New Trier edges Hersey
A 32nd-minute goal from all-state striker Kelly Maday proved enough for top-rated New Trier to reach the semifinals of the PepsiCo Showdown with a 1-0 victory over Hersey on Thursday night at New Trier Stadium in Northfield.
Both clubs went into the quarterfinal match protecting proud records.
The reigning state champion Trevians were 10-0 while the Huskies, fresh off an important 3-1 triumph over Palatine, were 7-1-1 overall record and leading the MSL East.
"Our game with Palatine made me nervous all day at school," said Huskies coach Darren Llewellyn."So getting past them was great, and helped take a little pressure off coming in to play the top seed in the Pepsi tournament in its home park."
The visitors looked - and played - a little tense and anxious during the early exchanges.
The fast-paced, high-tempo opening from the Trevians and Maday only validated Llewellyn's initial fears for the first quarter hour or so.
"We weren't ourselves, but look at this place," he said. "It's a great home stadium with all of the state championship flags all over, and we're playing one of the top teams in the state. But we finally settled in. And I thought we gave them a pretty good game for the rest of the way."
New Trier head coach Jim Burnside was impressed by Hersey.
"Hersey was so athletic and organized, and they sat in on us," he said. "They made us play the way they wanted us to, instead of us playing at our speed and style. You never feel comfortable or at ease when you're up against a team like Hersey, and that's exactly the way I felt until that final whistle."
The hosts attacked with numbers and pace, which made for plenty of one-way traffic throughout the first period. There was well-delivered buildup play but not enough bite in the final third, which would yield only a few half chances at keeper Claire Gritt.
"Our back line soaked up plenty of pressure tonight," Llewellyn said. "And I thought Abby Wendell, in particular, had a great game as our defensive-mid. She did a great job of slowing the New Trier attack and winning more than her share of 50-50 and second balls for us."
It was all Maday on the lone goal of the night, as the junior spun away from her mark and carried toward the end line.
She then unleashing a venomous angled which found the far netting.
"Great players do great things, and No. 16 did just that," said Llewellyn of Maday.
New Trier was back on the front foot to begin the second period. But the Huskies got themselves back into it with a handful of potentially dangerous counters. They also received some good outside play from their midfielders.
In addition, the back line duo of Kayla Knauss and Sara Magnuson provided stout defensive play. Missing was their first-rate teammate, Annie Korff, who is fighting illness.
"It was tough not having Annie out there, but others filled in well back there to help us keep New Trier away from our goal as much as we could," Llewellyn said.
Hersey's busy week continues when it goes on the road to Hoffman Estates today. Then the Huskies head to Olympic Park for its final match of the PepsiCo Showdown against a yet to be determined opponent.
New Trier will face Hinsdale Central in the semifinals Saturday at Olympic Park in Schaumburg.