St. Charles races to crosstown derby
By Steve Nemeth
In England they call it a derby, in the U.S. a crosstown clash. Whatever the name, it’s a rivalry.
Quality and competitive soccer has been associated with St. Charles long before the split created East and North high schools. Instead of diminishing the overall quality, the division has simply increased the intensity and desire.
Whether one uses the generic south of 64 is East territory and north is North Stars country, the Battle of St. Charles has its latest installment at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at St. Charles North.
In addition to the usual bragging rights, a leg up in the Upstate Eight Conference River Division is also at stake.
Fresh off having captured one of six bracket titles in the PepsiCo Showdown, St. Charles North has also been elevated to no. 1 in Chicagoland Soccer Top 25 Poll after five weeks at no. 3 and one at no. 2.
The North Stars are unbeaten at 10-0-1 and 2-0-0 in league play with seven-straight victories since a 2-2 draw on the pitch of defending state champion Barrington on March 22.
East enters with four-consecutive wins, a 3-0-0 conference ledger, and a 9-2-3 overall record. It's last two triumphs, including a 1-0 shootout win over then no. 8-rated Evanston, advanced the Saints to this week’s championship bracket of the Naperville Invitational. East has risen to a season-high no. 13 slot in the Chicagoland Soccer poll after having been among the top 21 for all seven weeks.
“Soccer in St. Charles has always been equated with quality and the crosstown aspect guarantees intensity and excitement because both programs have a rich tradition of their own,” North Stars coach Brian Harks said. “And the high level of soccer associated with the whole Tri-Cities, be it East, North, Geneva or Batavia, means you’ve got girls who likely have been teammates or opponents growing up and playing club ball.”
Although newer to the rivalry than some of his players, East coach Vince DiNuzzo understands.
“It’s just tough to take the extra emotion out of it. There’s the familiarity growing up, playing youth and club soccer, and there’s no question it has an impact for the conference,” DiNuzzo said. “It has the weight of title match. Yes, right now we’re only even with Batavia and North is right there, plus Geneva will still play a role. But whoever loses this match, it’s unlikely they’ll win the River without someone else’s help.”
When the current seniors were introduced to the rivalry in 2015, it was a 1-1 draw thanks to the late-game heroics of East freshman Chantel Carranza. Ten minutes before halftime, Hanna Durocher got a penalty kick past Alison Chesterfield for a 1-0 North Star lead. With just 7:02 left in regulation, Carranza successfully converted a PK for the equalizer.
That 1-1 draw matched the regular-season meeting from the year before, except in 2014 the two programs also met in a sectional semifinal and the Saints prevailed by a 2-1 score.
In 2016, Chesterfield was again frustrated as the North Stars were up 1-0 at intermission based on an East own goal. Eli Wahlberg added a second-half strike for a 2-0 win.
Last year, it was a 1-0 North victory thanks to a second half goal by Claudia Najera off a Hailey Rydberg set-up. That gave North goalkeeper Sami Sample back-to-back shutouts and left East keeper Grace Griffin hungry for this rematch. Sample graduated but the North Stars’ other two Chicagoland Soccer 2017 All-State honorees in Rydberg and Gia Wahlberg. Carranza's season was ended prematurely due to an injury.
North’s attack continues to be spearheaded by the same names. Wahlberg has 14 goals and a team-high 10 assists for 38 points. Rydberg boasts a team-best 15 goals plus six assists for 36 points. Najera is third in points with seven goals and two assists followed by Chloe Netzel (14, 6/2) and Sami Rydberg (10, 4/2).
The North Stars’ 54 goals in 11 matches is just shy of five goal-per-match average. East averages 2.7 goals but gives up 0.64. Saints keeper Griffin boasts eight clean sheets while North’s Sara Maleski and Nathalie Grier have combined for four shutouts.
Kayla Villa, a junior midfielder, leads East in goals with 12 and shares the assist lead with five for a team-high 29 points. Rose Stackhouse follows with 20 points off nine goals and two assists. Alessa D”Argento adds 13 points (five goals/three assists), with Kathryn Hill having developed into a set-up artist with five assists along with one goal.
“Rivalry games like this is why you play,” East’s Villa said. “It’s under the lights; you’ve got fans for both teams. Sometimes there’s the difference of playing against someone who’s been a club teammates. I believe we’ve gotten better as the season has gone on. Early in the year we struggled in the final third, but now we’re finishing our chances.”
The game's finish may not be dramatic. The outcome may simply come down to who finishes one particular chance. And there won't be a lot of time investment on the road. Depending on the route taken and traffic, it boils down to four or five miles or 11 to 15 minutes.
