Fenwick, Loyola seek edge in GCAC Red
By Patrick Z. McGavin
Time was, even recently, the Red Division of the Girls Catholic Athletic Conference, was Loyola and everybody else.
Not anymore.
“We have gone from not being a very strong conference to one of the best,” Loyola coach Craig Snower said. His former top assistant Sean Palacios has resurrected the program at St. Ignatius. Providence has improved tremendously. St. Francis, no. 8 in the current Chicagoland Soccer Top 25 poll, can play with anybody.
One of the most significant of the division's significant clashes unfolds in River Forest at the Friars’ soccer complex as no. 6 Loyola makes the trek in a scintillating match up with Fenwick Tuesday afternoon. The Friars have a beautiful new turf surface, and the action is likely to be sharp, fluid and physical.
Loyola (8-1-1, 2-0-0) is playing at an exceptional level at the moment. Last week, the Ramblers faced three teams that qualified for the state finals last year: Downers Grove North, no. 3 Barrington and no. 17 Burlington Central.
The Ramblers beat Downers Grove North and Burlington Central and held a 1-0 advantage over defending state champion Barrington in the 62nd minute until the Fillies rallied for the 2-1 victory. A nice reversal from a year ago when Barrington beat Loyola 4-0.
“It was a good week,” Snower said. “We play in these tournaments, our own [Lou Malnati’s Deep Dish Classic] and the Naperville Invitational, to get us ready for the state tournament. We take some solace in the fact with our own tournament that we did not lose a game and we had the better play and possession against Glenbrook South, who won the tournament.”
Loyola showcases several standout individual players, junior forward Maggie Brett, senior forward Stephanie Ramsay and senior midfielder and defender Riley Burns. Brett, Ramsay and senior keeper Maggie Avery are Chicagoland Soccer all-state players. An injury denied Burns a shot at the list.
Six of their 10 opponents have been ranked this year. Now the Ramblers must prepare for the heart of their conference schedule.
Throwing an added complication, Loyola must play an undefeated Glenbrook North team Monday night as a prelude to the Fenwick game.
“That game is very important for [state tournament] seedings,” Snower said. “If we win, we probably get the no. 2 seed behind New Trier. If we draw or lose, then it’s a free-for-all.”
Depth is essential as the Ramblers contend with a particularly brutal schedule. “We have players that could probably start for other teams, but they don’t get a lot of time because they are playing behind great players,” Snower said. “Fatigue is a factor, because in these big games, you want and need your best players to play as much as possible.”
Fenwick (9-2-2, 1-0-2) faces a more precarious points issue with regard to the top of the division race. The Friars have been brilliant on defense, and boast a .54 goals against average in conceding seven goals in 13 games.
The offense has gone through difficult stretches, evidenced by back-to-back scoreless draws with Providence and St. Ignatius last week. The offense awoke at an opportune time as the Friars took out Crystal Lake Central 3-1 in the championship of the Navy Bracket of the PepsiCo Showdown on Sunday in LaGrange.
Senior Shannon Ehrhardt scored twice for the Friars.
“We played well yesterday,” Fenwick coach Robert Watson said. He jazzed up the attack by shifting Lauren Miller, a four-year starter in the back, to a forward. She ignited the attack and with a goal.
“We made a few other changes, and they seem to be working,” Watson said. Anissa Nourse, the Friars’ most explosive offensive talent, plays with many of the Loyola players on the FC United club program. She has been electrifying the whole year, using her speed, quickness and vision.
Kaylie Fredian, Natalie Brennan, Molly Griffin and Anna Waring help balance out the middle of the attack. Miller diversifies the forward push in concert with Morgan Hosty. In the back, Fenwick has been virtually unsolvable with disruptive, athletic and skilled defenders Lauren Stibich, Tess Shannon and Ehrhardt.
Keeper McKenzie Blaze has recorded eight shutouts. Now the Friars face an elevated opponent.
“Loyola is very talented, plays a smart game, and has depth,” Watson said. “They will be our biggest test on the season, and we look forward to it.”
