Jones Prep displays defense,
Wright stuff in nonconference win
Senior MF collects both assists in 2-0 win
By Dave Owen
CHICAGO -- A very common name is having uncommon success on the soccer field.
Jones reached the Class 2A sectional finals last spring, and appears ready to continue its rise in 2017.
A 2-0 nonconference win Friday over Curie upped the Eagles’ record this season to 4-0-0 with just one goal allowed all spring. And perhaps the best sign of all – neither coach Derek Bylsma nor the players are fully satisfied with the success so far.
“The goals were nice, and we have some players who can play,” Byslma said. “But I think we came out pretty flat. I really think we could have possessed the ball better -- we kind of went out and did what we had to do, and worked hard defensively.
“We won balls, but offensively we could have done a better job possessing the ball and playing simple. Particularly in the first half we gave the ball to their keeper on straight through-balls over and over again. We don’t need to do that. But these kids work really hard and are fantastic.”
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match Zoe Wright was the catalyst on both Jones goals, making strong attacks up the side and crossing to teammates for point-blank putaways in front.
But she also recognizes the need for her team to focus and continue to strive for bigger things.
“I just think we can’t let ourselves think we’re too good,” Wright said. “We always have to go into these games with something to prove, and we know that.
“As long as we keep making sure we’re topping what we did last week, we’re going to be fine.”
Jones’ already strong squad became even better with club soccer standout Janai Cedeno’s decision to play for the Eagles in her senior year.
“She came from Eclipse (club) and is going to UIC next year,” Bylsma said. “I had known about her for four years (at Jones) but figured she was never going to play for us, and she kind of dropped in our lap. She’s a great kid too.”
Her addition has been a great fit on and off the field.
“She’s helped so much,” Jones defender Gabriela Baxtrom said. “With her past experiences, she’s really brought a lot to the team. And she’s so nice and friendly that everyone accepted her immediately. She brings a spirit to the team and a lot of new ideas, and she’s very creative on the field.”
Her midfield presence has made the Jones offensive attack even more formidable.
“She and Rachel Sohn play in the middle really well together,” Wright said, “and I think they break down their attack and provide us more opportunities to get forward. That’s an element we didn’t have before that’s really been helping us this year, and there’s a really good connection between those two center mids.”
Cedeno and Sohn also teamed up on Friday’s first scoring chance – initiated by a Dani Schulgasser corner kick three minutes in, Sohn’s shot in the box off a Cedeno cross was saved by Curie goalkeeper Maria Navarro.
After ensuing threats by Jones’ Avery Kaplan (8-yard shot on goal), Wright and Schulgasser were denied in the first 12 minutes of play, Wright’s ability to draw attention broke the 0-0 deadlock in the 22nd minute.
Off a Sohn pass to the wing, Wright raced in on the left sideline and touched a perfect cross to the front – where senior Yulissa Quezada was there for an open net putaway and a 1-0 Jones lead.
“I know we have some dependable players in the middle,” Wright said, “so I try to feed it in to them as much as possible because I know they’re going to finish them.”
Wright used both defense and passing to produce an insurance goal five minutes into the second half.
After intercepting a free kick 30 yards out, Wright again drove the left side. Drawing two defenders, she sent a cross to Kaplan in front for a 6-yard drive inside the right post for the final 2-0 margin.
Outside of those two finishes, Curie (0-2-0) hung tough against the talented Eagles.
“We played Jones twice last year and held them to the same 2-0 score line,” Condors coach Jeff Mikula said. “But today my squad was shorthanded – I had a few players out, and it was obvious from all the subbing I had to make and constantly switching positions.
“I’m super proud of my girls for adjusting and playing hard all the way through, and holding the same score line against a premier team. They did a good job.”
One defender earned particular praise.
“Our no. 2 Yesenia (Ibanez) played fantastic,” Mikula said. “She was at sweeper in the second half. I think she’s a candidate for the all-city team.”
Jones will have plenty of its own names on the ballot come all-city honors time – likely including the list of standouts through four games.
