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  • News: sister site PP 8-17-20
Deerfield drops into draw
after late Antioch goal

Sequoits’ 79th-minute tally knots twice-delayed game

By Matt Misiek

DEERFIELD -- One of the technological entertainment wonders of today is the ability to pause television shows to watch later. 

In the case of Antioch and Deerfield, their season-opener didn’t need any high-tech delays. Mother Nature took care of that with snow that postponed the game on its orginally scheduled March 14 date. Nine days later, the two teams were able to squeeze in more than 30 minutes of play before lightning halted the action. The Warriors were leading 1-0 behind a 20th minute goal from Riley Halpern.

Tuesday night, the skies were friendly, the game was resumed, and the plot took a late twist. The visiting Sequoits netted an equalizer with 1:21 left in their 1-1 draw with the host Warriors.

Antioch (2-1-1) captain Megan Helgesen triggered a throw deep in the Warrior end to Rachel Moore standing inside the 18 on the right. She tried an overhead kick that went straight into the air. The bounce fell right to Ella Roberts, who calmly slotted home a left-footed shot past Deerfield keeper Karly Morris.

“The girls knew what they had to do,” said Antioch coach Marni Polakow. “We knew they (Deerfield) finished second in state last year. We are trying to test ourselves by playing teams that are a caliber above us. The team came in and imposed their will.”

Roberts and Moore were also instrumental in the game-winning goal for the Sequoits in Monday’s 2-1 victory over Marian Central. Roberts’ set piece found Moore who put home a second chance opportunity after her initial hit was saved.

A huge effort was also put in by Sequoit goalkeeper Monica Wilhelm. Wilhelm, a junior who has orally committed to the University of Iowa, made a brilliant point-blank save on Deerfield’s Erin Rosenzweig a few minutes before the equalizer. Rosenzweig was also denied in the 67th minute inside the eight by Wilhelm, whose efforts garnered her Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match honors.

“It was a little weird coming into a game down 1-0,” said Wilhelm, who had made five saves in the first 30 minutes on March 23. “However, the mentality you have to have as a player is to give it your all during those 10 minutes, because that is your first half. Then, you had to be ready for the second 40 minutes.”

Deerfield (1-0-3) continued to receive solid play from Halpern in the midfield, helping out and bringing tremendous energy to complement her earlier tally.

“I think we did really well in midfield connecting on passes at certain points,” she said. “We were able to get the ball outside a lot. I guess where we fell a little short was getting the ball back into the center, and no one was able to get on the end of our attacks.”

The game was Deerfield’s first action since a 0-0 tie against new no. 25 Lane on March 22, and the unpredictability of the first game after a long layoff showed. There was however a great first half opportunity, when a long run from midfielder Samantha Linn resulted in a cross to Chloe Cappas, but Cappas was unable to square to the ball, and the shot went wide.

“I was a little bit nervous about how we would play coming out of spring break,” said Rosenzweig. “We had three games before spring break and then we all just relaxed, like we should have. However, we were not our normal selves. We worked more individually as opposed to working with each other.”

Deerfield coach Rich Grady could see the effect of the layoff.

“I don’t think we were mentally ready to play,” Grady said. “We were back on our heels, and they (Antioch) gained confidence in those first 10 minutes. Antioch also played yesterday, and we did not do anything to knock that confidence out of them. We had our chances, but they have an excellent goalkeeper. We didn’t put the chances away, and that’s what happens.”

Still, coach Grady did see a few positives out of the effort. 

“I thought Erin (Rosenzweig) did well holding the ball for us up-top,” he said. “She forced their keeper into a few really good saves. As funny as it sounds, we are a team in transition, trying to figure a few things out. We are a work in progress.”

Both teams have matches slated for Wednesday. Antioch is hosts Regina Dominican at 6 p.m.. Deerfield also heads north to face Antioch’s chief rival, the Lakes Eagles at 4:30 p.m.

For the Warriors, all eyes are anxiously awaiting Thursday’s scheduled match (weather permitting) with New Trier, which is currently ranked third in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25.

“We played New Trier two years ago and played them tough,” Rosenzweig said.  “We got a goal on them, and it was 1-1 at one point before they pulled ahead. I expect we will be going out and playing them even tougher, to show them what we are all about as we finished second in the state last year. We’re not the same old Deerfield team. When they hear Deerfield, they should be scared.”


Starting lineups

Deerfield
GK: Karly Morris
D: Julia Harlan
D: Devyn Compisi
D: Ashley Morgan
D: Molli Goodman
MF: Kat Stanaszek
MF: Rachel Levin
MF: Haley Emory
F: Samantha Linn
F: Erin Rosenzweig
F: Chloe Cappas

Antioch
GK: Monica Wilhelm
D: Gabby Michaels
D: Gracie Bouker
D: Kacey Meltzer
D: Karly Monaco
MF: Megan Helgesen
MF: Ella Roberts
MF: Christina Michaels
MF: Tessa Furlong
F: Rachel Moore
F: Morgan Keefer

Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Monica Wilhelm, jr., GK, Antioch

Officials: Todd Abraham (center); Mike Glisovic; Alexander Spiva
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