Preview story: Class AA Final Four
By Steve Nemeth
Of the Class AA Final Four teams, one school hopes to add to its legacy, while the others are creating theirs.
Downstate Triad is known as a girls-soccer school. Considered part of the St. Louis suburban shadow, the school located in Troy is unlike its Class 3A neighbors Edwardsville or Collinsville. The shining star of the Knights athletic program is girls soccer.
Triad will receive its fourth state trophy in the sport this weekend and hopes for its third piece of first place hardware. The school currently displays the rewards of state championships in 2011 and 2017, plus a runnerup finish in 2003. Otherwise the Triad girls trophy case houses three pieces of state finals recognition combined from cheerleading 2005-06 (first) and 2007-08 (third, both in the “medium” varsity level) and competitive dance in 2014-15 (second).
The black, white and red-clad Knights will bring a lot of pride with them for the four-hour, just under 270-mile trek into the 1 p.m. Friday semifinal against Benet.
Their opponents require just a three-mile, nine-minute (in good traffic) drive to North Central College’s Benedetti-Wherlli Stadium. The Redwings have hungered for a first-ever girls soccer trophy, all the more so after falling just short in 2018 thanks to a 1-0 supersectional loss to eventual Class AA state champ St. Francis. Now their appetite has turned to the reward with the no. 1 on it.
Like Benet, both Joliet Catholic and Wauconda -- the 11 a.m. semifinal pairing -- desire to make their first-ever girls soccer showing as memorable as possible.
For the Angels, first place would certainly be a heavenly way to stand out in a city best identified by the Hilltoppers football program that accounts for 14 of the school’s 20 state titles.
As for Wauconda, wherever the Bulldogs land it’ll be the ultimate achievement for a school whose only other girls state hardware is from a third place showing in 2007’s “medium” varsity portion of competitive cheerleading.
A breakdown of each team follows.
Triad
Overall, the Knights (19-3-2) seek their third state title and second under sixth-year boss Matt Bettlach, whose 2017 crew ruled Class AA. Triad also finished first in 2011 in AA following a Class A runner-up effort in the two-class system in 2003.
“We know our history so one of our mottos is that with tradition comes responsibility, and our responsibility is to always come ready to play,” Bettlach said. “Thankfully we don’t have to spend a lot of practice teaching but have an influx of talent every year of players who know the game and can really play.”
As a footnote, four of this year’s Knights are the younger sisters of players who were part of the 2017 state championship crew. Speaking of family tradition, Bettlach whose prep record is 104-30-13, is the nephew of former Duke and current Colorado State women’s soccer coach Bill Hempen.
The Knights head man likes to quote his uncle’s philosophy of being “a small school trying to make a name for itself.”
In true soccer-savvy circles, Triad is a known commodity. This year’s Chicagoland Soccer First 50 statewide preseason poll had the Knights ranked 40th, and the site's final regular-season Illinois 10 poll of schools outside of the Chicagoland area had them listed fourth.
Triad’s postseason profile now includes 10-consecutive regional plaques. It's latest supersectional award came via a 2-0 supersectional triumph over Sprinfield.
That was a windy match in which 54 minutes were needed to break the 0-0 deadlock. That’s when defender Avery Bohnenstiehl went upfield for a Jordyn Besserman corner kick. The freshman admitted her touch was initially intended as a hopeful head-flick to a teammate, but the contact found the back of the net instead. It was her second goal and Besserman’s sixth assist.
With exactly 20 minutes left in regulation, Triad scoring leader Jordan Wilson made it a 2-0 margin with her 11th goal (to go with seven assists for 29 points). The senior forward tops a list of eight players with double-digit points. She is followed by seniors Katie Rogers (8 goals/assist/17 points), Besserman (5g/6a/16p) and Chelsea Riden (6g/4a/16).
The Knights enter the Final Four with the longest current unbeaten streak among the teams at 16 (14-0-2). They have scored 78 goals while allowing 13 in 24 outings. The senior duo of Sydney Beach and Bryn Fanning are the cornerstones of Triad’s defensive wall and both earned IHSSCA Section 12 acclaim.
