Season recap: Wheaton Academy
By Mike Garofola
The ability of Maria Selvaggio to translate her remarkable talent as a high school and college player into her current role of successful manager helped set Wheaton Academy apart from other Class A programs and helped earn the team a berth in the final weekend of the 2021 girls soccer season.
The Warriors enjoyed a remarkable campaign with Selvaggio, who under her family surname DellaTorre was an all-stater and top performer on Wheaton Academy’s first state championship team in any sport in 2004. Later, she was a key figure in back-to-back national championships at Wheaton College where she was an all-regional and four-time all-CCIW player on teams that went 90-8-4 during her college career.
"Those truly were the days at Wheaton College. We won those two national titles and had a 43-game win streak. Playing there and here at Wheaton Academy were life highlights which proved so special," she said.
"It's part of the reason it was such a joy and privilege to come back after all these years to coach -- to be a part of a wonderful school, and soccer program."
Selvaggio took over for the well-respected and highly successful Jeff Brooke, whose 2017 team finished second in the state.
She is still over the moon about her group’s recent third place state finish.
"We had a fantastic group of seniors," she said. “This group of seniors were very special to me. They accepted and embraced me as their new manager, and led the way during a very successful season.
"It wasn't easy filling the shoes of Jeff and Dave Underwood (state titles in 2004 and 2016) before him, who were incredible leaders and coaches. I assisted them both for these last eight years, but this team made the transition so easy."
Selvaggio raved about the commitment of each of her seven recent graduates, who from the very start of the school year met on a regular basis to discuss what it meant to be a leader and understand the role of being an upperclassman.
"They knew from the start that they had to walk-the-walk, be the hardest workers at every practice, plus be the most passionate competitors and most vocal and encouraging players to their teammates on game days," said Selvaggio.
With their consistency, energy, contributions on both sides of the ball, soccer IQ, incredible stamina and technical quality, seniors Amy Alexander and Kelly Bickhart were the team’s driving force throughout the thrilling 24-game season.
"I will say, Amy and Kelly won't ever be able to be replaced," Selvaggio said.
"Both are wonderful young women. Amy was the leader of the team on the field during the last month, scoring (19) goals as our holding mid, which is really impressive.
"She was also a key culture-shaper for us, a fantastic servant-leader and a great friend to all. I believe the best is yet to come and she will get better and better at the college level at Oral Roberts, who will be nuts if they pass her up after tryouts."
"Kelly Bickhart is the epitome of Wheaton Academy soccer," continued Selvaggio.
"She is committed to excellence in everything she does, is rock-solid in her faith and passion for life, and others want to follow her.
"As a leader and teammate, there are few who match her joy and commitment. When you add her size, speed and composure, she was both dynamic and dangerous for us all over the field."
Bickhart will study kinesiology at the University of Illinois and plans to play club soccer. She grew up with Alexander and was part of Warriors soccer at a very young age.
"I was a ball girl when I was in fourth grade," said Bickhart, who also ran cross country and played basketball for the Warriors. “To eventually come out and play soccer at Wheaton Academy was like a dream come true for me.
"(Maria) was amazing in her first year with us. She brought so much tradition with her, and she obviously was a great player here and in college. Her passion and approach to the game made all of us want to play for her right from the very first day we came together."
"I absolutely love Maria," said Alexander. “She could be tough but fair. She really knows and enjoys the game.
"Maria believed in all of us from that first day (and) after our first day together, I knew this team could get to state."
Alexander, and Kelsey Bowling were the only true four-year players on the 2021 roster. Sarah VanderKlok and Emma VanWagner were both three-year veterans.
Bowling, VanderKlok and fellow senior Olivia Crane formed an air-tight backline in front of keeper Sarah Swoboda. Sophomore Jill Paulson worked alongside Crane as the Warriors central defenders. Soph Britta Love was a nice addition to this unit off the bench.
