New Trier ends Conant's postseason run
A 36th-minute strike from junior Bina Saipi turned out to be enough to get New Trier back into the Class 3A girls soccer state semifinals at the expense of Conant.
The Cougars saw their fairy-tale postseason run fall short in Hoffman Estates at Charles Feutz stadium after a memorable week of upsets.
The top-rated Trevians (25-1-1) scored two more goals after the break to ease past the Cougars 3-0 in supersectional play hosted by the Cougars. The defending state champs now head for North Central College in Naperville to face Barrington on Friday night in a terrific state semifinal matchup.
"New Trier is a very good side, and we needed to have one more night like we did against St. Charles East and North to get past them," said Conant coach Jason Franco. "Unfortunately, we didn't have it in us tonight, and now the season is over for us."
Conant (16-7) had topped the No.1 and 2 seeds in the Schaumburg sectional to earn their supersectional appearance.
"Last week was an unbelievable week for the girls and the program after we won just our third sectional championship in our history, and for that alone, everyone associated with Conant soccer should be very proud of that achievement," said Franco. "I honestly felt we had a chance against New Trier tonight, but they are solid from front to back, and there's a chance that some mental fatigue from playing one top team after another might have had a part in our result tonight - because that late goal before the break seemed to take a lot out of us."
New Trier opened well on a mild night, playing through the midfield trio of Maggie Armstrong, Adena Kerzner and Saipi. A stout back-line group helped slow the Cougars' attack, which has relied on senior Leah Celarek for inspiration all season.
With an appreciative big home crowd cheering, the Cougars generated some excitement at the quarter-hour, as junior Emily Mazurek drew close to the goal before driving an attempt at the near post, where all-state keeper Dani Kaufman was called into action.
"We came out a little flat, and I thought we played them pretty even until the last few minutes of the half," said Celarek, who was recently named an all-state selection.
The Cougars were given a scare when an inward swinging corner by Kelly Maday forced Haley Anderson to come off her line - and as a result, Anderson found herself on the turf just outside the 6-yard box. Jackie Welch thumped her header toward the open back post, only to see Dhara Patel take what seemed a sure goal off the line.
Four minutes later, Celia Frei put Saipi through on the left side, sending the Trevians into intermission with a 1-goal advantage.
"Our coaches preach five minutes before the end of the half, and five minutes after - and getting that late goal before the break was really huge for us," said Saipi, a junior who has already signed to play at DePaul in the fall of 2016.
The Cougars struggled to find some energy and pace during the early exchanges of the second period, and eight minutes after losing top outside midfielder Rachel Raymer to an injury, the Trevians created and finished another opportunity with two-time all-state striker Maday unloading a wicked drive off the bar and past Anderson.
Just before Maday doubled the New Trier advantage, Celarek had a go on the turn, with Kaufman there to save the 25-yarder.
Sophomore Natalie Laser produced the final goal of the evening in the 64th minute to end the high school careers of Conant's seniors, including Celarek and teammate Katie Lomas. Both had marvelous final seasons for Franco, including included all-MSL and all-sectional postseason honors.
"We didn't come out as strong as we have in our previous three games of the postseason, but we played hard for 80 minutes, and New Trier is a really good opponent," said Lomas. "But there's no reason for us to hang our heads, because we had a great season, and an even better playoff run," said the backline star, who will attend the University of Illinois next fall.
"I am really proud of this team," said Celarek, who will play at Marquette. "We did some great things together here at the end, and how many teams can say they opened and closed their season at home before their family and friends?"
For New Trier, it was time to appreciate the opportunity at winning another state title in Naperville this weekend.
"Conant was a good team, and Jason does a great job over there," said New Trier coach Jim Burnside. "But I am happy and thrilled for our girls, who right from the start of the year were the team that everyone wanted to beat because we were state champions. They have stayed together and have played for each other and not themselves, and I believe it's the biggest reason we're going back to the state tournament."