NORTHFIELD -- Charlotte Dellin has quite the memory.

Two years ago, the New Trier senior lined up for a free kick in the playoffs from around the left hash-marks.

“Sophomore year it went a little too near post and not on frame,”
Dellin said.

For the second time in this postseason, she lined up from a similar position. And for the second time, she didn’t miss.

“It was definitely a redeeming moment for me,” she said. “I have made sure to be able to make that hit and the work paid off.

“It’s definitely something I’m working on. If I can keep making it better and better, that’ll only help our team.”

Dellin’s 37th-minute goal from about 18 yards was the game-winner that secured the Trevians second-consecutive sectional title over Lane, and ninth overall in the past 10 years, in a 2-0 win on their home field.

For Lane, getting to a repeat sectional final appearance was a great accomplishment, especially after graduating so many seniors from last year’s squad. 

Since the Chicago Public League’s automatic qualifier ended in the 2002-03 school year, the Champions are the first city program to make it to consecutive sectional finals in the state’s largest class.

“We talked about legacy a lot the past couple of weeks,” Lane coach Sean Harkness said. “For the seniors, it’s establishing their legacy in the program and what it means to take the program up another level. 

“Instead of being the city school that wins city but then just tries hard against the suburbs, it’s establishing ourselves as one of the premier programs in the area entirety and being able to challenge and beat the teams we hadn’t been able to previously.”

Even though the score and result of Friday’s game were the same as when the two teams met on April 8, Harkness was happier with the way his team played.

“I felt we came a long way from the first time we played, especially in creating dangerous opportunities and asserting ourselves,” Harkness said. “We were on the front foot for a large portions of the game, which I don’t think was the case the first time we played.

“I think that shows how much we’ve grown throughout the season.”

Friday’s matchup mixed a bunch of ups and downs, as well as delays.

The match was delayed from the start because the girls lacrosse sectional final between Loyola and New Trier went to four overtimes.

Then with 31:36 remaining in regulation, the Thor Guard went off due to the possibility for lightning in the area. That started a nearly 40-minute delay with the Trevians up 1-0.

With such a long break, it would be easy for a team to come out sluggishly for the resumption of the match.

But not New Trier.

They came out looking to extend the lead.

Part of that was because they were relaxed and not uptight during the delay. A team that likes to have fun together did just that.

“We regrouped, and we got into what we usually do. Honestly, that’s just sit in our shed, and we dance and have fun with each other,” Dellin said. “As long as we do that, we’ll come out firing. That gives us an extra boost, because we knew we’d be coming out for another 31 minutes.”

“We talked a little strategy. We danced and then we came out loose and ready,” Burnside said. “That’s how this team plays best … with a little bit of an edge, but also having a blast the whole time.”

Seven minutes after play resumed, standout freshman Addy Randall ended the scoring with a beautiful goal in front of the net.

“Our coaches always talk about one extra run, and that’s what wins games,” Randall said. “So, I was just thinking that every run I do is going to pay off. It’s a hard sprint toward the back post. 

“Josie (Noble) just delivered a great ball for a tap-in goal.”

“That composure to put the ball in the back of the net was just impressive,” Burnside said. “Coming back from that break, getting the second goal … ’Ok we can breathe a little bit.’ We’re not always on pins and needles.”

The home team wasn’t the only one that came out looking to get on the board.

Lane knew that their season depended on whatever happened after the delay and pressed for a goal.

Before the final goal, Grace Carman forced New Trier keeper Annie Fowler into a full extension to keep the match from being equalized.

“The break for us was about trying to relax mentally so they’d be able to focus but then also to continue to believe,” Harkness said. “I think they were a little down. Some of them thought the game was over. There was a chance we weren’t going to be able to come out and keep playing. 

“So it was managing their emotions – the season’s not over, we still have 31 minutes left. We did hit the post; we had opportunities.”

The Champions’ season ends with only three losses on the year - two to New Trier and a one-goal loss to Stevenson. 

Next year’s team returns six starters, including multiple players who have more than one year of varsity experience. Other returnees have starting experience as well. They’ll be led by Carman, keeper Cynthia Waller, midfielder Jessica Carlson, forward Jackson Caffey and defender Olive Tinucci, all of whom have multiple years of varsity experience. Waller, Carman and Tinucci will be seniors who have been on varsity since their freshman seasons.

“The fact we’re going to be able to bring back so many quality players and that the program is going to continue to be in good hands is great,” Harkness said. “We want to create something that’s self-perpetuating. That way we’re creating a certain level where we don’t see a lot of dropoff year after year.

“I think that’s certainly possible. Our group of juniors that will be seniors, they’re a big spine of the team the past two years. That group that’s been on varsity two, three years … it’s comforting knowing they’ll be back.”

With the shutout, the Trevians moved one step closer to making state history. 

The match marked the defense’s 16th-consecutive shutout, a number that tied the 2004 New Trier squad for most consecutive shutouts. It was also the Trevians 25th shutout of the season, which is fourth all-time, three behind that same 2004 squad.

New Trier next faces Lyons in the Dominican University Supersectional on Tuesday afternoon. The two teams last played in the 2023 Lou Malnati’s Deep Dish Classic semifinals. That ended with a 1-0 Lyons win.

Starting lineups

Lane
GK: Cynthia Waller
D: Aislin Anstee
D: Alyssa LoVerde
D: Olive Tinucci
MF: Riya Jain
MF: Jessica Carlson
MF: Kristi Sevova
MF: Jennifer Rodriguez
F: Jackson Caffey
F: Abigail Snowden
F: Grace Carman

New Trier
GK: Annie Fowler
D: Kennedy Colegrove
D: Clara Deliduka
D: Basie Shannon
D: Honor Dold
MF: Annie Paden
MF: Addy Randall
MF: Sybil Evans
F: Charlotte Dellin
F: Josie Noble
F: Jaime Elias

Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Charlotte Dellin, sr., F, New Trier

Scoring summary

First half
New Trier - Charlotte Dellin (free kick), 37th minute

Second half
New Trier - Addy Randall (Josie Noble), 57th minute