Wesolowski dresses for success
in DGN win over Hinsdale S.
Celebrates Senior Night with goal, shared shutout and MVP shirt
By Matt Le Cren
DOWNERS GROVE – Downers Grove North senior Leigh Wesolowski wore two different shirts during the game for the Trojans on Thursday.
At the end of the day, she acquired another.
Wesolowski snagged the third shirt by dint of being named Chicagoland Soccer's MVP of the Match.
Getting a rare start because it was Senior Night, Wesolowski scored the opening and game-winning goal as a midfielder and played 14 minutes between the pipes after relieving starting goalkeeper Grace Stevenson in the 26th minute of the Trojans’ 5-0 victory over Hinsdale South at Carstens Field.
“It was a really nice feeling,” Wesolowski said. “I was super hyped for this game because it was Senior Night.
“I think I’ve always had a lot of support from my teammates, so it was just nice to come out here. And all of them supported me.”
Downers Grove North's six seniors all got starting assignments, though defender Arlinda Osmani was immediately subbed out due to a recently torn ACL.
Osmani was a stalwart, along with fellow senior Alyse Dutcher, of a defense that has surrendered only six goals all season for the Trojans (13-6-1), who posted their 14th shutout.
The backline was so dominant that Stevenson, Wesolowski and Emily Redpath, who played the entire second half, did not have to a make a save. The did their only work making some routine clears.
“Our defensive line is awesome,” Downers Grove North senior forward Bridget Keys said.
“We have a lot of good younger girls who just try their hardest every time. And we’ve got a great goalie.”
The Trojans also have some punch up front. They outscored their opponents 43-6 in the regular season. Keys had a pair of goals against the Hornets (8-13-1), while junior Haley Reynolds and sophomore Abby Swanson also found the back of the net.
“(The defensive performance) is insane,” Downers Grove North coach Bob Calder said. “Nobody scores on us, so there’s no such thing as a blowout, and we can also put some in the back of the net.
“That’s where the confidence comes in is having the confidence to put it in the back of the net and do the things needed to win the game.”
Keys, a St. Francis-Fort Wayne recruit, scored the last two goals for the Trojans. That was no surprise, but the Wesolowski’s tally was, and it produced the biggest reaction from her teammates.
“I was so happy,” Keys said. “(It was) a good way to start off the game.
“She’s awesome. (She) always has a great attitude.”
Wesolowski’s goal broke a scoreless tie with 22:57 left in the first half. She settled a corner-kick from sophomore Olivia Bull and fired a 17-yard shot past Hinsdale South goalkeeper Maddie Jensen and inside the right post.
It was the second goal of the season for Wesolowski, who usually serves as a reserve and plays limited minutes in big games.
“Today was a good day,” Wesolowski said.
Wesolowski was asked if she might have a case to make to Calder for more playing time, perhaps even a start, in the playoffs?
“You know what, maybe,” Wesolowski said with a grin. “I might drop some hints.”
The Trojans dropped four goals on the Hornets in a span of just under 15 minutes, at one point scoring on 3-of-4 shots, including back-to-back tallies from Swanson and Keys, who then finished the scoring off an assist from sophomore Chloe Nowka at the 22:56 mark of the second half.
Bull had three assists, all on corners, while Swanson had one. That demonstrated North’s effective blend of young and old.
“We’re so much closer this year,” Wesolowski said. “I feel so connected to this team and ... how successful we’ve been. I think ... team bonding and closeness has to do with that.
“Also, we’re really supportive of each other, so it’s fun coming on the field knowing we’re doing really well. It shows.”
That’s especially rewarding for seniors like Keys, who were victorious in their final home game. The Trojans went 4-1-1 at Carstens Field, the only loss a 1-0 overtime decision to West Suburban Conference Gold Division champion Hinsdale Central on April 19. North is 6-1-1 since that game.
“It was really an awesome way to end my last home game ever, on this turf,” Keys said. “I’m just proud of our team and how we performed.”
So is Calder, who likes what he sees.
“I’ve been pleasantly surprised with the season,” Calder said. “I thought we were going to be pretty good, but they’ve surpassed all my expectations.
“I feel like at the beginning of the season we didn’t quite know what to expect of ourselves, but we’re just playing with confidence. We’re playing like we belong. and that we can play with these good teams. And we are.”