Beach is the only Division I signee (Saint Louis) on the team, but she is far from the only Knight with college soccer designs. Wilson (Greenville), Besserman (Erskine, S.C.), Riden (Lewis & Clark), Sam Simpson (Southeast Illinois), and Rogers (Daytona State) will also play futbol. Sydney Thomas has signed at Webster for volleyball.
Triad recorded 15 clean-sheets with 13 of them split between freshman goalie Reagan Chigas and junior keeper Abbey Counts. Triad has been shut out on three occasions.
“I’m ecstatic as a senior to be going to the Final Four for the second time in three years,” Riden said. “I’m thankful to play for such a treasured and respected program and having been a part of two of the biggest years in its history.
“The program’s tradition pushes everyone to want to continue its building and success. Everybody contributes in a different way which makes us a very well-rounded team,” Riden added. “It also allows us to have a lot of depth coming off the bench.”
Bohnenstiehl added: “We’re very excited to have the opportunity to win another state championship. Thanks to the experience of several returning players from the 2017 state team, we’ve got the type of leaders who have pushed us to want it for ourselves. As a team, doing whatever it takes to get to the Final Four was a huge motivation.”
Benet
Although distance can make rankings difficult for the state as a whole, there’s no disputing that in the Windy City suburbs, the Redwings were a force to be reckoned with whether Class AA or not.
This year’s Benet squad (22-3-1) climbed to a no. 6 ranking in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25 list making the Redwings the top-rated AA crew. They were listed 26th in the preseason First 50.
While state finals trophies have been missing from the program, over 29 seasons there are only three times when Benet did not post double-figures in victories. One of those times was in 2001 when the team was 9-9-0.
Since taking over the head-coaching slot in 2017, Gerard Oconer has continued to raise the bar for success. So far this season Benet upped last year’s single-season record for triumphs from 20 to 22.
Add up the scores from the IHSA season result list for Benet and its 102 goals are also a single-season hallmark for future Redwings teams to try to exceed.
Senior Abby Casmere has signed to play at Miami (Ohio, Division I). Senior Mary Kate Hansen (U. of Chicago, Division III), and junior Kate Flynn (Washington, St. Louis, Division III) are standouts who signed to private universities that emphasize both academic and athletic success. They comprise a trio of Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association honorees: Flynn was named All-State, Hansen All-Section 10, and Casmere Honorable Mention Section 10.
The Benet schedule is always a mix of AA and 3A powerhouses.
“We believe those challenges have prepared us for this weekend,” Oconer said. “No question we know Triad is a tremendous opponent that deserves and has our respect. However, we’re playing their 2019 team not their 2017 state champions. Every school’s team can react differently than the previous programs.”
Hansen concurs in providing the players' perspective.
“All four teams left are extremely talented. That being said, our goal is to win the state championship,” she stated. “We’re excited about the opportunity to compete this weekend, but we know our job is not done. If we continue to work hard and do the little things right, I like our chances.
“I also love my teammates. Our success this year is from our selflessness and desire to compete. We’ve made each other better every day at practice and pick each other up at games,” Hansen continued. “We all recognize the great opportunity we have to be a part of something special, and that is much more important to us than individual goals or accolades.”
Senior midfielder Kayla Brannigan spotlighted the Redwings depth.
“I think our main strength is that we don’t rely on one person to win games. No matter what 11 are out there, we trust and rely on each other to win a ball, score a goal or make the defensive play,” Brannigan said. “Our energy is also definitely a strength we can use to put any team away. We also have a lot of fun and enjoy being with each other which translates into the game.
“Losing last year in the supersectional was absolutely heartbreaking, so we began this year proud of how far we got but nowhere near satisfied. State was always on our minds at every practice, team meeting, game, etc. So there honestly isn’t a better feeling than having what we dreamed about and worked for all season coming to fruition. Being able to bring a trophy back this weekend feels like we are finally completing the journey, especially for the seniors who’ve waited for this moment for four years.”
Due to Illinois High School Association limitations on roster size, there are Redwings who have goals or assists this season who will not dress -- talk about top-to-bottom contributions.
