History makes New Trier team to beat in 3A
By Patrick Z. McGavin
On May 24th, 2013, a Friday night, New Trier lost a heart-wrenching Class 3A sectional final 1-0 against rival Loyola.
The Trevians have been perfect in the state tournament ever since.
New Trier is one of the most decorated programs in the history of Illinois girls soccer. Coach Jim Burnside took over the program in 1998 and opened his 20-year run with back-to-back third-place trophies. During a remarkable four-year run (2003-2006), New Trier reached four consecutive state championships and won three, punctuated by the perfect 2004 team that finished 30-0-0.
Since the loss to Loyola, New Trier has captured three consecutive Class 3A state titles—the first program to win three-successive championships in the history of the three-class state format. New Trier went through the gauntlet, defeating in succession St. Charles East, Neuqua Valley and Collinsville.
The most remarkable line is not just the 21-0 run. The most improbable statistic is zero—the Trevians have not conceded a goal in the state tournament since that sectional final against Loyola.
“To be 100 percent honest, that fact completely snuck up on us,” Burnside said. “That is not really our focus. When we give up a goal in a state tournament game, our goal is to win those games. It is a remarkable feat, but it is more a function of preparation and luck.”
Now the Trevians look to the next chapter in their quest for history. Only the legendary St. Charles teams -- coached by current Neuqua Valley mentor Joe Moreau -- won more consecutive state championships. Moreau’s Saints teams won five-straight state titles from 1996-2000, including back-to-back undefeated campaigns in 1997 and 1998. Moreau’s teams went 128-5-6 during that run. New Trier is now 100-7-4.
“It is an impressive run,” Moreau said. “Each year puts more pressure on the current team, because you do not want to be on the team that breaks the streak. On the positive side, you have girls who have been on those teams, and they know what it takes to get to state.”
The stage in New Trier’s run to history begins on Tuesday at the Prospect regional. The top-seed in the Glenbrook North sectional, the Trevians play Maine East. The team is ready, evidenced by its victory over Glenbrook North in the Central Suburban championship and a very impressive 2-0 shutout of no. 7 Fremd to conclude the regular season.
“I think it has a lot to do with players looking at how we approach the playoffs,” Burnside said.
“We look forward to the tournament, understanding that it is our chance to extend the season.I think we are ready. This group still has some growth. In practice we are not just trying to keep the status quo. We are trying to improve in certain areas. We talk about the basics. This group is ready, amazingly loose and definitely ready to be in the postseason.”
New Trier (18-2-1) has lost only to top-ranked Barrington, previous no. 1 and current no. 3 Naperville North and played no. 9 Lake Forest to a scoreless draw.
The architects of the three state titles -- Kelly Maday, Bina Sapai, Celia Frei and keeper Dani Kauffman -- graduated and are playing major college soccer. As Moreau pointed out, complementary players that had the benefit of being in the system saw their new opportunity to take center stage.
Junior Nicole Kaspi, who had just two goals last year, has emerged in her breakout year.
“Obviously last year we graduated about 11 seniors, and everybody is stepping up to a new role for the most part,” Kaspi said. “But I think we have all taken it to a new advantage. That’s what they did last year, and this is what we are going to do this year. We are trying to remember what happened the last couple of years and trying to repeat it.”
Kaspi scored a goal in the Trevians’ 4-0 state semifinal victory over Huntley, a sign of things to come. Burnside called her a wildcard.
“She has really come into her own,” Burnside said. “We always knew she had the ability, and she has stepped into a role and taken responsibility for being a dominant player.”
Megan Murdoch, Caroline Iserloth and Sam Urban are part of a suffocating backline. Junior defender Sydney Parker is the team’s emerging superstar, capable of playing anywhere on the field and is exceptionally dangerous on set pieces and re-starts.
“I think we have a lot of talented players who can do special things out there,” Parker said.
Keeper Katy Symanietz has allowed just six goals and recorded 15 shutouts.
Senior midfielders Hannah Arment, Avery Schuldt and Hope Baisley have also impressed. Lily Conley is dynamite with the ball. Whitney Hoban is another versatile player capable of playing either in the middle or up top. Freshman Emma Weaver is one of the best players in the state for her class.
Most importantly, New Trier has been there, so often it has become second-nature. The Trevians know what to do.
“In order to win the state tournament, you have to get hot at the right time, avoid injuries and avoid sickness,” Burnside said. “A perfect storm has to come together. I’d say there has only been one season [2004] it was not a perfect storm, we were just that good. Otherwise everything has to come together for this seven-game run. Part of it is the pathway and how other teams take care of themselves.