Indeed, all of North’s losses have come by one goal, including one in overtime and another in a shootout. Their ability to stay with teams is a testament to talent fused with chemistry, which is why Wesolowski’s performance against the Hornets was so noteworthy and celebrated.
“We wanted to put Leigh on the field for Senior Night,” Calder said. “(Her goal) was huge.
“It’s awesome to have someone like her contribute. Those are the kind of kids that we want in those roles. Other kids can buy in and play for her and things like that, so it’s pretty cool.”
Now comes the postseason and with it a chance to make some memories. The Trojans have never won a sectional title and captured their only regional championship in 2008, the last year of the two-class system.
But North, which is the no. 4 seed at the Class 3A Hinsdale Central Sectional, has a legitimate shot to make a run.
The Trojans open the Glenbard East Regional on Tuesday against 15th-seeded Curie, then likely would have to knock off the host Rams in the title game.
North beat the fifth-seeded Rams (18-4-0) by a 3-0 margin on a neutral field on April 16, but the Rams have gone 7-1-0 since then, giving up only three goals in the process.
But if the Trojans win the regional, they have tough but not insurmountable opponents. They lost 1-0 to top-seeded Hinsdale Central and 1-0 to second-seeded Lyons.
“Personally I think we can (win regionals),” Wesolowski said. “I have a lot of confidence in our team.
“I feel like we can play anybody, so I’m excited. I’m looking forward to it.”
Starting lineups
Hinsdale South
GK Maddie Jensen
D Dakota Dapkus
D Nicole Kilrea
D Alexis Kotsiantos
D Sara Cepeda
D Emily Ofenloch
M Therese Sobol
M Erin Alajoki
M Gina Cavalli
F Kendra Rees
Downers Grove North
GK Grace Stevenson
D Alyse Dutcher
D Elizabeth Hodonicky
D Carissa Mysliwiec
D Arlinda Osmani
M Maria Derrig
M Abby Swanson
M Simone Gardner
M Leigh Wesolowski
M Francesca Marconi
F Bridget Keys
MVP of the Match: Leigh Wesolowski, MF/GK, Downers Grove North
in DGN win over Hinsdale S.
Celebrates Senior Night with goal, shared shutout and MVP shirt
By Matt Le Cren
DOWNERS GROVE – Downers Grove North senior Leigh Wesolowski wore two different shirts during the game for the Trojans on Thursday.
At the end of the day, she acquired another.
Wesolowski snagged the third shirt by dint of being named Chicagoland Soccer's MVP of the Match.
Getting a rare start because it was Senior Night, Wesolowski scored the opening and game-winning goal as a midfielder and played 14 minutes between the pipes after relieving starting goalkeeper Grace Stevenson in the 26th minute of the Trojans’ 5-0 victory over Hinsdale South at Carstens Field.
“It was a really nice feeling,” Wesolowski said. “I was super hyped for this game because it was Senior Night.
“I think I’ve always had a lot of support from my teammates, so it was just nice to come out here. And all of them supported me.”
Downers Grove North's six seniors all got starting assignments, though defender Arlinda Osmani was immediately subbed out due to a recently torn ACL.
Osmani was a stalwart, along with fellow senior Alyse Dutcher, of a defense that has surrendered only six goals all season for the Trojans (13-6-1), who posted their 14th shutout.
The backline was so dominant that Stevenson, Wesolowski and Emily Redpath, who played the entire second half, did not have to a make a save. The did their only work making some routine clears.
“Our defensive line is awesome,” Downers Grove North senior forward Bridget Keys said.
“We have a lot of good younger girls who just try their hardest every time. And we’ve got a great goalie.”
The Trojans also have some punch up front. They outscored their opponents 43-6 in the regular season. Keys had a pair of goals against the Hornets (8-13-1), while junior Haley Reynolds and sophomore Abby Swanson also found the back of the net.
“(The defensive performance) is insane,” Downers Grove North coach Bob Calder said. “Nobody scores on us, so there’s no such thing as a blowout, and we can also put some in the back of the net.
“That’s where the confidence comes in is having the confidence to put it in the back of the net and do the things needed to win the game.”
Keys, a St. Francis-Fort Wayne recruit, scored the last two goals for the Trojans. That was no surprise, but the Wesolowski’s tally was, and it produced the biggest reaction from her teammates.
