Warren's Ryan McCabe and West Aurora's Laura Wagley with 100 apiece.