Bartlett, South Elgin have
cause besides conference
By Patrick Z. McGavin
The wait is finally over for South Elgin and Bartlett.
After their Upstate Eight Conference showdown was twice delayed by weather and unplayable field conditions last week, the two rivals meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Millennium Field in Streamwood.
The game is not just crucial in the conference race and for the teams’ pre-postseason psyches.
It also supports a deeply worthy cause. Working with the organization Go4theGoal (https://go4thegoal.org/), the teams are staging a special fundraiser and social awareness initiative called “Lace Up 4 Pediatric Cancer.”
South Elgin coach Laura Snow said the teams planned a similar action two years ago until the season was lost due to the pandemic. The South Elgin and Bartlett boys played a benefit game last fall.
“We want to use our Bartlett game, because we know the fan base is larger for this rivalry game,” Snow said. “We want to bring positivity to that instead of looking at it as a competition that separates us.
“We love the competitive atmosphere, and ultimately this is what sports are supposed to do -- bring us together in a way that adds to our character and community instead of obstructing it.”
Bartlett coach Vince Revak said the special night illustrates a greater good that transcends games and competition.
“It can help put things in perspective -- things bigger than our annual match,” Revak said. “Being involved with youth sports for so long as a high school and club coach made it an easy choice.
“For the most part, because many of the athletes know each other between schools, they make it really easy to organize something like this. They're able to pause the rivalry for a good cause such as this one.”
As part of the initiative, players from both schools are wearing gold laces and gold shirts. A $4 donation will go toward every pair of laces sold.
The money is important, the underlying movement is monumental.
“While we are starting with a small fundraising effort, we hope to bring even more attention to the cause allowing the community to continue supporting it in the future,” Snow said.
The players are excited to take part.
“It’s really great that everyone can come together, especially knowing all these girls for so long, and having the ability to spread awareness,” said South Elgin forward Katrina Barthelt, a three-time Chicagoland Soccer all-stater.
As a four-year varsity player, the Bemidji State recruit has been the face of the program.
“Being a part of this program has taught me so much over the years,” she said. “The program has definitely given me a lot. Giving something back in this way is really amazing.”
Her teammate and friend Chloe Beucler, a standout defender, is also appreciative of the opportunities the game has provided.
“Every approaching game is becoming bittersweet,” she said. “I’ve grown so much throughout these past four seasons. This final matchup against Bartlett is just another chance to illustrate my love for not only soccer as a whole but our girls varsity program here at South Elgin.
“I speak for every senior when I say that this program deserves to come home with a win. We’ll do all that we can to deliver.”
The delay to the game has had one beneficial consequence for the Storm (6-7-3, 4-2-1).
South Elgin had a recent stretch of playing eight games in 11 days.
The Storm conclude the regular-season conference schedule Wednesday at West Chicago.
“An encouraging element of this team is that they can identify where they have gone wrong and reflect on what needs to be better if they want to come out ahead in these competitive games,” Snow said.
“They know we need to be better at winning the ball in the air and gaining more possession in our games.”
Barthelt said the coming of the state tournament has only sharpened the team’s resolve and focus.
“We have definitely had our ups and downs this season, but we want to take this game as a preview,” Bartheld said.
“Hopefully we can gain that sense of intensity and urgency that we sometimes lack and contain it to prepare us for what is coming.”
Snow knows Bartlett is playing with motivation given the tight conference race.
“Bartlett is a threat, because they have scored more goals against conference opponents than any other team,” Snow said. “We know their attack starts with some strong players in the middle of the field, so we will focus on addressing the attack there instead of letting it come to us.
“On the opposite end, they have only let in one goal in conference. We need to find a way to break their defensive line as well.”
Bartlett (7-8-2, 5-0-1) has a busy final week as well.
After the South Elgin game, the Hawks face East Aurora on Wednesday. Bartlett looks to join Glenbard East (6-0-1) at the top of the conference standings.
The Hawks play at Glenbard South on Saturday, the game that will likely decide the top of the table.
Chicagoland Soccer All-State Watch List standout Tessa Evans unlocks the Bartlett attack in the middle.
“Something we've learned this year is that when we truly have the will to compete, we can step up to any competition -- something that is absolutely essential for the postseason,” Revak said.