“I was so happy,” Keys said. “(It was) a good way to start off the game.
“She’s awesome. (She) always has a great attitude.”
Wesolowski’s goal broke a scoreless tie with 22:57 left in the first half. She settled a corner-kick from sophomore Olivia Bull and fired a 17-yard shot past Hinsdale South goalkeeper Maddie Jensen and inside the right post.
It was the second goal of the season for Wesolowski, who usually serves as a reserve and plays limited minutes in big games.
“Today was a good day,” Wesolowski said.
Wesolowski was asked if she might have a case to make to Calder for more playing time, perhaps even a start, in the playoffs?
“You know what, maybe,” Wesolowski said with a grin. “I might drop some hints.”
The Trojans dropped four goals on the Hornets in a span of just under 15 minutes, at one point scoring on 3-of-4 shots, including back-to-back tallies from Swanson and Keys, who then finished the scoring off an assist from sophomore Chloe Nowka at the 22:56 mark of the second half.
Bull had three assists, all on corners, while Swanson had one. That demonstrated North’s effective blend of young and old.
“We’re so much closer this year,” Wesolowski said. “I feel so connected to this team and ... how successful we’ve been. I think ... team bonding and closeness has to do with that.
“Also, we’re really supportive of each other, so it’s fun coming on the field knowing we’re doing really well. It shows.”
That’s especially rewarding for seniors like Keys, who were victorious in their final home game. The Trojans went 4-1-1 at Carstens Field, the only loss a 1-0 overtime decision to West Suburban Conference Gold Division champion Hinsdale Central on April 19. North is 6-1-1 since that game.
“It was really an awesome way to end my last home game ever, on this turf,” Keys said. “I’m just proud of our team and how we performed.”
So is Calder, who likes what he sees.
“I’ve been pleasantly surprised with the season,” Calder said. “I thought we were going to be pretty good, but they’ve surpassed all my expectations.
“I feel like at the beginning of the season we didn’t quite know what to expect of ourselves, but we’re just playing with confidence. We’re playing like we belong. and that we can play with these good teams. And we are.”
Indeed, all of North’s losses have come by one goal, including one in overtime and another in a shootout. Their ability to stay with teams is a testament to talent fused with chemistry, which is why Wesolowski’s performance against the Hornets was so noteworthy and celebrated.
“We wanted to put Leigh on the field for Senior Night,” Calder said. “(Her goal) was huge.
“It’s awesome to have someone like her contribute. Those are the kind of kids that we want in those roles. Other kids can buy in and play for her and things like that, so it’s pretty cool.”
Now comes the postseason and with it a chance to make some memories. The Trojans have never won a sectional title and captured their only regional championship in 2008, the last year of the two-class system.
But North, which is the no. 4 seed at the Class 3A Hinsdale Central Sectional, has a legitimate shot to make a run.
The Trojans open the Glenbard East Regional on Tuesday against 15th-seeded Curie, then likely would have to knock off the host Rams in the title game.
North beat the fifth-seeded Rams (18-4-0) by a 3-0 margin on a neutral field on April 16, but the Rams have gone 7-1-0 since then, giving up only three goals in the process.
But if the Trojans win the regional, they have tough but not insurmountable opponents. They lost 1-0 to top-seeded Hinsdale Central and 1-0 to second-seeded Lyons.
“Personally I think we can (win regionals),” Wesolowski said. “I have a lot of confidence in our team.
“I feel like we can play anybody, so I’m excited. I’m looking forward to it.”
Starting lineups
Hinsdale South
GK Maddie Jensen
D Dakota Dapkus
D Nicole Kilrea
D Alexis Kotsiantos
D Sara Cepeda
D Emily Ofenloch
M Therese Sobol
M Erin Alajoki
M Gina Cavalli
F Kendra Rees
Downers Grove North
GK Grace Stevenson
D Alyse Dutcher
D Elizabeth Hodonicky
D Carissa Mysliwiec
D Arlinda Osmani
M Maria Derrig
M Abby Swanson
M Simone Gardner
M Leigh Wesolowski
M Francesca Marconi
F Bridget Keys
MVP of the Match: Leigh Wesolowski, MF/GK, Downers Grove North