Loyola, St. Francis to decide GCAC title
By Mike Garofola
Fenwick was all too happy to throw the Girls Catholic Athletic Conference Red Division title race up for grabs.
The Friars posted 2-2 draws with both Loyola (12-1-4, 4-0-1) and St. Francis (11-3-2, 4-0-1), the teams who will decide the league championship at Kuhn Stadium at 7 p.m. Monday in Wheaton.
"We kind of let that Fenwick game get away from us," said Loyola senior Riley Burns. Her counterpart from St. Francis, Erin Peck, wholeheartedly agreed, but from her team's perspective.
"Yes, so did we," she said.
These two classy stars realize this contest brings them closer to the end of their remarkable prep careers, each loaded with memories along the way regardless of what road each side will take in these last few weeks.
With that said, Peck doesn't need another reminder of what Burns and her mates have done to the Spartans in their previous three fixtures between the GCAC superpowers and current co-leaders.
"We're 0-for-3 with Loyola, so for the five of us seniors who have been on the varsity since freshman year, we would like to finally win one," said Peck, who will play next fall at Illinois Wesleyan after visits to Drake University and Hope College in Holland, Mich., failed to sway the elementary education-bound major away from the Bloomington, Ill., campus.
"We know it's going to take all that we have against Loyola, because they're always good, but we've been preparing all season with a very tough nonconference schedule, and having a really good coach with (Jim) Winslow."
The success St. Francis has had with that rugged schedule shows in its rank, no. 6 in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, which is one spot higher than Loyola.
The four senior teammates Peck spoke of, Claire Hensley, Kaitlyn Joniak, Kendra Pasquale and Adeline Shaw, watched the Ramblers lift the GCAC Red Division trophy for the third time in as many seasons following a 3-0 victory over St. Francis a year ago.
"Obviously it's a goal for all of us to win conference, and to use that going forward into the state playoffs. (Winslow) has really turned up the intensity with our training this season. I really believe we'll be in position to get back to the state tournament and have a run at a state AA title," Peck said.
The four-year star has enjoyed the atmosphere surrounding the Spartans program, which stresses possession and vibrant attacking football, one of many reasons she is glad she stayed around to play in high school versus year-round club soccer.
"There's too many good reasons for playing at St. Francis for me: one is I really love the school and tradition, and second, it's like family (here) and you never really get back these four years of soccer by playing elsewhere," said Peck, who plays in the offseason for the Sockers.
Winslow, and her mates up-top in the Spartans 4-3-3 formation Hannah Rittenhouse and Pasquale, are all thrilled to have a player like Peck, who can improvise, is fleet of foot and mind, anticipates, and is talented enough to handle whatever role is put upon her. And she delivers.
"Erin doesn't always get noticed because of having a player like Pasquale grabbbing the headlines, but she is really a special player and a terrific young women as well," said Winslow.
Peck feels fortunate to have been a part of the Spartans 2016 fourth place state team. It's the program's best finish after its 2012 state title. A return to the top rung could happen for her club this season.
"Our goal that year was to finish with a state trophy, but after getting there, we all know there's more for us. We have to work even harder to achieve it," she said.
Peck really likes the schedule Winslow has pieced together, including several matches with Class 3A schools at the high profile Lou Malnati's Deep Dish Classic in mid-April, plus a recent trip to Burlington, Ia., to play in the Adidas Tournament of Champions.
"We played a very difficult bunch of teams at Malnati's, including maybe the best 3A team in the state, New Trier, which ended in a 1-1 draw," said Winslow. "Then we followed up with our trip to Burlington. So the girls have really done well when tested during a really tough streak of games for us."
Peck said while she's looking forward to college next year, she's not ready to see her prep soccer career end too soon.
Burns is of the same mind, especially after she saw her junior year come to an abrupt stop just prior to the Ramblers 2017 season opener against St. Charles North.
During a run early in the week, the Iowa-bound Burns fractured the mid-portion of her right foot, which in medical terms in known as a Jones fracture, which required season-ending surgery for the superb Loyola center back.
