State preview: Timothy
By Curt Herron
Three of the teams in the IHSA Class A finals this weekend have been regulars in the elite competition with at least one title and multiple trophies.
While Wheaton Academy, Notre Dame (Quincy) and Althoff are veterans at state finals play, this is a fairly new experience for the other semifinalist, Timothy.
The 16-2-0 Trojans have only made one other state appearance. That occurred in 2007 when they lost a 3-2 decision to Rochester in the quarterfinals.
So, the Metro Suburban Conference school in Elmhurst has already assured itself of its first state trophy in the sport.
That's a big deal because the girls programs at Timothy had only previously won two state trophies in major sports: volleyball with a third place finish in 2015; basketball with a fourth place campaign in 2000.
Timothy meets 17-1-1 Notre Dame (Quincy) on Friday at 1 p.m. at Hoffman Estates High School in Class A’s second semifinals match. Wheaton Academy and Althoff open play at 11 a.m.
Two years ago, Timothy celebrated its best season since the state tournament squad when the Trojans went 11-4-1 before a loss in the sectional final.
Several players who were a part of that group are among the leaders for this year's team, which is coached by Jon Hamelinck, who's in his eighth year at the school.
"We're young yet resilient and have continued to improve throughout the season," Hamelinck said. "We play with composure and have a strong sense of team competitive spirit."
Senior midfielder Emma Carter (21 goals, 17 assists), sophomore forward Maddie Drye (20, 4) and sophomore midfielders Angie Tornabene (10, 10) and Miliana Martens (10, 7) have done the heaviest lifting of the Trojans offense. Senior defender Elena Munk joins Carter as the team's captains.
Senior Angel Burke and junior Corinne Myket have shared time in the net. The pair has only allowed 11 goals while posting 12 shutouts.
The Trojans' only losses came against quality competition. The first setback was a 2-1 loss to St. Francis on April 29 and the second was a 2-0 decision against Wheaton Academy on May 11. St. Francis was knocked out in the Class AA sectional finals.
Since suffering its second defeat, Timothy has won nine in a row and outscored its opponents by a 50-6 margin. Six of the wins were shutouts.
The Trojans beat a crosstown foe, IC Catholic Prep, by a 2-0 score in the sectional finals and advanced to the Final Four with a 1-0 victory over Richmond-Burton in the ICCP Supersectional in Elmhurst.
By Curt Herron
Three of the teams in the IHSA Class A finals this weekend have been regulars in the elite competition with at least one title and multiple trophies.
While Wheaton Academy, Notre Dame (Quincy) and Althoff are veterans at state finals play, this is a fairly new experience for the other semifinalist, Timothy.
The 16-2-0 Trojans have only made one other state appearance. That occurred in 2007 when they lost a 3-2 decision to Rochester in the quarterfinals.
So, the Metro Suburban Conference school in Elmhurst has already assured itself of its first state trophy in the sport.
That's a big deal because the girls programs at Timothy had only previously won two state trophies in major sports: volleyball with a third place finish in 2015; basketball with a fourth place campaign in 2000.
Timothy meets 17-1-1 Notre Dame (Quincy) on Friday at 1 p.m. at Hoffman Estates High School in Class A’s second semifinals match. Wheaton Academy and Althoff open play at 11 a.m.
Two years ago, Timothy celebrated its best season since the state tournament squad when the Trojans went 11-4-1 before a loss in the sectional final.
Several players who were a part of that group are among the leaders for this year's team, which is coached by Jon Hamelinck, who's in his eighth year at the school.
"We're young yet resilient and have continued to improve throughout the season," Hamelinck said. "We play with composure and have a strong sense of team competitive spirit."
Senior midfielder Emma Carter (21 goals, 17 assists), sophomore forward Maddie Drye (20, 4) and sophomore midfielders Angie Tornabene (10, 10) and Miliana Martens (10, 7) have done the heaviest lifting of the Trojans offense. Senior defender Elena Munk joins Carter as the team's captains.
Senior Angel Burke and junior Corinne Myket have shared time in the net. The pair has only allowed 11 goals while posting 12 shutouts.
The Trojans' only losses came against quality competition. The first setback was a 2-1 loss to St. Francis on April 29 and the second was a 2-0 decision against Wheaton Academy on May 11. St. Francis was knocked out in the Class AA sectional finals.
Since suffering its second defeat, Timothy has won nine in a row and outscored its opponents by a 50-6 margin. Six of the wins were shutouts.
The Trojans beat a crosstown foe, IC Catholic Prep, by a 2-0 score in the sectional finals and advanced to the Final Four with a 1-0 victory over Richmond-Burton in the ICCP Supersectional in Elmhurst.