Preview: Lou Malnati’s Deep Dish Classic
By Patrick Z. McGavin
On a recent Sunday, Makayla Stadler stood on the beautifully textured grass at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview with a message to the rest of the state’s top soccer programs.
A three-time Chicagoland Soccer all-state selection and Villanova recruit, Stadler generated two highlight assists in the Titans’ 2-1 victory over Lincoln-Way West in the championship game of the Windy City Ram Classic.
“The championship gives warning that we are really good this year,” Stadler said. “We are looking to go far and do a lot of great things this year.”
Now Glenbrook South looks to replicate its crowning achievement of last year when the Titans defeated Central Suburban League South Division rival Evanston 1-0 in the championship of the Lou Malnati’s Deep Dish Classic at New Trier.
The third iteration of the tournament, started by New Trier and Loyola in the spring of 2017, begins pool play at three facilities beginning on Saturday (April 6).
Only the bigger Naperville Invitational boasts a more diverse and loaded field. How good is the tournament? Nine of the 12 teams are ranked in Chicagoland Soccer Top 25. Two other programs are listed among the honorable mention teams.
Two years ago, Naperville North defeated eventual Class 3A state champion Barrington 1-0 in the championship, administering to the Fillies their only loss of the year.
Undefeated until losing the Class 3A state championship to Barrington last year, New Trier failed to get into the semifinal bracket of the second edition after they suffered draws with St. Francis and Stevenson in pool play.
St. Francis captured the Class AA state championship. New Trier and Naperville North finished second and third, respectively, in Class 3A. Additionally, Carmel reached a Class 3A supersectional.
Half of the opening round games pit ranked foes against each other in the tournament’s trio of four-team groups.
Group A at New Trier features no. 16 St. Francis (0-1-1) vs. no. 18 Stevenson (5-0-1) at noon. In an unbeaten battle in the second game, no. 3 New Trier (4-0-5) plays city power and first-year tournament participant Lane (7-0-1), which is ranked no. 13.
At Evanston, Hinsdale Central (1-3-1) takes on the no. 5 Wildkits (7-0-0) at 11 a.m. and no. 9 Naperville North (2-2-1) battles Carmel (2-4-0) in the second game at 1 p.m.
At Loyola, the defending champion Titans (9-0-1), ranked no. 4, take on the Ramblers (1-2-2) at noon, and no. 11 Lyons (2-0-1) and no. 22 Lake Forest (4-1-0) square off in the second game at 2 p.m.
Each school is guaranteed one home game during the midweek pool play games. The three group winners and a wild card advance to the semifinals at New Trier on Thursday (April 11). The championship and consolation games are set for April 13.
“We are very excited,” Lane coach Michelle Vale said. The Indians have been virtually untouchable in the first three weeks of the season. Lane has posted six shutouts and permitted just two goals.
A four-time defending city champion, Lane has always sought validation against the state’s top programs. Now they are set to confront three ranked powers in succession.
Lane features two-time Chicagoland Soccer all-state forward Grace Dunaway and a talented and physical backline keyed by rising star Zehra Halilic, a disruptive and athletic defender. Her opposite number on the offensive side is junior midfielder Camaron Niforos, a physical and graceful talent with a knack for creating plays. Junior midfielder Melissa Garcia has also been an early standout.
“The kids are super excited, so much so that every time we talk about it they say how much they are looking forward to play in it,” Vale said.
Loyola has been a constant in the three-year event. Shannon Hartinger is in her first year directing the Ramblers’ program. An elite program like Loyola always has schedule markers to generate enthusiasm like a big conference showdown with rival St. Ignatius or games against Evanston and Glenbrook South.
This tournament will be a daunting though telling indicator of where the Ramblers stand, according to Hartinger. The team seeks its second win in a brutal early season schedule that included games with Evanston, Lane and St. Ignatius.
Freshmen Molly Sipe and Grace Ehlert look like the next stars in the program. Most important, Loyola welcomed back two-time Chicagoland Soccer all-state forward Maggie Brett, who is making a recovery from ACL surgery. She saw about 40 minutes of action in her debut against Lane on Saturday (March 30).
“Obviously with a young team we are still looking to jell and integrate players,” Hartinger said. “I think each game has gotten a little bit better.”
A tournament like Lou Malnati’s forces teams to improve on the fly and very quickly.
“I think we just have to build off each game that we have moving forward,” Hartinger said. “Hopefully we are going to find the result we want soon. We are looking forward to the challenges of our schedule.
