Metea Valley has peak
offensive showing versus Wheaton North
Mustangs claim DVC opener for both teams
By Steve Nemeth
AURORA -- If the March Madness committee criteria were being used, Saturday’s Wheaton North at Metea Valley girls soccer match could be equated to a no. 16 seed going up against a no. 1.
On paper, the host Mustangs -- ranked 20th in Chicagoland Soccer’s preseason poll -- have all the intangibles: a bona-fide superstar surrounded by an unselfish veteran cast, experienced returnees for depth, and immediate impact roster additions.
In that context, Metea’s 4-1 victory was to be expected. However, Mustang coach Chris Whaley dismissed such a notion without consulting a calendar via one response: “It’s early.”
For girls soccer the “madness” of March revolves around long-sleeved undershirts, hair bands that double as ear warmers, and ignoring wind chill factors which are expected to depart by the time postseason IHSA May-hem begins.
Nevertheless, even Whaley had little to criticize in regard to what doubled as his team's season and DuPage Valley Conference opener. Metea’s originally-scheduled Tuesday visit to Hinsdale Central is for now, a rescheduled TBA contest.
“Not having a game under our belt as we anticipated meant we still had questions to be answered. In past years, it was fair to say our strength was a little bit unclear,” Whaley admitted. “But with nine returnees, we have girls comfortable in positions all over the field and when it comes to midfield talent, I don’t have enough positions.”
Give 2016 Chicagoland Soccer and IHSSCA All-State forward Jade Eriksen-Russo a mirror-image scoring threat in Nicki Hernandez, coupled with those aggressive mindset midfielders, and Metea Valley (1-0-0, DVC 1-0-0) is extra dangerous.
“That’s a very talented offensive team,” veteran Wheaton North boss Tim McEvilly said. “They play off each other very well.
“With that in mind, take away a PK and a silly mistake defensively, and our second half was much better. The pressure we put forward was so much better in both halves of the field. We need that for 80 minutes.”
That was something the Falcons (1-1-0, DVC 0-1-0) came closer to achieving in beginning the year with a 1-0 victory over Downers Grove South thanks to a Maggie Hupp goal and Katie Sullivan shutout. That’s also the potential Wheaton North displayed last year in producing a 9-9-1 campaign -- a more competitive season than their 3-4-1 DVC ledger portrayed.
However Saturday was the unveiling of Metea’s balanced attack combined with the field savvy demonstrated by MaKenna Schoolman, who earned Chicagoland Soccer’s MVP of the Match accolade. The senior defender essentially erased one of Wheaton North’s best first half chances with a steal in addition to setting up the game’s first score.
Michigan-bound Nicki Hernandez, one of two club soccer standouts – along with Maeve Riordan -- who re-joined the Mustangs varsity, gave the hosts a lead 27:34 into the match.
“MaKenna gave me a great ball, and I looked up to see the goalie going near post so the far post was wide open,” Hernandez said. “In the fall I was contemplating ways to improve my game, so I thought about what I could bring to the team and how this experience could help me. This is a good group, and they’re helping me develop leadership skills.”
Prior to the actual goal, Hernandez had the chance to work on her shooting with one shot from the left wing plus a direct free kick which Wheaton North keeper Sullivan handled. As the Mustangs continued to press the attack, that pressure paid off when Eriksen-Russo evaded a pair of defenders and slotted the ball to Taylor Rohm to the right of center. Rohm’s try caromed off the near right post, and Abby Severson raced in for the putback with 4:02 left before intermission.
“It’s still early, but from practices I’ve learned to expect possible rebounds,” Severson noted. “The way we’ve worked off each, either playing in and back outside, plus our chemistry, I believe it’s easier to anticipate opportunities.”
“Jade made that play starting out on the right side with good touches and finding Taylor in the middle,” Whaley said. “While she was a little unlucky, Abby instead of simply playing her position on the left, flew in looking to get the ball in the back of the net. Kudos to her for not sitting and watching.”
