These valleys are the peaks
Neuqua visits Waubonsie with Upstate 8 division title on line
By Dave Owen
A five-mile geographic proximity produces a natural school rivalry between Waubonsie Valley and Neuqua Valley.
The elite status of the two schools’ girls soccer programs adds even more fire.
The valleys, Waubonsie (5-0-2) and Neuqua (6-1-1), square off at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Waubonsie Valley in the match that figures to decide the Upstate Eight Conference Valley Division championship. A preview of a sectional championship also isn’t out of the question.
“Waubonsie is a special game, because it’s our school rival,” Neuqua Valley coach Joe Moreau said. “Also, many of the girls play club with each other so it is for bragging rights as well.
“There’s usually a very large crowd at the game. And with the weather forecast being nice, this year should be no different.”
Quality soccer between the two schools has been much more predictable than mid-April weather.
The Warriors placed third in Class 3A last year and have won three state titles since 2007. This year’s squad has run the table with wins except for ties against Lyons (0-0 in the season opener) and Barrington (1-1 on Saturday), allowing just three goals in seven matches.
The Wildcats’ lone loss this spring was by a 1-0 count to Naperville North.
Neuqua Valley comes off a 1-0 win Saturday over Freeport, a common opponent they share with Waubonsie Valley: the Warriors beat Freeport 3-0 in late March. In addition, both teams played Barrington to a 1-1 draw.
The Warriors feature goalkeeper Emma Rigby and midfielder Morgan Kemerling (both signed to play at Iowa next year) and Tori Christiansen (Miami of Ohio). Junior Paige Filipek leads the team with 9 goals. Sophomore Maggie Roe is the team's second leading goal scorer with 3 goals this season, and contributed 9 goals and 9 assists last season.
“Waubonsie is always very well coached,” Moreau said. “They are dangerous all over the field and very deep this year. They will attack with numbers, but they also do a great job defending.”
Both teams feature depth and talent all over the field, although Neuqua Valley lost University of Illinois-bound midfielder Lauren Ciesla to an ankle injury early in last Thursday’s 2-0 win at Glenbard East. The timetable for her return is uncertain, pending results of a CT scan.
The teams last met on April 10 last season, a 3-1 Waubonsie Valley win.
Neuqua visits Waubonsie with Upstate 8 division title on line
By Dave Owen
A five-mile geographic proximity produces a natural school rivalry between Waubonsie Valley and Neuqua Valley.
The elite status of the two schools’ girls soccer programs adds even more fire.
The valleys, Waubonsie (5-0-2) and Neuqua (6-1-1), square off at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Waubonsie Valley in the match that figures to decide the Upstate Eight Conference Valley Division championship. A preview of a sectional championship also isn’t out of the question.
“Waubonsie is a special game, because it’s our school rival,” Neuqua Valley coach Joe Moreau said. “Also, many of the girls play club with each other so it is for bragging rights as well.
“There’s usually a very large crowd at the game. And with the weather forecast being nice, this year should be no different.”
Quality soccer between the two schools has been much more predictable than mid-April weather.
The Warriors placed third in Class 3A last year and have won three state titles since 2007. This year’s squad has run the table with wins except for ties against Lyons (0-0 in the season opener) and Barrington (1-1 on Saturday), allowing just three goals in seven matches.
The Wildcats’ lone loss this spring was by a 1-0 count to Naperville North.
Neuqua Valley comes off a 1-0 win Saturday over Freeport, a common opponent they share with Waubonsie Valley: the Warriors beat Freeport 3-0 in late March. In addition, both teams played Barrington to a 1-1 draw.
The Warriors feature goalkeeper Emma Rigby and midfielder Morgan Kemerling (both signed to play at Iowa next year) and Tori Christiansen (Miami of Ohio). Junior Paige Filipek leads the team with 9 goals. Sophomore Maggie Roe is the team's second leading goal scorer with 3 goals this season, and contributed 9 goals and 9 assists last season.
“Waubonsie is always very well coached,” Moreau said. “They are dangerous all over the field and very deep this year. They will attack with numbers, but they also do a great job defending.”
Both teams feature depth and talent all over the field, although Neuqua Valley lost University of Illinois-bound midfielder Lauren Ciesla to an ankle injury early in last Thursday’s 2-0 win at Glenbard East. The timetable for her return is uncertain, pending results of a CT scan.
The teams last met on April 10 last season, a 3-1 Waubonsie Valley win.