Instead of a one-two or combination of punches, Benet boasts a flurry of offensive blows that can come from a variety of directions and people. Casmere has a team-high 20 goals plus five assists for 45 points. Jaime Cibulka is the assist leader with 14 but is next in line with 40 points thanks to 13 goals.
What could be described as a drop-down lands at a level of production that any program would welcome: Mia Tommasone (9g/10a/28p), Carri Picha (8g/11a/27p), Sarah Bozych (12g/2a/26p), Mae Tully (10g/5a/25p), and Nicole Burns (7g/10a/24p). No wonder Benet was only shut out once -- the Redwings fell 1-0 at Class 3A and 20th-ranked Evanston in their regular-season finale.
Hansen and Flynn join with senior Mary Kate Wilhelm and sophomore Brooke Pullen to form a castle-like defense in front of senior goalie Eva Frantzen. The Redwings chalked up 16 clean-sheets and have allowed just one goal in five playoff matches.
“Those defenders are what make us so strong, because a good offense starts with great defense,” Oconer explained. “They are so good at distribution and playing with a purpose rather than just kicking it clear. They’re good at finding targets ahead of them. And with Eva, there is simply a multitude of experience.”
Joliet Catholic
There’s a philosophy that suggests sometimes a step back is necessary to take two forward. The Angels (18-1-0) are using that motivation despite having been elevated from A to AA.
For the two previous years, Joliet Catholic lost 4-1 supersectional contests to 2018 champion Notre Dame (Quincy) and 2017 runnerup University (Normal) providing the extra incentive to go further. The question now is how many additional steps can coach Oscar Valdez’s 2019 crew progress?
“Instead of simply saying ‘One day we’re gonna make it’, our focus was simply to work harder than just expect to get over the hump; even if that meant playing at a higher level,” Valdez explained. “From the first day in the cold, that emphasis on work ethic is paying dividends. At this point, all four teams left are really good, so it’s a question of who wants it the most.”
However, when pressed a little harder Valdez admits it doesn’t hurt to have added some phenomenal youngsters including a keeper that Valdez describes simply as “amazing.”
Clearly one of the unheralded Angels is freshman goalie Abby Pasternak, who has combined with a solid backline to yield a meager seven goals in 19 matches. Joliet Catholic has 14 shutouts including five clean-sheets over the last six matches.
Pasternak and her defense held firm against mid-state powerhouse Notre Dame (Peoria) through regulation and 20 minutes of overtime leading to a shootout. The frosh keeper turned away two attempts and the Irish missed two others while Aliana Wildenradt converted their third try and Morgan Furmaniak netted the fourth attempt.
Coupled with the fewest goals (nine) allowed by any Final Four team -- in AA or 3A -- Joliet Catholic boasts twin-digit point production from eight players to help account for an eye-popping 91 goals. Topping that list is junior Makenzie Kaput, who either anchors the backline or moves to midfield or the attack as she or coach Valdez decide based on opportunities. Her team-high 16 goals are coupled with seven assists for 39 points.
“It’s the best feeling in the world to see our hard work paying off,” Kaput said. “After supersectional losses the past two years and being moved up (to AA), we knew we had a lot of hard work ahead of us. It’s so amazing to see that lead us past the supersectional.
“I think a lot of our success stems from the fact we are truly a family, both on and off the field. Having each other’s back and knowing your teammates believe in you goes a long way. So many girls have made sacrifices for the team all year and that selflessness is a huge part of our success.”
Following Kaput -- who is already committed to Wisconsin-Parkside -- is Emma Gruber (15g/6a/36p), Wildenradt (11g/9a/31p), Furmaniak (12g/6a/30p), Kendall McLeod (6g/11a/23p), Breanna Ciemny (6g/8a/20p), Brynn Higgins (6g/2a/14p) and Emy Diaz (5g/1a/11p).
Senior twins Bella and Nina D’Andrea are prominent players on defense, while sophomore sister Natalie provides versatility off the bench.
Valdez considers Wildenradt and McLeod the “heart of the team” in the midfield while citing his true luxury is having multiple players capable of handling different positions.
