Preview story: Class 3A Final Four
By Steve Nemeth
Which is more difficult, denying LeBron James and the Cavaliers in the NBA Finals, or someone keeping Jim Burnside and New Trier from a fourth-straight IHSA Class 3A Girls Soccer state crown?
No disrespect intended in any direction, but the coaching wizardry of Gregg Popovich in San Antonio, the scoring prowess of Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook or Houston's James Harden, and even teaming Kevin Durant with the Stephen Curry-led Warriors still hasn’t guaranteed Cleveland won’t repeat.
Naperville North’s status atop the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25 for most the year is history thanks to Downers Grove North, so is St. Charles North’s unbeaten record due to New Trier. Collinsville fills out the Final Four and hopes its third-straight trip to Naperville is the charm.
Simply put, champion New Trier gets the edge until someone knocks them out.
The first semifinal at 5 p.m. Friday is a rematch of the 2016 championship match.
In 2015, coach Clay Smith’s Collinsville class lost to Neuqua Valley and Barrington to finish fourth. Last year, Collinsville beat Glenbard East 2-1 only to be blanked 4-0 by New Trier in the championship.
The year before, Barrington couldn’t keep New Trier from reaching the title game, which was Waubonsie Valley’s semifinal fate in 2014.
Coach Ryan Stengren is wise enough to dismiss Barrington’s no. 1 rating for the last three weeks of Chicagoland Soccer's poll and not think about anything other than the 7 p.m. semi against finalist newcomer Downers Grove North. However, he respectfully believes he has his most balanced team.
The fact remains nobody reaches the finale if they don’t win Friday.
New Trier would become only the second girls soccer program to capture four-straight titles. But that’s not a topic for discussion with Burnside.
“People think I’m kidding, but we never, ever, ever, talk about being four-time, three-time, or even back-to-back anything. My staff and I have talked the entire year that this (season) is this team’s journey,” Burnside explained. “People will ask how does this team compare, you don’t compare. It’s not unlike parents telling you their kids are different, but they simply love them all.”
To put things in a historic perspective, St. Charles won five titles in a row under Joe Moreau from 1996 to 2000 until the district added a second high school.
“We’ve got a one-game bracket on our bulletin board. It’s us against Collinsville,” Burnside said.
The Trevians (23-2-1) capped an unbeaten run to the Central Suburban League South Division title before comfortable wins in regional and sectional play. Last Tuesday was, however, a nail-biter. New Trier made an early goal stand up for a 1-0 supersectional victory that ended second-ranked St. Charles North’s unbeaten season at 19-1-3.
Four minutes in, a North Stars turnover allowed Wisconsin-bound Sam Urban to crank a 35-yard missile into the back of the net. The senior defender’s third goal for the year was enough for New Trier to follow the previous year’s script that also included a 1-0 supersectional win over North. The difference then was a 54th-minute strike that held up.
Therein is a major characteristic of this year’s team according to Burnside.
“This team’s identity is based on heart and calmness. They can be intense, but they take everything in stride,” he said. “Of course I also believe you can’t win without team chemistry.”
Despite a defender listing on the roster, Sydney Parker is the Trevians’ scoring leader with 44 points (19 goals and six assists). Parker earned All-State status from Chicagoland Soccer last year and the IHSSCA this season. Burnside considers her the state’s best unsigned junior and the state’s best defender.
Junior Nicole Kaspi (40 points -- 16 goals/8 assists) provides bite to the attack as does freshman Emma Weaver (30, 12/6). Weaver joined Urban on the IHSSCA All-Section roster.
There is more Division I talent on the roster: Avery Schuldt (Dartmouth); Haley Paez (Miami, Ohio), and Hope Baisley (Fordham). Hannah Arment opted for Division III St. Lawrence.