"The backline was our rock this season. Our three seniors embraced their jobs and made sure they were a unified group that would protect our goal at all costs," said Selvaggio.
Bowling will play at Olivet Nazarene in the fall, Crane at Carthage College, VanderKlok will run cross country at Bethel College, while VanWagner will study graphic design at the College of DuPage.
Swoboda will back between the sticks next spring after registering 16 clean-sheets. Graduated senior Brooke Hermes, who served as her able backup,
will attend North Carolina State in the fall.
When Bickhart, and her family moved back to Illinois from Maryland, she enrolled at Wheaton Academy. Alexander knew her arrival back on the pitch was the final piece of the Warriors soccer puzzle.
"Kelly was exactly what our team needed," said Alexander, who was one of five Warriors who ran cross country last fall. “For me, to be playing in the midfield with my good friend, someone that I was so comfortable playing (with), made all of us around her better.”
While the return of Bickhart was paramount to the Warriors success, the freshmen duo of Grace Platt and Eva DeSouza sparkled as Selvaggio's surprise packages.
"Grace stood out instantly during our contact days last fall,” Selvaggio said. “I really had no idea about her until that first practice. We all soon found out she didn't play like a freshman. After a short time at center back, she was moved into the middle where she pushed the attack and defended with a desire, work rate and precision that just cannot be taught."
Platt tore her ACL and fractured her femur in the Warriors state semifinal contest against Althoff.
"We were all devastated for Grace, but she is hungry and motivated to come back stronger than ever,” Selvaggio said. “I do not see this adversity stopping her from maximizing her potential in the months and years ahead."
DeSouza, who was one of four freshmen on the Warriors roster, bagged eight goals in her rookie season while handling the no. 9 spot in Selvaggio's starting 11.
"Eva is a crafty playmaker, who loves the game, is creative and so smooth on the ball," the coach said.
"She made a difference for us offensively, and she was exactly what we needed this year."
Selvaggio, Alexander and Bickhart all agree that Anna Africa, Emily Setran (11 goals, 13 assists) and keeper Swoboda were the three most pleasant surprises on the season.
Swoboda took over the job when the Warriors previous keeper decided to opt out just prior to the start of the season due to COVID concerns.
Africa, a freshmen, and Setran, a junior, each enjoyed a solid two days at the state tournament.
"Anna had to deal with two nagging ankle injuries all year long’” said Selvaggio. “Despite that, her speed, aggressive style, positioning and great understanding of the game allowed her to wreak havoc in our attack, both up-top, and on the wing," said Selvaggio.
Setran showed terrific composure and a cool, sublime touch, which made her a dangerous option in the Warriors attack.
"Emily is a special player who owns the weapons of speed, quickness and skill while being level-headed and so smooth on the ball," said the coach.
"I saw my role as an attacking player, either on the wing or in the middle," said Setran, who was the first player off the bench in 2019 when playing for Brooke. “It was a role I enjoyed. I tried to be the best that I could, as well as being the type of leader who will be able to take over that role next year.
"Amy and Kelly were so good leading our team. They always offered plenty of encouragement to all of us, kept things positive during training and in our games. Away from the game, they would put together team events to help bring us closer together."
Setran, who has played for the Kopian Football Club out of Wheaton for the last seven years, is planning on playing collegiate soccer, and will begin to visit schools this offseason, beginning with Taylor College in Upland, Indiana.
Setran suggested the 1-0 loss to state power Benet back in late April might have been the game that provided the impetus for success.
"I think games we played against 3A opponents would clearly define just how good we could and would be eventually” said Setran. “It showed we could play our style of soccer and do it very well."
"The girls know I am very picky when talking about overall performance in our games,” said Selvaggio.
“Although our best game of the year wasn't perfect, the game with Benet stands out in my mind above all others.
"Benet was rolling through everyone before we saw them. As talented as they were, we were holding them for much of the game, looked strong and effective -- everyone was in sync. Amy and Kelly looked unstoppable as we shut down their top talent, while owning the midfield.
