By Patrick Z. McGavin

Breaking the game down elementally and by signifiers, the clash of no. 14 Hinsdale Central and top-ranked Barrington on Thursday offers one of the most intriguing backdrops of the Naperville Invitational.

Call it the known and the unknown when the teams square off at 7 p.m Thursday in Barrington.

Defending titleist Barrington is a mainstay in the championship bracket. The Fillies’ three Naperville Invitational crowns have come in the past five editions. The first in 2017 was followed by a shared title with St. Charles North in 2019. The tournament was not contested in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“One of our major goals every season is to advance to the championship bracket of this tournament,” Barrington coach Ryan Stengren said. “We want to play as many high-level teams as possible this time of the season, especially with the state playoffs coming up.”

Since the current format of eight three-team pools was established in 2010, this year marks the first appearance of Hinsdale Central in the championship bracket.

“We’ve gotten close a couple of times, but this is the first time we’ve been able to do this,” said Hinsdale Central coach Tony Madonia of the pool play wins. 

“We beat two very well-coached teams, my alma mater Sandburg, and also Neuqua Valley, historic programs. During the same week we also beat a very good Oak Park and River Forest team in conference.

“We have a lot of young, talented players. They are very new to the (varsity) game. That’s a great achievement.”

The Red Devils (11-3-0) have not allowed a goal thus far in the tournament.

The team has seven shutouts this season thanks to athletic and skilled keepers Katherine Skinner and Emeline McClenahan.

The backline of Julia Marinaccio, Claire Snodgrass, Addisyn Krogstie and Adriana Giannini has been stout. The team has conceded just 11 goals (0.785 GAA average).

Hinsdale Central reached the Class 3A supersectional round last spring.

The Red Devils inclusion among the elite of Naperville Invitational teams is distinctive and crucial to their development.

“We are very excited, because we know how competitive this tournament is, and how many good teams participate,” midfielder Cate McDonnell said. 

“Since the start of the season, our team has really built our chemistry. We have worked on developing our style and flow of play. Finding our specific style of play has been really helpful.”

McDonnell engineered a late comeback bid against no. 8 New Trier in the Red Devils’ 2-1 road loss in West Suburban Conference Silver Division play Tuesday.

McDonnell and forward Caitlin Doherty make the attack sing with their speed, quickness and creativity. Midfielders Emily DiTomasso, Avery Edgewater, Peyton Rohn and Piper Bingham have also demonstrated great skill and composure.

“The tournament is a really great measuring stick for where we are as a team,” McDonnell said. “It’s a great opportunity to replicate the playoffs, and challenge ourselves against teams that are state contenders.

“It’s a super helpful preview of the postseason.”

Each of the eight quarterfinalists are ranked in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25. 

Top-ranked Barrington is one four Elite Eight tournament teams listed in the top eight with no. 4 New Trier, no. 6 Naperville North and Lyons.

Hinsdale Central and Barrington sit in the upper half of the championship bracket. The winner will advance to play the winner between no. 19 Waubonsie Valley and New Trier on Saturday morning at Naperville Central.

“We are looking forward to the challenge of Barrington,” McDonnell said. “They are a great team, and we are ready to bring our best and compete very hard.

“Our team loves playing good competition.”

Barrington defeated Hersey 2-1 in Mid-Suburban League action Wednesday night in a tune-up for its Naperville Invitational quarterfinal. The match was likely of the league championship Soccer Bowl in May.

The Fillies (11-0-2) encountered a tough group play schedule, defeating a very good Geneva team 1-0 and needing a shootout to defeat Oswego East after a 1-1 regulation tie. 

Barrington won back-to-back Class 3A state championships in 2017 and 2018, and finished as state runnerup in 2019, 2022 and 2023. 

The team has taken home a state trophy eight times in the last 10 years.

The Naperville Invitational has been a crucial link to that success. 

Notably, the Fillies 2017 state championship team won the school’s first Naperville Invitational title with a legendary victory over Naperville North.

Barrington finished second to Naperville North two years ago, and beat St. Charles North 1-0 in last year’s championship game.

“We’re very excited to be in the quarterfinal game,” All-State forward Sarah Sarnowski said. “It’s a great opportunity to be playing against high-level opponents.

“We want to defend our title, and compete against quality, talented teams.”

So far this season, Barrington has posted a 46-4 goal differential, and registered nine shutouts. The Fillies had a streak of seven-consecutive shutouts snapped against Oswego East.

The backline is anchored by all-stater and junior keeper Megan Holland. Senior defender Roos VanRoekel. Junior Hannah Blue, sophomore Grace Fuller and freshman Aybree Sanchez have been exceptionally impressive in the back.

“When we’re running as a group of 10, we’re a very tough group to beat,” Barrington coach Ryan Stengren said. 

“This is probably one of the more athletic teams I’ve ever had. That doesn’t always reflect in soccer ability, but this is one our deepest, most athletic teams.”

Barrington’s lineup features six Division I recruits with juniors Holland (Kentucky), Piper Lucier (Marquette) and Madeline Lewis (Miami of Ohio) and seniors VanRoekel (Loyola), Sarnowski (Saint Louis) and Maddy Ziebarth (Indiana State).

All-staters Sarnowski and two-time pick Lucier form a devastating combination in the attack. 

“It’s always beneficial for us to play in these types of games to prepare, and get us ready for the state tournament,” Sarnowski said. “We have to take advantage of the opportunity.”