“Knowing soccer at JCA has never gone this far, it’s extremely satisfying but we don’t plan to stop here,” Wildenradt said. “Our goal is to bring back the first place trophy. Having had tough losses in supersectionals the past couple years is why this is such a huge success.
“We’ve worked hard during the offseason and throughout the year, plus coach Oscar and (assistant) Brian (Smith) have pushed us, and all that has paid off. We’ve formed a really close bond as a team and have fun on and off the field.”
Having played in his native Belize, Valdez also spent four seasons with Illinois-Springfield, both of which have helped him share his experience and perspective in having raised Joliet Catholic from eight wins in 2017 to 18 this year while compiling a four-campaign coaching ledger of 49-29-1.
Wauconda
While Wakanda became a popular fictional place in blockbuster Marvel movies, Wauconda the girls soccer program is an equally big hit.
“All levels of students and staff come up to us saying: ‘You got this!’ ‘I’m rooting for you guys;’ ‘I’ll be at your game.’ Since winning the sectional it’s been a super environment at school,” junior midfielder Savannah Johnson said. “This being finals week, you’d expect it to be a little tense, but I honestly think everyone is a little more laid back. I know I feel more confident about everything.”
The definition of Wakanda in the movies by Marvel has been said to mean “the mysterious” but comics legend has the town named after an indigenous chief whose name translated to “spirit water.” However this historic run by the suburban Waucondans is very real, and coach Beau Shogren and his players are psyched.
“We had more and more people showing up at our games and whether it's texts, social media, or whatever, there really is a lot of positivity,” senior midfielder Abby McHugh noted. “Since the beginning of the season it’s just been a constant up. We’re all really close and have fed off the success. The sectional win really got us more confident.”
Senior defender Oliva Kuch added: “It’s so exciting to make it this far so no matter what, we’re proud of making history. But that doesn’t mean we’re satisfied. We made it to this point and now figure we might as well win it all.”
Wauconda (18-2-2) has done plenty of that including a 12-match unbeaten string (11-0-1) coming into Friday’s semifinal. There is a foundation to this success as fourth-year skipper Shogren (67-8-6) has overseen four-straight regional plaque acquisitions -- a number that doubled the school’s total in girls soccer.
Like so many other quality AA programs, the Bulldogs have scheduled up to face notable foes like Stevenson, Warren, Libertyville and Wheaton Warrenville South. Yet they boast 14 shutouts while having been shut out only twice, including a 0-0 draw with Vernon Hills in the season’s second outing.
“While (assistant coach) Tim (Miller) and I have been working toward an attack-style offense with a premium on connecting passes and playing as a team, we’ve also had an influx of quality players who are quick, good athletes including multi-sport girls,” Shogren said.
Hopes were fairly high the year before when the offensive production was even higher (98 goals), but the Bulldogs came up short 3-2 in a sectional finale with Prairie Ridge. This year’s team has chalked up 66 goals but allowed only 12.
Shogren labels the backline -- seniors Kuch and Kayla Llewellyn plus juniors Sarah Rizzo and Madelyn Thompson -- as the unsung heroes, although freshman keeper Mackenzie Arden is described as “a fearless ball-winner.” Llewellyn is headed to Wisconsin-Whitewater while IHSSCA All-State honoree McHugh (Northern Illinois) and Megan Sinnott (Indiana-Purdue-Fort Wayne) are Division I signees. Dakota Thompson -- one of three unrelated Thompsons on the roster -- will move on to Beloit.
Savannah Johnson and her sister, frosh mid Belle, hail from Wauconda athletic royalty. Their aunt Lindsey Johnson is the program’s second career scorer with 89 goals while father Byron is a football legend.
IHSSCA Section 4 pick Sinnott tops the point production chart with 39 (17g-5a) and is followed by the Johnsons, Honorable Mention Section 4 Savannah 10g/9a/29p and Belle (9g/10a/28p), plus Morgan Lung (4g/11a/19p).
Not wishing to dampen the rags-to-riches story, Chicagoland Soccer recognized the Bulldogs’ potential placing them 17th in the preseason First 50. The final regular-season Top 25 put Wauconda 16th.