"We struggled finishing and an unfortunate own goal in the 73rd minute proved our downfall. But the game itself lit a fire of confidence in us and proved to be the turning point mentally for us. The girls began to believe they could be something great this season."
Alexander and Bickhart (14 goals) were the towering presence in the middle of the park that every manager yearns for. The Warriors balanced roster went into the Class A state tournament brimming with confidence.
Unfortunately, so did eventual state champion Althoff, whose only losses came against Class AA and Class 3A state champions Triad and O'Fallon en route to a superb 22-2-0 season.
"Althoff were quality all over the field,” said Alexander. “Their style of play, ability to possess, and composure on both sides of the ball took us out of the game. After just a few minutes, we seemed to be chasing the game against a really good team."
"We came out a little nervous, and against a team like Althoff, who were so good (everywhere) we seemed to be on our heels early on, and never recovered," added Bickhart when looking back at the 3-0 loss.
"That (Althoff) game felt like one of those games that wasn't meant for us," said Selvaggio.
"We were so nervous. So many of our girls never played in a game this big in their lives. That early (seventh-minute) goal, plus their ability to man-mark Amy and Kelly made it tough for us to create. They had too many dangerous players for us to manage."
To their credit, the Warriors rebounded in a big way one day later in their third place contest with Notre Dame (Quincy). They used a four-goal first half explosion to record a 6-1 victory.
"From the opening whistle, we had the confidence that was missing on Friday against Althoff,” Selvaggio said. “Our seniors wanted to leave everything on the field playing their last game in a Wheaton Academy shirt. We had some amazing goals, and it ended up being a very special way to end the season."
"We wanted to finish the season on a high note, and everyone played their absolute best knowing this would be the last high school game for all of the seniors," added Alexander.
"So many players had a hand in the scoring against Quincy, which is the way it was all throughout the season. We always played for each other,
"It's one of many things that I'll miss about playing soccer here."
By Mike Garofola
The ability of Maria Selvaggio to translate her remarkable talent as a high school and college player into her current role of successful manager helped set Wheaton Academy apart from other Class A programs and helped earn the team a berth in the final weekend of the 2021 girls soccer season.
The Warriors enjoyed a remarkable campaign with Selvaggio, who under her family surname DellaTorre was an all-stater and top performer on Wheaton Academy’s first state championship team in any sport in 2004. Later, she was a key figure in back-to-back national championships at Wheaton College where she was an all-regional and four-time all-CCIW player on teams that went 90-8-4 during her college career.
"Those truly were the days at Wheaton College. We won those two national titles and had a 43-game win streak. Playing there and here at Wheaton Academy were life highlights which proved so special," she said.
"It's part of the reason it was such a joy and privilege to come back after all these years to coach -- to be a part of a wonderful school, and soccer program."
Selvaggio took over for the well-respected and highly successful Jeff Brooke, whose 2017 team finished second in the state.
She is still over the moon about her group’s recent third place state finish.
"We had a fantastic group of seniors," she said. “This group of seniors were very special to me. They accepted and embraced me as their new manager, and led the way during a very successful season.
"It wasn't easy filling the shoes of Jeff and Dave Underwood (state titles in 2004 and 2016) before him, who were incredible leaders and coaches. I assisted them both for these last eight years, but this team made the transition so easy."
Selvaggio raved about the commitment of each of her seven recent graduates, who from the very start of the school year met on a regular basis to discuss what it meant to be a leader and understand the role of being an upperclassman.
"They knew from the start that they had to walk-the-walk, be the hardest workers at every practice, plus be the most passionate competitors and most vocal and encouraging players to their teammates on game days," said Selvaggio.
With their consistency, energy, contributions on both sides of the ball, soccer IQ, incredible stamina and technical quality, seniors Amy Alexander and Kelly Bickhart were the team’s driving force throughout the thrilling 24-game season.
