Loyola and Palatine look for
good start in Naperville Invitational
By Mike Garofola
When group play begins tonight for Loyola and Palatine in the prestigious Naperville Invitational at 7 p.m. at Barrington, it will signal the midway point of the 2017 campaign for each side.
It also means it's about that time when both clubs will need to make a statement of their intent for the stretch run of the season.
With all parties involved admitting that their low-water marks of the spring season have come and gone, and the tide is rising in advance of this highly anticipated annual tournament.
A quick glance at Loyola (6-5-0, 2-0-0 Girls Catholic Athletic Conference Red Division) begins with its manager, Craig Snower, who has seen the light go on for his players, several of whom are first-year players for a first-class program.
"In the past, we've basically beaten opponents just with the high-level talent we've had around here," Snower said.
"We have talent this year, but so much of it is with young and inexperienced players. So they're basically learning on the fly against some first-rate opponents, many of whom are some of the best in the state.
"We've had some growing pains along the way, but I believe we're coming out of (that), and we're beginning to play some pretty good soccer because of it."
Snower points to the Ramblers 3-0 loss to third-ranked New Trier in the third place game of the North Shore Invitational last weekend as a positive step forward in the season.
"We held New Trier to just six shots in 80 minutes, (credit) them for putting three of them in. But if you told me beforehand we would hold a terrific opponent like them to just six shots, (well) then I'll take that anytime.
"New Trier is so strong with their set piece opportunities, and we didn't allow a goal from a restart. We defended them very well, and it proved to be the first time in our last five games with them that we haven't conceded a restart goal."
Snower was quick to praise the duo of freshman Vanessa Murray and sophomore Emily Chrisman, who was the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match in Ramblers' 3-0 win over Hinsdale Central on April 13.
"Vanessa continues to make an impact in every game," Snower said. "Emily has had a great season thus far, which includes a great game against New Trier. She has grown up and taken charge of our defense."
The sophomore likes what she has seen. The Ramblers have recovered from a dreadful 4-0 season-opening loss to no. 4 St. Charles North that started a three-game skid, to become a club that has only lost to no. 2 Barrington and New Trier in its last eight games.
"We were not very good against St. Charles, but we had just learned we had lost our best player (Riley Burns) for the year with an injury. And a lot of us were new to the varsity, and the coaches we still figuring out what was best for us as far as positions and a formation.", Chrisman said.
"We've come a long way, and I really feel the best is yet to come."
Palatine junior Sarah Clancy knows what her counterpart is talking about after she and her mates had a difficult time getting airborne during the early stages of the campaign. The 1-2-1 start included a 6-1 loss to Maine South.
"Against Maine South, we were just terrible that night," admitted the two-time all-conference player, who along with classmate Kacie Filian are a tactical duo who play with terrific pace and energy, and are each capable of taking an opponent out of sync for long stretches of a match.
"But we've changed things in our lineup. We now have Carolyn Soukup in the middle with us, and our backline is set. So it looks like we're in good shape from here on out.
Palatine's current 4-game win streak includes a big 1-0 victory Monday night against its crosstown rival Fremd in the annual Kinsella Cup.
"It took us awhile to finally sort things out and get people in the right place. (We) still have our troubles in the final third, but I think it's coming together in most of the other spots for us," said Palatine manager Willie Filian.
"This is an important time for us with games against the likes of Loyola and St. Charles East (Saturday) in pool play. We've got to come out right away and establish our game, and stay with it, then see how it goes from there."
The Pirates (5-2-1, 4-0-0 Mid-Suburban League) embark on a grueling 10-day run, which includes a league contest with East Division-leading Buffalo Grove on Friday. Those back-to-back-to-back games are followed by conference games Monday (Schaumburg) and Wednesday (Elk Grove) before a minimum of another pair of Naperville Invitational matches at the end of next week.
Loyola meets St. Charles East on Friday and league foe Fenwick next week before returning to Naperville Invitational play.