By Steve Nemeth
Of the Class AA Final Four teams, one school hopes to add to its legacy, while the others are creating theirs.
Downstate Triad is known as a girls-soccer school. Considered part of the St. Louis suburban shadow, the school located in Troy is unlike its Class 3A neighbors Edwardsville or Collinsville. The shining star of the Knights athletic program is girls soccer.
Triad will receive its fourth state trophy in the sport this weekend and hopes for its third piece of first place hardware. The school currently displays the rewards of state championships in 2011 and 2017, plus a runnerup finish in 2003. Otherwise the Triad girls trophy case houses three pieces of state finals recognition combined from cheerleading 2005-06 (first) and 2007-08 (third, both in the “medium” varsity level) and competitive dance in 2014-15 (second).
The black, white and red-clad Knights will bring a lot of pride with them for the four-hour, just under 270-mile trek into the 1 p.m. Friday semifinal against Benet.
Their opponents require just a three-mile, nine-minute (in good traffic) drive to North Central College’s Benedetti-Wherlli Stadium. The Redwings have hungered for a first-ever girls soccer trophy, all the more so after falling just short in 2018 thanks to a 1-0 supersectional loss to eventual Class AA state champ St. Francis. Now their appetite has turned to the reward with the no. 1 on it.
Like Benet, both Joliet Catholic and Wauconda -- the 11 a.m. semifinal pairing -- desire to make their first-ever girls soccer showing as memorable as possible.
For the Angels, first place would certainly be a heavenly way to stand out in a city best identified by the Hilltoppers football program that accounts for 14 of the school’s 20 state titles.
As for Wauconda, wherever the Bulldogs land it’ll be the ultimate achievement for a school whose only other girls state hardware is from a third place showing in 2007’s “medium” varsity portion of competitive cheerleading.
A breakdown of each team follows.
Triad
Overall, the Knights (19-3-2) seek their third state title and second under sixth-year boss Matt Bettlach, whose 2017 crew ruled Class AA. Triad also finished first in 2011 in AA following a Class A runner-up effort in the two-class system in 2003.
“We know our history so one of our mottos is that with tradition comes responsibility, and our responsibility is to always come ready to play,” Bettlach said. “Thankfully we don’t have to spend a lot of practice teaching but have an influx of talent every year of players who know the game and can really play.”
As a footnote, four of this year’s Knights are the younger sisters of players who were part of the 2017 state championship crew. Speaking of family tradition, Bettlach whose prep record is 104-30-13, is the nephew of former Duke and current Colorado State women’s soccer coach Bill Hempen.
The Knights head man likes to quote his uncle’s philosophy of being “a small school trying to make a name for itself.”
In true soccer-savvy circles, Triad is a known commodity. This year’s Chicagoland Soccer First 50 statewide preseason poll had the Knights ranked 40th, and the site's final regular-season Illinois 10 poll of schools outside of the Chicagoland area had them listed fourth.
Triad’s postseason profile now includes 10-consecutive regional plaques. It's latest supersectional award came via a 2-0 supersectional triumph over Sprinfield.
That was a windy match in which 54 minutes were needed to break the 0-0 deadlock. That’s when defender Avery Bohnenstiehl went upfield for a Jordyn Besserman corner kick. The freshman admitted her touch was initially intended as a hopeful head-flick to a teammate, but the contact found the back of the net instead. It was her second goal and Besserman’s sixth assist.
With exactly 20 minutes left in regulation, Triad scoring leader Jordan Wilson made it a 2-0 margin with her 11th goal (to go with seven assists for 29 points). The senior forward tops a list of eight players with double-digit points. She is followed by seniors Katie Rogers (8 goals/assist/17 points), Besserman (5g/6a/16p) and Chelsea Riden (6g/4a/16).
The Knights enter the Final Four with the longest current unbeaten streak among the teams at 16 (14-0-2). They have scored 78 goals while allowing 13 in 24 outings. The senior duo of Sydney Beach and Bryn Fanning are the cornerstones of Triad’s defensive wall and both earned IHSSCA Section 12 acclaim.