“For us, this is a great opportunity to play high quality opponents that will hopefully prepare us for the postseason.”
Most of the teams are coming off their spring break and now looking to use the tournament to catapult into the next stage of the season.
Naperville North is in slightly alien territory, having just two wins (albeit against no. 7 Fremd and no. 20 Waubonsie Valley) in its first five games. The Huskies have played top-ranked Barrington, no. 8 St. Charles East and no. 25 Batavia
Coach Steve Goletz imagined the scenario playing out this way given he lost six Division I players from last year’s Class 3A third place finisher, including all-everything star Katelynn Buescher.
“Playing the toughest schedule we have ever put together may cause some growing pains, but it should prepare us for what hopes to be another long playoff run,” Goletz said.
“We have a good influx of new talent from in and outside of the program.”
Forward Hannah Martin, athletic and skilled, is one of the state’s top juniors. She is an also an elite golfer, and her sense of balance and hand and eye coordination is superb. Northwestern recruit Reilly Riggs and Paige Sylvester are the mainstays of the back.
Wisconsin recruit Maddie Schlecht continues her high school debut after playing club exclusively and is another crucial component being woven into the team. Naperville North is vulnerable early but could potentially be untouchable late.
Carmel is another intriguing team finding its stride. The Corsairs return to Evanston, where they last played in a supersectional against New Trier. All-state forward Zenaya Barnes leads a gifted, skilled group, a solid mix of heady veterans like three-year starter Mia Salvi with a talented underclass roster, headed by sophomores Mia Salvi and twins Liz and Sarah Galla.
Hinsdale Central returns nine starters and has another senior standout, Missouri commit Caroline Lyman, a midfielder, in her first year in the program. Sam Moriarty is an elite defender. Samantha Guido is another imposing talent.
The Red Devils have shown steady improvement.
“This is a very capable group, and I am very excited to see how they utilize their strengths to achieve their goals this year,” first-year head coach Tony Madonia said. “They have banded together and are on the same page, on and off the field.
“This is a group willing to put in the work.”
One of the sidebars to the tournament underscores the early-season dominance of the Central Suburban League South Division. It appears to be the state’s best soccer conference, at least at the top with no. 3 New Trier, no. 4 Glenbrook South, no. 5 Evanston and undefeated Maine South.
Evanston is coming off a solid comeback win over Loyola, two impressive victories over two of the top programs in Wisconsin during its spring break, and two wins this week over Niles West and no. 17 Deerfield.
The Wildkits have a heady mixture of veteran savvy, like Keara Kerr and Hadley Bushala, with some outstanding young talent like breakout junior Callista O’Connor (who scored the game-winner against Loyola) and intriguing young talents like sophomore midfielder Ryann Lucas and freshman forward Brealyn Viamille.
“This team really plays well together,” coach Stacy Salgado said. “We are a family, and it shows how connected the group is on the field.”
New Trier is the mainstay, the gold standard having appeared in the last five Class 3A state championships games, winning three in a row and finishing second, in shootouts, the last two years.
The Trevians have a great player in junior Emma Weaver, who like Stadler is a Villanova recruit. Senior Lily Conley is another dynamic talent. Keeper Meghan Dwyer reinforces the back as an experienced and talented keeper.
Schedules are varied and unpredictable the first month of the season. The hardest team to get a read on is St. Francis. The Spartans overpowered Stevenson and Lyons last year and played New Trier to a draw.
With Iowa recruit Hannah Rittenhouse, who scored three goals in the state championship game last year, St. Francis looms as a constant threat, an athletic and physical team open to possibilities.
The wild card is Lyons, a team looking to make a statement after failing to get out of pool play last year. Junior keeper Sophie Grabis has emerged as one of the state’s top players, an athletic and heady talent who has yet to allow a goal in the Lions two games.
“I am definitely competitive,” she said. “I think to be a goalkeeper you have to be aggressive. It is definitely very important to be confident as well, because any point of hesitation could result in a goal or an injury.”
Chicagoland Soccer all-state forward Eileen Murphy, an Illinois recruit, is the fulcrum of the Lions’ attack. She is physical and rangy with a great feel for the game.
“She is just a great player,” Grabis said, “the kind you want to be around. She makes everybody better. She is also a great person, someone who looks out and cares for her teammates. She understands the game so well.”
The Lou Malnati’s Deep Dish Classic is a thrilling platform for these great players and teams. It all starts Saturday.