The only guarantee is those bragging rights will last for about a year.Annual Battle of St. Charles adds to tradition
By Steve Nemeth
In England they call it a “derby,” in the U.S. a “crosstown clash,” whatever the name, it’s a rivalry.
Quality and competitive soccer has been associated with St. Charles long before the split created East and North high schools. Instead of diminishing the overall quality, the division has simply increased the intensity and desire.
Whether one uses the generic south of 64 is East territory and north is North Stars country, the Battle of St. Charles has its latest installment at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at St. Charles North.
In addition to the usual bragging rights, a leg up in the Upstate Eight Conference River Division is also at stake.
Fresh off having captured one of six bracket titles in the PepsiCo Showdown, St. Charles North has also been elevated to no. 1 in Chicagoland Soccer Top 25 Poll after five weeks at no. 3 and one at no. 2.
The North Stars are unbeaten at 10-0-1 and 2-0-0 in league play with seven-straight victories since a 2-2 draw on the pitch of defending state champion Barrington on March 22.
East enters with four-consecutive wins, a 3-0-0 conference ledger, and a 9-2-3 overall record. It's last two triumphs, including a 1-0 shootout win over then no. 8-rated Evanston, advanced the Saints to this week’s championship bracket of the Naperville Invitational. East has risen to a season-high no. 13 slot in the Chicagoland Soccer poll after having been among the top 21 for all seven weeks.
“Soccer in St. Charles has always been equated with quality and the crosstown aspect guarantees intensity and excitement because both programs have a rich tradition of their own,” North Stars coach Brian Harks said. “And the high level of soccer associated with the whole Tri-Cities, be it East, North, Geneva or Batavia, means you’ve got girls who likely have been teammates or opponents growing up and playing club ball.”
Although newer to the rivalry than some of his players, East coach Vince DiNuzzo understands.
“It’s just tough to take the extra emotion out of it. There’s the familiarity growing up, playing youth and club soccer, and there’s no question it has an impact for the conference,” DiNuzzo said. “It has the weight of title match. Yes, right now we’re only even with Batavia and North is right there, plus Geneva will still play a role. But whoever loses this match, it’s unlikely they’ll win the River without someone else’s help.”
When the current seniors were introduced to the rivalry in 2015, it was a 1-1 draw thanks to the late-game heroics of East freshman Chantel Carranza. Ten minutes before halftime, Hanna Durocher got a penalty kick past Alison Chesterfield for a 1-0 North Star lead. With just 7:02 left in regulation, Carranza successfully converted a PK for the equalizer.
That 1-1 draw matched the regular-season meeting from the year before, except in 2014 the two programs also met in a sectional semifinal and the Saints prevailed by a 2-1 score.
In 2016, Chesterfield was again frustrated as the North Stars were up 1-0 at intermission based on an East own goal. Eli Wahlberg added a second-half strike for a 2-0 win.
Last year, it was a 1-0 North victory thanks to a second half goal by Claudia Najera off a Hailey Rydberg set-up. That gave North goalkeeper Sami Sample back-to-back shutouts and left East keeper Grace Griffin hungry for this rematch. Sample graduated but the North Stars’ other two Chicagoland Soccer 2017 All-State honorees in Rydberg and Gia Wahlberg. Carranza's season was ended prematurely due to an injury.
North’s attack continues to be spearheaded by the same names. Wahlberg has 14 goals and a team-high 10 assists for 38 points. Rydberg boasts a team-best 15 goals plus six assists for 36 points. Najera is third in points with seven goals and two assists followed by Chloe Netzel (14, 6/2) and Sami Rydberg (10, 4/2).
The North Stars’ 54 goals in 11 matches is just shy of five goal-per-match average. East averages 2.7 goals but gives up 0.64. Saints keeper Griffin boasts eight clean sheets while North’s Sara Maleski and Nathalie Grier have combined for four shutouts.
Kayla Villa, a junior midfielder, leads East in goals with 12 and shares the assist lead with five for a team-high 29 points. Rose Stackhouse follows with 20 points off nine goals and two assists. Alessa D”Argento adds 13 points (five goals/three assists), with Kathryn Hill having developed into a set-up artist with five assists along with one goal.
“Rivalry games like this is why you play,” East’s Villa said. “It’s under the lights; you’ve got fans for both teams. Sometimes there’s the difference of playing against someone who’s been a club teammates. I believe we’ve gotten better as the season has gone on. Early in the year we struggled in the final third, but now we’re finishing our chances.”
The game's finish may not be dramatic. The outcome may simply come down to who finishes one particular chance. And there won't be a lot of time investment on the road. Depending on the route taken and traffic, it boils down to four or five miles or 11 to 15 minutes.
The only guarantee is those bragging rights will last for about a year.