"We could schedule to play a lot of teams with losing records to build our overall record way up," Snower said. "But in the end, it only helps the won-loss record and not the development of the girls play. Our nonconference schedule is going to go a long way towards us becoming a stronger team when the state playoffs begin."
good start in Naperville Invitational
By Mike Garofola
When group play begins tonight for Loyola and Palatine in the prestigious Naperville Invitational at 7 p.m. at Barrington, it will signal the midway point of the 2017 campaign for each side.
It also means it's about that time when both clubs will need to make a statement of their intent for the stretch run of the season.
With all parties involved admitting that their low-water marks of the spring season have come and gone, and the tide is rising in advance of this highly anticipated annual tournament.
A quick glance at Loyola (6-5-0, 2-0-0 Girls Catholic Athletic Conference Red Division) begins with its manager, Craig Snower, who has seen the light go on for his players, several of whom are first-year players for a first-class program.
"In the past, we've basically beaten opponents just with the high-level talent we've had around here," Snower said.
"We have talent this year, but so much of it is with young and inexperienced players. So they're basically learning on the fly against some first-rate opponents, many of whom are some of the best in the state.
"We've had some growing pains along the way, but I believe we're coming out of (that), and we're beginning to play some pretty good soccer because of it."
Snower points to the Ramblers 3-0 loss to third-ranked New Trier in the third place game of the North Shore Invitational last weekend as a positive step forward in the season.
"We held New Trier to just six shots in 80 minutes, (credit) them for putting three of them in. But if you told me beforehand we would hold a terrific opponent like them to just six shots, (well) then I'll take that anytime.
"New Trier is so strong with their set piece opportunities, and we didn't allow a goal from a restart. We defended them very well, and it proved to be the first time in our last five games with them that we haven't conceded a restart goal."
Snower was quick to praise the duo of freshman Vanessa Murray and sophomore Emily Chrisman, who was the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match in Ramblers' 3-0 win over Hinsdale Central on April 13.
"Vanessa continues to make an impact in every game," Snower said. "Emily has had a great season thus far, which includes a great game against New Trier. She has grown up and taken charge of our defense."
The sophomore likes what she has seen. The Ramblers have recovered from a dreadful 4-0 season-opening loss to no. 4 St. Charles North that started a three-game skid, to become a club that has only lost to no. 2 Barrington and New Trier in its last eight games.
"We were not very good against St. Charles, but we had just learned we had lost our best player (Riley Burns) for the year with an injury. And a lot of us were new to the varsity, and the coaches we still figuring out what was best for us as far as positions and a formation.", Chrisman said.
"We've come a long way, and I really feel the best is yet to come."
Palatine junior Sarah Clancy knows what her counterpart is talking about after she and her mates had a difficult time getting airborne during the early stages of the campaign. The 1-2-1 start included a 6-1 loss to Maine South.
"Against Maine South, we were just terrible that night," admitted the two-time all-conference player, who along with classmate Kacie Filian are a tactical duo who play with terrific pace and energy, and are each capable of taking an opponent out of sync for long stretches of a match.
"But we've changed things in our lineup. We now have Carolyn Soukup in the middle with us, and our backline is set. So it looks like we're in good shape from here on out.
Palatine's current 4-game win streak includes a big 1-0 victory Monday night against its crosstown rival Fremd in the annual Kinsella Cup.
"It took us awhile to finally sort things out and get people in the right place. (We) still have our troubles in the final third, but I think it's coming together in most of the other spots for us," said Palatine manager Willie Filian.
"This is an important time for us with games against the likes of Loyola and St. Charles East (Saturday) in pool play. We've got to come out right away and establish our game, and stay with it, then see how it goes from there."
The Pirates (5-2-1, 4-0-0 Mid-Suburban League) embark on a grueling 10-day run, which includes a league contest with East Division-leading Buffalo Grove on Friday. Those back-to-back-to-back games are followed by conference games Monday (Schaumburg) and Wednesday (Elk Grove) before a minimum of another pair of Naperville Invitational matches at the end of next week.
Loyola meets St. Charles East on Friday and league foe Fenwick next week before returning to Naperville Invitational play.
"We could schedule to play a lot of teams with losing records to build our overall record way up," Snower said. "But in the end, it only helps the won-loss record and not the development of the girls play. Our nonconference schedule is going to go a long way towards us becoming a stronger team when the state playoffs begin."