The Trevians have seven-straight victories and are unbeaten (8-0-1) in their last nine outings. Six came via shutout and added to the 19 shutout victories that belong primarily to senior Katy Symanietz, an IHSSCA Honorable Mention All-Section pick. Aside from a scoreless draw at then no. 9 Lake Forest on May 6. The only other time New Trier was kept off the scoreboard this seaosn was a 1-0 loss to Barrington in the Naperville Invitational championship April 28.
Collinsville is understandably proud of its runnerup showing last year, but the title game shutout loss was also an all-too-familiar disappointment.
Back in 1988, the Kahoks beat Hinsdale Central 4-1 in a quarterfinal only to lose the next two games for a fourth place finish. Return trips in 1989, 1990, 1992 and 1998 all ended in single losses, as did their 2002 effort when the two-class system was in place. As a result, in between that first win over Hinsdale Central and the 2016 victory over Glenbard East, there were nine-straight state tourney losses. And yet, that 2-10 ledger is something hosts of schools would gladly claim.
Last season’s showing meant recruiters scoped the Kahok roster thoroughly. The signings ranged from Division I Emily Holten (Mississippi) and Andrea Frerker (SIU-Edwardsville) to Division II Tayler Devine, Danielle Knutson and Alynnah O'Leary (McKendree), Dayle McEwen (Francis Marion), Morgan Lerch (Jacksonville State), and Kaylee McSpadden (Maryville) to the NJCAA ranks for Bianca Cortez and Alex Deluca (Southwestern Illinois).
Smith, now in his seventh season, is one win shy of the 125th coaching victory milestone (124-34-11) after having been named IHSSCA Coach of the Year in 2016. This year’s Collinsville crew (19-6-1) has continued his trademark of never having more than single-figure losses and ties combined.
Spearheading the offense are O'Leary (50 points -- 21 goals/8 assists), Holten (41 -- 20/1), junior Courtney Marten (35 -- 15/5) and Frerker (26 -- 6/14).
Holten and Devine were 2016 Chicagoland Soccer All-State honorees, and Holten and Frerker were just named to this year’s IHSSCA all-state crew. O'Leary gained an IHSSCA All-Section accolade.
Barrington is as impressive on the field as the Fillies are statistically.
Experience, talent, chemistry, defense, offense, sustained success -- name a desired trait and Barrington (school single-season record for wins at 26-1-0) has it.
The Fillies won their first seven matches without yielding a goal, then beat Glenbrook South 2-1 prior to the one and only blemish -- a 1-0 loss to Naperville North in the title game of the inaugural North Shore Invitational. The defeat was avenged with a 3-2 win in the championship of the Naperville Invitational. The undefeated champions of the Mid-Suburban League also captured the MSL Soccer Bowl.
If not for a postseason surprise when Hononegah cut into a 2-0 deficit in the Fillies' 4-1 supersectional win, the playoffs have been a blast for Barrington, which has outscored its oppostion 24-1.
“We have 10 seniors who have gotten the whole group focused and committed to succeed,” coach Ryan Stengren said. “Since last November, their hard work drove them to play at a level they don’t worry about who the other team is.”
The supersectional win was Stengren’s 200th coaching triumph.
Among Barrington veterans are 2016 Chicagoland Soccer All-State selections Jackie Batliner and Sophia Spinell, who have Division I futures along with two teammates. Batliner heads to DePaul, and Spinell to Miami (Ohio). Haley Tausend will play at Eastern Illinois, and junior Michayla Herr is committed to Wisconsin.
Batliner gained IHSSCA All-State notice while Tausend is All-Section and junior goalie Sam Schmitz is Honorable Mention.
Spinell leads the offensive charge with 59 points (17 goals/25 assists) followed by Anna Brodjian (39 -- 17/5) and Ashley Prell (38 -- 15/8). Though a defender, Batliner has made solid contributions (20 -- 8/4).
“I’m definitely a defender first, but my teammates get me the ball in the right place at the right time,” Batliner explained. “That’s an example of how we adapt to each other’s strengths. It’s popular to talk about chemistry, but we really are best friends on and off the field. Maybe more so than other teams, I believe the chemistry we talk about translates onto the field.”