Prepare to be wowed.
By Patrick Z. McGavin
On a recent Sunday, Makayla Stadler stood on the beautifully textured grass at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview with a message to the rest of the state’s top soccer programs.
A three-time Chicagoland Soccer all-state selection and Villanova recruit, Stadler generated two highlight assists in the Titans’ 2-1 victory over Lincoln-Way West in the championship game of the Windy City Ram Classic.
“The championship gives warning that we are really good this year,” Stadler said. “We are looking to go far and do a lot of great things this year.”
Now Glenbrook South looks to replicate its crowning achievement of last year when the Titans defeated Central Suburban League South Division rival Evanston 1-0 in the championship of the Lou Malnati’s Deep Dish Classic at New Trier.
The third iteration of the tournament, started by New Trier and Loyola in the spring of 2017, begins pool play at three facilities beginning on Saturday (April 6).
Only the bigger Naperville Invitational boasts a more diverse and loaded field. How good is the tournament? Nine of the 12 teams are ranked in Chicagoland Soccer Top 25. Two other programs are listed among the honorable mention teams.
Two years ago, Naperville North defeated eventual Class 3A state champion Barrington 1-0 in the championship, administering to the Fillies their only loss of the year.
Undefeated until losing the Class 3A state championship to Barrington last year, New Trier failed to get into the semifinal bracket of the second edition after they suffered draws with St. Francis and Stevenson in pool play.
St. Francis captured the Class AA state championship. New Trier and Naperville North finished second and third, respectively, in Class 3A. Additionally, Carmel reached a Class 3A supersectional.
Half of the opening round games pit ranked foes against each other in the tournament’s trio of four-team groups.
Group A at New Trier features no. 16 St. Francis (0-1-1) vs. no. 18 Stevenson (5-0-1) at noon. In an unbeaten battle in the second game, no. 3 New Trier (4-0-5) plays city power and first-year tournament participant Lane (7-0-1), which is ranked no. 13.
At Evanston, Hinsdale Central (1-3-1) takes on the no. 5 Wildkits (7-0-0) at 11 a.m. and no. 9 Naperville North (2-2-1) battles Carmel (2-4-0) in the second game at 1 p.m.
At Loyola, the defending champion Titans (9-0-1), ranked no. 4, take on the Ramblers (1-2-2) at noon, and no. 11 Lyons (2-0-1) and no. 22 Lake Forest (4-1-0) square off in the second game at 2 p.m.
Each school is guaranteed one home game during the midweek pool play games. The three group winners and a wild card advance to the semifinals at New Trier on Thursday (April 11). The championship and consolation games are set for April 13.
“We are very excited,” Lane coach Michelle Vale said. The Indians have been virtually untouchable in the first three weeks of the season. Lane has posted six shutouts and permitted just two goals.
A four-time defending city champion, Lane has always sought validation against the state’s top programs. Now they are set to confront three ranked powers in succession.
Lane features two-time Chicagoland Soccer all-state forward Grace Dunaway and a talented and physical backline keyed by rising star Zehra Halilic, a disruptive and athletic defender. Her opposite number on the offensive side is junior midfielder Camaron Niforos, a physical and graceful talent with a knack for creating plays. Junior midfielder Melissa Garcia has also been an early standout.
“The kids are super excited, so much so that every time we talk about it they say how much they are looking forward to play in it,” Vale said.
Loyola has been a constant in the three-year event. Shannon Hartinger is in her first year directing the Ramblers’ program. An elite program like Loyola always has schedule markers to generate enthusiasm like a big conference showdown with rival St. Ignatius or games against Evanston and Glenbrook South.
This tournament will be a daunting though telling indicator of where the Ramblers stand, according to Hartinger. The team seeks its second win in a brutal early season schedule that included games with Evanston, Lane and St. Ignatius.
Freshmen Molly Sipe and Grace Ehlert look like the next stars in the program. Most important, Loyola welcomed back two-time Chicagoland Soccer all-state forward Maggie Brett, who is making a recovery from ACL surgery. She saw about 40 minutes of action in her debut against Lane on Saturday (March 30).
“Obviously with a young team we are still looking to jell and integrate players,” Hartinger said. “I think each game has gotten a little bit better.”
A tournament like Lou Malnati’s forces teams to improve on the fly and very quickly.
“I think we just have to build off each game that we have moving forward,” Hartinger said. “Hopefully we are going to find the result we want soon. We are looking forward to the challenges of our schedule.
