Lane has history, Jones makes it
in city championship match
By Patrick Z. McGavin
Derek Bylsma is wistful recalling his earliest connection to the championship of the Chicago Public League's postseason tournament.
“Back when we were in the 3rd Division, I used to come to the semifinals and the city title game and just sit in the stands and think, even dream, about having a chance for our girls to be in it,” he said.
On Tuesday night the Eagles made program history as star midfielder Zoe Wright converted a penalty kick in the 46th minute that propelled Jones to a 1-0 victory over Payton in the second semifinal.
The Eagles (16-2-2) confront Lane, the city powerhouse that is ranked 13th in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, for the title at 7 p.m. Thursday night in Lane Stadium.
Lane is looking for its third-consecutive title. That was expected. The real story is Jones.
“This is huge,” said Bylsma of this pinnacle since he took over the girls programs eight years ago. He has orchestrated a steady upward climb, with some growing pains along the way.
Two years ago a young Jones team made a brief appearance in the Premier Division, the city’s top conference, only to be relegated to the 1st Division. Jones was unbowed and pressed on.
“This was the thing we hoped to get to somebody, but I did not necessarily think it would be yet,” he said. “Coming up from 1st Division last year and coming in second in Premier and making it to the final, I think we leapfrogged some expectations. I have a special group of girls here, but I think it also shows how far we have come.
“These girls worked very hard.”
Wright scored her 20th goal in powering the semifinal victory over the Grizzlies. The emotional action nearly overwhelmed her.
“I am so excited, I cannot even talk about it,” Wright said. “I can’t put words together. I always knew this program was capable of this. Now we are finally showing everybody what we are made of.”
Lane defeated Young in the other semifinal by the identical 1-0 margin. Lane is the standard against which the rest of the city is measured. The Indians and Eagles were the top two seeds in the field.
Jones administered Lane’s only non-victory in Premier play. On April 6th, Jones stunned the Indians by scoring two goals four minutes apart to bolt out of the gate to a 2-0 lead. Wright scored in the 15th minute and sophomore midfielder Lauren Nichols added a laser in the 19th.
Lane (15-2-3) responded with goals by sophomore midfielder Alana Coffman at the end of the first half and senior forward Lena Price-Johnson at the beginning of the second half to salvage the 2-2 draw.
“I think after we took that 2-0 lead, we took our foot off the gas pedal,” Wright said after the match. That is not going to be an issue come Thursday night.
“I think we are really determined to go out and make a stand against Lane,” Wright said.
At nearly 5-foot-10, Wright is a gazelle, long and agile and a player who uses her size to gain favorable matchups and dominate either inside the box or in the middle of the field. Her passing skills are exemplary and build off the talent of midfielders Janai Cedeno, Dani Schulgasser, Kassie Cortez and Rachel Sohn in the Eagles’ 3-5-2 formation.
Avery Kaplan and Gillian Miller are the forwards.
Gabriela Baxtrom, Charlotte Geissler and Izzy Kamba play in the back. Sophomore goalkeeper Devin Barry, fearless and athletic, solidifies the defense. Her play against Payton’s early pressure stood out. She also played exceptionally well in the regular season game against Lane.
Lane’s semifinal shutout of Young was the Indians’ 11th-consecutive victory, all by shutout. Lane has outscored the opposition 59-0 in those games.
Sophomore forward Grace Dunaway scored the game-winner from freshman Camaron Niforos' assist in the 46th minute. Dunaway played limited minutes because of an injury. The game showcased the Indians’ ability to strike in multifaceted ways.
“We have a lot of versatile players, and they will do what they do,” Lane coach Michelle Vale said. “No matter where I put them they are ready to go.”
The middle is where the game is likely to be determined. Lane also features a strong midfield with Coffman, Sydney Varga, Johanna Bozic and Caryle Makuch. Lane has multiple strong players, like Niforos and Jazzmin Jordan, ready to come in and make an impact.
Izzy Oganovich, one of the team’s best all-around players, starts in the back and typically moves up to the middle to balance the attack.
Lane knows they have the target on their back.
“While we were training I reminded the girls that everybody wants to move on,” Vale said. “Nobody is just going to let you have anything.”
The Young game illustrated that the second time around it gets harder for everybody. Past regular season blowouts are contested much tighter the second time around.
“It is the playoffs, and we expect teams to come out hard,” Lane defender Leah Finkielsztein said. “What kind of competition would it be if we won eight to nothing? We are not going to win this easily or singlehandedly.”
Jones understands the stakes and is ready.
“I like to go in with Lane thinking they are going to handle us pretty easily,” Bylsma said. “That’s how I like going into every game. I love being an underdog. I have been an underdog my entire life. That’s how I was personally and how I love being with this team. I will always play that role.