While Spinell understands New Trier’s status as three-time champion and how some anticipate a title showdown, she applies the brakes to that thinking.
“We’re excited to play Downers North,” Spinell said with emphasis. “We don’t judge anyone because of records or stats. I’m not surprised New Trier has been successful, but Downers is our only concern because it may sound cliché, but we take everything one step at a time.
“So many of us have played together since we were 10. We have the work ethic that puts a major emphasis on giving 110 percent effort all the time,” Spinell said. “Also I believe our coaches’ dedication is above and beyond what any player can expect. Coach Stengren and (Chris) Rierson put so much detail into our preparation, it makes a big difference.”
The Fillies hope to bring home their first title trophy. The Fillies were third back in 2000, and have some state finals history with New Trier. The 1-0 double overtime loss to the Trevians in 2015 was followed by a 2-1 win over Collinsville for third place, the same Class 3A finish Barrington had in 2013. At the 2006 AA finals, the Fillies fell short of a state crown in a 2-1 loss to New Trier.
Downers Grove North may be portrayed as the ultimate underdog which is simply happy to be at the party, but don’t think the hunger isn’t there.
Ala Michael Corleone’s “just when I thought I was out ….. they pull me back in” storyline from The Godfather III, Brian Papa ended his retirement and is back on the sideline with his trademark humor and soccer savvy.
The Godfather of state final success --- two runner-up finishes with the Lincoln-Way girls, two second-place efforts with the boys plus an unbeaten boys title at Sandburg --- Papa was settling into a volunteer assistant role when approached by DGN.
“I told Christine (Tomek) I wanted to be her assistant. But it’s the opposite way, and I couldn’t have done it without her insight and help,” Papa insisted. “From facing them (Downers Grove North) as an opponent in the past, I always thought there was potential, but I didn’t realize they’ve had so little success (in girls soccer).
“After finally getting to know them, I knew they were very talented, athletic and had heart, but it was up to me to convince them to have confidence and never quit. They’ve done a fantastic job of that.
“At the start of the playoffs, we just hoped to get to the next game. With a second regional title in 32 years, the first sectional and first supersectional, all bets are off. Why not us?” Papa asked. “We have speed and are very good on defense.”
Papa went on to praise his team's intelligence, noting that the Trojans boast 10 all-academic players, and built a season that the school and community can be proud of no matter which trophy comes home.
Junior Abby Swanson – an early Loyola commit – garnered IHSSCA All-State acclaim. Junior defenders Francesca Marconi and Olivia Bull received All-Section and Honorable Mention distinctions respectively. Swanson has compiled team-bests of 44 points on 13 goals and 18 assists. However, she isn’t alone in offensive production.
Senior midfielder Maggie Nevrly is next (25 -- 9/7) and is followed by Haley Reynolds (22 -- 10/2) who signed with Division III Grinnell (Ia.). Freshman Alexis Parker (21 -- 9/3), plus seniors Delaney Forst (19 -- 6/7) and Emily Redpath (17 -- 7/3) thrive on the newly-created spirit at school.
“We’ve got teachers, staff, and students saying good luck in the halls, PA announcements about the success our spring sports have had, it’s awesome,” Forst said.
“While we’ve played together from grade school on and are all friends, we’ve grown and learned so much as a team from both coaches.”
“I think our chemistry and skill level improved, but combine that with Papa’s teaching of formations and Tomek’s support, it’s all come together,” Redpath added. “We now have some real school spirit. In the regional final against (rival) South, we came out for the second half and the cheers from the crowd pumped us up so much. It’s been amazing.”
Nevrly affirmed her teammate’s assessments.
“Some of the juniors and seniors have played together since being nine or 10 years old, so the teamwork didn’t come out of nowhere, but Papa locked us into a system that focuses even more on playing as a team. Our program now gets respect and this weekend we’ve got a chance to earn more,” Nevrly said.
