Coaches fete Ill. girls state of excellence
IHSSCA honors prep game's best at annual awards banquet
By Ken Keenan
ELMHURST -- Covering territory ranging from the shores of Lake Michigan to the outskirts of St. Louis and all other points in the state, the Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association (IHSSCA) recognized efforts and achievements both on the pitch and off during its 32nd annual Girls Soccer Honors Banquet on June 7 at Diplomat West Banquet Hall.
The event included the induction of the 59th member of the IHSSCA Hall of Fame, awards for Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, Assistant Coach of the Year and Soccer Person of the Year, presentation of the IHSSCA Sportsmanship Cup, and a steady parade of sectional honorees and All-State players. Coaching win milestones were acknowledged as well.
Missing from this year's ceremony was the Chicago Fire All-State All-Academic team, a staple of the program for at least the last 15 years.
Ed Watson, girls head coach at Naperville Central since 1993, was the 2018 inductee into the IHSSCA Hall of Fame. The longtime Redhawks skipper has compiled an overall mark of 417-138-75, including a 11-13-1 record this season, which ended on May 22 with a 2-1 sectional semifinal loss in double overtime to eventual state third place finisher Naperville North.
The DuPage Valley Conference rival Huskies, ranked third in Chicagoland Soccer's Final 50 poll, finished 21-4-4 after falling to back-to-back IHSA Class 3A champion Barrington in state semifinal action.
"In the second half (vs. Naperville North), it was some of the most determined soccer I've seen our girls play," Watson said. "We lost, but if I only allowed winning or losing to make sense of a season, I'd be losing out on the joy of watching the girls play and compete. Winning is great, but watching the girls compete and grow, and eventually become strong women -- and sometimes coaches themselves -- is the greatest joy."
Watson was inducted by Naperville Central assistant coach Barry Baldwin, who included the remarks of former players to honor the team's head coach.
"I'm not in the Hall of Fame without Barry and the players," Watson said. "There's no way a Hall of Fame induction goes to a coach if he doesn't have the players and support to make it happen. If I started naming the players I've coached, I wouldn't be able to stop."
However, he did mention one former Redhawk, Suzie Miller, who replaced the team's injured starting goalkeeper in 1994 and helped lead the team to its first of consecutive runner-up finishes in the state tournament.
"Not only did she step in, she led us to a state title game," Watson said. "We don't get there without Suzie. She had earned the right to continue to play ... deserved to keep playing. That's the kind of player I'm talking about. The Hall of Fame is a shared honor -- coaches, players and family."
Coach of the Year honors went to St. Charles North manager Brian Harks, who led the North Stars to a 21-1-1 overall mark and a no. 4 ranking in Chicagoland Soccer's Final 50. The only blemish came in the team's final match of the season, a 2-0 loss to the home-standing Fillies in the Barrington Supersectional title game on May 29.
"It's very humbling," said Harks, who has a three-year record of 60-6-5 with the North Stars after serving as an assistant under former head coach Ruth Vostal for six campaigns. "Look at the names on the (Coach of the Year) list. I feel honored to be recognized among such a distinguished list.
"But it really is about the players, not me," Harks continued. "This year, we had a group of girls girls that truly bought into the team. Their work ethic superseded the talent. And they didn't care who scored. Not one player on the team was a 'me' player. They did a nice job carrying on the tradition of past teams."
New Trier defender Sydney Parker was named Player of the Year. The Class of 2018 graduate tallied 17 goals this season, and anchored a defense that posted 18 shutouts, allowed only nine goals overall and paced the Trevians to a second-consecutive runner-up finish in the IHSA tourney after three-straight titles from 2014-16.
New Trier (24-1-2 overall; no. 2 in Chicagoland Soccer's Final 50) fell to Barrington 3-2 on penalty kicks in six rounds to snap a 1-1 tie in the state title game on June 2. Barrington also topped New Trier in the 2017 championship tilt.
"I'm honored to have this award, very humbled by it," said Parker, who will continue her soccer career at DePaul University. "It's not something I strived for ... not expecting it. There are so many amazing players in this state."
