Notebook: Prospect
By Patrick Z. McGavin
MOUNT PROSPECT -- On May 7th, a beautiful Monday night, an exquisite light hung over the field at Prospect. The idealized physical backdrop to a moment of celebration and honor for the seven seniors playing their final home game for the Knights.
The game against Hersey was actually a reschedule after lightning and rain from the previous Wednesday night darkened and scuttled the planned activities. In a way, the delay was welcome. None of these young women were quite ready to say goodbye.
Now, the moment was pristine, joyous and something to behold.
A terrific extended halftime ceremony paid homage to a wonderful group, offering personal details about academic and athletic achievement and the next stage of their lives, college destinations and planned careers. Shawna Stokes, a forward and midfielder, is eager for a life in television production and filmmaking and wants to shatter the industry glass shield that has artificially held young women back.
The seven players were accorded their due: Stokes, keeper Gianna Rossi, midfielder Natalie Miodowski, midfielder Faith Fitzsimmons, forward Sarah Mulvihill, midfielder Natalie Marfilius and defender Kelly Moran.
Accompanied by their families, the players were deeply moved by the gesture, open and thoughtful.
“It was so emotional,” Fitzsimmons said. “I was about to start crying. Prospect soccer has been our lives the last four years, so to end on a note like this was just amazing.”
Fitzsimmons punctuated the memorable night with a beautiful final touch for a terrific goal in the 67th minute, from a wonderful sequence begun to Stokes and directly set up by Mulvihill, for the Knights the 1-0 victory.
“I think the victory means a lot because this was one year when we beat Hersey,” Stokes said. “Last year we didn’t beat them, and the year before we didn’t. To win on Senior Night was just awesome.”
That was a poetic finish. Successful soccer is predicated on players understanding each other and getting along, at times even giving up traces of their identities or personalities for the collective good. Sacrifice is an essential part of the equation.
With regard to soccer, the seven seniors have followed largely parallel lines. Many played together even before they arrived at Prospect.
“We all play club together,” Mulvihill said, referencing Stokes and Fitzsimmons. “I’ve played with Faith since my freshman year and then Shawna came in. It has been an honor to play with them.”
The night achieved two objections of giving some personal definition to the players who have dedicated so much of themselves to the program and the desire to keep it going at all costs.
Prospect coach Tom Froats has witnessed their growth, maturity and the coming of age.
“I think what I am going to remember the most about this [senior] class is their persona,” Froats said. “They take care of themselves in such a classy way. You want your players to do things the right way. They epitomized what every coach hopes for. They were unbelievably great teammates, great students, great players and great role models.
“They brought a lot of class.”
It is also a group with some unfinished business. Prospect last won a regional title in 2007. That is an eternity in soccer time. The seniors and the younger players are eager to claim something whole and lasting.
Two years ago, Prospect took a talented Warren team to penalty kicks in a regional final at Highland Park. Last year they lost to powerhouse New Trier in a regional final.
“I think we are on a high right now, and we are definitely looking to win our regional championship right now,” Fitzsimmons said. “The last few years, we have been in the regional championship, but we haven’t been able to win. That game against Warren a couple of years ago still haunts us.
“We really want to end on a really good note.”
On Wednesday, May 16th, Tina Suto and Abbey Danciu scored a goal each as the Knights defeated Taft 2-0 in a Class 3A regional semifinal at Evanston. Ella Marzolf and Alexa Mitka had the assists.
Rossi collected the shutout
Prospect (11-8-2) now moves on to face a formidable Evanston team for the regional title on Friday night. The seven seniors are avid to play on. The Knights’ versatile and skilled underclassmen are ready to do their part.
“We’ve had some tough losses on the way,” Froats said. “This [senior] group has been fun to watch.”
Soccer is almost inevitable topsy-turvy and volatile, with swings and momentum shifts. The seniors have been a stabilizing force. The team is ready. Everything matters.
“Every win is a great win,” Stokes said.