Early in the second half Eriksen-Russo cranked a left-footed blast that Sullivan thwarted. But with 27:14 left to be played, the Falcon goalie was at a disadvantage for a penalty kick that was converted by Eriksen-Russo. The DePaul-bound senior earned her 45th career goal and shrugs at the concept of becoming Metea’s all-time scoring leader for girls soccer.
“As a senior and four-year player, this team’s success is in my heart. It’s great to have the support of everyone back and the added help of Nicki. We’ve played club ball together and both see opportunities to score or pass. This being the season’s first game, plus our first conference game, getting the win means a little extra.”
Before the Mustangs could become too complacent, only a minute and two seconds elapsed before Wheaton North countered. Senior midfielder Naimh Kane cut into the passing lane for a steal and then tapped the ball to Hupp, who expertly put a 38-yard bomb on net. Perhaps shooting against the wind had an effect but either way the bounce caught Metea keeper Amy Ahern a little off balance. Although the senior goalie got a hand on the ball, it continued under her and into the back of the net.
“For the most part our defensive line was fulfilling expectations, they were confident on the ball, physical and exactly where they needed to be to keep North from scoring. But that was one possession on which we turned the ball over and their player caught everyone off guard with the right kind of shot,” Whaley said.
“Seeing (Kane’s) break on the ball and opening her hips, she got the ball into the space I needed for a clear shot,” Hupp said after tallying goals in back-to-back games. “It always feels great to nail the ball just right, but it’s all about team effort. We need to be better and more consistent.”
Without question, Metea was statistically stronger as the Mustangs boasted a 22-3 advantage for overall attempts including a 15-2 edge in shots on goal.
One more of those Mustangs efforts added to the scoreboard with 19:21 left in regulation. Riordan set that one in motion with a textbook ball up the sideline with Sophia Senese touching the ball forward and racing past a defender to attack from the left wing. With Sullivan racing out to narrow the angle, Senese’s shot hit the post and ricocheted into the middle where Sophia Majher became the fourth Mustang with a goal.
“It’s always a plus to capitalize early, and I think the 2-0 advantage helped settle us,” Whaley added. “I think I know the names we’ll often see on a stat sheet, but even if Emily (Lindlbom), Sophia (Senese) and Chesny (Wargo) might not be on it, I’m sure they’ll be essential to our success.”
Starting lineups
Wheaton North
GK: Katie Sullivan
D: Cammy Carrico
D: Morghin Klein
D: Hannah Swider
D: Marie Mannix
M: Rose Quinn
M: Naimh Kane
M: Addy Atkinson
M: Jaden Trometer
F: Margaret Hupp
F: Anna Warfield
Metea Valley
GK: Amy Ahern
D: MaKenna Schoolman
D: Kelly Crowe
D: Katherine Wieland
D: Paige Buranosky
M: Maeve Riordan
M: Nicki Hernandez
M: Emily Lindlbom
M: Chesney Wargo
F: Jade Eriksen-Russo
F: Abby Hernandez
Chicagoland MVP of the Match: MaKenna Schoolman, sr., defender, Metea Valley
Referees: Zach Richter, Zach Gaidar, Andrew Sok
Box score
Metea Valley 4, Wheaton North 1
1st 2nd F
Wheaton North 0 1 --- 1
Metea Valley 2 2 --- 4
Scoring
MV --- Hernandez 12-yarder from left side inside far right post (Schoolman assist), 27th minute
MV --- Severson nine-yard finish from carom off right post (Eriksen-Russo, T. Rohm assists), 35th minute
MV --- Eriksen-Russo penalty kick conversion, 52nd minute
WN --- Hupp 38-yard bomb (Kane assist, 53rd minute
MV --- Majher seven-yard finish from carom off left post (Senese assist), 60th minute
Overall shots
WN 0 – 3 --- 3
M V 9 – 13 --- 22
Shots on goal
WN 0 – 2 --- 2
MV 6 – 9 --- 15
Saves (goalie)
WN (Sullivan) 4 – 7 --- 11
MV (Ahern) 0 – 2 --- 2
offensive showing versus Wheaton North
Mustangs claim DVC opener for both teams
By Steve Nemeth
AURORA -- If the March Madness committee criteria were being used, Saturday’s Wheaton North at Metea Valley girls soccer match could be equated to a no. 16 seed going up against a no. 1.
