SCN, Batavia to decide last U8 River title
No. 1 SCN expected to come out like 'heavyweight fighter'
By Steve Nemeth
If Batavia coach Mark Gianfrancesco is to believed, you'd better be in your seat for the start of Tuesday’s 7 p.m. Tri-Cities Night nightcap with event host St. Charles North.
“I anticipate the first 10 minutes North will not only be ready to go but will come hard like a heavyweight fighter,” Gianfrancesco predicted. “The question will be can we take those early punches and all the pressure?”
St. Charles North is Chicagoland Soccer’s no. 1-ranked squad for the third-straight week. The North Stars have never been out of the top trio of teams: four weeks ago they were no. 2 and before that sat at no. 3 from the preseason through the first four weeks of the regular season. St. Charles North is undefeated overall at 16-0-1 and in the Upstate Eight Conference River Division at 5-0-0 for what will be the division's curtain call.
These top four teams from the UEC River are joining four DuPage Valley Conference defectors to form the DuKane Conference, which debuts in 2018-19. The Upstate Eight will then add Glenbard South and become a single table 10-team conference.
But no one will be thinking ahead when the opening whistle blows. The North Stars are the event host this year, but the Batavia faithful are hoping that St. Charles East and Geneva followers stick around and join them in cheering for an upset.
Off the field, those passionate and knowledgeable fan bases also know an important reason they are again coming together is to lend support to a friend and neighbor in need.
Feature story: Tri-City Night proceeds to aid SCE coach
Should Batavia (4-0-1 in River Division play) spring a surprise, it would be the first time since 2012 that North didn’t figure into the division trophy picture. The North Stars shared the 2017 title with Geneva, the 2015 crown with East, but won outright in 2013-14 and 2016.
The North Stars hardware haul this year includes a PepsiCo bracket title for the second-consecutive year plus yet another plaque from the prestigious annual Adidas Tournament of Champions held in Burlington, Ia. The lone blemish, if you want to call a tie that, came in the fourth match of the season on March 22 -- a 2-2 road tie versus then top-ranked and current no. 4-ranked Barrington. The Fillies held Chicagoland Soccer's top perch for the first six weeks of the season.
A big part of St. Charles North's success comes from its offense, which averages a whopping 4.2 goals per match. The defense has more than done its part, yielding a meager 0.82 goals-against average.
However, before Gianfrancesco is allowed to change his school’s nickname officially to “Underdogs,” it’s worth taking a closer look at a noteworthy season for Batavia (12-2-2).
Granted, last year’s roster featured 10 seniors, seven of whom became college recruits, and virtually every 2018 preseason write-up included the question “…where will the Bulldogs’ offense come from?” That 2017 unit claimed 14 victories and a regional plaque before pushing the unbeaten North Stars in a 1-0 sectional semifinal loss.
That helped explain Batavia's presence as an honorable mention team in the Chicagoland Soccer preseason poll. A season-opening 2-1 loss to current no. 12 Wheaton Warrenville South and 1-1 draw with no. 20 Waubonsie Valley caused the Bulldogs to dip in the group of 15 teams, but that was followed by a rise to no. 10 prior to a spot in the mid-to-low teens.
After its 0-1-1 start, Batavia strung together 10 victories with seven clean-sheets before a 1-1 stalemate with honorably mentioned Geneva and 1-0 loss to Ames (Ia.) in a bracket of the Tournament of Champions. But strength of schedule questions, like ratings, don’t draw even a whimper from the Bulldogs.
“I’m proud to say I heard a couple girls in interviews give the same answer as me, not knowing exactly what our record is,” Gianfrancesco said. “We recall when we didn’t win, but otherwise we’re a week-to-week operation, wanting to be 2-0 or 3-0 for that stretch; better still, a day-to-day operation. Are we 1-0?
“The Tri-Cities are a gold mine for good kids and good soccer players, the other schools have more (soccer) history than we do, including North, which is over a shorter span,” Gianfrancesco noted. “We want to use that to our advantage admitting we still need to earn respect. North hasn’t lost a conference game now for six seasons (33-0-3). Why should we be scared or intimidated? They’re supposed to win. It’s only a bigger deal if they lose.”
Move over Lou Holtz and Rodney Dangerfield.
