Downers North has tough assignment in Loyola
By Chris Walker
Loyola is the most successful team in PepsiCo Showdown history.
That’s saying something, but the Ramblers can back it up. Their three titles make them the only multiple champions in tournament history.
“We’ve been in it since its inception,” Loyola coach Craig Snower said. “We last won it in 2012 and last year we lost in the semifinals to the eventual champion (New Trier). We’ve only played in the consolation two years so we’ve been in the semifinals six times.”
Loyola (5-1-1) is coming off a 20-3-1 season and appears as strong as ever, with a seasoned back line that’s going to keep them in every game.
Juniors Lauren Chrisman and Alex Yasko, and senior Katie Taylor lead the defense. The team has turned to multiple players to do its scoring since star Devin Burns was lost for the season with a torn ACL.
“We’ve had some nice balance,” Snower said. “After losing our best scorer we’ve had three players already with more than five goals apiece.”
Downers Grove North (4-2-0) is coming off a 3-0 victory against Riverside-Brookfield on Friday.
“It wasn’t a clear cut win from the get-go because we didn’t score until the 55th or 60th minute of the game,” Trojans coach Bob Calder said. “It was a tight game until (Ellie Metros and Jessica Ridderhoff) stepped up and broke the game open.”
Lexi Cittadine tallied in the 73rd minute to end the scoring.
The challenge that Loyola presents will be much larger than Riverside-Brookfield, but Calder believes his squad is well prepared for it.
“It’ll be a tough game and a pretty good test for us,” he said. “Some of our wins have not be so strong so far. But we lost to Lemont and were without four starters, and we lost to Hinsdale Central, even though we played with them. Both of their goals came from outside the 18(-yard line) and were just very good shots they put in. We just didn’t take advantage of our chances.”
There likely won’t be too many chances against Loyola and their strong defense.
“The PepsiCo Showdown is an exciting time so I think we’re excited for it,” Calder said. “We’re not looking to peak right now. We want to do that in May in the playoffs, but I’m happy with where we’re at right now. We haven’t had that many really hard-fought, competitive games, but we’ll see that in the Pepsi.”
Downers Grove North has outscored opponents 15-0 in its four victories.
Game time for Saturday is set for 5:30 at Olympic Park in Schaumburg.
By Chris Walker
Loyola is the most successful team in PepsiCo Showdown history.
That’s saying something, but the Ramblers can back it up. Their three titles make them the only multiple champions in tournament history.
“We’ve been in it since its inception,” Loyola coach Craig Snower said. “We last won it in 2012 and last year we lost in the semifinals to the eventual champion (New Trier). We’ve only played in the consolation two years so we’ve been in the semifinals six times.”
Loyola (5-1-1) is coming off a 20-3-1 season and appears as strong as ever, with a seasoned back line that’s going to keep them in every game.
Juniors Lauren Chrisman and Alex Yasko, and senior Katie Taylor lead the defense. The team has turned to multiple players to do its scoring since star Devin Burns was lost for the season with a torn ACL.
“We’ve had some nice balance,” Snower said. “After losing our best scorer we’ve had three players already with more than five goals apiece.”
Downers Grove North (4-2-0) is coming off a 3-0 victory against Riverside-Brookfield on Friday.
“It wasn’t a clear cut win from the get-go because we didn’t score until the 55th or 60th minute of the game,” Trojans coach Bob Calder said. “It was a tight game until (Ellie Metros and Jessica Ridderhoff) stepped up and broke the game open.”
Lexi Cittadine tallied in the 73rd minute to end the scoring.
The challenge that Loyola presents will be much larger than Riverside-Brookfield, but Calder believes his squad is well prepared for it.
“It’ll be a tough game and a pretty good test for us,” he said. “Some of our wins have not be so strong so far. But we lost to Lemont and were without four starters, and we lost to Hinsdale Central, even though we played with them. Both of their goals came from outside the 18(-yard line) and were just very good shots they put in. We just didn’t take advantage of our chances.”
There likely won’t be too many chances against Loyola and their strong defense.
“The PepsiCo Showdown is an exciting time so I think we’re excited for it,” Calder said. “We’re not looking to peak right now. We want to do that in May in the playoffs, but I’m happy with where we’re at right now. We haven’t had that many really hard-fought, competitive games, but we’ll see that in the Pepsi.”
Downers Grove North has outscored opponents 15-0 in its four victories.
Game time for Saturday is set for 5:30 at Olympic Park in Schaumburg.