IC Catholic Prep rises to winning
mark on strength of hot streak
By Ken Keenan
After starting the season with five losses in its first six games, IC Catholic Prep turned the corner in a big way with a 7-2-0 run to climb above the .500 mark heading into the final stretch of the regular season.
Knights head coach Antonio Godinez said an all-for-one mindset -- fueled by the bumpy start and a variety of injuries -- has been the key for his squad, which stood at 9-7-0 overall heading into the team's Wednesday match against Elmwood Park.
"This group has had to adapt to adversity," Godinez said. "We had some tough opponents at the beginning of the season (including Mother McAuley, currently ranked no. 24 in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25). But strength of schedule, that helps us out. I don't mind taking a loss against a very good team. Playing tough opponents gives you good experience."
Godinez continued: "We've also had two key starters out with injuries (junior midfielder Bella Leslie and junior defender Annie Guinan), and now (junior midfielder) Abi Wagner (bruised foot) is questionable. She takes a lot of the attack for us.
"So with the injuries, and other things like college visits, we've put in players in different positions, and they've done well. Our motto is, we have to work with what we have ... we have to work together."
IC Catholic Prep did just that in 2017, finishing fourth in the IHSA Class A state tournament. The Knights fell to eventual champion Notre Dame (Quincy) in the semifinals before dropping the third place match to Johnsburg by a 5-4 count.
Senior forward Olivia Hurt, senior goalkeeper Gaby Smola and Wagner were members of that squad; and each are key members of the 2019 unit as well. Hurt tallied all four goals in 4-2 win over Trinity on April 27, and Smola's rock-steady play between the pipes includes consecutive shutout victories -- 3-0 wins over St. Edward on April 17 and Riverside-Brookfield a day later.
"Olivia (Hurt) has strong technical skills plus a high soccer IQ," Godinez said. "She also brings experience from being downstate. The others look up to her -- her composure on the field, ability to finish, her approach. She understands what to do as a model for the younger players.
"Gaby (Smola) has the ability to keep us in games. She's a gamer ... loves that atmosphere. But the big difference for her this year, her confidence has risen and consistency has risen with that confidence. She's pushing herself to make sure her team is in every game. She's made some tremendous saves for us, and a good keeper makes those saves to keep you in a game. She's proven she's for real."
Godinez also pointed to the Knights' collective play on defense as being a major factor during the recent hot streak.
"Defensively, the girls have been very consistent," he said. "As a group, our defenders have done a good job ... helped us out tremendously."
That group includes senior defenders Suzy Maloney and Kelly Murray, junior defender Cassandra Serrano and sophomore defender Sophie Hurt (Olivia's sister) and freshman Claire Wagner (Abi's sister).
"There's a certain chemistry with family members on the field together you can't find if players are not related," added Godinez.
Following the tilt with Elmwood Park, the Knights will conclude the regular season with a home game against University (Chicago) at 6:45 p.m. May 6. IC will then begin postseason play in the semifinals of its own Class A regional against Early College at 5 p.m. May 7.
"We have to play well together ... just come out and play two good halves regardless of who we're playing," Godinez said. "With our best effort, the result will take care of itself."
mark on strength of hot streak
By Ken Keenan
After starting the season with five losses in its first six games, IC Catholic Prep turned the corner in a big way with a 7-2-0 run to climb above the .500 mark heading into the final stretch of the regular season.
Knights head coach Antonio Godinez said an all-for-one mindset -- fueled by the bumpy start and a variety of injuries -- has been the key for his squad, which stood at 9-7-0 overall heading into the team's Wednesday match against Elmwood Park.
"This group has had to adapt to adversity," Godinez said. "We had some tough opponents at the beginning of the season (including Mother McAuley, currently ranked no. 24 in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25). But strength of schedule, that helps us out. I don't mind taking a loss against a very good team. Playing tough opponents gives you good experience."
Godinez continued: "We've also had two key starters out with injuries (junior midfielder Bella Leslie and junior defender Annie Guinan), and now (junior midfielder) Abi Wagner (bruised foot) is questionable. She takes a lot of the attack for us.
"So with the injuries, and other things like college visits, we've put in players in different positions, and they've done well. Our motto is, we have to work with what we have ... we have to work together."
IC Catholic Prep did just that in 2017, finishing fourth in the IHSA Class A state tournament. The Knights fell to eventual champion Notre Dame (Quincy) in the semifinals before dropping the third place match to Johnsburg by a 5-4 count.
Senior forward Olivia Hurt, senior goalkeeper Gaby Smola and Wagner were members of that squad; and each are key members of the 2019 unit as well. Hurt tallied all four goals in 4-2 win over Trinity on April 27, and Smola's rock-steady play between the pipes includes consecutive shutout victories -- 3-0 wins over St. Edward on April 17 and Riverside-Brookfield a day later.
"Olivia (Hurt) has strong technical skills plus a high soccer IQ," Godinez said. "She also brings experience from being downstate. The others look up to her -- her composure on the field, ability to finish, her approach. She understands what to do as a model for the younger players.
"Gaby (Smola) has the ability to keep us in games. She's a gamer ... loves that atmosphere. But the big difference for her this year, her confidence has risen and consistency has risen with that confidence. She's pushing herself to make sure her team is in every game. She's made some tremendous saves for us, and a good keeper makes those saves to keep you in a game. She's proven she's for real."
Godinez also pointed to the Knights' collective play on defense as being a major factor during the recent hot streak.
"Defensively, the girls have been very consistent," he said. "As a group, our defenders have done a good job ... helped us out tremendously."
That group includes senior defenders Suzy Maloney and Kelly Murray, junior defender Cassandra Serrano and sophomore defender Sophie Hurt (Olivia's sister) and freshman Claire Wagner (Abi's sister).
"There's a certain chemistry with family members on the field together you can't find if players are not related," added Godinez.
Following the tilt with Elmwood Park, the Knights will conclude the regular season with a home game against University (Chicago) at 6:45 p.m. May 6. IC will then begin postseason play in the semifinals of its own Class A regional against Early College at 5 p.m. May 7.
"We have to play well together ... just come out and play two good halves regardless of who we're playing," Godinez said. "With our best effort, the result will take care of itself."