“No question North is a phenomenal team, so we have strive to stay focused on our mindset of taking each game as it comes,” insisted Batavia’s Gracey DiBiase. “We lost so many good seniors, so I’ll use the word underestimate as to why people had questions. But that actually helped morph us together as a team. The goals are spread among so many people, because we don’t care who scores. The real goal is a win, so we work together to do that.”
Seven Bulldogs have game-winning goals, six of whom boast between eight-to-24 points. One of only five seniors, DiBiase (eight goals/nine assists) and sophomore Grace Salyers (10g/4a) lead the team with 24 points apiece. Sitting solidly behind them are Anna Holcombe (6g/5a) and Zaira Solis (5g/5a) with 17 and 15 points, respectively.
“It’s natural that an individual with a big goal, or say the MVP in a win gets interviewed, but we genuinely believe the team as a whole produces the wins,” said DiBiase, who is headed to St. Ambrose along with goalkeeper Katelyn Turnquist, who literally splits goalie duties with soph Hailey Flannagan. “The fact that the newcomers have come together so quickly to make us a collective group means they’re not getting enough recognition.”
Batavia’s other senior co-captain Anna Rakos is eager for the match itself.
“Why wouldn’t you be excited to play a team like North? It’s good, friendly competition,” Rakos said. “A lot of family and friends will be there. I’ve played with and against Hayley (Rydberg) and Gia (Wahlberg), but I’ve been teammates with Gracey since maybe age four. We’ve got good dynamics on and off the field. Things have really fallen into place both on offense and defense. Jenna (Nichols) does such an excellent job leading the backline.”
“I understand that no matter the sport, people like offense,” Gianfrancesco adds. “But just as important as all the scoring is defense. It’s hard to argue with (nine) shutouts. So I feel we’ve been steady in both aspects, and that’s why the tortoise can win the race.”
After admitting, like all seniors do, that their final high school campaign has flown by, Rakos noted another element with some heartfelt emotion.
“As a team, we’ve got individuals who may have played one position previously but have been willing to take on a different role for the good of the team. Our coaching staff has had a huge influence in that respect,” Rakos said. “We’ve developed a bond that is incomparable based on what’s best and not just about wins and losses. (Coach) “G” loves the game, and he loves us. He’s an amazing coach, and I thank him for everything.”
That ability to elicit respect and emotion for one another can be heard from St. Charles North as well.
“We fight for each other, that’s our style,” senior midfielder Jordan Karom said. “What I think makes us special is that each game we control our style and not get caught up in what the other team does. That mindset is to prove to ourselves over and over that we’ve got an edge in chemistry. Everyone comes with attitude, energy and enthusiasm to attack and put forth our best effort.
“Yes there’s a target on our back, but we use that pressure to make sure we uphold the standards associated with our reputation,” Karom stated.
There’s no doubting the reputation of all-state standouts like Gia Wahlberg (49 points, 18g/13a) or Hayley Rydberg (44 pts., 17g/10a), but there are additional weapons like Chloe Netzel (22 pts., 10g/2a), Claudia Najera (20 pts., 9g/2a) and Samantha Rydberg (15 pts., 6g/3a).
“Whether it’s offense or defense, one thing that constitutes playing North Stars soccer is having a championship mindset,” senior Dmi Petrusha said. “We never get up or down, strictly play to win, and that makes opponents fear us. People can target us, but one thing really different about this team is our ability to stay focused. It is a great group, and we have so much fun.”
Needless to say, North Stars coach Brian Harks takes an extra measure of pride in discussing the program’s winning culture.
“(Former coach) Ruth (Vostal) built the notion of tradition, with one group setting the standard and culture for the next group,” Harks noted. “It’s great to see the girls themselves put into action what we want. They develop great friendships and despite different personalities, they come to enjoy time with each other.
“No question winning is enjoyable, but what’s most impressive from last year and this is how they stay grounded. The aim is to never look past an opponent but to earn respect,” Harks continued. “Yet despite more success or more expectations, the approach is to make the next play, to be ready to go and stay mentally engaged for all 80 minutes.”
Another factor in North’s laser-like focus is rooted in the times the North Stars have fallen short. Like a 2016 1-0 supersectional loss to eventual state champion New Trier. Or 2017 when North owned a 19-0-3 ledger but again endured a 1-0 supersectional loss to the Trevians prior to their runnerup finish.
“Losing the last two years in the supersectional does light a little fire in us,” Petrusha admitted. “However, playing North Stars soccer means not looking back, but forward to doing better in the next game.”
