Preview: 30th annual St. Charles
Augsburg-Drach Invitational
By Steve Nemeth
Combine six teams all coming off a victory, three sides ranked among Chicagoland Soccer’s Top 25, a trio of returning CS 2018 All-State selections, all-conference honorees from end line to end line, high-scoring offenses, Great Wall-style defenses, and what do you have?
The new and improved 30th annual St. Charles Augsburg-Drach Invitational.
Back when St. Charles was establishing itself as an IHSA girls soccer powerhouse, the Rose Augsburg-Drach Invitational got its start.
The community's passion for the sport simply grew even as the times dictated expansion leading to the creation of two St. Charles schoosl -- East and North.
This spring that emphasis now comes full circle.
Just as the two schools combined for last fall's inaugural St. Charles Invitational in boys soccer, East and North now co-host this year's girls event.
Monday (April 1) marks the start with Orange Group matches contested at East with Blue Group action taking place at North. All weekday matches are slated for 5 p.m. leading up to Saturday’s fifth place (1 p.m.), third place (3 p.m.), and championship (5 p.m.) games decided at East’s Norris Stadium.
Orange Group action has Bartlett vs. Burlington Central on Monday, Burlington Central vs. East on Wednesday, and Bartlett vs. East on Thursday.
Blue Group play starts with Schaumburg vs. Cary-Grove on Monday, Cary-Grove vs. North on Wednesday, and Schaumburg vs. North on Thursday. Group play wins in regulation earn three points, wins from a shootout are worth two points while a shootout loss earns a single point. The third place teams in the two groups vie for fifth, the runners-up meet for third, while the group winners battle for the championship.
“Although we maintain the rich tradition and history of the Augsburg-Drach, co-hosting with North makes it feel like a relatively new tourney,” East coach Vince Dinuzzo said. “Both programs desire to provide a competitive tournament that involves a quality group of teams. While these six entrants fulfill that goal, we’re hoping to have eight teams next spring.”
“At East, every year the tourney means a lot and is part of our goal-setting,” senior Ashley DiOrio explained. “The upper-class players pass on the prestige associated with the tourney. I certainly remember last year in part because it snowed during a couple matches. Hopefully better weather this year will make for a more spirited event. North is a strong program and co-hosting with them and seeing some new teams makes things more competitive.”
After last fall’s collaboration, North coach Brian Harks thought the partnership for girls soccer was a natural.
“St. Charles as a community has a great history and tradition with the sport itself, so combining with East is a perfect way to showcase girls soccer,” Harks said. “The boys tourney last fall was a success, and we anticipate the spring will be just as well received.”
Starting with the Blue Group, St. Charles North (3-0-1), Chicagoland Soccer’s no. 2-rated unit, followed a season-opening road draw (2-2) against preseason no. 33 Conant with three-straight shutout victories: 2-0 at former no. 5 Neuqua Valley; 1-0 versus no. 16 St. Francis, and 1-0 against new DuKane Conference foe Lake Park.
Last year’s North Stars averaged over four goals per match and were undefeated prior to a 2-0 supersectional loss to eventual state champion Barrington. Losing two all-state scorers might explain the dip to a 1.5-goal scoring average, but the defense appears even more stout.
Hark’s preseason comment certainly seems prophetic: “While we may not have one superstar, we will have a strong group. We are a team that will work together to accomplish our tasks.”
Cece Wahlberg, a 2018 Chicagoland Soccer All-Stater pick plus under-appreciated goalie Sara Maleski (Mississippi College) have stepped up along with seniors Claudia Najera (Iowa State) and Ali Wessel (Florida Gulf Coast) to fuel North’s desire for more success. Najera and junior Sami Rydberg (two goals, one game-winner) both made the CS 2018 All-State Watch List.
Cary-Grove (2-0-1), ranked no. 24 in the Chicagoland Soccer First 50 state-wide preseason poll, began the year with a 1-1 road draw against Lake Zurich and has followed with solid victories over Huntley (5-1) and Carmel (3-0). Coach Ray Krystal’s Trojans also graduated an All-State standout in Kelly Stayart, but have five All-Fox Valley Conference honorees back, seniors Maddie Janusch, Megan Harbeck, Katie Glowinski, and Kailyn Sheehan (Florida Gulf Coast), plus sophomore Jenna Stayart,
The latter has taken over big sister’s scoring role with five goals in just three matches for a better scoring pace than the 14 she had in 2018. Missouri recruit McKenna Sheehan is a club standout aiming to have a memorable senior year.
The shine from Barrington’s state championship is probably why the shadow of a nail-biting sectional win is forgotten, but not by Cary-Grove. After a 1-1 regulation deadlock, the Fillies were ecstatic to score wish 4:42 left in the second overtime session. However, the Trojans got an equalizer with 2:09 remaining to force a shootout. That’s when a 3-1 advantage continued Barrington’s run.