By Steve Nemeth
Which is more difficult, denying LeBron James and the Cavaliers in the NBA Finals, or someone keeping Jim Burnside and New Trier from a fourth-straight IHSA Class 3A Girls Soccer state crown?
No disrespect intended in any direction, but the coaching wizardry of Gregg Popovich in San Antonio, the scoring prowess of Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook or Houston's James Harden, and even teaming Kevin Durant with the Stephen Curry-led Warriors still hasn’t guaranteed Cleveland won’t repeat.
Naperville North’s status atop the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25 for most the year is history thanks to Downers Grove North, so is St. Charles North’s unbeaten record due to New Trier. Collinsville fills out the Final Four and hopes its third-straight trip to Naperville is the charm.
Simply put, champion New Trier gets the edge until someone knocks them out.
The first semifinal at 5 p.m. Friday is a rematch of the 2016 championship match.
In 2015, coach Clay Smith’s Collinsville class lost to Neuqua Valley and Barrington to finish fourth. Last year, Collinsville beat Glenbard East 2-1 only to be blanked 4-0 by New Trier in the championship.
The year before, Barrington couldn’t keep New Trier from reaching the title game, which was Waubonsie Valley’s semifinal fate in 2014.
Coach Ryan Stengren is wise enough to dismiss Barrington’s no. 1 rating for the last three weeks of Chicagoland Soccer's poll and not think about anything other than the 7 p.m. semi against finalist newcomer Downers Grove North. However, he respectfully believes he has his most balanced team.
The fact remains nobody reaches the finale if they don’t win Friday.
New Trier would become only the second girls soccer program to capture four-straight titles. But that’s not a topic for discussion with Burnside.
“People think I’m kidding, but we never, ever, ever, talk about being four-time, three-time, or even back-to-back anything. My staff and I have talked the entire year that this (season) is this team’s journey,” Burnside explained. “People will ask how does this team compare, you don’t compare. It’s not unlike parents telling you their kids are different, but they simply love them all.”
To put things in a historic perspective, St. Charles won five titles in a row under Joe Moreau from 1996 to 2000 until the district added a second high school.
“We’ve got a one-game bracket on our bulletin board. It’s us against Collinsville,” Burnside said.
The Trevians (23-2-1) capped an unbeaten run to the Central Suburban League South Division title before comfortable wins in regional and sectional play. Last Tuesday was, however, a nail-biter. New Trier made an early goal stand up for a 1-0 supersectional victory that ended second-ranked St. Charles North’s unbeaten season at 19-1-3.
Four minutes in, a North Stars turnover allowed Wisconsin-bound Sam Urban to crank a 35-yard missile into the back of the net. The senior defender’s third goal for the year was enough for New Trier to follow the previous year’s script that also included a 1-0 supersectional win over North. The difference then was a 54th-minute strike that held up.
Therein is a major characteristic of this year’s team according to Burnside.
“This team’s identity is based on heart and calmness. They can be intense, but they take everything in stride,” he said. “Of course I also believe you can’t win without team chemistry.”
Despite a defender listing on the roster, Sydney Parker is the Trevians’ scoring leader with 44 points (19 goals and six assists). Parker earned All-State status from Chicagoland Soccer last year and the IHSSCA this season. Burnside considers her the state’s best unsigned junior and the state’s best defender.
Junior Nicole Kaspi (40 points -- 16 goals/8 assists) provides bite to the attack as does freshman Emma Weaver (30, 12/6). Weaver joined Urban on the IHSSCA All-Section roster.
There is more Division I talent on the roster: Avery Schuldt (Dartmouth); Haley Paez (Miami, Ohio), and Hope Baisley (Fordham). Hannah Arment opted for Division III St. Lawrence.
