Two of the best, meet in an early test
By Mike Garofola
Expectations are always high for perennial state powers Barrington and Neuqua Valley. But in the wonderful, wacky world of high school soccer, it is sometime difficult to have expectations and reality meet in the end.
Last spring, these two clubs nearly met all expectations, but fell just short of what each side wanted. Nonetheless, Joe Moreau, of Neuqua Valley, and Barrington's Ryan Stengren wouldn't have traded it for anything.
Today, the Class 3A second and third place trophy winners meet in an annual nonconference match. The game, which was to be played at Neuqua Valley, has been moved to Commissioners Park in Naperville. Game time is 5 p.m.
It's the season opener for Moreau's club, which was ranked at no. 9 in Chicagoland Soccer's preseason Top 25, and second game for no. 2 Barrington, which began its campaign with a 1-0 win at no. 4 Naperville North on Monday.
"What a great season 2015 was for us," said Moreau, whose club sat at 8-3-2 following consecutive losses to Plainfield North (2-0) and Conant (1-0) at the Naperville Invitational. But the Wildcats merged into the fast lane and reeled off 11-straight wins to reach the state final against New Trier. There the Trevians dashed their hopes with a 2-0 victory.
Early on, the Neuqua Valley (19-4-2) looked to be the third-best side in the high profile DuPage area, just behind favorites Waubonsie Valley and Naperville North. But when Metea Valley stunned Waubonsie Valley in a sectional semifinal, and later, the Wildcats sent second-ranked Naperville North crashing out of the tournament with a thrilling 3-2 victory, the postseason script was nearly written for Moreau and his club. A subsequent win against Hinsdale Central secured the spot in the last four.
"The kids bought into the concept to always work hard in training, and games, and to defend all over the field," Moreau said. "And once we got on that run, there was just no stopping us."
With all due respect to the Wildcats attack, the backline and keeper Hannah Parrish were water tight throughout the memorable 2015 campaign.
Neuqua Valley never allowed more than two goals in any match in 2015, and only three opponents scored twice on them along the way.
The dazzling defense of Tatiana Espinoza (North Dakota), Nicole Mondi, Sophia Moreau (Bowling Green) and Dannah Williams (Purdue) produced a sturdy, composed unit in front of Parrish (Baylor). This group helped their mates lift the program's second state trophy, and first for Moreau, who is nearing 400 victories for a wonderful career that began at St. Charles East in 1995.
"We lost three of those (defensive) starters (Espinoza, Moreau, Williams), plus Hannah, so it will be tough to replace a backline like that," said Moreau.
"We'll move Nicole (Mondi) in as our center back, a position she is very comfortable at, and rotate a couple of players in goal, and continue to tinker with the other spots before we settle into something more concrete later on."
As far as the Wildcats attack, they return second-leading overall scorer Alyssa Bombacino, who finished behind Kiley Czerwinksi (14 goals), who graduated and played at Illinois State last fall.
The sophomore bagged 10 goals last year with seven helpers. Two of those assists helped the Wildcats top Collinsville 3-1 in a state semifinal match.
"We return only 10 from last year, but we feel there's a good group of players that will work hard, and make their mark this season for us," said Moreau.
The new faces will be welcomed into a new conference for the Wildcats, who move from the Upstate Eight to join the DuPage Valley.
"We've always played DVC teams in our nonconference games, this year will be different," began Moreau, whose club opens league play in its next game -- Thursday, March 24th at Wheaton Warrenville South.
"There are no weak teams in this league, so it will be interesting each time out."
Different and interesting is how Stengren described what he expects this season after saying goodbye to a record-setting group of seniors. The Class of 2015 earned two state trophies, 79 wins in four seasons, four consecutive MSL titles, and countless more team and individual honors. It featured a two-time Illinois Gatorade Player of the Year and two-time all-state striker, Jenna Szczesny, who moved on to Loyola University in Chicago to play, and enter in its nursing program.
"I cannot tell you how proud I was of our group of seniors that went through to win four-straight championships in a conference where it's so difficult to just win a division title," began Stengren, now in his ninth year as Fillies manager. In that span he has posted a 152-37-16 overall record.
"Even after watching the tape of our 1-0 state semifinal loss to New Trier, and seeing the incredible speed of play, and our ability to possess, create, and defend a great team like New Trier, I still cannot tell you how happy and proud I was of the girls that night, even in defeat."
