Graham's early 2nd half strike
leads Carmel past Stevenson
Goal beats 3rd and final weather stoppage in shortened game
By Rusty Silber
MUNDELEIN -- A lot of times this season, Carmel has found different players to lead them to victory. Kathleen Graham took her turn with the game-winner and an assist in the Corsairs' 2-1 nonconference victory over Stevenson on Monday.
The hosts made their way from a one-goal deficit for a come-from-behind victory that demonstrated their character. It also demonstrated their punctuality -- after three weather delays, the game was called after just four minutes of the second half.
Graham, a sophomore midfielder, brought extra effort in the final third of the field for the Corsairs (8-2-2) and earned Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match honors for her hustle.
"I'm going forward mainly playing on the right side," said Graham who has contributed 6 goals and 4 assists this season. "I'm just trying to find balls that go through and trying to connect with the center midfield. I try to take the ball down the sideline, cross it over and (hopefully) a forward or center midfielder can get the ball into the back of the net."
Numerous times Graham attacked the strength of the Stevenson defense early in the match. She didn't have success finishing until the abbreviated second half.
The trio of lightning delays made it difficult for the teams to get into the flow of the game. The players either spent a lot of time on the bus (Stevenson) or in the school (Carmel) waiting it out.
Stevenson (6-5-1) took a 1-0 lead in the 18th minute of play before the first lightning delay. Savannah Kruse sent a pass to Jill Steinbrink, who wanted to send a cross towards the back post. Instead the ball hit the post and bounced into the net.
Right after the goal, lightning was seen and play was stopped for 35 minutes.
After the first delay, both teams returned to the field to play for about 10 minutes until lightning halted the play again. That lasted another 40 minutes.
Once the teams returned, Carmel made an adjustment and pushed up a couple more forwards. The strategy returned a dividend quickly. The Corsairs tied the game in the 29th minute. Graham sent a cross from the right side to the front of the goal. Ali Cepon ran on to the ball and volleyed it into the goal to tie the game at one.
"It says a lot about our team with the heart and dedication," said assistant coach Stephanie Swanson, who filled in for Ray Krawzak, who had to leave the game early to attend a family wake.
"We switched things around to put pressure on the (Stevenson) defense. We added two more forwards to get something going. We knew with the weather we had to get anything. We needed to get a goal, and it worked."
The match entered the second half at a level 1-1. At its start, Carmel put pressure on Stevenson's defense. Erin Johnston sent a cross past the goal that was controlled by Graham, who made a move, found an opening and put her shot away in the 43rd minute.
"We needed to get forward, and there wasn't a lot of time," Graham said. "I saw an open area and took it. The defense made a hole in the center, it was like a path for me. I just had an open shot."
Lightning halted the match for a third time about a minute later. Though the officials and players tried to wait it out, the match was called. The results stands because the teams started the second half.
"I thought if we played a regular game, we could have had a different outcome," Stevenson coach Kevin Heffernan said. "With Carmel, you never know, because they have brilliance too. Either team has chances, the team that capitalizes usually wins."
Stevenson came in unbeaten over its last six games (5-0-1). The game started how they wanted but didn't end that way.
"We've been playing well, this was not one of those days," Heffernan said. "You might have those once in a while. As long as we bounce back and stay focused heading towards the playoffs. We should be alright."
Carmel goalkeeper Tina O'Block recorded 5 saves in the win.
One thing that can't be overlooked with this years model of Carmel is its overall strength among a group of players who play together as a team. A strong foundation was built in the Corsairs' 2015 IHSA Class 2A state championship season.
"The team bonding and the friendship that we have for each other (is strong)," Graham said. "We get out there and connect with each other. We always have each other's backs, and that's the most important part of a team."
Carmel returns to East Suburban Catholic Conference play for an importat match Wednesday, when it hosts Marian Central, which sports an 2-0-0 mark in the league play. The Corsairs, who are 1-1-1 in conference competition, then travel to take on Nazareth at noon Saturday.
Starting line-ups
Stevenson
GK: Hannah Petrich
D: Maddy Ding
D Sabrina Illian
D: Lauren Micek
D: Amanda Konopacki
MF: Hannah Lapeire
MF: Savannah Kruse
MF: Mackenzie Connington
MF: Emma Jaeger
F: Jill Steinbrink
F: Brianna Van Zanten
Carmel Catholic
GK: Tina O'Block
D: Lisa Harwardt
D: Haley Miller
D: Lily Sykes
MF: Kathleen Graham
MF: Erin Johnston
MF: Abby Potter
MF: Gianna Sarallo
MF: Grace Nolan
F: Angela Salvi
F: Riley Harmon
MVP of the Match: Kathleen Graham, MF, Carmel
Referee: Demtri Sarikoudis (center), jay Weis; Dale Stephanoski
leads Carmel past Stevenson
Goal beats 3rd and final weather stoppage in shortened game
By Rusty Silber
MUNDELEIN -- A lot of times this season, Carmel has found different players to lead them to victory. Kathleen Graham took her turn with the game-winner and an assist in the Corsairs' 2-1 nonconference victory over Stevenson on Monday.