Parker, who scored the Trevians' second goal during a 4-0 win over Andrew in the state semifinals, said she's proud to be considered among the program's best players.
"So many greats have come before me at New Trier," she said. "I think of those people, people I've looked up to who have made this program special. So this award is also for people who have helped me along the way -- coaches, people in the program, the community -- not just on the field but off the field as well."
New Trier head coach Jim Burnside, honored by the IHSSCA for reaching 500-career victories, said that Parker represented the total package.
"It goes beyond words what she meant to our success the last three three years," said Burnside, noting that Parker played a role in a total of 64 shutouts during her run with the Trevians. "The intangibles? Top-notch. The tangibles? Top-notch. She's just a phenomenal leader, phenomenal individual and phenomenal player ... highly respected."
Concerning his career-win milestone, Burnside, a 2017 IHSSCA Hall of Fame inductee, said, "When you get old, that happens. Seriously, though, it's about great players and parents, the (New Trier) athletic administration and my family. I've been fortunate, and I feel honored to have coached so many great players. I have won zero of those games. The kids won the games. They do all the work."
Neuqua Valley head coach Joe Moreau, a 2013 Hall of Fame inductee and the IHSSCA Executive Board of Directors Girls Vice President, also was honored for his coaching wins milestone of 400 victories. Moreau coached at St. Charles for 13 years and has been at the Neuqua Valley helm for eight campaigns.
"You're not gonna win games without good players and coaches in your program," Moreau said. "And it's not just the star players, it's the role players. There are kids who don't get recognized but are deserving. To see freshmen when they become seniors, what a difference."
Also recognized for coaching benchmarks were: Greg Bryan, Pleasant Plains (300 wins); Tom Bower, Latin (300); Matt Chapman, Normal (300); J.J. Crawford, Maine South (200); Dan Radz, Lincoln Way Central (200); Phil Basile, Reavis (100); Chris Brolley, Minooka (100); Derek Bylsma, Jones (100); Nate Eisfelder, Richwoods (100); Cesar Gomez, West Chicago (100); Froylan Jimenez, Hancock (100); Julie Klazynski, Freeburg (100); Robert Watson, Fenwick (100); and Lori Yates, Roxana (100).
Pekin's Jessica Beck was named Assistant Coach of the Year. The Dragons finished 13-8-0 this season.
"It's humbling to be mentioned with all these wonderful coaches," said Beck, who has served under Pekin head coach Edgar Sandoval for eight seasons while also working with the JV squad. "It's really fun. I get to be part of the excitement of the varsity and the development of the JV. It gives you such a great feeling to see a timid, shy freshman score their first goal, and then to see the development when they get to varsity. It's very rewarding and exciting."
Beck, a math teacher at Pekin, said she also coordinates Kicking Out Cancer, an annual soccer triple header that serves as a fundraiser for the Susan G. Komen organization that aids the fight against breast cancer.
Downstate Columbia (near St. Louis) was presented with the IHSSCA Sportsmanship Cup. Athletic director Joe Iorio accepted the award on behalf of head coach Jamey Bridges, who led Columbia to a 26-4-0 mark in 2018. The Eagles were ranked no. 1 in the final Illinois 10 poll and 38th in the Final 50 ranking.
"Jamey (Bridges) does a good job with our girls," Iorio said. "We play good, clean soccer -- a fast, clean game -- and we had only two yellow cards all year. As A.D., it's nice to hear good things about our kids. The biggest thing for our program is how you play on the field is an example for the kids, the school and the community. As A.D., this award makes me proud as hell."
Columbia's campaign ended with a 1-0 upset loss to Althoff in the Eagles' own Class A sectional final.
David Wilhelm, a veteran St. Louis-area sportswriter was named the IHSSCA's Soccer Person of the Year.
"This a real thrill," Wilhelm said. "I mostly covered basketball, so to get an honor in a sport that kinda grew on me is a thrill.
"It's a really great game, and once it grows on you it gets in your blood and becomes part of the fabric of your life."