"I will say, Amy and Kelly won't ever be able to be replaced," Selvaggio said.
"Both are wonderful young women. Amy was the leader of the team on the field during the last month, scoring (19) goals as our holding mid, which is really impressive.
"She was also a key culture-shaper for us, a fantastic servant-leader and a great friend to all. I believe the best is yet to come and she will get better and better at the college level at Oral Roberts, who will be nuts if they pass her up after tryouts."
"Kelly Bickhart is the epitome of Wheaton Academy soccer," continued Selvaggio.
"She is committed to excellence in everything she does, is rock-solid in her faith and passion for life, and others want to follow her.
"As a leader and teammate, there are few who match her joy and commitment. When you add her size, speed and composure, she was both dynamic and dangerous for us all over the field."
Bickhart will study kinesiology at the University of Illinois and plans to play club soccer. She grew up with Alexander and was part of Warriors soccer at a very young age.
"I was a ball girl when I was in fourth grade," said Bickhart, who also ran cross country and played basketball for the Warriors. “To eventually come out and play soccer at Wheaton Academy was like a dream come true for me.
"(Maria) was amazing in her first year with us. She brought so much tradition with her, and she obviously was a great player here and in college. Her passion and approach to the game made all of us want to play for her right from the very first day we came together."
"I absolutely love Maria," said Alexander. “She could be tough but fair. She really knows and enjoys the game.
"Maria believed in all of us from that first day (and) after our first day together, I knew this team could get to state."
Alexander, and Kelsey Bowling were the only true four-year players on the 2021 roster. Sarah VanderKlok and Emma VanWagner were both three-year veterans.
Bowling, VanderKlok and fellow senior Olivia Crane formed an air-tight backline in front of keeper Sarah Swoboda. Sophomore Jill Paulson worked alongside Crane as the Warriors central defenders. Soph Britta Love was a nice addition to this unit off the bench.
"The backline was our rock this season. Our three seniors embraced their jobs and made sure they were a unified group that would protect our goal at all costs," said Selvaggio.
Bowling will play at Olivet Nazarene in the fall, Crane at Carthage College, VanderKlok will run cross country at Bethel College, while VanWagner will study graphic design at the College of DuPage.
Swoboda will back between the sticks next spring after registering 16 clean-sheets. Graduated senior Brooke Hermes, who served as her able backup,
will attend North Carolina State in the fall.
When Bickhart, and her family moved back to Illinois from Maryland, she enrolled at Wheaton Academy. Alexander knew her arrival back on the pitch was the final piece of the Warriors soccer puzzle.
"Kelly was exactly what our team needed," said Alexander, who was one of five Warriors who ran cross country last fall. “For me, to be playing in the midfield with my good friend, someone that I was so comfortable playing (with), made all of us around her better.”
While the return of Bickhart was paramount to the Warriors success, the freshmen duo of Grace Platt and Eva DeSouza sparkled as Selvaggio's surprise packages.
"Grace stood out instantly during our contact days last fall,” Selvaggio said. “I really had no idea about her until that first practice. We all soon found out she didn't play like a freshman. After a short time at center back, she was moved into the middle where she pushed the attack and defended with a desire, work rate and precision that just cannot be taught."
Platt tore her ACL and fractured her femur in the Warriors state semifinal contest against Althoff.
"We were all devastated for Grace, but she is hungry and motivated to come back stronger than ever,” Selvaggio said. “I do not see this adversity stopping her from maximizing her potential in the months and years ahead."
DeSouza, who was one of four freshmen on the Warriors roster, bagged eight goals in her rookie season while handling the no. 9 spot in Selvaggio's starting 11.
"Eva is a crafty playmaker, who loves the game, is creative and so smooth on the ball," the coach said.
"She made a difference for us offensively, and she was exactly what we needed this year."
Selvaggio, Alexander and Bickhart all agree that Anna Africa, Emily Setran (11 goals, 13 assists) and keeper Swoboda were the three most pleasant surprises on the season.