“Zoe, Rachel Sohn, Janai, Gabriela in the back, and Devin (Barry) in goal is always fantastic,” Bylsma said. “And Dani Schulgasser – we have a good senior leadership team.”
And the Eagles’ defensive unit and goalkeeper Barry continued to build on an impressive start.
“Defensively we were really solid – we didn’t give up any opportunities,” Bylsma said. “With Gabriela in the back and Devin in goal, I feel good defensively. Offensively we could have done things differently, but overall I’m OK with it.
“The good news is,” Bylsma added, “when we don’t play near our capacity we can beat a good Curie team 2-0. That’s the difference in where we are now versus two years ago. When you don’t play your best, you can still go out and get a good win.”
Along with Jones’ major edge in offensive chances, the Eagles quickly shut down Curie threats before they reached the box.
Baxtrom was usually in the middle of that. Late in the first half, an Ibanez steal sparked a Curie counterattack – only to have Baxtrom broke up the forming Condors attack just inside midfield.
Then with the wind in Curie’s favor after the break, the Eagles’ defense never broke. Baxtrom and Charlotte Giesler each made quality plays to clear the box 10 minutes in, then on a Condors corner kick with 15 minutes left, Baxtrom blocked the send in the box.
With six minutes to play, Jones freshman Natalie Loos intercepted a Curie throw-in inside the 20 to extinguish that threat. Later, Loos and Audrey Bruce combined to clear the zone off another Curie throw-in.
“We tried to pass the ball back if there was pressure, and they were spacing the defense,” Baxtrom said. “It was just good communication playing through the back.
“He (Bylsma) has been telling us a lot about making short passes and playing two-touch. Mainly we’ve been trying to play one-two touch, play it back if we need to and just try to possess the ball the best we can.
“With the wind we had to drop back more,” Baxtrom added, “and their goalie had some good punts. We just talked about who would go for balls in the air, and made sure nothing got over us.”
At the other end, Curie had to endure waves of Jones chances.
Gillian Miller generated two threats in the 35th minute of the first half – after she was denied on a diving Navarro save of a low liner, Miller pounced on the rebound and sent that wide right of the net.
In the 14th minute of the second half, Cedeno split two defenders on a speedy drive up the middle – then lined her shot inches wide off the side of the net.
Navarro followed with saves on shots inside 10 yards by Miller, Lauren Nichols and Priya Charles. And 26 minutes into the second half, Martina Bianchi’s attack up the left side was denied when Navarro made a diving block of her cross to the front of the net.
Later, Navarro made the stop on Charles’ low shot from the right end line. And with three minutes left, Bianchi lined a shot off a Loos pass just over the net.
Jones’ quest for a perfect March will face two big hurdles next week – Wednesday at Washington, then home Friday against Payton.
“Washington away next Wednesday – I love playing there, they have a bunch of fans who all surround the field,” Bylsma said. “Then we play Payton here Friday and that’s a really big game. Last year was the first time we beat them, and then we also beat them in the state playoffs, so that’s become a rivalry game now.”
Baxtrom sees two areas of focus to keep the wins coming.
“More communication of course, and we have to work on more possession,” she said. “The better we get at it, the more goals we can score and games we can win.”
Technical tweeking aside, Jones’ enthusiasm and confidence is soaring.
“We’re just connecting really well,” Wright said, “we have good chemistry personally on and off the field. I just think we have talent we haven’t had before, people are dialed in, and we’re just excited to play.”
Starting lineups
Curie
GK Maria Navarro
D Dominique Zamudio
D Yesenia Ibanez
D Citally Gonzalez
D Lissa Vera Barragan
M Crystal Gamino
M Karina Serna
M Anay Salas
M Paulina Lopez
F Raegan King
F Corina Juarez
Jones
GK Devin Barry
D Charlotte Geissler
D Izzy Kamba
D Gabriela Baxtrom
D Kassie Cortez
M Dani Schulgasser
M Janai Cedeno
M Rachel Sohn
M Zoe Wright
F Avery Kaplan
F Gillian Miller
MVP of the Match: Zoe Wright, sr., MF, Jones
Wright stuff in nonconference win
Senior MF collects both assists in 2-0 win
By Dave Owen
CHICAGO -- A very common name is having uncommon success on the soccer field.
