WEST CHICAGO -- Just before kickoff of their final home game of the season, the Wheaton Academy loudspeakers blasted out the Taylor Swift song “Style.”

It was fitting, because that’s exactly the way the Warriors wanted to leave their Performance Trust Field home pitch -- in style.

“Knowing that it was their last home game,” said Wheaton Academy coach Maria Selvaggio, “the kids were especially motivated to go out there and play their best.

“One of their goals this season was to not only win conference, but go undefeated in conference. They were excited tonight to go out and chase that goal and ultimately make a statement for sure.”

And speaking of goals, there were plenty of them in a short bit of time for the Warriors against visiting Hope.

It had been recently reported that Swift -- a soccer fan in addition to supporting American football – considered buying an interest in English team Notts County, a rival of Wrexham, the side that is owned by her friend Ryan Reynolds.

That rumor was quashed, but at any rate, Taylor might have been impressed by the swift victory the Warriors accomplished Monday.

They scored nine goals in the first half against Hope in what ended as a 40-minute, 9-0 Chicagoland Christian Conference win.

Per IHSA soccer rules, if there is a nine-goal or more differential at intermission, the game is declared completed at halftime.

The victory saw the Warriors stay undefeated. They’re 8-0-3 overall, and 4-0-x in conference and hit the Chicagoland Soccer rankings this week with a no. 4 showing in the Class AA Super 7 poll.

Wheaton Academy senior midfielder Rebecca Schulenburg, a 2023 Chicagoland Soccer All-State selection who is committed to Cedarville University in Ohio, tallied three times in the triumph.

“It’s important to me, and pretty special in my senior year, to be playing with such a strong group of good people,” said Schulenburg. 

It’s the second year of competition for Schulenburg at Wheaton Academy. She transferred to the school from Geneva after her sophomore season.

“(Due to) the relationships that I’ve grown with the athletes here, it’s going to be challenging to leave," she said. "All of the emotions (are present) today, and it’s really sad that it’s my last home game.

“The community (at Wheaton Academy) is a lot more personal, and we focus a lot on the spiritual aspects of our relationships. That’s a big focus here.”

Schulenburg added that spirituality is one of the reasons, among others, that she chose Cedarville to continue her education and her athletic career.

“One of the big things for me is my faith,” she added, “and Cedarville really embodies that. They have a great soccer program and a good group of girls.

“There was a lot that went into my decision.”

Schulenburg got things rolling for the Warriors, scoring the first goal of the game in the 2nd minute.

Teammate Annika Vandervelde, a sophomore, drove the ball down the right flank and sent a perfect cross to the center of the field.

Schulenburg was right there to boot it in from 20 yards to give the home team a quick start.

Wheaton Academy stayed on the attack, but they were held off the scoreboard for a time due to strong defense from Hope’s Ella Payne and crafty play from Eagles forward Camila Barragan.

“Obviously, today, we were seeing a team that is way more experienced than us,” said Barragan, a senior. “We can learn from this game and take it from there.”

The contest was a bit of an anomaly for Hope, which is having a good season thus far.

The Eagles are 8-6-0 overall and now 2-3-x in conference.

Barragan has been a big part of that success. She has taken on a leadership role on the squad this campaign.

“I think I’ve grown as a player since my freshman year,” she said. “When I was younger, I would look up to my older teammates.

“Now, being around underclassmen, I feel like I have to set an example.”

Barragan said that her favorite subject at school is English. She enjoys the writing and especially the research that goes along with it. She’s planning to use those skills to become a paralegal after graduation.

Her team’s soccer goals include earning at least a third place finish in conference.

Wheaton Academy got on the board again in the 10th minute. Senior Katelyn Schoepke sent a high-arching kick from 28 yards that sailed over the Hope goalkeepers' outstretched arm and into the back of the net.

More scores quickly followed. Eva DeSouza scored seconds later from 18 yards. Schulenburg (31 yards) and Gianna Hughes (two) and gave the Warriors a 5-0 lead with 16:41 showing on the clock.

The Warriors boast seven seniors in the starting lineup. 

Hughes, a freshman, said that her role is to be a “connector” for the team.

“Just progress the ball up the field, hoping to connect (with my teammates),” she said. “I love passing the ball.”

She added that it’s been somewhat of a struggle playing a big part on an extremely strong team and balancing her studies as well, but it’s definitely all been worth it.

“I love the sport,” Hughes said, “so it’s worth all the late-night homework sessions. It’s worth waking up super early to finish writing my papers.

“My favorite part of high school (so far) has been meeting new people, making new relationships and connecting with others.

“Honestly just deepening myself into Wheaton Academy’s culture.”

Warriors junior forward Lorenna Davis blasted a shot in from 15 yards away, at a bad angle, to make it 6-0 in the 26th minute.

DeSouza tallied again four minutes later after circling to the right of the net and chalking up the goal from 15 yards away.

Schulenburg got her hat-trick with nine minutes remaining in the half on a 16-yard strike. Then Vandervelde closed out the scoring in the 35th minute, hitting paydirt on a shot from 16 yards that bounced off the keeper's hands and across the goal line.

Vandervelde's goal followed Schulenburg’s second assist of the match.

Peyton Schur had a helper as well.

“We definitely have a strong senior class,” said coach Selvaggio, “which sets the tone for us and gets girls committed.

“They’re passionate about leaving their mark on the program.”

Another of the Wheaton Academy seniors, unfortunately, could only watch while her teammates put on a show Monday.

Giuliana Perry suffered a foot injury last Friday, and will be out for up to two weeks.

The midfielder is doubly frustrated because she competes in two spring sports. In addition to soccer, she runs the 800 and the mile for the Warriors track team.

“It’s hard to manage two sports,” said Perry, “but I’m loving it, and I love being on this (the soccer) team.”

She forward admitted it was tough being on the bench watching the game against Hope but plans to return for the playoffs.

“We’re hoping to go to state, that’s the ultimate goal,” said Perry. “We connect, we have team chemistry, and we’re taking it one step at a time.”

Starting lineups

Hope
GK: Evey Linares
D: Valerie Saldana
D: Jazmine Diaz
D: Daniela Torres
D: Ella Payne
M: Allison Ortega
M: Zakira Clark
M: Micah Skidmore
M: Mia Linares
F: Camila Barragan
F: Lizel Ruiz

Wheaton Academy
GK: Calla Brust
D: Grace Pennial
D: Elly Andrews
D: Lexi Rojek
M: Katelyn Schoepke
M: Rebecca Schulenburg
M: Hannah Lindberg
M: Mia Filippo
F: Eva DeSouza
F: Anna Africa
F: Annika Vandervelde

Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Rebecca Schulenburg, sr., MF, Wheaton Academy

Scoring summary

First half
WA: Schulenburg (Vandervelde), 2'
WA: Schoepke (unassisted), 10'
WA: DeSouza (Schulenburg), 10'
WA: Schulenburg (unassisted), 19'
WA: Hughes (Schur), 24'
WA: Davis (unassisted), 26'
WA: DeSouza (unassisted), 30'
WA: Schulenburg (unassisted), 31'
WA: Vandervelde (Schulenburg), 35'

Game concluded at halftime