By Patrick Z. McGavin
Time was, even recently, the Red Division of the Girls Catholic Athletic Conference, was Loyola and everybody else.
Not anymore.
“We have gone from not being a very strong conference to one of the best,” Loyola coach Craig Snower said. His former top assistant Sean Palacios has resurrected the program at St. Ignatius. Providence has improved tremendously. St. Francis, no. 8 in the current Chicagoland Soccer Top 25 poll, can play with anybody.
One of the most significant of the division's significant clashes unfolds in River Forest at the Friars’ soccer complex as no. 6 Loyola makes the trek in a scintillating match up with Fenwick Tuesday afternoon. The Friars have a beautiful new turf surface, and the action is likely to be sharp, fluid and physical.
Loyola (8-1-1, 2-0-0) is playing at an exceptional level at the moment. Last week, the Ramblers faced three teams that qualified for the state finals last year: Downers Grove North, no. 3 Barrington and no. 17 Burlington Central.
The Ramblers beat Downers Grove North and Burlington Central and held a 1-0 advantage over defending state champion Barrington in the 62nd minute until the Fillies rallied for the 2-1 victory. A nice reversal from a year ago when Barrington beat Loyola 4-0.
“It was a good week,” Snower said. “We play in these tournaments, our own [Lou Malnati’s Deep Dish Classic] and the Naperville Invitational, to get us ready for the state tournament. We take some solace in the fact with our own tournament that we did not lose a game and we had the better play and possession against Glenbrook South, who won the tournament.”
Loyola showcases several standout individual players, junior forward Maggie Brett, senior forward Stephanie Ramsay and senior midfielder and defender Riley Burns. Brett, Ramsay and senior keeper Maggie Avery are Chicagoland Soccer all-state players. An injury denied Burns a shot at the list.
Six of their 10 opponents have been ranked this year. Now the Ramblers must prepare for the heart of their conference schedule.
Throwing an added complication, Loyola must play an undefeated Glenbrook North team Monday night as a prelude to the Fenwick game.
“That game is very important for [state tournament] seedings,” Snower said. “If we win, we probably get the no. 2 seed behind New Trier. If we draw or lose, then it’s a free-for-all.”
Depth is essential as the Ramblers contend with a particularly brutal schedule. “We have players that could probably start for other teams, but they don’t get a lot of time because they are playing behind great players,” Snower said. “Fatigue is a factor, because in these big games, you want and need your best players to play as much as possible.”
Fenwick (9-2-2, 1-0-2) faces a more precarious points issue with regard to the top of the division race. The Friars have been brilliant on defense, and boast a .54 goals against average in conceding seven goals in 13 games.
The offense has gone through difficult stretches, evidenced by back-to-back scoreless draws with Providence and St. Ignatius last week. The offense awoke at an opportune time as the Friars took out Crystal Lake Central 3-1 in the championship of the Navy Bracket of the PepsiCo Showdown on Sunday in LaGrange.
Senior Shannon Ehrhardt scored twice for the Friars.
“We played well yesterday,” Fenwick coach Robert Watson said. He jazzed up the attack by shifting Lauren Miller, a four-year starter in the back, to a forward. She ignited the attack and with a goal.
“We made a few other changes, and they seem to be working,” Watson said. Anissa Nourse, the Friars’ most explosive offensive talent, plays with many of the Loyola players on the FC United club program. She has been electrifying the whole year, using her speed, quickness and vision.
Kaylie Fredian, Natalie Brennan, Molly Griffin and Anna Waring help balance out the middle of the attack. Miller diversifies the forward push in concert with Morgan Hosty. In the back, Fenwick has been virtually unsolvable with disruptive, athletic and skilled defenders Lauren Stibich, Tess Shannon and Ehrhardt.
Keeper McKenzie Blaze has recorded eight shutouts. Now the Friars face an elevated opponent.
“Loyola is very talented, plays a smart game, and has depth,” Watson said. “They will be our biggest test on the season, and we look forward to it.”