North Shore Invitational debuts with a bang
Opening day features Naperville North-New Trier match
By Patrick Z. McGavin
Rivalries take many shapes and iterations. New Trier and Loyola are fierce competitors in a range of sports, but the nature and context of the girls soccer is harder to pin down. The two have been the defining programs in the North Shore. Invariably one has to get through the other to advance in the state tournament.
The girls soccer rivalry is bonded by complex factors, the most compelling is the close relationship of the two coaches, New Trier’s Jim Burnside and Loyola’s Craig Snower. The Trevians have won three-consecutive Class 3A state tournaments - the first time a team has accomplished the feat since St. Charles won five-straight titles from 1996-2000. Burnside is approaching 450 career victories in his 20th year directing the program.
Snower won his 250th career game in the Ramblers’ 4-1 victory over St. Ignatius Thursday night. His teams have won nine regionals and two sectionals in his 13 years.
Snower is a New Trier graduate who previously coached at the school. Many of those great New Trier players, like Kelly Maday, played in FC United, Snower’s club program. As the players from each program identify intensely with their schools, the rivalry is dynamic, complex and wondrously communal.
Burnside and Snower have long evinced not only a deep concern about their programs but have worked assiduously to elevate the game and showcase the top players. It was only natural the two competitor-friends joined forces to create a major new tournament.
The North Shore Invitational launches Saturday at the two soccer campuses walking distance apart and immediately promises to offer some of the most intriguing and top-level soccer in the state.
The two-pool, eight-team field features four games Saturday afternoon that showcase the the top three-ranked teams in the current Chicagoland Soccer Top 25. The tournament showcases a defending state champion (New Trier), a Class 2A state finalist (St. Francis) and two nationally rated programs that reached supersectionals last year (Naperville North and Barrington).
“Craig and I got together, and we wanted to build a tournament that coupled great competition ... with great coaches and players,” Burnside said. “We wanted the quality teams with coaches who want to allow their student-athletes to challenge themselves against others of equal quality.”
The first-day action includes with a stunner as top-ranked Naperville North confronts the no. 3 Trevians at 4 p.m. Stevenson and St. Francis playing in the first game at New Trier’s Northfield Campus 2 p.m.
The two programs have won the last five Class 3A state championships.
“Naperville North is a great, well-coached team,” Burnside said. “They play quality soccer at a pace and aggression that you need to match. They have high-level players who can show flashes of brilliance both individually and as a team. We love playing them because they force us to be at our best.”
These top programs -- New Trier, Naperville North, Loyola and Barrington -- also play in the Naperville Invitational, universally regarded as the best tournament in the state. Even so, Naperville North coach Steve Goletz immediately saw the value of playing in the North Shore Invitational.
“We jumped on it in order to play some of the best coaches and programs in state that are not in our backyard,” Goletz said. “When we saw we drew New Trier the first game, I think we were all very excited. Jim’s teams are the gold standard both in regards to championships but also the number of high-level players they continue to crank out. We are obviously excited to see how we measure up.”
St. Francis is by far the smallest school in the tournament. The tournament was a way to move out of the program’s comfort zone and play up against some of the state’s best teams in a high-level atmosphere.
“We felt it was a good time to stretch ourselves,” St. Francis coach Jim Winslow said. “Between Stevenson and New Trier in there with Naperville North, I guess we are going to find out. Frankly, it was time to challenge this group, see where stack up and see what needed work.”
Winslow also went over a coaching milestone when he won his 100th game at the start of the year. He also has one of his best offensive players back, dynamic junior forward Kendra Pasquale, after she missed the early part of the season from complications of a concussion.
At Loyola, the featured game is the opening tilt involving the host Ramblers and second-ranked Barrington.
“I have never played Barrington before, but I know they have a reputation for being a very good team,” Loyola junior forward Stephanie Ramsay said.
“They are the only team in my 14 years at Loyola that we have played more than once and never beaten,” Snower said. “We are going to have to play a near perfect game to stay with them.”
Barrington returns 10 starters and multiple returners from last year’s supersectional qualifier. The Fillies were scheduled to play Naperville North the opening game of the season. That game was cancelled because of weather.
“When you have people like Jim Burnside and Craig, and their (athletic directors), you know it is a very organized and well-run tournament, and plus being in it gives us a chance to play against teams not normally on our schedule,” Barrington coach Ryan Stengren said.
The Fillies are unscored upon and have posted an impressive win over Neuqua Valley.
“I have already had some college coaches tell me they are going to be out there,” Stengren said. “It’s going to be a great tournament, great teams and a great field.”
Glenbrook South plays Hinsdale Central in the second game at Loyola on Saturday.
Each team is guaranteed four games. The tournament resumes with pool play games at various sites through the week. On Saturday, April 15th, the championship and consolation games will be played at New Trier.
“Jim and I wanted to create a soccer focused event where we could play four high-quality games,” Snower said. “I think we have a great event. Barrington, Loyola, Hinsdale Central and Glenbrook South are all teams that play at the highest level. Stevenson has their best team in years and St. Francis is the best 2A team in the state.