By Patrick Z. McGavin
MOUNT PROSPECT -- On May 7th, a beautiful Monday night, an exquisite light hung over the field at Prospect. The idealized physical backdrop to a moment of celebration and honor for the seven seniors playing their final home game for the Knights.
The game against Hersey was actually a reschedule after lightning and rain from the previous Wednesday night darkened and scuttled the planned activities. In a way, the delay was welcome. None of these young women were quite ready to say goodbye.
Now, the moment was pristine, joyous and something to behold.
A terrific extended halftime ceremony paid homage to a wonderful group, offering personal details about academic and athletic achievement and the next stage of their lives, college destinations and planned careers. Shawna Stokes, a forward and midfielder, is eager for a life in television production and filmmaking and wants to shatter the industry glass shield that has artificially held young women back.
The seven players were accorded their due: Stokes, keeper Gianna Rossi, midfielder Natalie Miodowski, midfielder Faith Fitzsimmons, forward Sarah Mulvihill, midfielder Natalie Marfilius and defender Kelly Moran.
Accompanied by their families, the players were deeply moved by the gesture, open and thoughtful.
“It was so emotional,” Fitzsimmons said. “I was about to start crying. Prospect soccer has been our lives the last four years, so to end on a note like this was just amazing.”
Fitzsimmons punctuated the memorable night with a beautiful final touch for a terrific goal in the 67th minute, from a wonderful sequence begun to Stokes and directly set up by Mulvihill, for the Knights the 1-0 victory.
“I think the victory means a lot because this was one year when we beat Hersey,” Stokes said. “Last year we didn’t beat them, and the year before we didn’t. To win on Senior Night was just awesome.”
That was a poetic finish. Successful soccer is predicated on players understanding each other and getting along, at times even giving up traces of their identities or personalities for the collective good. Sacrifice is an essential part of the equation.
With regard to soccer, the seven seniors have followed largely parallel lines. Many played together even before they arrived at Prospect.
“We all play club together,” Mulvihill said, referencing Stokes and Fitzsimmons. “I’ve played with Faith since my freshman year and then Shawna came in. It has been an honor to play with them.”
The night achieved two objections of giving some personal definition to the players who have dedicated so much of themselves to the program and the desire to keep it going at all costs.
Prospect coach Tom Froats has witnessed their growth, maturity and the coming of age.
“I think what I am going to remember the most about this [senior] class is their persona,” Froats said. “They take care of themselves in such a classy way. You want your players to do things the right way. They epitomized what every coach hopes for. They were unbelievably great teammates, great students, great players and great role models.
“They brought a lot of class.”
It is also a group with some unfinished business. Prospect last won a regional title in 2007. That is an eternity in soccer time. The seniors and the younger players are eager to claim something whole and lasting.
Two years ago, Prospect took a talented Warren team to penalty kicks in a regional final at Highland Park. Last year they lost to powerhouse New Trier in a regional final.
“I think we are on a high right now, and we are definitely looking to win our regional championship right now,” Fitzsimmons said. “The last few years, we have been in the regional championship, but we haven’t been able to win. That game against Warren a couple of years ago still haunts us.
“We really want to end on a really good note.”
On Wednesday, May 16th, Tina Suto and Abbey Danciu scored a goal each as the Knights defeated Taft 2-0 in a Class 3A regional semifinal at Evanston. Ella Marzolf and Alexa Mitka had the assists.
Rossi collected the shutout
Prospect (11-8-2) now moves on to face a formidable Evanston team for the regional title on Friday night. The seven seniors are avid to play on. The Knights’ versatile and skilled underclassmen are ready to do their part.
“We’ve had some tough losses on the way,” Froats said. “This [senior] group has been fun to watch.”
Soccer is almost inevitable topsy-turvy and volatile, with swings and momentum shifts. The seniors have been a stabilizing force. The team is ready. Everything matters.
“Every win is a great win,” Stokes said.