Schaumburg (1-1-2), like its fellow Blue Group members, began this season with a 0-0 stalemate against Bartlett and then struggled in a 5-0 Mid-Suburban League loss to Conant. However, the Saxons have renewed energy and enthusiasm after blanking Crystal Lake South (3-0) and a egue road tie (3-3) against Buffalo Grove. Veteran coach Greg Charvat counts on All-Mid Suburban League selection Al Schaar (seven goals, 10 assists in 2018) to spearhead the attack while Livvy Masi is a veteran keeper. As 11 returnees incorporate seven newcomers into the mix, Schaumburg hopes to continue improving while perhaps being overlooked.
The Orange Group is headed by St. Charles East (7-1-0), Chicagoland Soccer’s no. 8 crew, which is fresh off claiming the Huntley Invitational championship with three straight clean-sheets while scoring 24 goals.
Since a season-opening 1-0 loss to no. 7 Fremd, the Saints have reeled off seven-consecutive wins and outscoring foes 47-2.
Although scoring threat Rose Stackhouse graduated, fellow 2018 CS All-State pick Alondra Carranza is back and has the all-around skills to strengthen the defense or initiate an attack from virtually anywhere on the field. Providing stability are a pair of 2018 CS Watch List performers in senior goalie Grace Griffin and senior midfielder Kayla Villa.
Stackhouse’s cleats are being filled by a newcomer in Elle McCaslin, a transfer from Plymouth, Mich. Eight matches in, the senior boasts team-highs of 12 goals and 30 points (with six assists). The Saints have six players with double-figure points: Hannah Miller (9g, 25 pts.), Villa (5, 14), Renee Unterberg (5, 12), Emma Blankenship (5, 12), and Jamie McDermott (5, 10).
A good question would be how dangerous is Bartlett (2-0-2)? Vince Revak’s positive influence even as an assistant in 2018 made him an obvious choice for his new head coaching assignment. Notice that “unbeaten” record, because there are correlations to last season.
After the mid-point of the season, a string of nine-straight games (7-0-2) without a loss propelled Bartlett into a share of the Upstate Eight Conference Valley Division title (3-0-2) with Glenbard East, now the no. 10 team in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25. That run included a 1-1 draw against the Saints. A promising 11-6-3 campaign ended in a regional championship loss (4-0) to the North Stars.
Since this year’s season-opening 0-0 tie at Schaumburg, the Hawks thumped East Aurora (5-0), battled evenly with Jacobs (1-1), and edged Hoffman Estates (1-0). Bartlett’s 2018 CS All-State selection in Jenna Dombrowski is gone, but the roster combines 10 seniors with some talented youth.
Many of the veterans can be found on a backline featuring Paige Bednarke and Maddie Donnelly. Perhaps the loss of All-UEC Valley goalie Teagan Noessen will produce a double-take when noting three shutouts and only a single goal allowed in four matches by freshman keeper Caitlin Yurkovich. Sophomore Serena Salvato (three goals) and senior Mikayla Brown (two goals) lead the offensive charge.
“Answering the invitation to this tourney was a no-brainer,” Revak said. “It’s a great opportunity to play really good teams, and unlike a regular-season match, the tourney setting can make it a big confidence booster.”
Yes Burlington Central (1-1-0) could be considered an underdog due to being the only Class AA program in the field. However, the Rockets relish that role and have often proven they’re more bite than bark.
This year’s loss came courtesy of Naperville Central, which was ranked no. 32 in the First 50. The 2-1 season-opening road loss could be attributed to Redhawks revenge for the 2-0 loss the Rockets dealt them to start 2018. Naperville Central was one of eight Class 3A foes faced by Burlington Central last season. Among the five wins against the big schools was a stunning 1-0 victory based on a 4-3 shootout edge against Barrington in the Naperville Invitational.
Those Class 3A champion Fillies failed to do what Class AA runner-up St. Viator did -- the Lions pulle off a 2-1 supersectional win over Burlington Central to end the Rockets’ year at 23-3-0.
It’s understandable if Coach Jessica Arneson misses CS All-Stater Jordan King, or all-conference grads like Megan Majewski, Erin Rafferty, and Sydney Pryor. However CS All-State honoree Zoey Kolhoff is back as a junior midfielder along with an all-conference teammate in senior defender Taylor Abbott. Plus the CS 2018 Watch List includes junior Madelyn Menke and soph Isabella Hartmann, so the cupboard isn’t empty.
The Rockets rebounded from their loss to Naperville Central with a 17-0 thrashing of Johnsburg -- a hint as to why the Kishwaukee River Conference voted the school out of the league after this year.