IHSSCA honors prep game's best at annual awards banquet
By Ken Keenan
ELMHURST -- Covering territory ranging from the shores of Lake Michigan to the outskirts of St. Louis and all other points in the state, the Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association (IHSSCA) recognized efforts and achievements both on the pitch and off during its 32nd annual Girls Soccer Honors Banquet on June 7 at Diplomat West Banquet Hall.
The event included the induction of the 59th member of the IHSSCA Hall of Fame, awards for Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, Assistant Coach of the Year and Soccer Person of the Year, presentation of the IHSSCA Sportsmanship Cup, and a steady parade of sectional honorees and All-State players. Coaching win milestones were acknowledged as well.
Missing from this year's ceremony was the Chicago Fire All-State All-Academic team, a staple of the program for at least the last 15 years.
Ed Watson, girls head coach at Naperville Central since 1993, was the 2018 inductee into the IHSSCA Hall of Fame. The longtime Redhawks skipper has compiled an overall mark of 417-138-75, including a 11-13-1 record this season, which ended on May 22 with a 2-1 sectional semifinal loss in double overtime to eventual state third place finisher Naperville North.
The DuPage Valley Conference rival Huskies, ranked third in Chicagoland Soccer's Final 50 poll, finished 21-4-4 after falling to back-to-back IHSA Class 3A champion Barrington in state semifinal action.
"In the second half (vs. Naperville North), it was some of the most determined soccer I've seen our girls play," Watson said. "We lost, but if I only allowed winning or losing to make sense of a season, I'd be losing out on the joy of watching the girls play and compete. Winning is great, but watching the girls compete and grow, and eventually become strong women -- and sometimes coaches themselves -- is the greatest joy."
Watson was inducted by Naperville Central assistant coach Barry Baldwin, who included the remarks of former players to honor the team's head coach.
"I'm not in the Hall of Fame without Barry and the players," Watson said. "There's no way a Hall of Fame induction goes to a coach if he doesn't have the players and support to make it happen. If I started naming the players I've coached, I wouldn't be able to stop."
However, he did mention one former Redhawk, Suzie Miller, who replaced the team's injured starting goalkeeper in 1994 and helped lead the team to its first of consecutive runner-up finishes in the state tournament.
"Not only did she step in, she led us to a state title game," Watson said. "We don't get there without Suzie. She had earned the right to continue to play ... deserved to keep playing. That's the kind of player I'm talking about. The Hall of Fame is a shared honor -- coaches, players and family."
Coach of the Year honors went to St. Charles North manager Brian Harks, who led the North Stars to a 21-1-1 overall mark and a no. 4 ranking in Chicagoland Soccer's Final 50. The only blemish came in the team's final match of the season, a 2-0 loss to the home-standing Fillies in the Barrington Supersectional title game on May 29.
"It's very humbling," said Harks, who has a three-year record of 60-6-5 with the North Stars after serving as an assistant under former head coach Ruth Vostal for six campaigns. "Look at the names on the (Coach of the Year) list. I feel honored to be recognized among such a distinguished list.
"But it really is about the players, not me," Harks continued. "This year, we had a group of girls girls that truly bought into the team. Their work ethic superseded the talent. And they didn't care who scored. Not one player on the team was a 'me' player. They did a nice job carrying on the tradition of past teams."
New Trier defender Sydney Parker was named Player of the Year. The Class of 2018 graduate tallied 17 goals this season, and anchored a defense that posted 18 shutouts, allowed only nine goals overall and paced the Trevians to a second-consecutive runner-up finish in the IHSA tourney after three-straight titles from 2014-16.
New Trier (24-1-2 overall; no. 2 in Chicagoland Soccer's Final 50) fell to Barrington 3-2 on penalty kicks in six rounds to snap a 1-1 tie in the state title game on June 2. Barrington also topped New Trier in the 2017 championship tilt.
"I'm honored to have this award, very humbled by it," said Parker, who will continue her soccer career at DePaul University. "It's not something I strived for ... not expecting it. There are so many amazing players in this state."