No. 1 SCN expected to come out like 'heavyweight fighter'
By Steve Nemeth
If Batavia coach Mark Gianfrancesco is to believed, you'd better be in your seat for the start of Tuesday’s 7 p.m. Tri-Cities Night nightcap with event host St. Charles North.
“I anticipate the first 10 minutes North will not only be ready to go but will come hard like a heavyweight fighter,” Gianfrancesco predicted. “The question will be can we take those early punches and all the pressure?”
St. Charles North is Chicagoland Soccer’s no. 1-ranked squad for the third-straight week. The North Stars have never been out of the top trio of teams: four weeks ago they were no. 2 and before that sat at no. 3 from the preseason through the first four weeks of the regular season. St. Charles North is undefeated overall at 16-0-1 and in the Upstate Eight Conference River Division at 5-0-0 for what will be the division's curtain call.
These top four teams from the UEC River are joining four DuPage Valley Conference defectors to form the DuKane Conference, which debuts in 2018-19. The Upstate Eight will then add Glenbard South and become a single table 10-team conference.
But no one will be thinking ahead when the opening whistle blows. The North Stars are the event host this year, but the Batavia faithful are hoping that St. Charles East and Geneva followers stick around and join them in cheering for an upset.
Off the field, those passionate and knowledgeable fan bases also know an important reason they are again coming together is to lend support to a friend and neighbor in need.
Feature story: Tri-City Night proceeds to aid SCE coach
Should Batavia (4-0-1 in River Division play) spring a surprise, it would be the first time since 2012 that North didn’t figure into the division trophy picture. The North Stars shared the 2017 title with Geneva, the 2015 crown with East, but won outright in 2013-14 and 2016.
The North Stars hardware haul this year includes a PepsiCo bracket title for the second-consecutive year plus yet another plaque from the prestigious annual Adidas Tournament of Champions held in Burlington, Ia. The lone blemish, if you want to call a tie that, came in the fourth match of the season on March 22 -- a 2-2 road tie versus then top-ranked and current no. 4-ranked Barrington. The Fillies held Chicagoland Soccer's top perch for the first six weeks of the season.
A big part of St. Charles North's success comes from its offense, which averages a whopping 4.2 goals per match. The defense has more than done its part, yielding a meager 0.82 goals-against average.
However, before Gianfrancesco is allowed to change his school’s nickname officially to “Underdogs,” it’s worth taking a closer look at a noteworthy season for Batavia (12-2-2).
Granted, last year’s roster featured 10 seniors, seven of whom became college recruits, and virtually every 2018 preseason write-up included the question “…where will the Bulldogs’ offense come from?” That 2017 unit claimed 14 victories and a regional plaque before pushing the unbeaten North Stars in a 1-0 sectional semifinal loss.
That helped explain Batavia's presence as an honorable mention team in the Chicagoland Soccer preseason poll. A season-opening 2-1 loss to current no. 12 Wheaton Warrenville South and 1-1 draw with no. 20 Waubonsie Valley caused the Bulldogs to dip in the group of 15 teams, but that was followed by a rise to no. 10 prior to a spot in the mid-to-low teens.
After its 0-1-1 start, Batavia strung together 10 victories with seven clean-sheets before a 1-1 stalemate with honorably mentioned Geneva and 1-0 loss to Ames (Ia.) in a bracket of the Tournament of Champions. But strength of schedule questions, like ratings, don’t draw even a whimper from the Bulldogs.
“I’m proud to say I heard a couple girls in interviews give the same answer as me, not knowing exactly what our record is,” Gianfrancesco said. “We recall when we didn’t win, but otherwise we’re a week-to-week operation, wanting to be 2-0 or 3-0 for that stretch; better still, a day-to-day operation. Are we 1-0?
“The Tri-Cities are a gold mine for good kids and good soccer players, the other schools have more (soccer) history than we do, including North, which is over a shorter span,” Gianfrancesco noted. “We want to use that to our advantage admitting we still need to earn respect. North hasn’t lost a conference game now for six seasons (33-0-3). Why should we be scared or intimidated? They’re supposed to win. It’s only a bigger deal if they lose.”
Move over Lou Holtz and Rodney Dangerfield.