Augsburg-Drach Invitational
By Steve Nemeth
Combine six teams all coming off a victory, three sides ranked among Chicagoland Soccer’s Top 25, a trio of returning CS 2018 All-State selections, all-conference honorees from end line to end line, high-scoring offenses, Great Wall-style defenses, and what do you have?
The new and improved 30th annual St. Charles Augsburg-Drach Invitational.
Back when St. Charles was establishing itself as an IHSA girls soccer powerhouse, the Rose Augsburg-Drach Invitational got its start.
The community's passion for the sport simply grew even as the times dictated expansion leading to the creation of two St. Charles schoosl -- East and North.
This spring that emphasis now comes full circle.
Just as the two schools combined for last fall's inaugural St. Charles Invitational in boys soccer, East and North now co-host this year's girls event.
Monday (April 1) marks the start with Orange Group matches contested at East with Blue Group action taking place at North. All weekday matches are slated for 5 p.m. leading up to Saturday’s fifth place (1 p.m.), third place (3 p.m.), and championship (5 p.m.) games decided at East’s Norris Stadium.
Orange Group action has Bartlett vs. Burlington Central on Monday, Burlington Central vs. East on Wednesday, and Bartlett vs. East on Thursday.
Blue Group play starts with Schaumburg vs. Cary-Grove on Monday, Cary-Grove vs. North on Wednesday, and Schaumburg vs. North on Thursday. Group play wins in regulation earn three points, wins from a shootout are worth two points while a shootout loss earns a single point. The third place teams in the two groups vie for fifth, the runners-up meet for third, while the group winners battle for the championship.
“Although we maintain the rich tradition and history of the Augsburg-Drach, co-hosting with North makes it feel like a relatively new tourney,” East coach Vince Dinuzzo said. “Both programs desire to provide a competitive tournament that involves a quality group of teams. While these six entrants fulfill that goal, we’re hoping to have eight teams next spring.”
“At East, every year the tourney means a lot and is part of our goal-setting,” senior Ashley DiOrio explained. “The upper-class players pass on the prestige associated with the tourney. I certainly remember last year in part because it snowed during a couple matches. Hopefully better weather this year will make for a more spirited event. North is a strong program and co-hosting with them and seeing some new teams makes things more competitive.”
After last fall’s collaboration, North coach Brian Harks thought the partnership for girls soccer was a natural.
“St. Charles as a community has a great history and tradition with the sport itself, so combining with East is a perfect way to showcase girls soccer,” Harks said. “The boys tourney last fall was a success, and we anticipate the spring will be just as well received.”
Starting with the Blue Group, St. Charles North (3-0-1), Chicagoland Soccer’s no. 2-rated unit, followed a season-opening road draw (2-2) against preseason no. 33 Conant with three-straight shutout victories: 2-0 at former no. 5 Neuqua Valley; 1-0 versus no. 16 St. Francis, and 1-0 against new DuKane Conference foe Lake Park.
Last year’s North Stars averaged over four goals per match and were undefeated prior to a 2-0 supersectional loss to eventual state champion Barrington. Losing two all-state scorers might explain the dip to a 1.5-goal scoring average, but the defense appears even more stout.
Hark’s preseason comment certainly seems prophetic: “While we may not have one superstar, we will have a strong group. We are a team that will work together to accomplish our tasks.”
Cece Wahlberg, a 2018 Chicagoland Soccer All-Stater pick plus under-appreciated goalie Sara Maleski (Mississippi College) have stepped up along with seniors Claudia Najera (Iowa State) and Ali Wessel (Florida Gulf Coast) to fuel North’s desire for more success. Najera and junior Sami Rydberg (two goals, one game-winner) both made the CS 2018 All-State Watch List.
Cary-Grove (2-0-1), ranked no. 24 in the Chicagoland Soccer First 50 state-wide preseason poll, began the year with a 1-1 road draw against Lake Zurich and has followed with solid victories over Huntley (5-1) and Carmel (3-0). Coach Ray Krystal’s Trojans also graduated an All-State standout in Kelly Stayart, but have five All-Fox Valley Conference honorees back, seniors Maddie Janusch, Megan Harbeck, Katie Glowinski, and Kailyn Sheehan (Florida Gulf Coast), plus sophomore Jenna Stayart,
The latter has taken over big sister’s scoring role with five goals in just three matches for a better scoring pace than the 14 she had in 2018. Missouri recruit McKenna Sheehan is a club standout aiming to have a memorable senior year.
The shine from Barrington’s state championship is probably why the shadow of a nail-biting sectional win is forgotten, but not by Cary-Grove. After a 1-1 regulation deadlock, the Fillies were ecstatic to score wish 4:42 left in the second overtime session. However, the Trojans got an equalizer with 2:09 remaining to force a shootout. That’s when a 3-1 advantage continued Barrington’s run.