Jones reached the Class 2A sectional finals last spring, and appears ready to continue its rise in 2017.
A 2-0 nonconference win Friday over Curie upped the Eagles’ record this season to 4-0-0 with just one goal allowed all spring. And perhaps the best sign of all – neither coach Derek Bylsma nor the players are fully satisfied with the success so far.
“The goals were nice, and we have some players who can play,” Byslma said. “But I think we came out pretty flat. I really think we could have possessed the ball better -- we kind of went out and did what we had to do, and worked hard defensively.
“We won balls, but offensively we could have done a better job possessing the ball and playing simple. Particularly in the first half we gave the ball to their keeper on straight through-balls over and over again. We don’t need to do that. But these kids work really hard and are fantastic.”
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match Zoe Wright was the catalyst on both Jones goals, making strong attacks up the side and crossing to teammates for point-blank putaways in front.
But she also recognizes the need for her team to focus and continue to strive for bigger things.
“I just think we can’t let ourselves think we’re too good,” Wright said. “We always have to go into these games with something to prove, and we know that.
“As long as we keep making sure we’re topping what we did last week, we’re going to be fine.”
Jones’ already strong squad became even better with club soccer standout Janai Cedeno’s decision to play for the Eagles in her senior year.
“She came from Eclipse (club) and is going to UIC next year,” Bylsma said. “I had known about her for four years (at Jones) but figured she was never going to play for us, and she kind of dropped in our lap. She’s a great kid too.”
Her addition has been a great fit on and off the field.
“She’s helped so much,” Jones defender Gabriela Baxtrom said. “With her past experiences, she’s really brought a lot to the team. And she’s so nice and friendly that everyone accepted her immediately. She brings a spirit to the team and a lot of new ideas, and she’s very creative on the field.”
Her midfield presence has made the Jones offensive attack even more formidable.
“She and Rachel Sohn play in the middle really well together,” Wright said, “and I think they break down their attack and provide us more opportunities to get forward. That’s an element we didn’t have before that’s really been helping us this year, and there’s a really good connection between those two center mids.”
Cedeno and Sohn also teamed up on Friday’s first scoring chance – initiated by a Dani Schulgasser corner kick three minutes in, Sohn’s shot in the box off a Cedeno cross was saved by Curie goalkeeper Maria Navarro.
After ensuing threats by Jones’ Avery Kaplan (8-yard shot on goal), Wright and Schulgasser were denied in the first 12 minutes of play, Wright’s ability to draw attention broke the 0-0 deadlock in the 22nd minute.
Off a Sohn pass to the wing, Wright raced in on the left sideline and touched a perfect cross to the front – where senior Yulissa Quezada was there for an open net putaway and a 1-0 Jones lead.
“I know we have some dependable players in the middle,” Wright said, “so I try to feed it in to them as much as possible because I know they’re going to finish them.”
Wright used both defense and passing to produce an insurance goal five minutes into the second half.
After intercepting a free kick 30 yards out, Wright again drove the left side. Drawing two defenders, she sent a cross to Kaplan in front for a 6-yard drive inside the right post for the final 2-0 margin.
Outside of those two finishes, Curie (0-2-0) hung tough against the talented Eagles.
“We played Jones twice last year and held them to the same 2-0 score line,” Condors coach Jeff Mikula said. “But today my squad was shorthanded – I had a few players out, and it was obvious from all the subbing I had to make and constantly switching positions.
“I’m super proud of my girls for adjusting and playing hard all the way through, and holding the same score line against a premier team. They did a good job.”
One defender earned particular praise.
“Our no. 2 Yesenia (Ibanez) played fantastic,” Mikula said. “She was at sweeper in the second half. I think she’s a candidate for the all-city team.”
Jones will have plenty of its own names on the ballot come all-city honors time – likely including the list of standouts through four games.