The Trevians have seven-straight victories and are unbeaten (8-0-1) in their last nine outings. Six came via shutout and added to the 19 shutout victories that belong primarily to senior Katy Symanietz, an IHSSCA Honorable Mention All-Section pick. Aside from a scoreless draw at then no. 9 Lake Forest on May 6. The only other time New Trier was kept off the scoreboard this seaosn was a 1-0 loss to Barrington in the Naperville Invitational championship April 28.
Collinsville is understandably proud of its runnerup showing last year, but the title game shutout loss was also an all-too-familiar disappointment.
Back in 1988, the Kahoks beat Hinsdale Central 4-1 in a quarterfinal only to lose the next two games for a fourth place finish. Return trips in 1989, 1990, 1992 and 1998 all ended in single losses, as did their 2002 effort when the two-class system was in place. As a result, in between that first win over Hinsdale Central and the 2016 victory over Glenbard East, there were nine-straight state tourney losses. And yet, that 2-10 ledger is something hosts of schools would gladly claim.
Last season’s showing meant recruiters scoped the Kahok roster thoroughly. The signings ranged from Division I Emily Holten (Mississippi) and Andrea Frerker (SIU-Edwardsville) to Division II Tayler Devine, Danielle Knutson and Alynnah O'Leary (McKendree), Dayle McEwen (Francis Marion), Morgan Lerch (Jacksonville State), and Kaylee McSpadden (Maryville) to the NJCAA ranks for Bianca Cortez and Alex Deluca (Southwestern Illinois).
Smith, now in his seventh season, is one win shy of the 125th coaching victory milestone (124-34-11) after having been named IHSSCA Coach of the Year in 2016. This year’s Collinsville crew (19-6-1) has continued his trademark of never having more than single-figure losses and ties combined.
Spearheading the offense are O'Leary (50 points -- 21 goals/8 assists), Holten (41 -- 20/1), junior Courtney Marten (35 -- 15/5) and Frerker (26 -- 6/14).
Holten and Devine were 2016 Chicagoland Soccer All-State honorees, and Holten and Frerker were just named to this year’s IHSSCA all-state crew. O'Leary gained an IHSSCA All-Section accolade.
Barrington is as impressive on the field as the Fillies are statistically.
Experience, talent, chemistry, defense, offense, sustained success -- name a desired trait and Barrington (school single-season record for wins at 26-1-0) has it.
The Fillies won their first seven matches without yielding a goal, then beat Glenbrook South 2-1 prior to the one and only blemish -- a 1-0 loss to Naperville North in the title game of the inaugural North Shore Invitational. The defeat was avenged with a 3-2 win in the championship of the Naperville Invitational. The undefeated champions of the Mid-Suburban League also captured the MSL Soccer Bowl.
If not for a postseason surprise when Hononegah cut into a 2-0 deficit in the Fillies' 4-1 supersectional win, the playoffs have been a blast for Barrington, which has outscored its oppostion 24-1.
“We have 10 seniors who have gotten the whole group focused and committed to succeed,” coach Ryan Stengren said. “Since last November, their hard work drove them to play at a level they don’t worry about who the other team is.”
The supersectional win was Stengren’s 200th coaching triumph.
Among Barrington veterans are 2016 Chicagoland Soccer All-State selections Jackie Batliner and Sophia Spinell, who have Division I futures along with two teammates. Batliner heads to DePaul, and Spinell to Miami (Ohio). Haley Tausend will play at Eastern Illinois, and junior Michayla Herr is committed to Wisconsin.
Batliner gained IHSSCA All-State notice while Tausend is All-Section and junior goalie Sam Schmitz is Honorable Mention.
Spinell leads the offensive charge with 59 points (17 goals/25 assists) followed by Anna Brodjian (39 -- 17/5) and Ashley Prell (38 -- 15/8). Though a defender, Batliner has made solid contributions (20 -- 8/4).
“I’m definitely a defender first, but my teammates get me the ball in the right place at the right time,” Batliner explained. “That’s an example of how we adapt to each other’s strengths. It’s popular to talk about chemistry, but we really are best friends on and off the field. Maybe more so than other teams, I believe the chemistry we talk about translates onto the field.”
