Prospect primed for postseason
By Dave Owen
Prospect’s season began with three-straight weather-caused cancellations, and then a not-so-warm assignment of opening against three-time defending Class 3A state champion New Trier that was scrubbed after a half.
But the Knights survived the storms and competed against the Trevians (a 2-0 loss). And now nearly two months later, no. 8 sectional seed Prospect has emerged at season’s end in peak form entering Tuesday’s 7 p.m. regional semifinal at home against ninth-seeded Niles West.
A two-overtime loss to Fremd (ranked 7th in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25) and a season-ending 1-1 draw with Palatine (listed in honorable mention) were signs of the Knights’ solid finish.
“Our regular season schedule was demanding, filled with high quality opponents week in and week out – several of whom are in the top 25 in the rankings,” said Prospect coach Tom Froats, whose team finished the regular season with a 7-9-2 record (5-5-1 and second in the in the Mid-Suburban League East Division).
“That competition has made us aware over the course of the season where we needed to improve to compete with the MSL's and the state's best teams.
“Now we have a clean slate moving into the second season,” Froats added, “and we're looking forward to the opportunity to be playing some of our best soccer at the most important time of the season.”
Providing experienced leadership for the Knights have been seniors Aly Kobler, Grace Johannesen, Kendra Gancarz, Grace Bauer, Caroline Hajek, Meredith Nyborg and Grace Taldone.
“The seniors on this year's varsity team are eight strong, with our manager Amy Novak (injured prior to the start of the season) included,” Froats said. “They have provided exceptional leadership for our team and program over their four years.
“This year's group of seniors have excelled on the soccer field, and have been outstanding top notch academic performers in the classroom.”
And the success and character goes beyond soccer success and good grades.
“What has been most inspirational for me is how the senior leadership has extended into our local community,” Froats said, “with outstanding efforts in three community service projects by our program that have extended the reach of our soccer program to touch a large number of lives in our local community.
“Through their efforts, they’ve been exceptional role models to our teammates and our program.”
Many younger Knights have also emerged.
“Our youth movement over the past couple of years has infused a terrific amount of energy and talent into our program and team, and this has made a difference in the quality of our play,” said Froats, whose squad features seven sophomores plus freshman starter Jalyn Mosley.
That underclassmen group includes several unsung standouts.
“Players who don't receive the recognition that they're deserving of are a couple of our backline players,” Froats said.
“(Junior) Natalie Marfilius has been terrific player for us, and has been moved around the pitch a little bit this year and has always given her best to help out our team. She is a terrific defensive player and will be one of the players that we will look to in the postseason as we are continuing to improve defensively.
“Marissa Valentini has also done a very steady job, and provides some excellent defensive presence for our backline along with (fellow sophomore) Madalyn Ladd,” Froats added.
Another sophomore has contributed offensively.
“Ashley Welk has been one of our leaders all year and has been hampered a little bit from the toll of the season,” Froats said, “but is now returning to excellent form as we ready for our postseason run.
“Whether it is Ashley, Jalyn, Ella (Marzolf) or (junior) Shawna (Stokes) who have consistently done a great job,” Froats added, “or new players to our team like Sarah (Mulvihill), Meredith (Nyborg), Madalyn (Ladd), Gianna (Rossi, the Knights’ goalkeeper), Kristin (Schneider) and Helen (Siavelis), regardless of year (in school) they have given everything they have to help our team achieve success.”
Evidence of that success has been impacted by a grueling schedule that began with weather issues and evolved into a steady rain of strong opponents. Yet the Knights have outscored their foes by a combined 47-29 margin this spring, an indication of their ability.
“Our record this year might not have a shiny exterior,” Froats said, “but behind the numbers we have played some high quality soccer against some high quality clubs, but have fallen just short (six one-goal losses).”
Now comes the postseason, and the opening test from Niles West.
“Our match on Tuesday will be against a good Niles West side that has also played some high quality clubs this season and will also be looking for a postseason run,” Froats said.
“The key to our success will be our commitment to playing a very sound defensive team game, and with that energy be willing to attack and be efficient with our possession and our offensive opportunities created by our attack.”
The eight vs. nine matchup figures to be typical of Knights’ season – very close. Another typical element then would follow – an elite opponent. The winner should expect to face top seed New Trier in the Prospect regional finals on Friday.