Parker, who scored the Trevians' second goal during a 4-0 win over Andrew in the state semifinals, said she's proud to be considered among the program's best players.
"So many greats have come before me at New Trier," she said. "I think of those people, people I've looked up to who have made this program special. So this award is also for people who have helped me along the way -- coaches, people in the program, the community -- not just on the field but off the field as well."
New Trier head coach Jim Burnside, honored by the IHSSCA for reaching 500-career victories, said that Parker represented the total package.
"It goes beyond words what she meant to our success the last three three years," said Burnside, noting that Parker played a role in a total of 64 shutouts during her run with the Trevians. "The intangibles? Top-notch. The tangibles? Top-notch. She's just a phenomenal leader, phenomenal individual and phenomenal player ... highly respected."
Concerning his career-win milestone, Burnside, a 2017 IHSSCA Hall of Fame inductee, said, "When you get old, that happens. Seriously, though, it's about great players and parents, the (New Trier) athletic administration and my family. I've been fortunate, and I feel honored to have coached so many great players. I have won zero of those games. The kids won the games. They do all the work."
Neuqua Valley head coach Joe Moreau, a 2013 Hall of Fame inductee and the IHSSCA Executive Board of Directors Girls Vice President, also was honored for his coaching wins milestone of 400 victories. Moreau coached at St. Charles for 13 years and has been at the Neuqua Valley helm for eight campaigns.
"You're not gonna win games without good players and coaches in your program," Moreau said. "And it's not just the star players, it's the role players. There are kids who don't get recognized but are deserving. To see freshmen when they become seniors, what a difference."
Also recognized for coaching benchmarks were: Greg Bryan, Pleasant Plains (300 wins); Tom Bower, Latin (300); Matt Chapman, Normal (300); J.J. Crawford, Maine South (200); Dan Radz, Lincoln Way Central (200); Phil Basile, Reavis (100); Chris Brolley, Minooka (100); Derek Bylsma, Jones (100); Nate Eisfelder, Richwoods (100); Cesar Gomez, West Chicago (100); Froylan Jimenez, Hancock (100); Julie Klazynski, Freeburg (100); Robert Watson, Fenwick (100); and Lori Yates, Roxana (100).
Pekin's Jessica Beck was named Assistant Coach of the Year. The Dragons finished 13-8-0 this season.
"It's humbling to be mentioned with all these wonderful coaches," said Beck, who has served under Pekin head coach Edgar Sandoval for eight seasons while also working with the JV squad. "It's really fun. I get to be part of the excitement of the varsity and the development of the JV. It gives you such a great feeling to see a timid, shy freshman score their first goal, and then to see the development when they get to varsity. It's very rewarding and exciting."
Beck, a math teacher at Pekin, said she also coordinates Kicking Out Cancer, an annual soccer triple header that serves as a fundraiser for the Susan G. Komen organization that aids the fight against breast cancer.
Downstate Columbia (near St. Louis) was presented with the IHSSCA Sportsmanship Cup. Athletic director Joe Iorio accepted the award on behalf of head coach Jamey Bridges, who led Columbia to a 26-4-0 mark in 2018. The Eagles were ranked no. 1 in the final Illinois 10 poll and 38th in the Final 50 ranking.
"Jamey (Bridges) does a good job with our girls," Iorio said. "We play good, clean soccer -- a fast, clean game -- and we had only two yellow cards all year. As A.D., it's nice to hear good things about our kids. The biggest thing for our program is how you play on the field is an example for the kids, the school and the community. As A.D., this award makes me proud as hell."
Columbia's campaign ended with a 1-0 upset loss to Althoff in the Eagles' own Class A sectional final.
David Wilhelm, a veteran St. Louis-area sportswriter was named the IHSSCA's Soccer Person of the Year.
"This a real thrill," Wilhelm said. "I mostly covered basketball, so to get an honor in a sport that kinda grew on me is a thrill.
"It's a really great game, and once it grows on you it gets in your blood and becomes part of the fabric of your life."