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Vostal steps down after 15 years at St. Charles North

When it came time to call an end to her long and successful coaching career, St. Charles North girls soccer coach Ruth Vostal knew the setting - with her assistant coaches, players and those players' parents - the North Stars family.

That's because since 2001, Vostal has not just been the head coach for a program that has been one of the state's most successful, she has been the head of an extended family. Vostal told those gathered on for a team meal on Monday that this season will be her last as she devotes time to her family.

"We had a quote sheet like we always do at these pasta dinners, and it talked about sacrifice and being with family, commitment and change," Vostal said. "That kept us on track. I asked the girls to share their thoughts and there were a lot of tears and the girls shared a lot of memories."

Then the North Stars had their pasta meal, and Vostal said they laughed, danced and had fun being around each other.

"I've had 15 awesome years and I wish I had 15 more," she said. "I'll be honest: I don't like change. I'm living 10 minutes from where I grew up. My family is close to me. I didn't want to have it happen."

But there are good reasons Vostal is stepping aside now. Her children are growing older and she wants to be there them.

"I've been fortunate in that I started head coaching when I was 24, which is early," Vostal said. "I got engaged and married and had twins and became an assistant principal and continued to coach and teach through it all."

And Vostal has been incredibly successful, winning more than 200 matches in her career and finishing as the Class AA runner-up 2004, second in Class 3A in 2012 and third in Class 3A in 2010.

"I love the game and I love the players and the families I have been involved with," Vostal said. "We're going to Leah DeMoss' wedding in July. I'm going to go to (assistant coach Annie Lauterer's) wedding. Lisa Manski is going to be my student teacher next spring."

But family has always been important to Vostal, and she said she knew the time had come.

"These have been wonderful years and my kids and my family have gotten a lot out of it," Vostal said. "But it's been a sacrifice for my husband and it has been difficult when I have to leave a practice or a recital early. I want to take this time to be the absolute best mom that I can be."

Waubonsie Valley 5, Bartlett 0: There was some good news and more good news for the Waubonsie Valley girls soccer team after Monday's 5-0 home victory over Bartlett.

The win pushed the Warriors to 6-0-1 in the Upstate Eight Conference Valley Division and gives them a share of the league title with Neuqua Valley.

However, just winning would not put Waubonsie into the UEC title game against St. Charles North. The Warriors needed to beat the Hawks by 3 goals or more to win the goal differential tiebreaker. That can be checked off, and Waubonsie will face the North Stars Tuesday.

- DJ Wanberg

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