“I think our team would agree with me that our biggest challenge has been minimizing mistakes, and finding a way to finish against competitive teams.”
cause besides conference
By Patrick Z. McGavin
The wait is finally over for South Elgin and Bartlett.
After their Upstate Eight Conference showdown was twice delayed by weather and unplayable field conditions last week, the two rivals meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Millennium Field in Streamwood.
The game is not just crucial in the conference race and for the teams’ pre-postseason psyches.
It also supports a deeply worthy cause. Working with the organization Go4theGoal (https://go4thegoal.org/), the teams are staging a special fundraiser and social awareness initiative called “Lace Up 4 Pediatric Cancer.”
South Elgin coach Laura Snow said the teams planned a similar action two years ago until the season was lost due to the pandemic. The South Elgin and Bartlett boys played a benefit game last fall.
“We want to use our Bartlett game, because we know the fan base is larger for this rivalry game,” Snow said. “We want to bring positivity to that instead of looking at it as a competition that separates us.
“We love the competitive atmosphere, and ultimately this is what sports are supposed to do -- bring us together in a way that adds to our character and community instead of obstructing it.”
Bartlett coach Vince Revak said the special night illustrates a greater good that transcends games and competition.
“It can help put things in perspective -- things bigger than our annual match,” Revak said. “Being involved with youth sports for so long as a high school and club coach made it an easy choice.
“For the most part, because many of the athletes know each other between schools, they make it really easy to organize something like this. They're able to pause the rivalry for a good cause such as this one.”
As part of the initiative, players from both schools are wearing gold laces and gold shirts. A $4 donation will go toward every pair of laces sold.
The money is important, the underlying movement is monumental.
“While we are starting with a small fundraising effort, we hope to bring even more attention to the cause allowing the community to continue supporting it in the future,” Snow said.
The players are excited to take part.
“It’s really great that everyone can come together, especially knowing all these girls for so long, and having the ability to spread awareness,” said South Elgin forward Katrina Barthelt, a three-time Chicagoland Soccer all-stater.
As a four-year varsity player, the Bemidji State recruit has been the face of the program.
“Being a part of this program has taught me so much over the years,” she said. “The program has definitely given me a lot. Giving something back in this way is really amazing.”
Her teammate and friend Chloe Beucler, a standout defender, is also appreciative of the opportunities the game has provided.
“Every approaching game is becoming bittersweet,” she said. “I’ve grown so much throughout these past four seasons. This final matchup against Bartlett is just another chance to illustrate my love for not only soccer as a whole but our girls varsity program here at South Elgin.
“I speak for every senior when I say that this program deserves to come home with a win. We’ll do all that we can to deliver.”
The delay to the game has had one beneficial consequence for the Storm (6-7-3, 4-2-1).
South Elgin had a recent stretch of playing eight games in 11 days.
The Storm conclude the regular-season conference schedule Wednesday at West Chicago.
“An encouraging element of this team is that they can identify where they have gone wrong and reflect on what needs to be better if they want to come out ahead in these competitive games,” Snow said.
“They know we need to be better at winning the ball in the air and gaining more possession in our games.”
Barthelt said the coming of the state tournament has only sharpened the team’s resolve and focus.
“We have definitely had our ups and downs this season, but we want to take this game as a preview,” Bartheld said.
“Hopefully we can gain that sense of intensity and urgency that we sometimes lack and contain it to prepare us for what is coming.”
Snow knows Bartlett is playing with motivation given the tight conference race.
“Bartlett is a threat, because they have scored more goals against conference opponents than any other team,” Snow said. “We know their attack starts with some strong players in the middle of the field, so we will focus on addressing the attack there instead of letting it come to us.
“On the opposite end, they have only let in one goal in conference. We need to find a way to break their defensive line as well.”
Bartlett (7-8-2, 5-0-1) has a busy final week as well.
After the South Elgin game, the Hawks face East Aurora on Wednesday. Bartlett looks to join Glenbard East (6-0-1) at the top of the conference standings.
The Hawks play at Glenbard South on Saturday, the game that will likely decide the top of the table.
Chicagoland Soccer All-State Watch List standout Tessa Evans unlocks the Bartlett attack in the middle.
“Something we've learned this year is that when we truly have the will to compete, we can step up to any competition -- something that is absolutely essential for the postseason,” Revak said.
“I think our team would agree with me that our biggest challenge has been minimizing mistakes, and finding a way to finish against competitive teams.”