“Put that all together and there is no easy game.”
Opening day features Naperville North-New Trier match
By Patrick Z. McGavin
Rivalries take many shapes and iterations. New Trier and Loyola are fierce competitors in a range of sports, but the nature and context of the girls soccer is harder to pin down. The two have been the defining programs in the North Shore. Invariably one has to get through the other to advance in the state tournament.
The girls soccer rivalry is bonded by complex factors, the most compelling is the close relationship of the two coaches, New Trier’s Jim Burnside and Loyola’s Craig Snower. The Trevians have won three-consecutive Class 3A state tournaments - the first time a team has accomplished the feat since St. Charles won five-straight titles from 1996-2000. Burnside is approaching 450 career victories in his 20th year directing the program.
Snower won his 250th career game in the Ramblers’ 4-1 victory over St. Ignatius Thursday night. His teams have won nine regionals and two sectionals in his 13 years.
Snower is a New Trier graduate who previously coached at the school. Many of those great New Trier players, like Kelly Maday, played in FC United, Snower’s club program. As the players from each program identify intensely with their schools, the rivalry is dynamic, complex and wondrously communal.
Burnside and Snower have long evinced not only a deep concern about their programs but have worked assiduously to elevate the game and showcase the top players. It was only natural the two competitor-friends joined forces to create a major new tournament.
The North Shore Invitational launches Saturday at the two soccer campuses walking distance apart and immediately promises to offer some of the most intriguing and top-level soccer in the state.
The two-pool, eight-team field features four games Saturday afternoon that showcase the the top three-ranked teams in the current Chicagoland Soccer Top 25. The tournament showcases a defending state champion (New Trier), a Class 2A state finalist (St. Francis) and two nationally rated programs that reached supersectionals last year (Naperville North and Barrington).
“Craig and I got together, and we wanted to build a tournament that coupled great competition ... with great coaches and players,” Burnside said. “We wanted the quality teams with coaches who want to allow their student-athletes to challenge themselves against others of equal quality.”
The first-day action includes with a stunner as top-ranked Naperville North confronts the no. 3 Trevians at 4 p.m. Stevenson and St. Francis playing in the first game at New Trier’s Northfield Campus 2 p.m.
The two programs have won the last five Class 3A state championships.
“Naperville North is a great, well-coached team,” Burnside said. “They play quality soccer at a pace and aggression that you need to match. They have high-level players who can show flashes of brilliance both individually and as a team. We love playing them because they force us to be at our best.”
These top programs -- New Trier, Naperville North, Loyola and Barrington -- also play in the Naperville Invitational, universally regarded as the best tournament in the state. Even so, Naperville North coach Steve Goletz immediately saw the value of playing in the North Shore Invitational.
“We jumped on it in order to play some of the best coaches and programs in state that are not in our backyard,” Goletz said. “When we saw we drew New Trier the first game, I think we were all very excited. Jim’s teams are the gold standard both in regards to championships but also the number of high-level players they continue to crank out. We are obviously excited to see how we measure up.”
St. Francis is by far the smallest school in the tournament. The tournament was a way to move out of the program’s comfort zone and play up against some of the state’s best teams in a high-level atmosphere.
“We felt it was a good time to stretch ourselves,” St. Francis coach Jim Winslow said. “Between Stevenson and New Trier in there with Naperville North, I guess we are going to find out. Frankly, it was time to challenge this group, see where stack up and see what needed work.”
Winslow also went over a coaching milestone when he won his 100th game at the start of the year. He also has one of his best offensive players back, dynamic junior forward Kendra Pasquale, after she missed the early part of the season from complications of a concussion.
At Loyola, the featured game is the opening tilt involving the host Ramblers and second-ranked Barrington.
“I have never played Barrington before, but I know they have a reputation for being a very good team,” Loyola junior forward Stephanie Ramsay said.
“They are the only team in my 14 years at Loyola that we have played more than once and never beaten,” Snower said. “We are going to have to play a near perfect game to stay with them.”
Barrington returns 10 starters and multiple returners from last year’s supersectional qualifier. The Fillies were scheduled to play Naperville North the opening game of the season. That game was cancelled because of weather.
“When you have people like Jim Burnside and Craig, and their (athletic directors), you know it is a very organized and well-run tournament, and plus being in it gives us a chance to play against teams not normally on our schedule,” Barrington coach Ryan Stengren said.
The Fillies are unscored upon and have posted an impressive win over Neuqua Valley.
“I have already had some college coaches tell me they are going to be out there,” Stengren said. “It’s going to be a great tournament, great teams and a great field.”
Glenbrook South plays Hinsdale Central in the second game at Loyola on Saturday.
Each team is guaranteed four games. The tournament resumes with pool play games at various sites through the week. On Saturday, April 15th, the championship and consolation games will be played at New Trier.
“Jim and I wanted to create a soccer focused event where we could play four high-quality games,” Snower said. “I think we have a great event. Barrington, Loyola, Hinsdale Central and Glenbrook South are all teams that play at the highest level. Stevenson has their best team in years and St. Francis is the best 2A team in the state.
“Put that all together and there is no easy game.”