Szczesny was what every manager wants - a deadly finisher (37 goals, 102 in career), and voracious attacking machine, which could break apart even the best of backlines while also providing pace, service, and the ability to create for others.
But the Fillies were not a one-woman show. Their first class midfield, beginning with Ann Marie Niro (now playing at Notre Dame) and four-year veterans Megan Fox and Kelsey Muniz, was a box-to-box machine that connected easily with their scoring star up top, while helping to bring others into the mix with unselfish play.
Combine all of that with a brilliant keeper in Hannah Luedtke (playing at Butler) and you can see why Stengren's club enjoyed its sensational four-year run.
"It was a terrific team, and one that was so much fun to be around and coach," said Stengren. "But now we move on to another group of girls, who are also a great group as well.
"There're no game changers on this roster, but the cupboard wasn't left bare. (It's) just that it's going to take some time to sort things out, figure where we can best use the talent we have, and define the role of each player. I guess you can say we're a work in progress right now."
One big bonus for Stengren and his staff is the return of its entire backline, now juniors Jackie Batliner, Kayla Keck and Haley Tausend, and senior Lauren Pircher.
The unit, along with the aforementioned Luedtke, was as stingy as they come and conceded just 13 goals on the year. Sophomore Samantha Schmitz, who served as Luedtke's caddy last season, will take over between the sticks for Stengren, who is quite high on his new starting keeper.
There is a nice core of returning players for Stengren to lean on. Many of them were key figures in their first year with the big club as freshmen and sophomores in 2015.
Now it's back to business for the Broncos.
"It was nice to get a 1-0 result in our opener with Naperville North, but that is all it was - a result," offered Stengren.
"Even with the players coming back, you can see we have plenty of room for improvement. There's not just one or two specifically areas we need to work on. The hope is we get things figured out to ready ourselves for our MSL matches."
Following a long break, Barrington resumes play match at Waubonsie Valley on March 28. Then the Fillies play seven consecutive clubs from the MSL, beginning with reigning East Division champion Hersey on Friday, April 1.
By Mike Garofola
Expectations are always high for perennial state powers Barrington and Neuqua Valley. But in the wonderful, wacky world of high school soccer, it is sometime difficult to have expectations and reality meet in the end.
Last spring, these two clubs nearly met all expectations, but fell just short of what each side wanted. Nonetheless, Joe Moreau, of Neuqua Valley, and Barrington's Ryan Stengren wouldn't have traded it for anything.
Today, the Class 3A second and third place trophy winners meet in an annual nonconference match. The game, which was to be played at Neuqua Valley, has been moved to Commissioners Park in Naperville. Game time is 5 p.m.
It's the season opener for Moreau's club, which was ranked at no. 9 in Chicagoland Soccer's preseason Top 25, and second game for no. 2 Barrington, which began its campaign with a 1-0 win at no. 4 Naperville North on Monday.
"What a great season 2015 was for us," said Moreau, whose club sat at 8-3-2 following consecutive losses to Plainfield North (2-0) and Conant (1-0) at the Naperville Invitational. But the Wildcats merged into the fast lane and reeled off 11-straight wins to reach the state final against New Trier. There the Trevians dashed their hopes with a 2-0 victory.
Early on, the Neuqua Valley (19-4-2) looked to be the third-best side in the high profile DuPage area, just behind favorites Waubonsie Valley and Naperville North. But when Metea Valley stunned Waubonsie Valley in a sectional semifinal, and later, the Wildcats sent second-ranked Naperville North crashing out of the tournament with a thrilling 3-2 victory, the postseason script was nearly written for Moreau and his club. A subsequent win against Hinsdale Central secured the spot in the last four.
"The kids bought into the concept to always work hard in training, and games, and to defend all over the field," Moreau said. "And once we got on that run, there was just no stopping us."
With all due respect to the Wildcats attack, the backline and keeper Hannah Parrish were water tight throughout the memorable 2015 campaign.
Neuqua Valley never allowed more than two goals in any match in 2015, and only three opponents scored twice on them along the way.