By Steve Nemeth
In England they call it a derby, in the U.S. a crosstown clash. Whatever the name, it’s a rivalry.
Quality and competitive soccer has been associated with St. Charles long before the split created East and North high schools. Instead of diminishing the overall quality, the division has simply increased the intensity and desire.
Whether one uses the generic south of 64 is East territory and north is North Stars country, the Battle of St. Charles has its latest installment at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at St. Charles North.
In addition to the usual bragging rights, a leg up in the Upstate Eight Conference River Division is also at stake.
Fresh off having captured one of six bracket titles in the PepsiCo Showdown, St. Charles North has also been elevated to no. 1 in Chicagoland Soccer Top 25 Poll after five weeks at no. 3 and one at no. 2.
The North Stars are unbeaten at 10-0-1 and 2-0-0 in league play with seven-straight victories since a 2-2 draw on the pitch of defending state champion Barrington on March 22.
East enters with four-consecutive wins, a 3-0-0 conference ledger, and a 9-2-3 overall record. It's last two triumphs, including a 1-0 shootout win over then no. 8-rated Evanston, advanced the Saints to this week’s championship bracket of the Naperville Invitational. East has risen to a season-high no. 13 slot in the Chicagoland Soccer poll after having been among the top 21 for all seven weeks.
“Soccer in St. Charles has always been equated with quality and the crosstown aspect guarantees intensity and excitement because both programs have a rich tradition of their own,” North Stars coach Brian Harks said. “And the high level of soccer associated with the whole Tri-Cities, be it East, North, Geneva or Batavia, means you’ve got girls who likely have been teammates or opponents growing up and playing club ball.”
Although newer to the rivalry than some of his players, East coach Vince DiNuzzo understands.
“It’s just tough to take the extra emotion out of it. There’s the familiarity growing up, playing youth and club soccer, and there’s no question it has an impact for the conference,” DiNuzzo said. “It has the weight of title match. Yes, right now we’re only even with Batavia and North is right there, plus Geneva will still play a role. But whoever loses this match, it’s unlikely they’ll win the River without someone else’s help.”
When the current seniors were introduced to the rivalry in 2015, it was a 1-1 draw thanks to the late-game heroics of East freshman Chantel Carranza. Ten minutes before halftime, Hanna Durocher got a penalty kick past Alison Chesterfield for a 1-0 North Star lead. With just 7:02 left in regulation, Carranza successfully converted a PK for the equalizer.
That 1-1 draw matched the regular-season meeting from the year before, except in 2014 the two programs also met in a sectional semifinal and the Saints prevailed by a 2-1 score.
In 2016, Chesterfield was again frustrated as the North Stars were up 1-0 at intermission based on an East own goal. Eli Wahlberg added a second-half strike for a 2-0 win.
Last year, it was a 1-0 North victory thanks to a second half goal by Claudia Najera off a Hailey Rydberg set-up. That gave North goalkeeper Sami Sample back-to-back shutouts and left East keeper Grace Griffin hungry for this rematch. Sample graduated but the North Stars’ other two Chicagoland Soccer 2017 All-State honorees in Rydberg and Gia Wahlberg. Carranza's season was ended prematurely due to an injury.
North’s attack continues to be spearheaded by the same names. Wahlberg has 14 goals and a team-high 10 assists for 38 points. Rydberg boasts a team-best 15 goals plus six assists for 36 points. Najera is third in points with seven goals and two assists followed by Chloe Netzel (14, 6/2) and Sami Rydberg (10, 4/2).
The North Stars’ 54 goals in 11 matches is just shy of five goal-per-match average. East averages 2.7 goals but gives up 0.64. Saints keeper Griffin boasts eight clean sheets while North’s Sara Maleski and Nathalie Grier have combined for four shutouts.
Kayla Villa, a junior midfielder, leads East in goals with 12 and shares the assist lead with five for a team-high 29 points. Rose Stackhouse follows with 20 points off nine goals and two assists. Alessa D”Argento adds 13 points (five goals/three assists), with Kathryn Hill having developed into a set-up artist with five assists along with one goal.
“Rivalry games like this is why you play,” East’s Villa said. “It’s under the lights; you’ve got fans for both teams. Sometimes there’s the difference of playing against someone who’s been a club teammates. I believe we’ve gotten better as the season has gone on. Early in the year we struggled in the final third, but now we’re finishing our chances.”
The game's finish may not be dramatic. The outcome may simply come down to who finishes one particular chance. And there won't be a lot of time investment on the road. Depending on the route taken and traffic, it boils down to four or five miles or 11 to 15 minutes.