Beach is the only Division I signee (Saint Louis) on the team, but she is far from the only Knight with college soccer designs. Wilson (Greenville), Besserman (Erskine, S.C.), Riden (Lewis & Clark), Sam Simpson (Southeast Illinois), and Rogers (Daytona State) will also play futbol. Sydney Thomas has signed at Webster for volleyball.
Triad recorded 15 clean-sheets with 13 of them split between freshman goalie Reagan Chigas and junior keeper Abbey Counts. Triad has been shut out on three occasions.
“I’m ecstatic as a senior to be going to the Final Four for the second time in three years,” Riden said. “I’m thankful to play for such a treasured and respected program and having been a part of two of the biggest years in its history.
“The program’s tradition pushes everyone to want to continue its building and success. Everybody contributes in a different way which makes us a very well-rounded team,” Riden added. “It also allows us to have a lot of depth coming off the bench.”
Bohnenstiehl added: “We’re very excited to have the opportunity to win another state championship. Thanks to the experience of several returning players from the 2017 state team, we’ve got the type of leaders who have pushed us to want it for ourselves. As a team, doing whatever it takes to get to the Final Four was a huge motivation.”
Benet
Although distance can make rankings difficult for the state as a whole, there’s no disputing that in the Windy City suburbs, the Redwings were a force to be reckoned with whether Class AA or not.
This year’s Benet squad (22-3-1) climbed to a no. 6 ranking in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25 list making the Redwings the top-rated AA crew. They were listed 26th in the preseason First 50.
While state finals trophies have been missing from the program, over 29 seasons there are only three times when Benet did not post double-figures in victories. One of those times was in 2001 when the team was 9-9-0.
Since taking over the head-coaching slot in 2017, Gerard Oconer has continued to raise the bar for success. So far this season Benet upped last year’s single-season record for triumphs from 20 to 22.
Add up the scores from the IHSA season result list for Benet and its 102 goals are also a single-season hallmark for future Redwings teams to try to exceed.
Senior Abby Casmere has signed to play at Miami (Ohio, Division I). Senior Mary Kate Hansen (U. of Chicago, Division III), and junior Kate Flynn (Washington, St. Louis, Division III) are standouts who signed to private universities that emphasize both academic and athletic success. They comprise a trio of Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association honorees: Flynn was named All-State, Hansen All-Section 10, and Casmere Honorable Mention Section 10.
The Benet schedule is always a mix of AA and 3A powerhouses.
“We believe those challenges have prepared us for this weekend,” Oconer said. “No question we know Triad is a tremendous opponent that deserves and has our respect. However, we’re playing their 2019 team not their 2017 state champions. Every school’s team can react differently than the previous programs.”
Hansen concurs in providing the players' perspective.
“All four teams left are extremely talented. That being said, our goal is to win the state championship,” she stated. “We’re excited about the opportunity to compete this weekend, but we know our job is not done. If we continue to work hard and do the little things right, I like our chances.
“I also love my teammates. Our success this year is from our selflessness and desire to compete. We’ve made each other better every day at practice and pick each other up at games,” Hansen continued. “We all recognize the great opportunity we have to be a part of something special, and that is much more important to us than individual goals or accolades.”
Senior midfielder Kayla Brannigan spotlighted the Redwings depth.
“I think our main strength is that we don’t rely on one person to win games. No matter what 11 are out there, we trust and rely on each other to win a ball, score a goal or make the defensive play,” Brannigan said. “Our energy is also definitely a strength we can use to put any team away. We also have a lot of fun and enjoy being with each other which translates into the game.
“Losing last year in the supersectional was absolutely heartbreaking, so we began this year proud of how far we got but nowhere near satisfied. State was always on our minds at every practice, team meeting, game, etc. So there honestly isn’t a better feeling than having what we dreamed about and worked for all season coming to fruition. Being able to bring a trophy back this weekend feels like we are finally completing the journey, especially for the seniors who’ve waited for this moment for four years.”
Due to Illinois High School Association limitations on roster size, there are Redwings who have goals or assists this season who will not dress -- talk about top-to-bottom contributions.