On paper, the host Mustangs -- ranked 20th in Chicagoland Soccer’s preseason poll -- have all the intangibles: a bona-fide superstar surrounded by an unselfish veteran cast, experienced returnees for depth, and immediate impact roster additions.
In that context, Metea’s 4-1 victory was to be expected. However, Mustang coach Chris Whaley dismissed such a notion without consulting a calendar via one response: “It’s early.”
For girls soccer the “madness” of March revolves around long-sleeved undershirts, hair bands that double as ear warmers, and ignoring wind chill factors which are expected to depart by the time postseason IHSA May-hem begins.
Nevertheless, even Whaley had little to criticize in regard to what doubled as his team's season and DuPage Valley Conference opener. Metea’s originally-scheduled Tuesday visit to Hinsdale Central is for now, a rescheduled TBA contest.
“Not having a game under our belt as we anticipated meant we still had questions to be answered. In past years, it was fair to say our strength was a little bit unclear,” Whaley admitted. “But with nine returnees, we have girls comfortable in positions all over the field and when it comes to midfield talent, I don’t have enough positions.”
Give 2016 Chicagoland Soccer and IHSSCA All-State forward Jade Eriksen-Russo a mirror-image scoring threat in Nicki Hernandez, coupled with those aggressive mindset midfielders, and Metea Valley (1-0-0, DVC 1-0-0) is extra dangerous.
“That’s a very talented offensive team,” veteran Wheaton North boss Tim McEvilly said. “They play off each other very well.
“With that in mind, take away a PK and a silly mistake defensively, and our second half was much better. The pressure we put forward was so much better in both halves of the field. We need that for 80 minutes.”
That was something the Falcons (1-1-0, DVC 0-1-0) came closer to achieving in beginning the year with a 1-0 victory over Downers Grove South thanks to a Maggie Hupp goal and Katie Sullivan shutout. That’s also the potential Wheaton North displayed last year in producing a 9-9-1 campaign -- a more competitive season than their 3-4-1 DVC ledger portrayed.
However Saturday was the unveiling of Metea’s balanced attack combined with the field savvy demonstrated by MaKenna Schoolman, who earned Chicagoland Soccer’s MVP of the Match accolade. The senior defender essentially erased one of Wheaton North’s best first half chances with a steal in addition to setting up the game’s first score.
Michigan-bound Nicki Hernandez, one of two club soccer standouts – along with Maeve Riordan -- who re-joined the Mustangs varsity, gave the hosts a lead 27:34 into the match.
“MaKenna gave me a great ball, and I looked up to see the goalie going near post so the far post was wide open,” Hernandez said. “In the fall I was contemplating ways to improve my game, so I thought about what I could bring to the team and how this experience could help me. This is a good group, and they’re helping me develop leadership skills.”
Prior to the actual goal, Hernandez had the chance to work on her shooting with one shot from the left wing plus a direct free kick which Wheaton North keeper Sullivan handled. As the Mustangs continued to press the attack, that pressure paid off when Eriksen-Russo evaded a pair of defenders and slotted the ball to Taylor Rohm to the right of center. Rohm’s try caromed off the near right post, and Abby Severson raced in for the putback with 4:02 left before intermission.
“It’s still early, but from practices I’ve learned to expect possible rebounds,” Severson noted. “The way we’ve worked off each, either playing in and back outside, plus our chemistry, I believe it’s easier to anticipate opportunities.”
“Jade made that play starting out on the right side with good touches and finding Taylor in the middle,” Whaley said. “While she was a little unlucky, Abby instead of simply playing her position on the left, flew in looking to get the ball in the back of the net. Kudos to her for not sitting and watching.”