"That wasn't an easy thing for me to realize (that) my junior season was over, but I worked really hard in rehab. This year I'm 100 percent and feeling great, and just so happy to be back playing with my friends and teammates," said the effervescent Burns, who will join her sister Devin on the pitch in Iowa City next fall. Older sister Corey Burns finished her Iowa career and recently agreed to play professional soccer with FC Nordsjælland in Denmark.
"While it's true that we're a Hawkeye-family with my brother and sisters there, it wasn't the lone reason for me going there also," began Burns.
"My focus was always to play at a Big 10 school and to be close enough to home so my parents could come see me. Iowa turned out to be a perfect fit after my visit with the coaches and at the campus."
Burns will enroll as a pre-med student initially but will give a thought towards a career in physical therapy as well.
Just like Peck, she never regretted her decision to play high school soccer rather than stay with FC United, which trains less than a mile down the road in Northfield.
"FC United provides me with the type of training and coaching that has helped advance my skills on so many levels, plus I have made so many friends at (club) with players from around the area, including New Trier, who is always the team we have to get past in the postseason," said Burns.
"With that said (FC United) is very supportive of us, and what we do outside of the club. And for me, Loyola and its student life, academics, tradition and family-like feel is something that I am proud to be a part of."
Burns played for the Ramblers 2016 regional championship club that went 18-4-4, then watched and supported her teammates a year ago when they collected the 13th-regional crown in program history before the season came to a close against, who else, New Trier in a sectional final.
"(New Trier) has been our main postseason concern for as long as I remember, so we begin to focus on them during film sessions and our tactical plans as we get further into the year," she said. "(But) we never look past any of our opponents -- especially one like St. Francis on Monday night."
A great central defender, Burns isn't just about size and strength. She perfectly fits the spot because of a special blend of no-nonsense aggression, 20/20 vision on the ball, and the ability to keep the defense in its shape while setting the atack in motion from the back with deadly service.
"I try to learn something from each training session and game," said Burns.
As for St. Francis, the senior expects an 80-minute tug-of-war.
"We'll have to be on top of our game, winning 50-50 balls, doing the dirty work, and just going out and doing the blue collar type of soccer that is needed in a game against such a tough opponent," she said.
By Mike Garofola
Fenwick was all too happy to throw the Girls Catholic Athletic Conference Red Division title race up for grabs.
The Friars posted 2-2 draws with both Loyola (12-1-4, 4-0-1) and St. Francis (11-3-2, 4-0-1), the teams who will decide the league championship at Kuhn Stadium at 7 p.m. Monday in Wheaton.
"We kind of let that Fenwick game get away from us," said Loyola senior Riley Burns. Her counterpart from St. Francis, Erin Peck, wholeheartedly agreed, but from her team's perspective.
"Yes, so did we," she said.
These two classy stars realize this contest brings them closer to the end of their remarkable prep careers, each loaded with memories along the way regardless of what road each side will take in these last few weeks.
With that said, Peck doesn't need another reminder of what Burns and her mates have done to the Spartans in their previous three fixtures between the GCAC superpowers and current co-leaders.
"We're 0-for-3 with Loyola, so for the five of us seniors who have been on the varsity since freshman year, we would like to finally win one," said Peck, who will play next fall at Illinois Wesleyan after visits to Drake University and Hope College in Holland, Mich., failed to sway the elementary education-bound major away from the Bloomington, Ill., campus.
"We know it's going to take all that we have against Loyola, because they're always good, but we've been preparing all season with a very tough nonconference schedule, and having a really good coach with (Jim) Winslow."
The success St. Francis has had with that rugged schedule shows in its rank, no. 6 in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, which is one spot higher than Loyola.
The four senior teammates Peck spoke of, Claire Hensley, Kaitlyn Joniak, Kendra Pasquale and Adeline Shaw, watched the Ramblers lift the GCAC Red Division trophy for the third time in as many seasons following a 3-0 victory over St. Francis a year ago.
"Obviously it's a goal for all of us to win conference, and to use that going forward into the state playoffs. (Winslow) has really turned up the intensity with our training this season. I really believe we'll be in position to get back to the state tournament and have a run at a state AA title," Peck said.