“I enjoy it, and it is a good place to be.”
in city championship match
By Patrick Z. McGavin
Derek Bylsma is wistful recalling his earliest connection to the championship of the Chicago Public League's postseason tournament.
“Back when we were in the 3rd Division, I used to come to the semifinals and the city title game and just sit in the stands and think, even dream, about having a chance for our girls to be in it,” he said.
On Tuesday night the Eagles made program history as star midfielder Zoe Wright converted a penalty kick in the 46th minute that propelled Jones to a 1-0 victory over Payton in the second semifinal.
The Eagles (16-2-2) confront Lane, the city powerhouse that is ranked 13th in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, for the title at 7 p.m. Thursday night in Lane Stadium.
Lane is looking for its third-consecutive title. That was expected. The real story is Jones.
“This is huge,” said Bylsma of this pinnacle since he took over the girls programs eight years ago. He has orchestrated a steady upward climb, with some growing pains along the way.
Two years ago a young Jones team made a brief appearance in the Premier Division, the city’s top conference, only to be relegated to the 1st Division. Jones was unbowed and pressed on.
“This was the thing we hoped to get to somebody, but I did not necessarily think it would be yet,” he said. “Coming up from 1st Division last year and coming in second in Premier and making it to the final, I think we leapfrogged some expectations. I have a special group of girls here, but I think it also shows how far we have come.
“These girls worked very hard.”
Wright scored her 20th goal in powering the semifinal victory over the Grizzlies. The emotional action nearly overwhelmed her.
“I am so excited, I cannot even talk about it,” Wright said. “I can’t put words together. I always knew this program was capable of this. Now we are finally showing everybody what we are made of.”
Lane defeated Young in the other semifinal by the identical 1-0 margin. Lane is the standard against which the rest of the city is measured. The Indians and Eagles were the top two seeds in the field.
Jones administered Lane’s only non-victory in Premier play. On April 6th, Jones stunned the Indians by scoring two goals four minutes apart to bolt out of the gate to a 2-0 lead. Wright scored in the 15th minute and sophomore midfielder Lauren Nichols added a laser in the 19th.
Lane (15-2-3) responded with goals by sophomore midfielder Alana Coffman at the end of the first half and senior forward Lena Price-Johnson at the beginning of the second half to salvage the 2-2 draw.
“I think after we took that 2-0 lead, we took our foot off the gas pedal,” Wright said after the match. That is not going to be an issue come Thursday night.
“I think we are really determined to go out and make a stand against Lane,” Wright said.
At nearly 5-foot-10, Wright is a gazelle, long and agile and a player who uses her size to gain favorable matchups and dominate either inside the box or in the middle of the field. Her passing skills are exemplary and build off the talent of midfielders Janai Cedeno, Dani Schulgasser, Kassie Cortez and Rachel Sohn in the Eagles’ 3-5-2 formation.
Avery Kaplan and Gillian Miller are the forwards.
Gabriela Baxtrom, Charlotte Geissler and Izzy Kamba play in the back. Sophomore goalkeeper Devin Barry, fearless and athletic, solidifies the defense. Her play against Payton’s early pressure stood out. She also played exceptionally well in the regular season game against Lane.
Lane’s semifinal shutout of Young was the Indians’ 11th-consecutive victory, all by shutout. Lane has outscored the opposition 59-0 in those games.
Sophomore forward Grace Dunaway scored the game-winner from freshman Camaron Niforos' assist in the 46th minute. Dunaway played limited minutes because of an injury. The game showcased the Indians’ ability to strike in multifaceted ways.
“We have a lot of versatile players, and they will do what they do,” Lane coach Michelle Vale said. “No matter where I put them they are ready to go.”
The middle is where the game is likely to be determined. Lane also features a strong midfield with Coffman, Sydney Varga, Johanna Bozic and Caryle Makuch. Lane has multiple strong players, like Niforos and Jazzmin Jordan, ready to come in and make an impact.
Izzy Oganovich, one of the team’s best all-around players, starts in the back and typically moves up to the middle to balance the attack.
Lane knows they have the target on their back.
“While we were training I reminded the girls that everybody wants to move on,” Vale said. “Nobody is just going to let you have anything.”
The Young game illustrated that the second time around it gets harder for everybody. Past regular season blowouts are contested much tighter the second time around.
“It is the playoffs, and we expect teams to come out hard,” Lane defender Leah Finkielsztein said. “What kind of competition would it be if we won eight to nothing? We are not going to win this easily or singlehandedly.”
Jones understands the stakes and is ready.
“I like to go in with Lane thinking they are going to handle us pretty easily,” Bylsma said. “That’s how I like going into every game. I love being an underdog. I have been an underdog my entire life. That’s how I was personally and how I love being with this team. I will always play that role.
“I enjoy it, and it is a good place to be.”