State preview Class AA: Joliet Catholic
By Curt Herron
Joliet Catholic is playing like a team that's on a mission as it heads into this weekend's IHSA Class AA finals.
After losing twice to take fourth place in their first state appearance two years ago, the Angels seem to be determined to not only play for a title but to win one.
Joliet Catholic (15-1-1) meets Saint Ignatius (15-5-1) in Friday's 12:30 p.m. semifinal match at Fremd in Palatine. Right after that match, Saint Viator and Triad meet.
Other than a span of three days in mid-May where Joliet Catholic played a scoreless draw with Plainfield North and fell 4-1 to Benet, coach Oscar Valdez' squad has been on a tear. It averaged six goals for the season and more than eight since the matches it didn't win.
Beside claiming a 4-0 East Suburban Catholic Conference victory over fellow another AA semifinalist Saint Viator on May 22, the Angels rolled to a 10-2 sectional final win at Lemont, a program that's placed often at state and had only allowed five goals during their previous 14 matches.
Joliet Catholic’s coach was succinct in his comments about his team's play as they head into the program's second state finals.
"We don't stop and never give up until the end," offered Valdez, who is 63-30-2 in his five seasons at the school.
Senior forward Morgan Furmaniak leads the Angels’ attack with 36 goals. Additional offensive threats can be expected from senior midfielders Alaina Wildenradt (16 goals), Kendall McLeod (seven), Breanna Ciemny (five) and Izzy Horkey (five). Junior forward Emma Gruber led the underclassmen with 12 goals, and senior forward Kailyn Terry tallied eight. Editor’s note: Joliet Catholic did not release assist totals.
Senior Natalie D'Andrea heads the defense in front of junior Abby Pasternak (16 games) and sophomore Mary Pietras (10), who have helped the Angels to seven shutouts. Only two of Joliet Catholic’s opponents have scored more than one goal.
Fourteen of the 23 players on the tteam were members of the 2019 squad that headed into the semifinals with an 18-1-0 mark.
Another important part of the Angels' story is its players' club success. Some have won state competitions and took a national tournament.
Competing for the Chicago Fire Juniors West Soccer Club which is based in Plainfield, and playing for Director of Coaching Paul Dalton, four members of the team were on the U-17 squad that captured the 2019 National President's Cup and two others were on this year's U-20 team that won the Illinois State Cup.
Members of the President's Cup championship team were Furmaniak, Gruber, McLeod and Wildenradt. Ciemny and D'Andrea joined that group for the Illinois Cup title.
Ciemny, D’Andrea, Furmaniak, McLeod and Wildenradt serve as the Angels’ captains.
By Curt Herron
Joliet Catholic is playing like a team that's on a mission as it heads into this weekend's IHSA Class AA finals.
After losing twice to take fourth place in their first state appearance two years ago, the Angels seem to be determined to not only play for a title but to win one.
Joliet Catholic (15-1-1) meets Saint Ignatius (15-5-1) in Friday's 12:30 p.m. semifinal match at Fremd in Palatine. Right after that match, Saint Viator and Triad meet.
Other than a span of three days in mid-May where Joliet Catholic played a scoreless draw with Plainfield North and fell 4-1 to Benet, coach Oscar Valdez' squad has been on a tear. It averaged six goals for the season and more than eight since the matches it didn't win.
Beside claiming a 4-0 East Suburban Catholic Conference victory over fellow another AA semifinalist Saint Viator on May 22, the Angels rolled to a 10-2 sectional final win at Lemont, a program that's placed often at state and had only allowed five goals during their previous 14 matches.
Joliet Catholic’s coach was succinct in his comments about his team's play as they head into the program's second state finals.
"We don't stop and never give up until the end," offered Valdez, who is 63-30-2 in his five seasons at the school.
Senior forward Morgan Furmaniak leads the Angels’ attack with 36 goals. Additional offensive threats can be expected from senior midfielders Alaina Wildenradt (16 goals), Kendall McLeod (seven), Breanna Ciemny (five) and Izzy Horkey (five). Junior forward Emma Gruber led the underclassmen with 12 goals, and senior forward Kailyn Terry tallied eight. Editor’s note: Joliet Catholic did not release assist totals.
Senior Natalie D'Andrea heads the defense in front of junior Abby Pasternak (16 games) and sophomore Mary Pietras (10), who have helped the Angels to seven shutouts. Only two of Joliet Catholic’s opponents have scored more than one goal.
Fourteen of the 23 players on the tteam were members of the 2019 squad that headed into the semifinals with an 18-1-0 mark.
Another important part of the Angels' story is its players' club success. Some have won state competitions and took a national tournament.
Competing for the Chicago Fire Juniors West Soccer Club which is based in Plainfield, and playing for Director of Coaching Paul Dalton, four members of the team were on the U-17 squad that captured the 2019 National President's Cup and two others were on this year's U-20 team that won the Illinois State Cup.
Members of the President's Cup championship team were Furmaniak, Gruber, McLeod and Wildenradt. Ciemny and D'Andrea joined that group for the Illinois Cup title.
Ciemny, D’Andrea, Furmaniak, McLeod and Wildenradt serve as the Angels’ captains.