“No question North is a phenomenal team, so we have strive to stay focused on our mindset of taking each game as it comes,” insisted Batavia’s Gracey DiBiase. “We lost so many good seniors, so I’ll use the word underestimate as to why people had questions. But that actually helped morph us together as a team. The goals are spread among so many people, because we don’t care who scores. The real goal is a win, so we work together to do that.”
Seven Bulldogs have game-winning goals, six of whom boast between eight-to-24 points. One of only five seniors, DiBiase (eight goals/nine assists) and sophomore Grace Salyers (10g/4a) lead the team with 24 points apiece. Sitting solidly behind them are Anna Holcombe (6g/5a) and Zaira Solis (5g/5a) with 17 and 15 points, respectively.
“It’s natural that an individual with a big goal, or say the MVP in a win gets interviewed, but we genuinely believe the team as a whole produces the wins,” said DiBiase, who is headed to St. Ambrose along with goalkeeper Katelyn Turnquist, who literally splits goalie duties with soph Hailey Flannagan. “The fact that the newcomers have come together so quickly to make us a collective group means they’re not getting enough recognition.”
Batavia’s other senior co-captain Anna Rakos is eager for the match itself.
“Why wouldn’t you be excited to play a team like North? It’s good, friendly competition,” Rakos said. “A lot of family and friends will be there. I’ve played with and against Hayley (Rydberg) and Gia (Wahlberg), but I’ve been teammates with Gracey since maybe age four. We’ve got good dynamics on and off the field. Things have really fallen into place both on offense and defense. Jenna (Nichols) does such an excellent job leading the backline.”
“I understand that no matter the sport, people like offense,” Gianfrancesco adds. “But just as important as all the scoring is defense. It’s hard to argue with (nine) shutouts. So I feel we’ve been steady in both aspects, and that’s why the tortoise can win the race.”
After admitting, like all seniors do, that their final high school campaign has flown by, Rakos noted another element with some heartfelt emotion.
“As a team, we’ve got individuals who may have played one position previously but have been willing to take on a different role for the good of the team. Our coaching staff has had a huge influence in that respect,” Rakos said. “We’ve developed a bond that is incomparable based on what’s best and not just about wins and losses. (Coach) “G” loves the game, and he loves us. He’s an amazing coach, and I thank him for everything.”
That ability to elicit respect and emotion for one another can be heard from St. Charles North as well.
“We fight for each other, that’s our style,” senior midfielder Jordan Karom said. “What I think makes us special is that each game we control our style and not get caught up in what the other team does. That mindset is to prove to ourselves over and over that we’ve got an edge in chemistry. Everyone comes with attitude, energy and enthusiasm to attack and put forth our best effort.
“Yes there’s a target on our back, but we use that pressure to make sure we uphold the standards associated with our reputation,” Karom stated.
There’s no doubting the reputation of all-state standouts like Gia Wahlberg (49 points, 18g/13a) or Hayley Rydberg (44 pts., 17g/10a), but there are additional weapons like Chloe Netzel (22 pts., 10g/2a), Claudia Najera (20 pts., 9g/2a) and Samantha Rydberg (15 pts., 6g/3a).
“Whether it’s offense or defense, one thing that constitutes playing North Stars soccer is having a championship mindset,” senior Dmi Petrusha said. “We never get up or down, strictly play to win, and that makes opponents fear us. People can target us, but one thing really different about this team is our ability to stay focused. It is a great group, and we have so much fun.”
Needless to say, North Stars coach Brian Harks takes an extra measure of pride in discussing the program’s winning culture.
“(Former coach) Ruth (Vostal) built the notion of tradition, with one group setting the standard and culture for the next group,” Harks noted. “It’s great to see the girls themselves put into action what we want. They develop great friendships and despite different personalities, they come to enjoy time with each other.
“No question winning is enjoyable, but what’s most impressive from last year and this is how they stay grounded. The aim is to never look past an opponent but to earn respect,” Harks continued. “Yet despite more success or more expectations, the approach is to make the next play, to be ready to go and stay mentally engaged for all 80 minutes.”
Another factor in North’s laser-like focus is rooted in the times the North Stars have fallen short. Like a 2016 1-0 supersectional loss to eventual state champion New Trier. Or 2017 when North owned a 19-0-3 ledger but again endured a 1-0 supersectional loss to the Trevians prior to their runnerup finish.
“Losing the last two years in the supersectional does light a little fire in us,” Petrusha admitted. “However, playing North Stars soccer means not looking back, but forward to doing better in the next game.”