The only guarantee is those bragging rights will last for about a year.Annual Battle of St. Charles adds to tradition
By Steve Nemeth
In England they call it a “derby,” in the U.S. a “crosstown clash,” whatever the name, it’s a rivalry.
Quality and competitive soccer has been associated with St. Charles long before the split created East and North high schools. Instead of diminishing the overall quality, the division has simply increased the intensity and desire.
Whether one uses the generic south of 64 is East territory and north is North Stars country, the Battle of St. Charles has its latest installment at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at St. Charles North.
In addition to the usual bragging rights, a leg up in the Upstate Eight Conference River Division is also at stake.
Fresh off having captured one of six bracket titles in the PepsiCo Showdown, St. Charles North has also been elevated to no. 1 in Chicagoland Soccer Top 25 Poll after five weeks at no. 3 and one at no. 2.
The North Stars are unbeaten at 10-0-1 and 2-0-0 in league play with seven-straight victories since a 2-2 draw on the pitch of defending state champion Barrington on March 22.
East enters with four-consecutive wins, a 3-0-0 conference ledger, and a 9-2-3 overall record. It's last two triumphs, including a 1-0 shootout win over then no. 8-rated Evanston, advanced the Saints to this week’s championship bracket of the Naperville Invitational. East has risen to a season-high no. 13 slot in the Chicagoland Soccer poll after having been among the top 21 for all seven weeks.
“Soccer in St. Charles has always been equated with quality and the crosstown aspect guarantees intensity and excitement because both programs have a rich tradition of their own,” North Stars coach Brian Harks said. “And the high level of soccer associated with the whole Tri-Cities, be it East, North, Geneva or Batavia, means you’ve got girls who likely have been teammates or opponents growing up and playing club ball.”
Although newer to the rivalry than some of his players, East coach Vince DiNuzzo understands.
“It’s just tough to take the extra emotion out of it. There’s the familiarity growing up, playing youth and club soccer, and there’s no question it has an impact for the conference,” DiNuzzo said. “It has the weight of title match. Yes, right now we’re only even with Batavia and North is right there, plus Geneva will still play a role. But whoever loses this match, it’s unlikely they’ll win the River without someone else’s help.”
When the current seniors were introduced to the rivalry in 2015, it was a 1-1 draw thanks to the late-game heroics of East freshman Chantel Carranza. Ten minutes before halftime, Hanna Durocher got a penalty kick past Alison Chesterfield for a 1-0 North Star lead. With just 7:02 left in regulation, Carranza successfully converted a PK for the equalizer.
That 1-1 draw matched the regular-season meeting from the year before, except in 2014 the two programs also met in a sectional semifinal and the Saints prevailed by a 2-1 score.
In 2016, Chesterfield was again frustrated as the North Stars were up 1-0 at intermission based on an East own goal. Eli Wahlberg added a second-half strike for a 2-0 win.
Last year, it was a 1-0 North victory thanks to a second half goal by Claudia Najera off a Hailey Rydberg set-up. That gave North goalkeeper Sami Sample back-to-back shutouts and left East keeper Grace Griffin hungry for this rematch. Sample graduated but the North Stars’ other two Chicagoland Soccer 2017 All-State honorees in Rydberg and Gia Wahlberg. Carranza's season was ended prematurely due to an injury.
North’s attack continues to be spearheaded by the same names. Wahlberg has 14 goals and a team-high 10 assists for 38 points. Rydberg boasts a team-best 15 goals plus six assists for 36 points. Najera is third in points with seven goals and two assists followed by Chloe Netzel (14, 6/2) and Sami Rydberg (10, 4/2).
The North Stars’ 54 goals in 11 matches is just shy of five goal-per-match average. East averages 2.7 goals but gives up 0.64. Saints keeper Griffin boasts eight clean sheets while North’s Sara Maleski and Nathalie Grier have combined for four shutouts.
Kayla Villa, a junior midfielder, leads East in goals with 12 and shares the assist lead with five for a team-high 29 points. Rose Stackhouse follows with 20 points off nine goals and two assists. Alessa D”Argento adds 13 points (five goals/three assists), with Kathryn Hill having developed into a set-up artist with five assists along with one goal.
“Rivalry games like this is why you play,” East’s Villa said. “It’s under the lights; you’ve got fans for both teams. Sometimes there’s the difference of playing against someone who’s been a club teammates. I believe we’ve gotten better as the season has gone on. Early in the year we struggled in the final third, but now we’re finishing our chances.”
The game's finish may not be dramatic. The outcome may simply come down to who finishes one particular chance. And there won't be a lot of time investment on the road. Depending on the route taken and traffic, it boils down to four or five miles or 11 to 15 minutes.
The only guarantee is those bragging rights will last for about a year.