While Spinell understands New Trier’s status as three-time champion and how some anticipate a title showdown, she applies the brakes to that thinking.
“We’re excited to play Downers North,” Spinell said with emphasis. “We don’t judge anyone because of records or stats. I’m not surprised New Trier has been successful, but Downers is our only concern because it may sound cliché, but we take everything one step at a time.
“So many of us have played together since we were 10. We have the work ethic that puts a major emphasis on giving 110 percent effort all the time,” Spinell said. “Also I believe our coaches’ dedication is above and beyond what any player can expect. Coach Stengren and (Chris) Rierson put so much detail into our preparation, it makes a big difference.”
The Fillies hope to bring home their first title trophy. The Fillies were third back in 2000, and have some state finals history with New Trier. The 1-0 double overtime loss to the Trevians in 2015 was followed by a 2-1 win over Collinsville for third place, the same Class 3A finish Barrington had in 2013. At the 2006 AA finals, the Fillies fell short of a state crown in a 2-1 loss to New Trier.
Downers Grove North may be portrayed as the ultimate underdog which is simply happy to be at the party, but don’t think the hunger isn’t there.
Ala Michael Corleone’s “just when I thought I was out ….. they pull me back in” storyline from The Godfather III, Brian Papa ended his retirement and is back on the sideline with his trademark humor and soccer savvy.
The Godfather of state final success --- two runner-up finishes with the Lincoln-Way girls, two second-place efforts with the boys plus an unbeaten boys title at Sandburg --- Papa was settling into a volunteer assistant role when approached by DGN.
“I told Christine (Tomek) I wanted to be her assistant. But it’s the opposite way, and I couldn’t have done it without her insight and help,” Papa insisted. “From facing them (Downers Grove North) as an opponent in the past, I always thought there was potential, but I didn’t realize they’ve had so little success (in girls soccer).
“After finally getting to know them, I knew they were very talented, athletic and had heart, but it was up to me to convince them to have confidence and never quit. They’ve done a fantastic job of that.
“At the start of the playoffs, we just hoped to get to the next game. With a second regional title in 32 years, the first sectional and first supersectional, all bets are off. Why not us?” Papa asked. “We have speed and are very good on defense.”
Papa went on to praise his team's intelligence, noting that the Trojans boast 10 all-academic players, and built a season that the school and community can be proud of no matter which trophy comes home.
Junior Abby Swanson – an early Loyola commit – garnered IHSSCA All-State acclaim. Junior defenders Francesca Marconi and Olivia Bull received All-Section and Honorable Mention distinctions respectively. Swanson has compiled team-bests of 44 points on 13 goals and 18 assists. However, she isn’t alone in offensive production.
Senior midfielder Maggie Nevrly is next (25 -- 9/7) and is followed by Haley Reynolds (22 -- 10/2) who signed with Division III Grinnell (Ia.). Freshman Alexis Parker (21 -- 9/3), plus seniors Delaney Forst (19 -- 6/7) and Emily Redpath (17 -- 7/3) thrive on the newly-created spirit at school.
“We’ve got teachers, staff, and students saying good luck in the halls, PA announcements about the success our spring sports have had, it’s awesome,” Forst said.
“While we’ve played together from grade school on and are all friends, we’ve grown and learned so much as a team from both coaches.”
“I think our chemistry and skill level improved, but combine that with Papa’s teaching of formations and Tomek’s support, it’s all come together,” Redpath added. “We now have some real school spirit. In the regional final against (rival) South, we came out for the second half and the cheers from the crowd pumped us up so much. It’s been amazing.”
Nevrly affirmed her teammate’s assessments.
“Some of the juniors and seniors have played together since being nine or 10 years old, so the teamwork didn’t come out of nowhere, but Papa locked us into a system that focuses even more on playing as a team. Our program now gets respect and this weekend we’ve got a chance to earn more,” Nevrly said.