The hosts made their way from a one-goal deficit for a come-from-behind victory that demonstrated their character. It also demonstrated their punctuality -- after three weather delays, the game was called after just four minutes of the second half.
Graham, a sophomore midfielder, brought extra effort in the final third of the field for the Corsairs (8-2-2) and earned Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match honors for her hustle.
"I'm going forward mainly playing on the right side," said Graham who has contributed 6 goals and 4 assists this season. "I'm just trying to find balls that go through and trying to connect with the center midfield. I try to take the ball down the sideline, cross it over and (hopefully) a forward or center midfielder can get the ball into the back of the net."
Numerous times Graham attacked the strength of the Stevenson defense early in the match. She didn't have success finishing until the abbreviated second half.
The trio of lightning delays made it difficult for the teams to get into the flow of the game. The players either spent a lot of time on the bus (Stevenson) or in the school (Carmel) waiting it out.
Stevenson (6-5-1) took a 1-0 lead in the 18th minute of play before the first lightning delay. Savannah Kruse sent a pass to Jill Steinbrink, who wanted to send a cross towards the back post. Instead the ball hit the post and bounced into the net.
Right after the goal, lightning was seen and play was stopped for 35 minutes.
After the first delay, both teams returned to the field to play for about 10 minutes until lightning halted the play again. That lasted another 40 minutes.
Once the teams returned, Carmel made an adjustment and pushed up a couple more forwards. The strategy returned a dividend quickly. The Corsairs tied the game in the 29th minute. Graham sent a cross from the right side to the front of the goal. Ali Cepon ran on to the ball and volleyed it into the goal to tie the game at one.
"It says a lot about our team with the heart and dedication," said assistant coach Stephanie Swanson, who filled in for Ray Krawzak, who had to leave the game early to attend a family wake.
"We switched things around to put pressure on the (Stevenson) defense. We added two more forwards to get something going. We knew with the weather we had to get anything. We needed to get a goal, and it worked."
The match entered the second half at a level 1-1. At its start, Carmel put pressure on Stevenson's defense. Erin Johnston sent a cross past the goal that was controlled by Graham, who made a move, found an opening and put her shot away in the 43rd minute.
"We needed to get forward, and there wasn't a lot of time," Graham said. "I saw an open area and took it. The defense made a hole in the center, it was like a path for me. I just had an open shot."
Lightning halted the match for a third time about a minute later. Though the officials and players tried to wait it out, the match was called. The results stands because the teams started the second half.
"I thought if we played a regular game, we could have had a different outcome," Stevenson coach Kevin Heffernan said. "With Carmel, you never know, because they have brilliance too. Either team has chances, the team that capitalizes usually wins."
Stevenson came in unbeaten over its last six games (5-0-1). The game started how they wanted but didn't end that way.
"We've been playing well, this was not one of those days," Heffernan said. "You might have those once in a while. As long as we bounce back and stay focused heading towards the playoffs. We should be alright."
Carmel goalkeeper Tina O'Block recorded 5 saves in the win.
One thing that can't be overlooked with this years model of Carmel is its overall strength among a group of players who play together as a team. A strong foundation was built in the Corsairs' 2015 IHSA Class 2A state championship season.
"The team bonding and the friendship that we have for each other (is strong)," Graham said. "We get out there and connect with each other. We always have each other's backs, and that's the most important part of a team."
Carmel returns to East Suburban Catholic Conference play for an importat match Wednesday, when it hosts Marian Central, which sports an 2-0-0 mark in the league play. The Corsairs, who are 1-1-1 in conference competition, then travel to take on Nazareth at noon Saturday.
Starting line-ups
Stevenson
GK: Hannah Petrich
D: Maddy Ding
D Sabrina Illian
D: Lauren Micek
D: Amanda Konopacki
MF: Hannah Lapeire
MF: Savannah Kruse
MF: Mackenzie Connington
MF: Emma Jaeger
F: Jill Steinbrink
F: Brianna Van Zanten
Carmel Catholic
GK: Tina O'Block
D: Lisa Harwardt
D: Haley Miller
D: Lily Sykes
MF: Kathleen Graham
MF: Erin Johnston
MF: Abby Potter
MF: Gianna Sarallo
MF: Grace Nolan
F: Angela Salvi
F: Riley Harmon
MVP of the Match: Kathleen Graham, MF, Carmel
Referee: Demtri Sarikoudis (center), jay Weis; Dale Stephanoski