“For us, this is a great opportunity to play high quality opponents that will hopefully prepare us for the postseason.”
Most of the teams are coming off their spring break and now looking to use the tournament to catapult into the next stage of the season.
Naperville North is in slightly alien territory, having just two wins (albeit against no. 7 Fremd and no. 20 Waubonsie Valley) in its first five games. The Huskies have played top-ranked Barrington, no. 8 St. Charles East and no. 25 Batavia
Coach Steve Goletz imagined the scenario playing out this way given he lost six Division I players from last year’s Class 3A third place finisher, including all-everything star Katelynn Buescher.
“Playing the toughest schedule we have ever put together may cause some growing pains, but it should prepare us for what hopes to be another long playoff run,” Goletz said.
“We have a good influx of new talent from in and outside of the program.”
Forward Hannah Martin, athletic and skilled, is one of the state’s top juniors. She is an also an elite golfer, and her sense of balance and hand and eye coordination is superb. Northwestern recruit Reilly Riggs and Paige Sylvester are the mainstays of the back.
Wisconsin recruit Maddie Schlecht continues her high school debut after playing club exclusively and is another crucial component being woven into the team. Naperville North is vulnerable early but could potentially be untouchable late.
Carmel is another intriguing team finding its stride. The Corsairs return to Evanston, where they last played in a supersectional against New Trier. All-state forward Zenaya Barnes leads a gifted, skilled group, a solid mix of heady veterans like three-year starter Mia Salvi with a talented underclass roster, headed by sophomores Mia Salvi and twins Liz and Sarah Galla.
Hinsdale Central returns nine starters and has another senior standout, Missouri commit Caroline Lyman, a midfielder, in her first year in the program. Sam Moriarty is an elite defender. Samantha Guido is another imposing talent.
The Red Devils have shown steady improvement.
“This is a very capable group, and I am very excited to see how they utilize their strengths to achieve their goals this year,” first-year head coach Tony Madonia said. “They have banded together and are on the same page, on and off the field.
“This is a group willing to put in the work.”
One of the sidebars to the tournament underscores the early-season dominance of the Central Suburban League South Division. It appears to be the state’s best soccer conference, at least at the top with no. 3 New Trier, no. 4 Glenbrook South, no. 5 Evanston and undefeated Maine South.
Evanston is coming off a solid comeback win over Loyola, two impressive victories over two of the top programs in Wisconsin during its spring break, and two wins this week over Niles West and no. 17 Deerfield.
The Wildkits have a heady mixture of veteran savvy, like Keara Kerr and Hadley Bushala, with some outstanding young talent like breakout junior Callista O’Connor (who scored the game-winner against Loyola) and intriguing young talents like sophomore midfielder Ryann Lucas and freshman forward Brealyn Viamille.
“This team really plays well together,” coach Stacy Salgado said. “We are a family, and it shows how connected the group is on the field.”
New Trier is the mainstay, the gold standard having appeared in the last five Class 3A state championships games, winning three in a row and finishing second, in shootouts, the last two years.
The Trevians have a great player in junior Emma Weaver, who like Stadler is a Villanova recruit. Senior Lily Conley is another dynamic talent. Keeper Meghan Dwyer reinforces the back as an experienced and talented keeper.
Schedules are varied and unpredictable the first month of the season. The hardest team to get a read on is St. Francis. The Spartans overpowered Stevenson and Lyons last year and played New Trier to a draw.
With Iowa recruit Hannah Rittenhouse, who scored three goals in the state championship game last year, St. Francis looms as a constant threat, an athletic and physical team open to possibilities.
The wild card is Lyons, a team looking to make a statement after failing to get out of pool play last year. Junior keeper Sophie Grabis has emerged as one of the state’s top players, an athletic and heady talent who has yet to allow a goal in the Lions two games.
“I am definitely competitive,” she said. “I think to be a goalkeeper you have to be aggressive. It is definitely very important to be confident as well, because any point of hesitation could result in a goal or an injury.”
Chicagoland Soccer all-state forward Eileen Murphy, an Illinois recruit, is the fulcrum of the Lions’ attack. She is physical and rangy with a great feel for the game.
“She is just a great player,” Grabis said, “the kind you want to be around. She makes everybody better. She is also a great person, someone who looks out and cares for her teammates. She understands the game so well.”
The Lou Malnati’s Deep Dish Classic is a thrilling platform for these great players and teams. It all starts Saturday.
Prepare to be wowed.