Instead of a one-two or combination of punches, Benet boasts a flurry of offensive blows that can come from a variety of directions and people. Casmere has a team-high 20 goals plus five assists for 45 points. Jaime Cibulka is the assist leader with 14 but is next in line with 40 points thanks to 13 goals.
What could be described as a drop-down lands at a level of production that any program would welcome: Mia Tommasone (9g/10a/28p), Carri Picha (8g/11a/27p), Sarah Bozych (12g/2a/26p), Mae Tully (10g/5a/25p), and Nicole Burns (7g/10a/24p). No wonder Benet was only shut out once -- the Redwings fell 1-0 at Class 3A and 20th-ranked Evanston in their regular-season finale.
Hansen and Flynn join with senior Mary Kate Wilhelm and sophomore Brooke Pullen to form a castle-like defense in front of senior goalie Eva Frantzen. The Redwings chalked up 16 clean-sheets and have allowed just one goal in five playoff matches.
“Those defenders are what make us so strong, because a good offense starts with great defense,” Oconer explained. “They are so good at distribution and playing with a purpose rather than just kicking it clear. They’re good at finding targets ahead of them. And with Eva, there is simply a multitude of experience.”
Joliet Catholic
There’s a philosophy that suggests sometimes a step back is necessary to take two forward. The Angels (18-1-0) are using that motivation despite having been elevated from A to AA.
For the two previous years, Joliet Catholic lost 4-1 supersectional contests to 2018 champion Notre Dame (Quincy) and 2017 runnerup University (Normal) providing the extra incentive to go further. The question now is how many additional steps can coach Oscar Valdez’s 2019 crew progress?
“Instead of simply saying ‘One day we’re gonna make it’, our focus was simply to work harder than just expect to get over the hump; even if that meant playing at a higher level,” Valdez explained. “From the first day in the cold, that emphasis on work ethic is paying dividends. At this point, all four teams left are really good, so it’s a question of who wants it the most.”
However, when pressed a little harder Valdez admits it doesn’t hurt to have added some phenomenal youngsters including a keeper that Valdez describes simply as “amazing.”
Clearly one of the unheralded Angels is freshman goalie Abby Pasternak, who has combined with a solid backline to yield a meager seven goals in 19 matches. Joliet Catholic has 14 shutouts including five clean-sheets over the last six matches.
Pasternak and her defense held firm against mid-state powerhouse Notre Dame (Peoria) through regulation and 20 minutes of overtime leading to a shootout. The frosh keeper turned away two attempts and the Irish missed two others while Aliana Wildenradt converted their third try and Morgan Furmaniak netted the fourth attempt.
Coupled with the fewest goals (nine) allowed by any Final Four team -- in AA or 3A -- Joliet Catholic boasts twin-digit point production from eight players to help account for an eye-popping 91 goals. Topping that list is junior Makenzie Kaput, who either anchors the backline or moves to midfield or the attack as she or coach Valdez decide based on opportunities. Her team-high 16 goals are coupled with seven assists for 39 points.
“It’s the best feeling in the world to see our hard work paying off,” Kaput said. “After supersectional losses the past two years and being moved up (to AA), we knew we had a lot of hard work ahead of us. It’s so amazing to see that lead us past the supersectional.
“I think a lot of our success stems from the fact we are truly a family, both on and off the field. Having each other’s back and knowing your teammates believe in you goes a long way. So many girls have made sacrifices for the team all year and that selflessness is a huge part of our success.”
Following Kaput -- who is already committed to Wisconsin-Parkside -- is Emma Gruber (15g/6a/36p), Wildenradt (11g/9a/31p), Furmaniak (12g/6a/30p), Kendall McLeod (6g/11a/23p), Breanna Ciemny (6g/8a/20p), Brynn Higgins (6g/2a/14p) and Emy Diaz (5g/1a/11p).
Senior twins Bella and Nina D’Andrea are prominent players on defense, while sophomore sister Natalie provides versatility off the bench.
Valdez considers Wildenradt and McLeod the “heart of the team” in the midfield while citing his true luxury is having multiple players capable of handling different positions.