The dazzling defense of Tatiana Espinoza (North Dakota), Nicole Mondi, Sophia Moreau (Bowling Green) and Dannah Williams (Purdue) produced a sturdy, composed unit in front of Parrish (Baylor). This group helped their mates lift the program's second state trophy, and first for Moreau, who is nearing 400 victories for a wonderful career that began at St. Charles East in 1995.
"We lost three of those (defensive) starters (Espinoza, Moreau, Williams), plus Hannah, so it will be tough to replace a backline like that," said Moreau.
"We'll move Nicole (Mondi) in as our center back, a position she is very comfortable at, and rotate a couple of players in goal, and continue to tinker with the other spots before we settle into something more concrete later on."
As far as the Wildcats attack, they return second-leading overall scorer Alyssa Bombacino, who finished behind Kiley Czerwinksi (14 goals), who graduated and played at Illinois State last fall.
The sophomore bagged 10 goals last year with seven helpers. Two of those assists helped the Wildcats top Collinsville 3-1 in a state semifinal match.
"We return only 10 from last year, but we feel there's a good group of players that will work hard, and make their mark this season for us," said Moreau.
The new faces will be welcomed into a new conference for the Wildcats, who move from the Upstate Eight to join the DuPage Valley.
"We've always played DVC teams in our nonconference games, this year will be different," began Moreau, whose club opens league play in its next game -- Thursday, March 24th at Wheaton Warrenville South.
"There are no weak teams in this league, so it will be interesting each time out."
Different and interesting is how Stengren described what he expects this season after saying goodbye to a record-setting group of seniors. The Class of 2015 earned two state trophies, 79 wins in four seasons, four consecutive MSL titles, and countless more team and individual honors. It featured a two-time Illinois Gatorade Player of the Year and two-time all-state striker, Jenna Szczesny, who moved on to Loyola University in Chicago to play, and enter in its nursing program.
"I cannot tell you how proud I was of our group of seniors that went through to win four-straight championships in a conference where it's so difficult to just win a division title," began Stengren, now in his ninth year as Fillies manager. In that span he has posted a 152-37-16 overall record.
"Even after watching the tape of our 1-0 state semifinal loss to New Trier, and seeing the incredible speed of play, and our ability to possess, create, and defend a great team like New Trier, I still cannot tell you how happy and proud I was of the girls that night, even in defeat."
Szczesny was what every manager wants - a deadly finisher (37 goals, 102 in career), and voracious attacking machine, which could break apart even the best of backlines while also providing pace, service, and the ability to create for others.
But the Fillies were not a one-woman show. Their first class midfield, beginning with Ann Marie Niro (now playing at Notre Dame) and four-year veterans Megan Fox and Kelsey Muniz, was a box-to-box machine that connected easily with their scoring star up top, while helping to bring others into the mix with unselfish play.
Combine all of that with a brilliant keeper in Hannah Luedtke (playing at Butler) and you can see why Stengren's club enjoyed its sensational four-year run.
"It was a terrific team, and one that was so much fun to be around and coach," said Stengren. "But now we move on to another group of girls, who are also a great group as well.
"There're no game changers on this roster, but the cupboard wasn't left bare. (It's) just that it's going to take some time to sort things out, figure where we can best use the talent we have, and define the role of each player. I guess you can say we're a work in progress right now."
One big bonus for Stengren and his staff is the return of its entire backline, now juniors Jackie Batliner, Kayla Keck and Haley Tausend, and senior Lauren Pircher.
The unit, along with the aforementioned Luedtke, was as stingy as they come and conceded just 13 goals on the year. Sophomore Samantha Schmitz, who served as Luedtke's caddy last season, will take over between the sticks for Stengren, who is quite high on his new starting keeper.
There is a nice core of returning players for Stengren to lean on. Many of them were key figures in their first year with the big club as freshmen and sophomores in 2015.
Now it's back to business for the Broncos.
"It was nice to get a 1-0 result in our opener with Naperville North, but that is all it was - a result," offered Stengren.
"Even with the players coming back, you can see we have plenty of room for improvement. There's not just one or two specifically areas we need to work on. The hope is we get things figured out to ready ourselves for our MSL matches."
Following a long break, Barrington resumes play match at Waubonsie Valley on March 28. Then the Fillies play seven consecutive clubs from the MSL, beginning with reigning East Division champion Hersey on Friday, April 1.