By Dave Owen
Prospect’s season began with three-straight weather-caused cancellations, and then a not-so-warm assignment of opening against three-time defending Class 3A state champion New Trier that was scrubbed after a half.
But the Knights survived the storms and competed against the Trevians (a 2-0 loss). And now nearly two months later, no. 8 sectional seed Prospect has emerged at season’s end in peak form entering Tuesday’s 7 p.m. regional semifinal at home against ninth-seeded Niles West.
A two-overtime loss to Fremd (ranked 7th in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25) and a season-ending 1-1 draw with Palatine (listed in honorable mention) were signs of the Knights’ solid finish.
“Our regular season schedule was demanding, filled with high quality opponents week in and week out – several of whom are in the top 25 in the rankings,” said Prospect coach Tom Froats, whose team finished the regular season with a 7-9-2 record (5-5-1 and second in the in the Mid-Suburban League East Division).
“That competition has made us aware over the course of the season where we needed to improve to compete with the MSL's and the state's best teams.
“Now we have a clean slate moving into the second season,” Froats added, “and we're looking forward to the opportunity to be playing some of our best soccer at the most important time of the season.”
Providing experienced leadership for the Knights have been seniors Aly Kobler, Grace Johannesen, Kendra Gancarz, Grace Bauer, Caroline Hajek, Meredith Nyborg and Grace Taldone.
“The seniors on this year's varsity team are eight strong, with our manager Amy Novak (injured prior to the start of the season) included,” Froats said. “They have provided exceptional leadership for our team and program over their four years.
“This year's group of seniors have excelled on the soccer field, and have been outstanding top notch academic performers in the classroom.”
And the success and character goes beyond soccer success and good grades.
“What has been most inspirational for me is how the senior leadership has extended into our local community,” Froats said, “with outstanding efforts in three community service projects by our program that have extended the reach of our soccer program to touch a large number of lives in our local community.
“Through their efforts, they’ve been exceptional role models to our teammates and our program.”
Many younger Knights have also emerged.
“Our youth movement over the past couple of years has infused a terrific amount of energy and talent into our program and team, and this has made a difference in the quality of our play,” said Froats, whose squad features seven sophomores plus freshman starter Jalyn Mosley.
That underclassmen group includes several unsung standouts.
“Players who don't receive the recognition that they're deserving of are a couple of our backline players,” Froats said.
“(Junior) Natalie Marfilius has been terrific player for us, and has been moved around the pitch a little bit this year and has always given her best to help out our team. She is a terrific defensive player and will be one of the players that we will look to in the postseason as we are continuing to improve defensively.
“Marissa Valentini has also done a very steady job, and provides some excellent defensive presence for our backline along with (fellow sophomore) Madalyn Ladd,” Froats added.
Another sophomore has contributed offensively.
“Ashley Welk has been one of our leaders all year and has been hampered a little bit from the toll of the season,” Froats said, “but is now returning to excellent form as we ready for our postseason run.
“Whether it is Ashley, Jalyn, Ella (Marzolf) or (junior) Shawna (Stokes) who have consistently done a great job,” Froats added, “or new players to our team like Sarah (Mulvihill), Meredith (Nyborg), Madalyn (Ladd), Gianna (Rossi, the Knights’ goalkeeper), Kristin (Schneider) and Helen (Siavelis), regardless of year (in school) they have given everything they have to help our team achieve success.”
Evidence of that success has been impacted by a grueling schedule that began with weather issues and evolved into a steady rain of strong opponents. Yet the Knights have outscored their foes by a combined 47-29 margin this spring, an indication of their ability.
“Our record this year might not have a shiny exterior,” Froats said, “but behind the numbers we have played some high quality soccer against some high quality clubs, but have fallen just short (six one-goal losses).”
Now comes the postseason, and the opening test from Niles West.
“Our match on Tuesday will be against a good Niles West side that has also played some high quality clubs this season and will also be looking for a postseason run,” Froats said.
“The key to our success will be our commitment to playing a very sound defensive team game, and with that energy be willing to attack and be efficient with our possession and our offensive opportunities created by our attack.”
The eight vs. nine matchup figures to be typical of Knights’ season – very close. Another typical element then would follow – an elite opponent. The winner should expect to face top seed New Trier in the Prospect regional finals on Friday.