CRYSTAL LAKE – There was something different about Crystal Lake Central sophomore forward Addison Schaffer heading into Monday’s second-round BodyArmor series matchup against Deerfield.

Yes, she had her typical energy that gave the visiting Warriors fits all game long with her pace of play.

But after putting two goals on the scoresheet, inquiring minds wanted to know. Schaffer came clean with the change in her daily routine.

“I did change my hairstyle,” said Schaffer with a smirk. “Two pigtails for two goals. I just really wanted those goals today. It’s been a bit disappointing for me not getting the results I want of being a forward.”

Schaffer, the super-sub forward and Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match, put Deerfield’s defense in knots all game. After the Warriors cut Crystal Lake Central’s lead in half in the 43rd minute, Schaffer responded 28 seconds. She found space in the middle of the 18 and smashed home a beautiful cross from the right from senior midfielder Olivia Anderson to finish out the scoring. The Tigers (8-1-1) 3-1 victory advanced them to the championship round of the BodyArmor tourney Sunday at Lyons Soccer Complex in Western Springs.

In the first round of the tournament Saturday against Wheaton Warrenville South on neutral ground in Waukegan, Anderson earned the MVP honor after she was set up by Schaffer for the difference-making goal.

Monday’s game opened with great goalkeeping moments from Deerfield standout Lauren Gottlieb. In the first 15 minutes, she made a lunging stop to the left on a great chance at the top of the 18 from senior midfielder Sadie Quinn. A few minutes before, Anderson got free after a cross from forward Lizzie Gray bounced over the Warriors central defense. Gottlieb (four saves) challenged Anderson and stopped her drive.

But Crystal Lake Central, newly ranked at no. 15 in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25 poll, would not be stopped. The Tigers broke through in the 17th minute after Anderson built a full head of steam into the attacking third and played a great through-ball to forward Brooklyn Carlson. The senior went wide to the right of a sliding Gottlieb and slotted the ball from inside the 18 into an open net.

“Olivia (Anderson) is that type of player that likes to take people on,” Carlson noted about the goal. “I knew that I was eventually going to get the ball, and I just needed to stay onside. Once the pass came, I knew it would be a sprint and to avoid the keeper.”
    
Schaffer made it a two-goal lead for the Tigers in the 25th minute. She set up near post on a corner from the right and senior midfielder Madeline Gray delivered a low corner that took a perfect hop on to the strong right foot of Schaffer, who placed it into the right side of the net.

Deerfield (9-2-2), which also rejoined the Top 25 this week at no. 22, had several offensive chances in the first half but was unable to connect. The Warriors best look came in the 21st minute as right midfielder Avery Kingsepp’s corner fell to the feet of senior Addison Soroka at the far post. The defender got a touch on it, but the try went wide to the right.

Saint Louis recruit and standout All-State forward Emily Fox got a few looks in the first half but they were not quality chances. A lot of the opportunities she had were under pressure from the Crystal Lake Central central defense or off-balanced looks from afar.

“I always had someone following me,” Fox noted. “It’s a little difficult to figure out how to break away, but then I kind of found my space. We were able to get more opportunities, and I got a few shots toward the net.”

“Our defense did a great job,” said Crystal Lake Central coach Sarah Fack. “Sadie Quinn did a great job sticking with Fox and really shutting her down and getting in her space.”

Deerfield got on the board in the 43rd minute with sharp play along the left side. A great through-ball was played to freshman forward Leah Cohen, who went to work sprinting down the left to the goal line. She cut in and a crossed a low ball that junior forward Ryane Emory turned into a quick shot inside the 18. It found the net to the left of Crystal Lake Central keeper Addison Cleary.

“The energy increase in the second half really helped a lot,” Emory explained. “Leah’s hustle after switching from the middle to the left really switched up the momentum. Just having more options of where to play the ball, it was much better in the second half. I was just there on the end of Leah’s pass to put it in.” 

“Leah was outstanding today.” Deerfield head coach Rich Grady said. “She worked like crazy.” 

Another notable chance for Deerfield came in the 54th minute. Soroka took a free kick from close to midfield. The ball eventually came back to Soroka who launched a 25-yard drive from the left that had to be dramatically punched over by Cleary.

Freshman keeper Ava Peiser came on for Gottlieb in the 66th minute and stopped the shots she faced.

“We have had so many games in the short stretch of time,” Grady continued. “I decided to pull Lauren (Gottlieb) and give Ava some time, and she really held her own. This was really good to see.”

One of those glut of games was a shootout victory in their first BodyArmor series match Saturday against Minooka. Deerfield prevailed by the rare score of 1-0 after five rounds.

“If you had told me before the game that if we got to a shootout, scored only one goal and still won, I would have said that you were crazy.” Grady smiled.

The hectic schedule doesn’t stop for Deerfield as they resume Central Suburban League South Division play Tuesday against eighth-ranked Glenbrook South (8-1-2, 0-0-0). Deerfield, 0-0-1 in the league after a tie against New Trier, was moved to the new division this season.

“We’re going to give it a shot and come out and compete,” Grady said about the new alignment. “We’ll see what happens.”

As for Crystal Lake Central (2-0-0 in the Fox Valley Conference), which placed third in last year’s Class AA state tournament, Fack had a lot of good things to look forward to as they prepare for Tuesday’s game at home against league foe Dundee-Crown (4-3-2, 0-0-0).

“It was good to play Deerfield. They possess a different style from teams we normally see as far as formation,” Fack explained. “Our resilience was key. We had a little lull toward the end of the first half, and then they got the goal back. We’re also starting to figure out our set pieces.”

Starting lineups

 Crystal Lake Central
GK: Addison Cleary
D: Chelsea Iles
D: Kalissa Kaiser
D: Katelyn Hallum
D: Paiton Hulata
MF: Peyton McMahon
MF: Maddie Gray
MF: Sadie Quinn
MF: Jillian Mueller
F: Lizzie Gray
F: Brooklynn Carlson

Deerfield
GK Lauren Gottlieb
D Sophia Peiser
D Addison Soroka
D Addy Margulis
D Sam Block
MF Jessie Fisher
MF Leah Cohen
MF Lauren Jones
MF Avery Kingsepp
MF Emily Fox
F Ryane Emory

Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Addison Schaffer, so., F, Crystal Lake Central

Scoring Summary

First half
CLC – Carlson (Anderson), 16:15
CLC – Schaffer (Gray), 24:08

Second half
Deerfield – Emory (Cohen), 42:58
CLC – Schaffer (Anderson), 43:26