Lake Forest's parade of top opponents continues with New Trier
By Mike Garofola
Lake Forest has played its fair share of first-rate opponents this spring including: St. Charles North, Chicagoland Soccer's no. 4-rated club; no. 7 Warren, twice; and eighth-ranked Lake Zurich.
One last quality club remains on the Lake Forest schedule -- no. 3 New Trier (16-2-0) at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Scouts gorgeous stadium, and manager Ty Stuckslager is anxious to see how his 10th-ranked club will fare in another tough test.
"We played St. Charles (North) with a lot of resilence - coming back a couple of times before losing," said Stuckslager.
North prevailed 3-2 in PKs after a 3-3 tie to lift a championship trophy at the PepsiCo Showdown on April 23 at DePaul University.
"The girls turned in a great effort that day against a very strong opponent, even though we played a little nervous in the first 20 minutes. We were very proud of them," said Stuckslager who believes that performance that was his club's best so far, though a 3-0 result over then no. 16 Glenbard East and a 2-1 victory against 11th-ranked Metea Valley rate high on the list as well.
"We played so well defensively, not giving up many opportunities, while putting three in ourselves, while hitting the post three times, and missing a PK as well."
Last season the Scouts went 0-2-0 against New Trier, which went on to win its third-consecutive Class 3A state championship. A trio of current Scouts seniors were on that club which went 11-9-1 and lost in the regional final to Deerfield, which went on to finish second at the 2A state tournament.
"Gwen Walker, Hannah Bell and Delaney Williams are the veterans we've counted on, and all three have been very steady all along," says Stuckslager.
"Gwen is the leader of our team, who directs the defense, and is a consistent ball-winner. She also steps up to start the attack."
"Hannah is also a great ball-winner for us, whether in the air or on the ground, regardless if she's playing in the midfield or along the back. Delaney is a great two-way player, who goes box to box."
Williams, who was the Scouts leading scorer with 11 goals, and 3 assists before its two victories over Zion-Benton and Mundelein in league play this week, also comes back to track and help win balls in the defensive end.
Walker is a DePaul recruit.
Stuckslager and his staff will sorely miss these three next season, but the future is bright with another trio, who have made their mark during their rookie seasons.
Goalkeeper Sophia DiVagno has collected six clean sheets while showing terrific composure between the sticks, and Ella Marquart and Ingrid Falls have been revelations since joining the club.
"Ella was not on our radar before coming here, but she's become a solid defender, while giving us a tremendous work rate at the same time," said Stuckslager.
"As for Ingrid, she has excellent skill and touch in the middle of the park for us, but her fitness and speed have been a real surprise to all of us."
Stuckslager adds that senior and Miami (Fla.) recruit Morgan Asmussen, playing for the first time in high school, has exhibited a high work ethic to go along with great technical ability, poise and versatility.
Lake Forest (9-4-0) will wrap up its regular season when it hosts Waukegan on Monday evening. New Trier will prepare for the Central Suburban League title against upstart Glenbrook North on Tuesday in Northfield.
The Trevians will complete their schedule with their annual season finale with Fremd on May 12 at home.
By Mike Garofola
Lake Forest has played its fair share of first-rate opponents this spring including: St. Charles North, Chicagoland Soccer's no. 4-rated club; no. 7 Warren, twice; and eighth-ranked Lake Zurich.
One last quality club remains on the Lake Forest schedule -- no. 3 New Trier (16-2-0) at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Scouts gorgeous stadium, and manager Ty Stuckslager is anxious to see how his 10th-ranked club will fare in another tough test.
"We played St. Charles (North) with a lot of resilence - coming back a couple of times before losing," said Stuckslager.
North prevailed 3-2 in PKs after a 3-3 tie to lift a championship trophy at the PepsiCo Showdown on April 23 at DePaul University.
"The girls turned in a great effort that day against a very strong opponent, even though we played a little nervous in the first 20 minutes. We were very proud of them," said Stuckslager who believes that performance that was his club's best so far, though a 3-0 result over then no. 16 Glenbard East and a 2-1 victory against 11th-ranked Metea Valley rate high on the list as well.
"We played so well defensively, not giving up many opportunities, while putting three in ourselves, while hitting the post three times, and missing a PK as well."
Last season the Scouts went 0-2-0 against New Trier, which went on to win its third-consecutive Class 3A state championship. A trio of current Scouts seniors were on that club which went 11-9-1 and lost in the regional final to Deerfield, which went on to finish second at the 2A state tournament.
"Gwen Walker, Hannah Bell and Delaney Williams are the veterans we've counted on, and all three have been very steady all along," says Stuckslager.
"Gwen is the leader of our team, who directs the defense, and is a consistent ball-winner. She also steps up to start the attack."
"Hannah is also a great ball-winner for us, whether in the air or on the ground, regardless if she's playing in the midfield or along the back. Delaney is a great two-way player, who goes box to box."
Williams, who was the Scouts leading scorer with 11 goals, and 3 assists before its two victories over Zion-Benton and Mundelein in league play this week, also comes back to track and help win balls in the defensive end.
Walker is a DePaul recruit.
Stuckslager and his staff will sorely miss these three next season, but the future is bright with another trio, who have made their mark during their rookie seasons.
Goalkeeper Sophia DiVagno has collected six clean sheets while showing terrific composure between the sticks, and Ella Marquart and Ingrid Falls have been revelations since joining the club.
"Ella was not on our radar before coming here, but she's become a solid defender, while giving us a tremendous work rate at the same time," said Stuckslager.
"As for Ingrid, she has excellent skill and touch in the middle of the park for us, but her fitness and speed have been a real surprise to all of us."
Stuckslager adds that senior and Miami (Fla.) recruit Morgan Asmussen, playing for the first time in high school, has exhibited a high work ethic to go along with great technical ability, poise and versatility.
Lake Forest (9-4-0) will wrap up its regular season when it hosts Waukegan on Monday evening. New Trier will prepare for the Central Suburban League title against upstart Glenbrook North on Tuesday in Northfield.
The Trevians will complete their schedule with their annual season finale with Fremd on May 12 at home.