Swoboda took over the job when the Warriors previous keeper decided to opt out just prior to the start of the season due to COVID concerns.
Africa, a freshmen, and Setran, a junior, each enjoyed a solid two days at the state tournament.
"Anna had to deal with two nagging ankle injuries all year long’” said Selvaggio. “Despite that, her speed, aggressive style, positioning and great understanding of the game allowed her to wreak havoc in our attack, both up-top, and on the wing," said Selvaggio.
Setran showed terrific composure and a cool, sublime touch, which made her a dangerous option in the Warriors attack.
"Emily is a special player who owns the weapons of speed, quickness and skill while being level-headed and so smooth on the ball," said the coach.
"I saw my role as an attacking player, either on the wing or in the middle," said Setran, who was the first player off the bench in 2019 when playing for Brooke. “It was a role I enjoyed. I tried to be the best that I could, as well as being the type of leader who will be able to take over that role next year.
"Amy and Kelly were so good leading our team. They always offered plenty of encouragement to all of us, kept things positive during training and in our games. Away from the game, they would put together team events to help bring us closer together."
Setran, who has played for the Kopian Football Club out of Wheaton for the last seven years, is planning on playing collegiate soccer, and will begin to visit schools this offseason, beginning with Taylor College in Upland, Indiana.
Setran suggested the 1-0 loss to state power Benet back in late April might have been the game that provided the impetus for success.
"I think games we played against 3A opponents would clearly define just how good we could and would be eventually” said Setran. “It showed we could play our style of soccer and do it very well."
"The girls know I am very picky when talking about overall performance in our games,” said Selvaggio.
“Although our best game of the year wasn't perfect, the game with Benet stands out in my mind above all others.
"Benet was rolling through everyone before we saw them. As talented as they were, we were holding them for much of the game, looked strong and effective -- everyone was in sync. Amy and Kelly looked unstoppable as we shut down their top talent, while owning the midfield.
"We struggled finishing and an unfortunate own goal in the 73rd minute proved our downfall. But the game itself lit a fire of confidence in us and proved to be the turning point mentally for us. The girls began to believe they could be something great this season."
Alexander and Bickhart (14 goals) were the towering presence in the middle of the park that every manager yearns for. The Warriors balanced roster went into the Class A state tournament brimming with confidence.
Unfortunately, so did eventual state champion Althoff, whose only losses came against Class AA and Class 3A state champions Triad and O'Fallon en route to a superb 22-2-0 season.
"Althoff were quality all over the field,” said Alexander. “Their style of play, ability to possess, and composure on both sides of the ball took us out of the game. After just a few minutes, we seemed to be chasing the game against a really good team."
"We came out a little nervous, and against a team like Althoff, who were so good (everywhere) we seemed to be on our heels early on, and never recovered," added Bickhart when looking back at the 3-0 loss.
"That (Althoff) game felt like one of those games that wasn't meant for us," said Selvaggio.
"We were so nervous. So many of our girls never played in a game this big in their lives. That early (seventh-minute) goal, plus their ability to man-mark Amy and Kelly made it tough for us to create. They had too many dangerous players for us to manage."
To their credit, the Warriors rebounded in a big way one day later in their third place contest with Notre Dame (Quincy). They used a four-goal first half explosion to record a 6-1 victory.
"From the opening whistle, we had the confidence that was missing on Friday against Althoff,” Selvaggio said. “Our seniors wanted to leave everything on the field playing their last game in a Wheaton Academy shirt. We had some amazing goals, and it ended up being a very special way to end the season."
"We wanted to finish the season on a high note, and everyone played their absolute best knowing this would be the last high school game for all of the seniors," added Alexander.
"So many players had a hand in the scoring against Quincy, which is the way it was all throughout the season. We always played for each other,
"It's one of many things that I'll miss about playing soccer here."