Marist in form to make playoff run
By Patrick Z. McGavin
Emma Brennan has vivid and ecstatic memories of playing in the state tournament a year ago. Now a senior midfielder at Marist, she was part of a RedHawks’ juggernaut that cut through the Class 2A sectional field.
Marist won its first sectional in the program’s history.
Gearing up for the next stage of her final run, Brennan draws on those radiant memories of reaching the supersectional. Different year though mostly the same dynamic. Marist is a no. 3 seed at its own Class 2A sectional.
The team is poised and ready for another magnificent ride.
“I just think what we did last year gives us a lot more and knowing that we have done it before, we also know how much fun there is,” she said. “The end of our season this year is better than last year, and there is even more excitement for us this year.”
It all starts Wednesday afternoon at legendary Gately Stadium on the Southeast Side as the RedHawks match up with the host Eagles in the Brooks Regional. Oak Forest and Hyde Park play in the second game.
Marist is not stuck in the past, but the parallels are eerie. The same teams stand in the way. Last year Marist beat in succession Oak Forest, Lemont and Tinley Park. Those same programs stand in the RedHawks’ path for a repeat venture. The no. 25 Indians (15-1-4) are the top-seed. Tinley Park is the no. 2 seed. Crete-Monee is the no. 4 seed. Oak Forest is a six-seed.
Marist (9-11-2) has been up and down. The team is playing its best at the right time. Marist ended the regular season going undefeated (4-0-2) in its last six games. The team now pulses with new excitement and energy.
“I think our team came together,” Brennan said. “We finally found our groove and found a new confidence.”
Delaney Mulcahy, a senior forward and captain, is another crucial piece of the RedHawks’ attack. She and Brennan enter the state tournament with four goals and six assists. They are both creators and finishers.
“I am in the same boat as Emma,” she said. “Last year was such a great experience, and it was so fun to go so far in the playoffs. And I think it is going to help us play that much better this year because we have already been through it.”
The RedHawks have an intriguing mix of youth and experience -- nine seniors and six sophomores on the roster. Senior midfielder Cara Donegan and junior forward Serenity Rosa have also played a significnat role in the team’s growth.
The parts have taken shape.
“All the things we have talked about—making the deep runs, moving off the ball in and out of space, getting back on defense -- it has all clicked,” Marist coach Chris Roe said. “I’d say the movement off the ball is the biggest thing. We are able to switch the ball quickly from one side to the other. We moved Emma into the middle to get her more possession.”
The team has also played a strong schedule as part of the Windy City Ram Classic at the start of the year and a deeply competitive slate of games in the East Suburban Catholic Conference. Marist has proven itself more than capable when going up against schools of comparable size.
“Our regular season schedule was really tough, and I think it is really going to help us,” Mulcahy said. “Our record was probably not what we wanted it to be, but now we know how to compete and do well against the tougher teams. Now we have more energy, and we are ready to go much farther.”
The greater possession time has also translated into fewer scoring opportunities for the opposition. Marist posted four shutouts and enjoyed a scoring differential of 18-2 since a tight 1-0 loss against Marian Central on April 24.
“The momentum we have gained with these six games has created a lot of excitement,” Roe said. “The girls are really excited now, and they want to do as well or go even further than last year. We have a lot of confidence and the kids are starting to get that belief. Nobody is doubting.”
The team has done well to adjust to the heightened intensity of state tournament soccer.
“I think in the state tournament the pace is definitely faster and more intense,” Roe said. “It depends on the girls. With some you see a noticeable change and some just naturally play that way and some just play up. Everybody knows that if you lose, you are done.”
It is a ride the players never want to see end.
“I am excited to keep playing with this team and move on to the next level,” Brennan said.
By Patrick Z. McGavin
Emma Brennan has vivid and ecstatic memories of playing in the state tournament a year ago. Now a senior midfielder at Marist, she was part of a RedHawks’ juggernaut that cut through the Class 2A sectional field.
Marist won its first sectional in the program’s history.
Gearing up for the next stage of her final run, Brennan draws on those radiant memories of reaching the supersectional. Different year though mostly the same dynamic. Marist is a no. 3 seed at its own Class 2A sectional.
The team is poised and ready for another magnificent ride.
“I just think what we did last year gives us a lot more and knowing that we have done it before, we also know how much fun there is,” she said. “The end of our season this year is better than last year, and there is even more excitement for us this year.”
It all starts Wednesday afternoon at legendary Gately Stadium on the Southeast Side as the RedHawks match up with the host Eagles in the Brooks Regional. Oak Forest and Hyde Park play in the second game.
Marist is not stuck in the past, but the parallels are eerie. The same teams stand in the way. Last year Marist beat in succession Oak Forest, Lemont and Tinley Park. Those same programs stand in the RedHawks’ path for a repeat venture. The no. 25 Indians (15-1-4) are the top-seed. Tinley Park is the no. 2 seed. Crete-Monee is the no. 4 seed. Oak Forest is a six-seed.
Marist (9-11-2) has been up and down. The team is playing its best at the right time. Marist ended the regular season going undefeated (4-0-2) in its last six games. The team now pulses with new excitement and energy.
“I think our team came together,” Brennan said. “We finally found our groove and found a new confidence.”
Delaney Mulcahy, a senior forward and captain, is another crucial piece of the RedHawks’ attack. She and Brennan enter the state tournament with four goals and six assists. They are both creators and finishers.
“I am in the same boat as Emma,” she said. “Last year was such a great experience, and it was so fun to go so far in the playoffs. And I think it is going to help us play that much better this year because we have already been through it.”
The RedHawks have an intriguing mix of youth and experience -- nine seniors and six sophomores on the roster. Senior midfielder Cara Donegan and junior forward Serenity Rosa have also played a significnat role in the team’s growth.
The parts have taken shape.
“All the things we have talked about—making the deep runs, moving off the ball in and out of space, getting back on defense -- it has all clicked,” Marist coach Chris Roe said. “I’d say the movement off the ball is the biggest thing. We are able to switch the ball quickly from one side to the other. We moved Emma into the middle to get her more possession.”
The team has also played a strong schedule as part of the Windy City Ram Classic at the start of the year and a deeply competitive slate of games in the East Suburban Catholic Conference. Marist has proven itself more than capable when going up against schools of comparable size.
“Our regular season schedule was really tough, and I think it is really going to help us,” Mulcahy said. “Our record was probably not what we wanted it to be, but now we know how to compete and do well against the tougher teams. Now we have more energy, and we are ready to go much farther.”
The greater possession time has also translated into fewer scoring opportunities for the opposition. Marist posted four shutouts and enjoyed a scoring differential of 18-2 since a tight 1-0 loss against Marian Central on April 24.
“The momentum we have gained with these six games has created a lot of excitement,” Roe said. “The girls are really excited now, and they want to do as well or go even further than last year. We have a lot of confidence and the kids are starting to get that belief. Nobody is doubting.”
The team has done well to adjust to the heightened intensity of state tournament soccer.
“I think in the state tournament the pace is definitely faster and more intense,” Roe said. “It depends on the girls. With some you see a noticeable change and some just naturally play that way and some just play up. Everybody knows that if you lose, you are done.”
It is a ride the players never want to see end.
“I am excited to keep playing with this team and move on to the next level,” Brennan said.