“Knowing soccer at JCA has never gone this far, it’s extremely satisfying but we don’t plan to stop here,” Wildenradt said. “Our goal is to bring back the first place trophy. Having had tough losses in supersectionals the past couple years is why this is such a huge success.
“We’ve worked hard during the offseason and throughout the year, plus coach Oscar and (assistant) Brian (Smith) have pushed us, and all that has paid off. We’ve formed a really close bond as a team and have fun on and off the field.”
Having played in his native Belize, Valdez also spent four seasons with Illinois-Springfield, both of which have helped him share his experience and perspective in having raised Joliet Catholic from eight wins in 2017 to 18 this year while compiling a four-campaign coaching ledger of 49-29-1.
Wauconda
While Wakanda became a popular fictional place in blockbuster Marvel movies, Wauconda the girls soccer program is an equally big hit.
“All levels of students and staff come up to us saying: ‘You got this!’ ‘I’m rooting for you guys;’ ‘I’ll be at your game.’ Since winning the sectional it’s been a super environment at school,” junior midfielder Savannah Johnson said. “This being finals week, you’d expect it to be a little tense, but I honestly think everyone is a little more laid back. I know I feel more confident about everything.”
The definition of Wakanda in the movies by Marvel has been said to mean “the mysterious” but comics legend has the town named after an indigenous chief whose name translated to “spirit water.” However this historic run by the suburban Waucondans is very real, and coach Beau Shogren and his players are psyched.
“We had more and more people showing up at our games and whether it's texts, social media, or whatever, there really is a lot of positivity,” senior midfielder Abby McHugh noted. “Since the beginning of the season it’s just been a constant up. We’re all really close and have fed off the success. The sectional win really got us more confident.”
Senior defender Oliva Kuch added: “It’s so exciting to make it this far so no matter what, we’re proud of making history. But that doesn’t mean we’re satisfied. We made it to this point and now figure we might as well win it all.”
Wauconda (18-2-2) has done plenty of that including a 12-match unbeaten string (11-0-1) coming into Friday’s semifinal. There is a foundation to this success as fourth-year skipper Shogren (67-8-6) has overseen four-straight regional plaque acquisitions -- a number that doubled the school’s total in girls soccer.
Like so many other quality AA programs, the Bulldogs have scheduled up to face notable foes like Stevenson, Warren, Libertyville and Wheaton Warrenville South. Yet they boast 14 shutouts while having been shut out only twice, including a 0-0 draw with Vernon Hills in the season’s second outing.
“While (assistant coach) Tim (Miller) and I have been working toward an attack-style offense with a premium on connecting passes and playing as a team, we’ve also had an influx of quality players who are quick, good athletes including multi-sport girls,” Shogren said.
Hopes were fairly high the year before when the offensive production was even higher (98 goals), but the Bulldogs came up short 3-2 in a sectional finale with Prairie Ridge. This year’s team has chalked up 66 goals but allowed only 12.
Shogren labels the backline -- seniors Kuch and Kayla Llewellyn plus juniors Sarah Rizzo and Madelyn Thompson -- as the unsung heroes, although freshman keeper Mackenzie Arden is described as “a fearless ball-winner.” Llewellyn is headed to Wisconsin-Whitewater while IHSSCA All-State honoree McHugh (Northern Illinois) and Megan Sinnott (Indiana-Purdue-Fort Wayne) are Division I signees. Dakota Thompson -- one of three unrelated Thompsons on the roster -- will move on to Beloit.
Savannah Johnson and her sister, frosh mid Belle, hail from Wauconda athletic royalty. Their aunt Lindsey Johnson is the program’s second career scorer with 89 goals while father Byron is a football legend.
IHSSCA Section 4 pick Sinnott tops the point production chart with 39 (17g-5a) and is followed by the Johnsons, Honorable Mention Section 4 Savannah 10g/9a/29p and Belle (9g/10a/28p), plus Morgan Lung (4g/11a/19p).
Not wishing to dampen the rags-to-riches story, Chicagoland Soccer recognized the Bulldogs’ potential placing them 17th in the preseason First 50. The final regular-season Top 25 put Wauconda 16th.