The four-year star has enjoyed the atmosphere surrounding the Spartans program, which stresses possession and vibrant attacking football, one of many reasons she is glad she stayed around to play in high school versus year-round club soccer.
"There's too many good reasons for playing at St. Francis for me: one is I really love the school and tradition, and second, it's like family (here) and you never really get back these four years of soccer by playing elsewhere," said Peck, who plays in the offseason for the Sockers.
Winslow, and her mates up-top in the Spartans 4-3-3 formation Hannah Rittenhouse and Pasquale, are all thrilled to have a player like Peck, who can improvise, is fleet of foot and mind, anticipates, and is talented enough to handle whatever role is put upon her. And she delivers.
"Erin doesn't always get noticed because of having a player like Pasquale grabbbing the headlines, but she is really a special player and a terrific young women as well," said Winslow.
Peck feels fortunate to have been a part of the Spartans 2016 fourth place state team. It's the program's best finish after its 2012 state title. A return to the top rung could happen for her club this season.
"Our goal that year was to finish with a state trophy, but after getting there, we all know there's more for us. We have to work even harder to achieve it," she said.
Peck really likes the schedule Winslow has pieced together, including several matches with Class 3A schools at the high profile Lou Malnati's Deep Dish Classic in mid-April, plus a recent trip to Burlington, Ia., to play in the Adidas Tournament of Champions.
"We played a very difficult bunch of teams at Malnati's, including maybe the best 3A team in the state, New Trier, which ended in a 1-1 draw," said Winslow. "Then we followed up with our trip to Burlington. So the girls have really done well when tested during a really tough streak of games for us."
Peck said while she's looking forward to college next year, she's not ready to see her prep soccer career end too soon.
Burns is of the same mind, especially after she saw her junior year come to an abrupt stop just prior to the Ramblers 2017 season opener against St. Charles North.
During a run early in the week, the Iowa-bound Burns fractured the mid-portion of her right foot, which in medical terms in known as a Jones fracture, which required season-ending surgery for the superb Loyola center back.
"That wasn't an easy thing for me to realize (that) my junior season was over, but I worked really hard in rehab. This year I'm 100 percent and feeling great, and just so happy to be back playing with my friends and teammates," said the effervescent Burns, who will join her sister Devin on the pitch in Iowa City next fall. Older sister Corey Burns finished her Iowa career and recently agreed to play professional soccer with FC Nordsjælland in Denmark.
"While it's true that we're a Hawkeye-family with my brother and sisters there, it wasn't the lone reason for me going there also," began Burns.
"My focus was always to play at a Big 10 school and to be close enough to home so my parents could come see me. Iowa turned out to be a perfect fit after my visit with the coaches and at the campus."
Burns will enroll as a pre-med student initially but will give a thought towards a career in physical therapy as well.
Just like Peck, she never regretted her decision to play high school soccer rather than stay with FC United, which trains less than a mile down the road in Northfield.
"FC United provides me with the type of training and coaching that has helped advance my skills on so many levels, plus I have made so many friends at (club) with players from around the area, including New Trier, who is always the team we have to get past in the postseason," said Burns.
"With that said (FC United) is very supportive of us, and what we do outside of the club. And for me, Loyola and its student life, academics, tradition and family-like feel is something that I am proud to be a part of."
Burns played for the Ramblers 2016 regional championship club that went 18-4-4, then watched and supported her teammates a year ago when they collected the 13th-regional crown in program history before the season came to a close against, who else, New Trier in a sectional final.
"(New Trier) has been our main postseason concern for as long as I remember, so we begin to focus on them during film sessions and our tactical plans as we get further into the year," she said. "(But) we never look past any of our opponents -- especially one like St. Francis on Monday night."
A great central defender, Burns isn't just about size and strength. She perfectly fits the spot because of a special blend of no-nonsense aggression, 20/20 vision on the ball, and the ability to keep the defense in its shape while setting the atack in motion from the back with deadly service.
"I try to learn something from each training session and game," said Burns.
As for St. Francis, the senior expects an 80-minute tug-of-war.
"We'll have to be on top of our game, winning 50-50 balls, doing the dirty work, and just going out and doing the blue collar type of soccer that is needed in a game against such a tough opponent," she said.