Early in the second half Eriksen-Russo cranked a left-footed blast that Sullivan thwarted. But with 27:14 left to be played, the Falcon goalie was at a disadvantage for a penalty kick that was converted by Eriksen-Russo. The DePaul-bound senior earned her 45th career goal and shrugs at the concept of becoming Metea’s all-time scoring leader for girls soccer.
“As a senior and four-year player, this team’s success is in my heart. It’s great to have the support of everyone back and the added help of Nicki. We’ve played club ball together and both see opportunities to score or pass. This being the season’s first game, plus our first conference game, getting the win means a little extra.”
Before the Mustangs could become too complacent, only a minute and two seconds elapsed before Wheaton North countered. Senior midfielder Naimh Kane cut into the passing lane for a steal and then tapped the ball to Hupp, who expertly put a 38-yard bomb on net. Perhaps shooting against the wind had an effect but either way the bounce caught Metea keeper Amy Ahern a little off balance. Although the senior goalie got a hand on the ball, it continued under her and into the back of the net.
“For the most part our defensive line was fulfilling expectations, they were confident on the ball, physical and exactly where they needed to be to keep North from scoring. But that was one possession on which we turned the ball over and their player caught everyone off guard with the right kind of shot,” Whaley said.
“Seeing (Kane’s) break on the ball and opening her hips, she got the ball into the space I needed for a clear shot,” Hupp said after tallying goals in back-to-back games. “It always feels great to nail the ball just right, but it’s all about team effort. We need to be better and more consistent.”
Without question, Metea was statistically stronger as the Mustangs boasted a 22-3 advantage for overall attempts including a 15-2 edge in shots on goal.
One more of those Mustangs efforts added to the scoreboard with 19:21 left in regulation. Riordan set that one in motion with a textbook ball up the sideline with Sophia Senese touching the ball forward and racing past a defender to attack from the left wing. With Sullivan racing out to narrow the angle, Senese’s shot hit the post and ricocheted into the middle where Sophia Majher became the fourth Mustang with a goal.
“It’s always a plus to capitalize early, and I think the 2-0 advantage helped settle us,” Whaley added. “I think I know the names we’ll often see on a stat sheet, but even if Emily (Lindlbom), Sophia (Senese) and Chesny (Wargo) might not be on it, I’m sure they’ll be essential to our success.”
Starting lineups
Wheaton North
GK: Katie Sullivan
D: Cammy Carrico
D: Morghin Klein
D: Hannah Swider
D: Marie Mannix
M: Rose Quinn
M: Naimh Kane
M: Addy Atkinson
M: Jaden Trometer
F: Margaret Hupp
F: Anna Warfield
Metea Valley
GK: Amy Ahern
D: MaKenna Schoolman
D: Kelly Crowe
D: Katherine Wieland
D: Paige Buranosky
M: Maeve Riordan
M: Nicki Hernandez
M: Emily Lindlbom
M: Chesney Wargo
F: Jade Eriksen-Russo
F: Abby Hernandez
Chicagoland MVP of the Match: MaKenna Schoolman, sr., defender, Metea Valley
Referees: Zach Richter, Zach Gaidar, Andrew Sok
Box score
Metea Valley 4, Wheaton North 1
1st 2nd F
Wheaton North 0 1 --- 1
Metea Valley 2 2 --- 4
Scoring
MV --- Hernandez 12-yarder from left side inside far right post (Schoolman assist), 27th minute
MV --- Severson nine-yard finish from carom off right post (Eriksen-Russo, T. Rohm assists), 35th minute
MV --- Eriksen-Russo penalty kick conversion, 52nd minute
WN --- Hupp 38-yard bomb (Kane assist, 53rd minute
MV --- Majher seven-yard finish from carom off left post (Senese assist), 60th minute
Overall shots
WN 0 – 3 --- 3
M V 9 – 13 --- 22
Shots on goal
WN 0 – 2 --- 2
MV 6 – 9 --- 15
Saves (goalie)
WN (Sullivan) 4 – 7 --- 11
MV (Ahern) 0 – 2 --- 2