Schaumburg (1-1-2), like its fellow Blue Group members, began this season with a 0-0 stalemate against Bartlett and then struggled in a 5-0 Mid-Suburban League loss to Conant. However, the Saxons have renewed energy and enthusiasm after blanking Crystal Lake South (3-0) and a egue road tie (3-3) against Buffalo Grove. Veteran coach Greg Charvat counts on All-Mid Suburban League selection Al Schaar (seven goals, 10 assists in 2018) to spearhead the attack while Livvy Masi is a veteran keeper. As 11 returnees incorporate seven newcomers into the mix, Schaumburg hopes to continue improving while perhaps being overlooked.
The Orange Group is headed by St. Charles East (7-1-0), Chicagoland Soccer’s no. 8 crew, which is fresh off claiming the Huntley Invitational championship with three straight clean-sheets while scoring 24 goals.
Since a season-opening 1-0 loss to no. 7 Fremd, the Saints have reeled off seven-consecutive wins and outscoring foes 47-2.
Although scoring threat Rose Stackhouse graduated, fellow 2018 CS All-State pick Alondra Carranza is back and has the all-around skills to strengthen the defense or initiate an attack from virtually anywhere on the field. Providing stability are a pair of 2018 CS Watch List performers in senior goalie Grace Griffin and senior midfielder Kayla Villa.
Stackhouse’s cleats are being filled by a newcomer in Elle McCaslin, a transfer from Plymouth, Mich. Eight matches in, the senior boasts team-highs of 12 goals and 30 points (with six assists). The Saints have six players with double-figure points: Hannah Miller (9g, 25 pts.), Villa (5, 14), Renee Unterberg (5, 12), Emma Blankenship (5, 12), and Jamie McDermott (5, 10).
A good question would be how dangerous is Bartlett (2-0-2)? Vince Revak’s positive influence even as an assistant in 2018 made him an obvious choice for his new head coaching assignment. Notice that “unbeaten” record, because there are correlations to last season.
After the mid-point of the season, a string of nine-straight games (7-0-2) without a loss propelled Bartlett into a share of the Upstate Eight Conference Valley Division title (3-0-2) with Glenbard East, now the no. 10 team in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25. That run included a 1-1 draw against the Saints. A promising 11-6-3 campaign ended in a regional championship loss (4-0) to the North Stars.
Since this year’s season-opening 0-0 tie at Schaumburg, the Hawks thumped East Aurora (5-0), battled evenly with Jacobs (1-1), and edged Hoffman Estates (1-0). Bartlett’s 2018 CS All-State selection in Jenna Dombrowski is gone, but the roster combines 10 seniors with some talented youth.
Many of the veterans can be found on a backline featuring Paige Bednarke and Maddie Donnelly. Perhaps the loss of All-UEC Valley goalie Teagan Noessen will produce a double-take when noting three shutouts and only a single goal allowed in four matches by freshman keeper Caitlin Yurkovich. Sophomore Serena Salvato (three goals) and senior Mikayla Brown (two goals) lead the offensive charge.
“Answering the invitation to this tourney was a no-brainer,” Revak said. “It’s a great opportunity to play really good teams, and unlike a regular-season match, the tourney setting can make it a big confidence booster.”
Yes Burlington Central (1-1-0) could be considered an underdog due to being the only Class AA program in the field. However, the Rockets relish that role and have often proven they’re more bite than bark.
This year’s loss came courtesy of Naperville Central, which was ranked no. 32 in the First 50. The 2-1 season-opening road loss could be attributed to Redhawks revenge for the 2-0 loss the Rockets dealt them to start 2018. Naperville Central was one of eight Class 3A foes faced by Burlington Central last season. Among the five wins against the big schools was a stunning 1-0 victory based on a 4-3 shootout edge against Barrington in the Naperville Invitational.
Those Class 3A champion Fillies failed to do what Class AA runner-up St. Viator did -- the Lions pulle off a 2-1 supersectional win over Burlington Central to end the Rockets’ year at 23-3-0.
It’s understandable if Coach Jessica Arneson misses CS All-Stater Jordan King, or all-conference grads like Megan Majewski, Erin Rafferty, and Sydney Pryor. However CS All-State honoree Zoey Kolhoff is back as a junior midfielder along with an all-conference teammate in senior defender Taylor Abbott. Plus the CS 2018 Watch List includes junior Madelyn Menke and soph Isabella Hartmann, so the cupboard isn’t empty.
The Rockets rebounded from their loss to Naperville Central with a 17-0 thrashing of Johnsburg -- a hint as to why the Kishwaukee River Conference voted the school out of the league after this year.