“You have to make your luck and prepare.”
By Patrick Z. McGavin
On May 24th, 2013, a Friday night, New Trier lost a heart-wrenching Class 3A sectional final 1-0 against rival Loyola.
The Trevians have been perfect in the state tournament ever since.
New Trier is one of the most decorated programs in the history of Illinois girls soccer. Coach Jim Burnside took over the program in 1998 and opened his 20-year run with back-to-back third-place trophies. During a remarkable four-year run (2003-2006), New Trier reached four consecutive state championships and won three, punctuated by the perfect 2004 team that finished 30-0-0.
Since the loss to Loyola, New Trier has captured three consecutive Class 3A state titles—the first program to win three-successive championships in the history of the three-class state format. New Trier went through the gauntlet, defeating in succession St. Charles East, Neuqua Valley and Collinsville.
The most remarkable line is not just the 21-0 run. The most improbable statistic is zero—the Trevians have not conceded a goal in the state tournament since that sectional final against Loyola.
“To be 100 percent honest, that fact completely snuck up on us,” Burnside said. “That is not really our focus. When we give up a goal in a state tournament game, our goal is to win those games. It is a remarkable feat, but it is more a function of preparation and luck.”
Now the Trevians look to the next chapter in their quest for history. Only the legendary St. Charles teams -- coached by current Neuqua Valley mentor Joe Moreau -- won more consecutive state championships. Moreau’s Saints teams won five-straight state titles from 1996-2000, including back-to-back undefeated campaigns in 1997 and 1998. Moreau’s teams went 128-5-6 during that run. New Trier is now 100-7-4.
“It is an impressive run,” Moreau said. “Each year puts more pressure on the current team, because you do not want to be on the team that breaks the streak. On the positive side, you have girls who have been on those teams, and they know what it takes to get to state.”
The stage in New Trier’s run to history begins on Tuesday at the Prospect regional. The top-seed in the Glenbrook North sectional, the Trevians play Maine East. The team is ready, evidenced by its victory over Glenbrook North in the Central Suburban championship and a very impressive 2-0 shutout of no. 7 Fremd to conclude the regular season.
“I think it has a lot to do with players looking at how we approach the playoffs,” Burnside said.
“We look forward to the tournament, understanding that it is our chance to extend the season.I think we are ready. This group still has some growth. In practice we are not just trying to keep the status quo. We are trying to improve in certain areas. We talk about the basics. This group is ready, amazingly loose and definitely ready to be in the postseason.”
New Trier (18-2-1) has lost only to top-ranked Barrington, previous no. 1 and current no. 3 Naperville North and played no. 9 Lake Forest to a scoreless draw.
The architects of the three state titles -- Kelly Maday, Bina Sapai, Celia Frei and keeper Dani Kauffman -- graduated and are playing major college soccer. As Moreau pointed out, complementary players that had the benefit of being in the system saw their new opportunity to take center stage.
Junior Nicole Kaspi, who had just two goals last year, has emerged in her breakout year.
“Obviously last year we graduated about 11 seniors, and everybody is stepping up to a new role for the most part,” Kaspi said. “But I think we have all taken it to a new advantage. That’s what they did last year, and this is what we are going to do this year. We are trying to remember what happened the last couple of years and trying to repeat it.”
Kaspi scored a goal in the Trevians’ 4-0 state semifinal victory over Huntley, a sign of things to come. Burnside called her a wildcard.
“She has really come into her own,” Burnside said. “We always knew she had the ability, and she has stepped into a role and taken responsibility for being a dominant player.”
Megan Murdoch, Caroline Iserloth and Sam Urban are part of a suffocating backline. Junior defender Sydney Parker is the team’s emerging superstar, capable of playing anywhere on the field and is exceptionally dangerous on set pieces and re-starts.
“I think we have a lot of talented players who can do special things out there,” Parker said.
Keeper Katy Symanietz has allowed just six goals and recorded 15 shutouts.
Senior midfielders Hannah Arment, Avery Schuldt and Hope Baisley have also impressed. Lily Conley is dynamite with the ball. Whitney Hoban is another versatile player capable of playing either in the middle or up top. Freshman Emma Weaver is one of the best players in the state for her class.
Most importantly, New Trier has been there, so often it has become second-nature. The Trevians know what to do.
“In order to win the state tournament, you have to get hot at the right time, avoid injuries and avoid sickness,” Burnside said. “A perfect storm has to come together. I’d say there has only been one season [2004] it was not a perfect storm, we were just that good. Otherwise everything has to come together for this seven-game run. Part of it is the pathway and how other teams take care of themselves.
“You have to make your luck and prepare.”