“Zoe, Rachel Sohn, Janai, Gabriela in the back, and Devin (Barry) in goal is always fantastic,” Bylsma said. “And Dani Schulgasser – we have a good senior leadership team.”
And the Eagles’ defensive unit and goalkeeper Barry continued to build on an impressive start.
“Defensively we were really solid – we didn’t give up any opportunities,” Bylsma said. “With Gabriela in the back and Devin in goal, I feel good defensively. Offensively we could have done things differently, but overall I’m OK with it.
“The good news is,” Bylsma added, “when we don’t play near our capacity we can beat a good Curie team 2-0. That’s the difference in where we are now versus two years ago. When you don’t play your best, you can still go out and get a good win.”
Along with Jones’ major edge in offensive chances, the Eagles quickly shut down Curie threats before they reached the box.
Baxtrom was usually in the middle of that. Late in the first half, an Ibanez steal sparked a Curie counterattack – only to have Baxtrom broke up the forming Condors attack just inside midfield.
Then with the wind in Curie’s favor after the break, the Eagles’ defense never broke. Baxtrom and Charlotte Giesler each made quality plays to clear the box 10 minutes in, then on a Condors corner kick with 15 minutes left, Baxtrom blocked the send in the box.
With six minutes to play, Jones freshman Natalie Loos intercepted a Curie throw-in inside the 20 to extinguish that threat. Later, Loos and Audrey Bruce combined to clear the zone off another Curie throw-in.
“We tried to pass the ball back if there was pressure, and they were spacing the defense,” Baxtrom said. “It was just good communication playing through the back.
“He (Bylsma) has been telling us a lot about making short passes and playing two-touch. Mainly we’ve been trying to play one-two touch, play it back if we need to and just try to possess the ball the best we can.
“With the wind we had to drop back more,” Baxtrom added, “and their goalie had some good punts. We just talked about who would go for balls in the air, and made sure nothing got over us.”
At the other end, Curie had to endure waves of Jones chances.
Gillian Miller generated two threats in the 35th minute of the first half – after she was denied on a diving Navarro save of a low liner, Miller pounced on the rebound and sent that wide right of the net.
In the 14th minute of the second half, Cedeno split two defenders on a speedy drive up the middle – then lined her shot inches wide off the side of the net.
Navarro followed with saves on shots inside 10 yards by Miller, Lauren Nichols and Priya Charles. And 26 minutes into the second half, Martina Bianchi’s attack up the left side was denied when Navarro made a diving block of her cross to the front of the net.
Later, Navarro made the stop on Charles’ low shot from the right end line. And with three minutes left, Bianchi lined a shot off a Loos pass just over the net.
Jones’ quest for a perfect March will face two big hurdles next week – Wednesday at Washington, then home Friday against Payton.
“Washington away next Wednesday – I love playing there, they have a bunch of fans who all surround the field,” Bylsma said. “Then we play Payton here Friday and that’s a really big game. Last year was the first time we beat them, and then we also beat them in the state playoffs, so that’s become a rivalry game now.”
Baxtrom sees two areas of focus to keep the wins coming.
“More communication of course, and we have to work on more possession,” she said. “The better we get at it, the more goals we can score and games we can win.”
Technical tweeking aside, Jones’ enthusiasm and confidence is soaring.
“We’re just connecting really well,” Wright said, “we have good chemistry personally on and off the field. I just think we have talent we haven’t had before, people are dialed in, and we’re just excited to play.”
Starting lineups
Curie
GK Maria Navarro
D Dominique Zamudio
D Yesenia Ibanez
D Citally Gonzalez
D Lissa Vera Barragan
M Crystal Gamino
M Karina Serna
M Anay Salas
M Paulina Lopez
F Raegan King
F Corina Juarez
Jones
GK Devin Barry
D Charlotte Geissler
D Izzy Kamba
D Gabriela Baxtrom
D Kassie Cortez
M Dani Schulgasser
M Janai Cedeno
M Rachel Sohn
M Zoe Wright
F Avery Kaplan
F Gillian Miller
MVP of the Match: Zoe Wright, sr., MF, Jones